Nutritional Behaviors, Vitamin Supplementation and Physical Activity among Polish Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, including social isolation, movement restrictions and work instability have altered many people’s nutritional behaviors and daily lifestyle. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on selected eating habits, physical activity and daily lifestyle changes of Polish adults (n = 145). The self-designed and anonymous questionnaire was available online from the 1 May 2021 to the 15 May 2021. In general, 60% of respondents declared that the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect their dietary habits, whereas 26% of surveyed individuals answered in the affirmative. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on changing dietary habits was differentiated by age (Pearson’s χ2 = 12.604; p = 0.0134). The number of meals consumed by respondents per day differed across gender groups (Pearson’s χ2 = 9.653; df = 4; p = 0.0466). An increase in body weight during the COVID-19 pandemic was reported by 43% of women and 7.6% of surveyed men. Additionally, hybrid working women declared most often an increase in body mass independent of age, education level and living place. Moreover, the majority of respondents who reported the effect of the pandemic on changing dietary habits also declared more frequent sweets consumption. The study revealed that respondents who stated more frequent sweets consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely associated with an increase in body mass (OR = 6.75, 95% CI, 6.75–91.25). No increase in the consumption of vitamin D, C and Mg supplements and pickled products was found.

The Importance of B Vitamins in Enhanced Precision Nutrition of Dairy Cows: The Case of Folates and Vitamin B12

Dairy cow diets are generally balanced for energy and major nutrients with B vitamins generally assumed not to be limiting, in spite of their role as coenzymes, essential to many metabolic reactions in protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Assuming adequacy of B-vitamin supply may explain some of the discrepancies between the outcomes of metabolic prediction models and measured cow performance. In lactating dairy cow, the amount of B vitamins from the diet and synthesized by the ruminal microbiota is generally sufficient to prevent deficiency symptoms and, as such, is assumed to fulfill requirements. However, reports of beneficial effects of B-vitamin supplementation on dairy cow performance suggest that B-vitamin supply is sometimes lower than its needs, as an insufficient B-vitamin supply decreases metabolic efficiency by driving a shift towards alternative metabolic pathways with greater energy cost. Using information on folates and vitamin B12 illustrated how meeting dairy cow needs for B vitamins should not be overlooked in formulation of rations for lactating dairy cattle. The present review discusses current knowledge and indicates areas presently impeded by the lack of research results, especially the limitations on the ability to estimate B vitamin need and supply.

Metabolic Therapy of Heart Failure: Is There a Future for B Vitamins?

Heart failure (HF) is a plague of the aging population in industrialized countries that continues to cause many deaths despite intensive research into more effective treatments. Although the therapeutic arsenal to face heart failure has been expanding, the relatively short life expectancy of HF patients is pushing towards novel therapeutic strategies. Heart failure is associated with drastic metabolic disorders, including severe myocardial mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic nutrient deprivation secondary to severe cardiac dysfunction. To date, no effective therapy has been developed to restore the cardiac energy metabolism of the failing myocardium, mainly due to the metabolic complexity and intertwining of the involved processes. Recent years have witnessed a growing scientific interest in natural molecules that play a pivotal role in energy metabolism with promising therapeutic effects against heart failure. Among these molecules, B vitamins are a class of water soluble vitamins that are directly involved in energy metabolism and are of particular interest since they are intimately linked to energy metabolism and HF patients are often B vitamin deficient. This review aims at assessing the value of B vitamin supplementation in the treatment of heart failure.

