Nutrition
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Effect of routine prenatal supplementation on vitamin concentrations in maternal serum and breast milk.
The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of multivitamin supplements and their different vitamin A sources on retinol concentrations in serum and colostrum milk of postpartum women. ⋯ The use of multivitamin supplements containing vitamin A during pregnancy prevents vitamin A deficiency regardless of the source administered. In breast milk, supplementation with β-carotene provided a lower concentration of vitamin A compared with retinol.
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Consumption of milk has been declining sharply in recent decades, particularly in developed countries. One of the reasons for this decline is the diagnosis or perception of lactose intolerance. The aim of this study was to investigate average consumption of milk and dairy products in the Campania region of Italy, one of the main producers of dairy products in the country. ⋯ The data support the need for mandatory implementation of a nutritional campaign to increase understanding regarding, for example, unnecessary avoidance of milk and excessive consumption of cheese.
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Comparative Study
Mortality prediction of a body shape index versus traditional anthropometric measures in an Iranian population: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.
A body shape index (ABSI) based on waist circumference (WC) adjusted for height and weight has been shown to be a risk factor for premature mortality. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that ABSI predicts mortality hazard better than other anthropometric measures in an Iranian population. ⋯ ABSI was the strongest predictor of all-cause mortality among the anthropometric measurements, except WHpR in women. When ABSI was added to the Framingham general cardiovascular disease algorithm, it failed to improve the predictive ability.
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Controlling antioxidant supplementation in athletes involved in studies related to oxidative stress and muscle damage is the key to ensure results. The aim of this study was to confirm through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis whether well-trained individuals lied during a personal interview when asked if they were taking supplements with antioxidants, and how this could affect oxidative stress, muscle damage, and antioxidant response. ⋯ Data from the present study reveal that 20% of participants lied in the exclusion criteria of antioxidant supplementation in a personal interview, as they showed high plasmatic α-tocopherol concentrations after HPLC verification. Catalase activity seems to be affected by high α-tocopherol plasma levels. Therefore, we strongly recommend the HPLC analysis as a necessary tool to verify the antioxidant intake and preserve results in studies linking oxidative stress and sport.
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Elevated lipid levels increase complications of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Uncontrolled diabetes increases these complications and causes unintentional weight loss, indicating an apparently normal body mass index (BMI). Thus, it is easy to assume that patients with DR and a normal BMI have optimal lipid status. Apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I and Apo B levels differentially indicate serum lipid status in DR. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) scores are associated with DR status. If SGA scores and serum Apo A-I and B levels are found to be interrelated, their relationship can reflect lipid defects in patients with DR despite apparently normal BMI. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible relationship between serum Apo A-I and B levels and SGA scores of patients with DR. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first study to report a novel correlation between serum Apo A-I, Apo B and Apo B/Apo A-I ratio and SGA scores. SGA scores can help predict lipid abnormalities in patients with DR even when they have an apparently normal BMI.