Replacing dietary animal-source proteins with plant-source proteins changes dietary intake and status of vitamins and minerals in healthy adults: a 12-week randomized controlled trial

Purpose A shift towards more plant-based diets promotes both health and sustainability. However, controlled trials addressing the nutritional effects of replacing animal proteins with plant proteins are lacking. We examined the effects of partly replacing animal proteins with plant proteins on critical vitamin and mineral intake and statuses in healthy adults using a whole-diet approach. Methods Volunteers aged 20–69 years (107 female, 29 male) were randomly allocated into one of three 12-week intervention groups with different dietary protein compositions: ANIMAL: 70% animal-source protein/30% plant-source protein; 50/50: 50% animal/50% plant; PLANT: 30% animal/70% plant; all with designed protein intake of 17 E%. We analysed vitamin B-12, iodine, iron, folate, and zinc intakes from 4-day food records, haemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin receptor, folate, and holotranscobalamin II from fasting blood samples, and iodine from 24-h urine. Results At the end point, vitamin B-12 intake and status were lower in PLANT than in 50/50 or ANIMAL groups (P ≤ 0.007 for all). Vitamin B-12 intake was also lower in 50/50 than in ANIMAL (P < 0.001). Iodine intake and status were lower in both 50/50 and PLANT than in ANIMAL (P ≤ 0.002 for all). Iron and folate intakes were higher in PLANT than in ANIMAL (P < 0.001, P = 0.047), but no significant differences emerged in the respective biomarkers. Conclusions Partial replacement of animal protein foods with plant protein foods led to marked decreases in the intake and status of vitamin B-12 and iodine. No changes in iron status were seen. More attention needs to be paid to adequate micronutrient intakes when following flexitarian diets. Clinical trial registry NCT03206827; registration date: 2017–06-30.

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of a Ferrous / Ascorbate Complex

<p>The importance of trace metal ions in biological processes has been known for some time, but the role of chelating molecules in the human body is a comparatively new and interesting field of research Schubert, j., 1966, Scientific American, 214, no. 5, 40. Among the important complexes occuring in the body are haemoglobin, containing iron, and vitamin B-12, containing cobalt, both essential to human health. Other well-known naturally occuring complexes include cytochrome oxidase, containing both iron and copper, and chlorophyll, containing magnesium. The transition metal ions of the First Transition Series are well-known for their ability to form complexes with suitable ligands, and in particular with chelate ligands which can seize the metal ion like a claw (chele means claw in Greek). Many of these complexes have been characterized experimentally, and their properties interpreted by theoretical calculations. However, the complexes arising from biological systems are much more difficult to study, partly because of their greater size and special properties.</p>

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of a Ferrous / Ascorbate Complex

<p>The importance of trace metal ions in biological processes has been known for some time, but the role of chelating molecules in the human body is a comparatively new and interesting field of research Schubert, j., 1966, Scientific American, 214, no. 5, 40. Among the important complexes occuring in the body are haemoglobin, containing iron, and vitamin B-12, containing cobalt, both essential to human health. Other well-known naturally occuring complexes include cytochrome oxidase, containing both iron and copper, and chlorophyll, containing magnesium. The transition metal ions of the First Transition Series are well-known for their ability to form complexes with suitable ligands, and in particular with chelate ligands which can seize the metal ion like a claw (chele means claw in Greek). Many of these complexes have been characterized experimentally, and their properties interpreted by theoretical calculations. However, the complexes arising from biological systems are much more difficult to study, partly because of their greater size and special properties.</p>

Frequency of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Study Design: Retrospective study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, OMC Hospital, Jail Road Lahore from January, 2020 to December, 2020. Methods: Two hundred and thirty pregnant females were enrolled age between 18-45 years. Detailed demographics of enrolled cases age, gestational age, gravidity and body mass index were recorded after taking informed written consent. Among 230 cases, 100 women were non GDM (group I) and 130 had gestational diabetes mellitus (group II). Blood samples were taken from all the patients for measuring vitamin B12 status. Vitamin B12 was defined as <300 pg/ml. Results: Mean age of the patients in group I was 31.64±7.45 years with mean BMI 25.88±8.65 kg/m2 while mean age among GDM group was 34.55±5.71 years with mean BMI 27.36±9.44 kg/m2. Mean gestational age in group I was 33.72±4.21 weeks and in group II 35.08±9.27 weeks. In group I 20 (20%) had vitamin B12 deficiency and in group II rate ofvitamin B12 deficiency was high among 90 (69.2%) cases. We found a significantly relation between vitamin B12 and GDM with p value <0.0007. Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency among pregnant women of gestational diabetes mellitus was significantly high as compared to normal pregnant women. Keywords: Pregnant Women, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Vitamin B12 deficiency

Prevalence of Vitamin B12 Deficiency among Exclusively Breast Fed term infants

Objective: To determine the rate of vitamin B 12 deficiency among exclusively breast fed term infants in central Punjab Method: This descriptive case series included all 120 exclusively breast fed, term, and healthy infants with age range 1-6 months at Children, Hospital, Lahore. The maternal socio-demographic details in addition to infants’ anthropometric measurements were recorded and CBS and serum Vit B12 levels were evaluated by sending the samples to the hospital lab. We used SPSS 16th vesion for data analysis. Results: Mean age of the infants was 3.25+1.47 months. 58.33%(n=70) were male and 41.67%(n=50) were female infants. The mean serum vitamin B12 levels were recorded as 196.81 (±121.432)pg/mL. Frequency of low vitamin B12 (<200 pg/ml)in infants was recorded in Low serum vitamin B12 levels (<200 pg/ml) was seen in 66 (55%) of infants. Conclusion: The rate of vit B12 deficiency is higher in EBF infants and due to its an important role in neurologic development during infancy, it is necessary to address this issue in infants

Anaerobic Growth of Listeria monocytogenes on Rhamnose Is Stimulated by Vitamin B 12 and Bacterial Microcompartment-Dependent 1,2-Propanediol Utilization

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen causing severe illness and, as such, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms contributing to its survival strategy and pathogenicity. Rhamnose is a deoxyhexose sugar abundant in a range of environments, including the human intestine, and can be degraded in anaerobic conditions into 1,2-propanediol.

Pancytopenia in pregnant patients with COVID-19 infection and vitamin B12 deficiency: a case report study

Background: Folate and vitamin B 12 deficiency can lead to pancytopenia in pregnancy. Some cases of pancytopenia due to COVID-19 infection have also been reported. The two cases that we present are related to the coincidence of pregnancy and deficiency of folic acid and vitamin B12 with COVID-19 infection. Case presentation: A 26-year- woman G3P1L1A1 and 21-year-woman G2P1L1 presented with pancytopenia and mild COVID-19 infection. The antenatal period was uneventful, and both cases also had folate and vitamin B12 deficiency. They received blood products, folic acid, and vitamin B12 supplementation. COVID- 19 infection was managed well with analgesic and vital monitoring. Postpartum hemorrhage occurred in the second case, which was well managed with uterotonics. All laboratory parameters came out to be normal after three months of supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12. Conclusion: Pancytopenia in pregnancy due to folate and vitamin B12 deficiency and COVID- 19 infection can be easily managed with timely intensive targeted therapy, but we should be extra vigilant while handling such complicated cases, keeping in mind all possible differential diagnoses for pancytopenia.