Fat-Soluble Vitamin Supplementation Using Liposomes, Cyclodextrins, or Medium-Chain Triglycerides in Cystic Fibrosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Fat-soluble vitamin deficiency remains a challenge in cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic pancreatitis, and biliary atresia. Liposomes and cyclodextrins can enhance their bioavailability, thus this multi-center randomized placebo-controlled trial compared three-month supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins in the form of liposomes or cyclodextrins to medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) in pancreatic-insufficient CF patients. The daily doses were as follows: 2000 IU of retinyl palmitate, 4000 IU of vitamin D3, 200 IU of RRR-α-tocopherol, and 200 µg of vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7, with vitamin E given in soybean oil instead of liposomes. All participants received 4 mg of β-carotene and 1.07 mg of vitamin K1 to ensure compliance with the guidelines. The primary outcome was the change from the baseline of all-trans-retinol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations and the percentage of undercarboxylated osteocalcin. Out of 75 randomized patients (n = 28 liposomes, n = 22 cyclodextrins, and n = 25 MCT), 67 completed the trial (89%; n = 26 liposomes, n = 18 cyclodextrins, and n = 23 MCT) and had a median age of 22 years (IQR 19–28), body mass index of 20.6 kg/m2 [18.4–22.0], and forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 65% (44–84%). The liposomal formulation of vitamin A was associated with the improved evolution of serum all-trans-retinol compared to the control (median +1.7 ng/mL (IQR −44.3–86.1) vs. −38.8 ng/mL (−71.2–6.8), p = 0.028). Cyclodextrins enhanced the bioavailability of vitamin D3 (+9.0 ng/mL (1.0–17.0) vs. +3.0 ng/mL (−4.0–7.0), p = 0.012) and vitamin E (+4.34 µg/mL (0.33–6.52) vs. −0.34 µg/mL (−1.71–2.15), p = 0.010). Liposomes may augment the bioavailability of vitamin A and cyclodextrins may strengthen the supplementation of vitamins D3 and E relative to MCT in pancreatic-insufficient CF but further studies are required to assess liposomal vitamin E (German Clinical Trial Register number DRKS00014295, funded from EU and Norsa Pharma).

Consumer Awareness and Perception on Mineral and Vitamin Supplements to Boost Immunity Against COVID-19

COVID-19 have been widespread all over the world. Mineral supplementation and Vitamin intake may help to reduce the severity of the common cold. This study determines the Knowledge, Attitude, And Practices of Consumers About Mineral and Vitamin Supplementation to boost immune system for COVID-19. 178 Participants who lived in the NCR Bubble particularly Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan., 18-years old and above were chosen by convenience sampling. To get the appropriate data needed, the researchers divided the questionnaire into 4 parts such as Demographics, Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices using likert scale. Descriptive analysis of frequencies and percentages for demographic characteristics, KAP assessment and likewert interpretation was applied. The respondents' knowledge, attitude, and practices toward micronutrient supplementation were evaluated. Results showed that the respondents have a very good understanding, belief, and practice of mineral supplementation and vitamin intake to boost the immune system. Before the pandemic, 178 respondents did not take mineral supplements; nevertheless, 58 respondents (32.58 percent) took vitamins, and 117 respondents (65.73%) took both mineral and multivitamin supplements. On the other hand, 61 (34.27%) respondents took vitamins, while 120 (67.42%) respondents took both mineral and vitamin supplements during the pandemic. In addition, the intake of these supplements increased during pandemic. Self-willingness (28.65%) was the most common response to factors linked with mineral and vitamin consumption prior to the pandemic, whereas doctor's prescription was the most common response during the pandemic (44.94%). The level of micronutrient supplementation practiced by the respondents was also applied because they knew and believed that it could reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Angiotensin-(3–4) (Val-Tyr) Normalizes the Elevated Arterial Blood Pressure and Abnormal Na+/Energy Handling Associated With Chronic Undernutrition by Counteracting the Effects Mediated by Type 1 Angiotensin II Receptors

