VITAMIN DEFICIENCY AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

Vitamins are a heterogeneous group of organic compounds that help ensure the human bodys wellbeing and function. This paper introduces the importance of all vitamins, both water-soluble and fat-soluble, as well as problems deriving from their deficiency. Additionally, vitamin supplements as part of treating vitamin deficiency, and possible harmful effects on the human body areshowcased. The main focus of the paper is on the vitamin B complex, and vitamin B12 specifically. The benefits of vitamin B12, as well as its action in the human body and the noxious effects of any lack of vitamin B12 in the human body, are also discussed. Some of the health conditionsan individual may need to face when they have vitamin B12 deficiency include neural tube defects, Alzheimers disease, depression, and megaloblastic anaemia, which are also introduced and further discussed, in terms of symptomatology, causes and suggested treatment. The toxicity of vitamin B12 is also introduced, and possible causes for vitamin B12 deficiency are showcased.

Vitamins B1 and B2 Status in Indigenous Northerners Leading a Seminomadic and Sedentary Lifestyle

The Komi Republic is one of the regions with large communities of reindeer herders. As a result of the active development of northern territories, the indigenous population is shifting from nomadic to sedentary lifestyle, which is accompanied by significant changes in their traditional way of life and diet. As a result, representatives of the same ethnic group can have different dietary patterns. This paper compares the status of vitamins B1 and B2 between the groups of northerners leading a seminomadic and sedentary lifestyle. Indigenous inhabitants – children (aged 7–17 years, n = 395) and adults (aged 18–57 years, n = 370) – living in the Komi Republic (65–67°N) were examined. The group of reindeer herders consisted of workers of reindeer-herding teams travelling with the herd and their children (either attending boarding schools or living with their families). The control group was represented by indigenous northerners not involved in reindeer herding and permanently living in settlements. The vitamins B1 and B2 status was measured by the activity of vitamin-dependent red cell enzymes. We found a high prevalence of vitamin deficiency (over 40 % for vitamin B1 and over 30 % for vitamin B2) among the indigenous population of the North. The total prevalence of vitamin deficiency among reindeer herders was similar to that in the population leading a sedentary lifestyle; however, severe hypovitaminosis was more than twice as common among the latter. The vitamin status of reindeer herders’ children attending boarding schools and those living with their families during the academic year did not differ significantly from the status of children whose families lead a permanent sedentary lifestyle.

Avitaminosis as a cause of spasmophilia

Since the existing hypotheses about the causes of spasmophilia (lack of calcium, dysfunction of the thymus or parathyroid glands, alkaloa or guanidine poisoning) cannot be considered completely convincing, prof. P. Reuher (Kl. W., 1923, No. 4-5) is looking for its cause in vitamin deficiency.

Use of vitamin preparations in the skin care process

Vitamins exhibit a wide spectrum of activity. They take part in all vital processes in the organisms and are responsible for young and healthy appearance of the skin. Each of the vitamins is characterized by individual properties and their own way of activity. The aim of the study was to present the most common vitamins in cosmetic products and their influence on the condition of the skin, hair and nails. Vitamin deficiency can cause not only changes and diseases inside the body, but also may impair skin conditionssuch as: altered tone, grayish and bruising around eyes, visible blood vessels, discoloration and lack of elasticity. Synergistic supplementation of vitamins, both oral and external, can improve the appearance of the skin and reduce changes caused by environmental factors.

Evaluation of natural and synthetic dyes in saffron barbecued chicken collected from meat shops and restaurants in Babol using thin-layer chromatography

Synthetic colors have advantages in comparison to natural colors, but they cause cancer, attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder, immune system suppression and vitamin deficiency. In the present study, authorized and unauthorized synthetic colors in saffron barbecued chicken from meat shops and restaurants in Babol city have been identified by thin-layer chromatography. Fifty samples of saffron barbecued chicken from meat shops and restaurants in Babol city have been collected from July to September 2019. Out of 50 samples, 20 had natural color, while 27 and 3 samples contained authorized and unauthorized synthetic colors respectively. According to the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran, the application of synthetic colors is banned in saffron barbecued chicken. Therefore, 40% were consumable and 60% were inconsumable, out of which 54% contained quinoline yellow and 6% had tartrazine. About 58.06% and 63.15% of samples from meat shops and restaurants were inconsumable, respectively. There were no significant differences regarding the frequency of the evaluated colors between samples from meat shops and restaurants (p>0.05). Based on the results, it is essential that the presence of synthetic colors is traced constantly and more strictly in food products and that the perpetrators receive more serious punishment.

THE ROLE OF PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH VITAMINS AND MINERALS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE PEDIATRICIAN

Известно, что в детском возрасте происходят интенсивный рост и напряженные обменные процессы, что и определяет высокую потребность организма ребенка как в витаминах, так и в минеральных веществах. Несмотря на отсутствие дефицита свежих овощей и фруктов, у 80-90% населения Казакстана обнаруживается дефицит витамина С, у 40-60% - снижены уровни витаминов А, В, В, у 30-40% детей наблюдается дефицит железа и кальция, у 70-80% - дефицит йода. Многочисленные исследования, проводимые в различных регионах совместно с Институтом питания, показали, что за последние годы обеспеченность витаминами населения Казакстана существенно ухудшилась. Также отмечено, что у Казахстанских детей дефицит витаминов имеет характер полигиповитаминоза и является круглогодичным, т. е. без улучшения в летние месяцы. Нарушая обмен веществ, дефицит витаминов способствует снижению иммунитета, отрицательно сказывается на физическом и психическом развитии ребенка, повышает частоту и усугубляет тяжесть хронических заболеваний. It is known that in childhood there is intense growth and intense metabolic processes, which determines the high need of the child's body for both vitamins and minerals. Despite the absence of a shortage of fresh vegetables and fruits, 80-90% of the population of Kazakstan is found to be deficient in vitamin C, 40-60% - reduced levels of vitamins A, B1, B2, 30-40% of children are deficient in iron and calcium, 70-80% - iodine deficiency. Numerous studies conducted in various regions together with the Institute of Nutrition have shown that in recent years, the vitamin supply of the population of Kazakstan has significantly deteriorated. It is also noted that in Kazakstan children, vitamin deficiency has the character of polyhypovitaminosis and is year-round, i.e. without improvement in the summer months. By disrupting the metabolism, vitamin deficiency contributes to a decrease in immunity, negatively affects the physical and mental development of the child, increases the frequency and exacerbates the severity of chronic diseases [1-7].