Purpose To investigate the mechanisms by which chronic administration of a multideficient diet after weaning alters bodily Na+ handling, and culminates in high systolic blood pressure (SBP) at a juvenile age.Methods From 28 to 93 days of age, weaned male Wistar rats were given a diet with low content and poor-quality protein, low lipid, without vitamin supplementation, which mimics the diets consumed in impoverished regions worldwide. We measured food, energy and Na+ ingestion, together with urinary Na+ excretion, Na+ density (Na+ intake/energy intake), plasma Na+ concentration, SBP), and renal proximal tubule Na+-transporting ATPases. Results Undernourished rats aged 93 days had only one-third of the control body mass, lower plasma albumin, higher SBP, higher energy intake, and higher positive Na+ balance accompanied by decreased plasma Na+ concentration. SBP was normalized with Losartan and with Ang-(3–4), and the combination of the 2 substances induced an accentuated negative Na+ balance as a result of strong inhibition of Na+ ingestion. Na+ density in undernourished rats was higher than in control, irrespective of the treatment, and they had downregulated (Na++K+)ATPase and upregulated Na+-ATPase in proximal tubule cells, which returned to control levels after Losartan or Ang-(3–4).Conclusions Na+ density, not only Na+ ingestion, plays a central role in the pathophysiology of elevated SBP in chronically undernourished rats. The observations that Losartan and Ang-(3–4) normalized SBP together with Na+ distribution and handling give support to the proposal that Ang IIÞAT1R and Ang IIÞAT2R axes have opposite roles within the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system of undernourished juvenile rats.

Economical D-Lactic Acid Production From Agricultural Residues By Membrane Integrated Continuous Fermentation Coupled With B Vitamin Supplementation

Background: D-lactic acid played an important role in the establishment of PLA as a substitute for petrochemical plastics. But, so far, the D-lactic acid production was limited in only pilot scale, which was definitely unable to meet the fast growing market demand. To achieve industrial scale D-lactic acid production, the cost-associated problems such as high-cost feedstock, expensive nutrient sources and fermentation technology need to be resolved to establish an economical fermentation process.Results: In the present study, the combined effect of B vitamin supplementation and membrane integrated continuous fermentation on D-lactic acid production from agricultural lignocellulosic biomass by Lactobacillus delbrueckii was investigated. The results indicated the specific addition of vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B5 could reduce the yeast extract (YE) addition from 10 g/l to 3 g/l without obvious influence on fermentation efficiency. By employing cell recycling system in 350 h continuous fermentation with B vitamin supplementation, YE addition was further reduced to 0.5 g/l, which resulted in nutrient source cost reduction of 86%. A maximum D-lactate productivity of 18.56 g/l/h and optical purity of 99.5% were achieved and higher than most recent reports. Conclusion: These findings suggested the novel fermentation strategy proposed could effectively reduce the production cost and improve fermentation efficiency, thus exhibiting great potential in promoting industrial scale D-lactic acid production from lignocellulosic biomass.

Neonatal hepatitis in a term newborn: sequelae to in utero COVID-19 infection

Neonatal hepatitis is a common disease entity seen among newborns. It is known as inflammation of liver parenchyma in newborns, specifically in first month of life. Most common cause of neonatal hepatitis is viral infection which infects liver in utero or in postnatal period. Newborns carrying neonatal hepatitis mostly present with jaundice, failure to gain weight and hepatosplenomegaly. Neonatal hepatitis due to in utero COVID infection is diagnosed by conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, raised SGOT and SGPT levels and raised COVID antibody levels. Treatment includes addition of fat-soluble vitamins, phenobarbitone and supportive care. Here author is reporting a rare case of 11 days old newborn with neonatal hepatitis, who presented with severe jaundice (TSB/DB- 44/22) hepatosplenomegaly and hypoxemia with mild respiratory distress. Maternal history revealed high grade fever with low cell count during 5th month of gestation, though COVID RAT was negative and RT-PCR was not done. Baby was managed in NICU with IV antibiotics, IV fluids, oxygen by prongs, oral fat-soluble vitamin supplementation, adequate calorie intake and phenobarbitone. Baby responded very well to the treatment and discharged in healthy condition after 7 days. Paucity of data documenting in utero COVID-19 infection as cause of neonatal hepatitis led us to report this rare case.