Vitamina D e letteratura: fatti e misfatti

In the last twenty years, the international scientific literature paid particular attention to vitamin D deficiency. Many pathological conditions, like allergy, asthma, cancers, autoimmune, cardiovascular and infectious diseases were attributed to vitamin D deficiency. Could a single deficit be re-sponsible for such a lot of different illnesses? Probably, it could not. The mistake lies in the interpretation of vitamin D suggested serum level cut-off. Vitamin D Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 20 ng/dl, which is the estimated need for people at the upper limit of the Gaussian distri-bution, was considered like a cut-off. Instead, almost the entire population (97.5%) shows vitamin D needs inferior to 20 ng/ml. This way, a screening based on a wrong cut-off can lead to a useless over-supplementation.

Effect of RDA Protein on Renal Function in Children with Chronic Kidney Diseases

: Children with chronic kidney diseases have an increased risk of progression to end-stage renal disease, which would ultimately result in lifelong disability and shortening of lifespan. There is no effective intervention such as renal replacement therapy because of high cost and donor shortage. This study aimed to examine the effect of recommended dietary allowance (RDA) protein on chronic kidney diseases (CKD) children without dialysis to halt the progression of CKD by preventing the deterioration of the renal function. In this observational study, 30 children aged 2 - 18 years at different CKD stages without dialysis were selected as the research sample. Anthropometric measurements (namely weight and height) and laboratory assessments (namely S. creatinine. blood urea, total serum albumin, hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and CCr) were considered at the beginning of the study. Following the intervention using the RDA protein during three- and six-month periods, anthropometric and laboratory assessments were compared using the preliminary data. Weight, weight for age Z score, and body mass index (BMI) significantly increased (P < 0.05) after three and six months, compared to the preliminary data. Moreover, laboratory assessments such as Hb, S. creatinine, blood urea, and creatinine clearance rate significantly improved (P < 0.05) after three and six months of RDA protein intake without dialysis. The growth and renal function improved following the intervention with recommended dietary allowance protein in CKD children without dialysis.

Mineral Composition of Lentils: Physiological Functions, Antinutritional Effects, and Bioavailability Enhancement

Lentil (Lens culinaris) is an important nutritious crop, grown and consumed throughout the world due to its high macro- and micronutrients contents, including minerals. Minerals have several beneficial influences on human health. Thus, lentils play a major role in food security, particularly among low-income countries. The current review aims to highlight the present knowledge on the mineral composition of lentils, compare it with the recommended dietary allowance and adequate intake of minerals, investigate the literature regarding its physiological role, give detailed information on different antinutritional factors preventing its bioavailability, and present adopted solutions to enhance the bioavailability of minerals in lentil seeds. Thereby, a literature search was conducted using reliable sources: Elsevier, Springer, PubMed, and CrossRef. Based on the previous studies, 100 g of cooked lentils, for example, may be enough to cover the recommended dietary allowance/adequate intake of iron in infants under six months and children aged one to three years. One hundred grams of cooked lentils may also cover the recommended dietary allowance/adequate intake of zinc and magnesium in infants and children aged one to three years. Hence, it is imperative that the scientists continue to show the significance of pulses as a mineral source and their effects on human health. Indeed, lentils should be exploited for a variety of purposes, mainly towards eliminating malnutrition, on the condition of being well-balanced. Lentils should be incorporated either in snacks or while preparing household, school, or hospital meals, particularly in developing countries.

Low intake of vegetable protein is associated with altered ovulatory function among healthy women of reproductive age

Context Diets high in plant-based protein have gained popularity due to increasing health concerns regarding consumption of animal products. Though links between intakes of certain protein-rich foods and reproductive disorders have been suggested, the relationship of overall animal and vegetable proteins with reproductive hormones among reproductive-aged women is unknown. Objective To evaluate associations between intake of dietary protein with reproductive hormones and sporadic anovulation among reproductive-aged women. Design A prospective cohort study, 2005-2007. Setting University at Buffalo, western New York, USA. Participants 259 premenopausal women (18-44 years) without dietary restrictions. Main Outcome Measure(s) Serum reproductive hormones were determined up to 8 times per cycle for 2 cycles. Protein intake was assessed the day prior to hormone assessment at 4 visits/cycle using 24-hour recalls. Results Overall, 84% of participants met the recommended dietary allowance for total protein set for reproductive-aged women. Neither total nor animal protein intake were associated with reproductive hormones or anovulation. However, vegetable protein intake in the lowest tertile was associated with lower luteal phase progesterone (-18.0%, 95% CI -30.2, -3.6), higher follicle-stimulating hormone (3.8%, 95% CI 0.2, 7.6), and a higher risk of anovulation (risk ratio [RR] 2.53, 95% CI 1.21, 5.26), compared to the middle tertile. Nuts and seeds were the only protein-rich foods associated with an elevated risk of anovulation (RR 2.12, 95% CI 1.17, 3.85). Conclusions Findings suggest that among women who meet the recommended dietary allowance for total protein, low intake of vegetable, but not animal, protein may disturb normal ovulatory function.

Prevalence and Indicators of Vitamin B12 Insufficiency among Young Women of Childbearing Age

Vitamin B12 insufficiency is a global health issue among women of childbearing age, yet few studies have investigated its prevalence and risk factors among healthy Middle Eastern populations. This cross-sectional study included 346 Saudi women aged 19–30 years and enrolled at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A series of questionnaires were administered to record the study participants’ sociodemographic status, medical history, dietary intake, and physical activity. Participants’ anthropometric data were also recorded and their fasting blood samples were analyzed. The rate of vitamin B12 insufficiency (≤220 pmol/L) was approximately 6% among the study participants. After adjusting for confounding factors, it was observed that the risk factors for vitamin B12 insufficiency included daily sitting time ≥ 7 h, low income (<10,000 Saudi riyal) and increasing age. The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin B12 (>2.4 mcg/day) has been shown to confer reasonable protection against vitamin B12 insufficiency. These study findings highlight that a combination of increased physical activity and dietary vitamin B12 intake above the current recommended dietary allowance may help improve the serum vitamin B12 levels of young women of childbearing age, especially those with a low socioeconomic status. Timely detection and protection against vitamin B12 insufficiency in this subpopulation are important to prevent maternal and fetal health risks.

Home Garden, Desirable Dietary Pattern and Food Expenditure In Banjarnegara Regency

The study is based on the patterns of food consumption in the community that has not reached the minimum nutritional standard for activities. This study aimed to determine the impact of the Sustainable Food House Area (KRPL) Program on DDP score, energy consumption, protein consumption and household foodstuff expenditure in Banjarnegara Regency. Primary data were obtained from the KRPL and non-KRPL benefidciaries. Secondary data were obtained from Food Security Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Central Java Province Food Security Department and the Banjarnegara Regency Food Security Department. The analytical tool used t-test between the KRPL beneficiary group and the non-KRPL beneficiary group. The analysis result indicated that there were significant differences in DDP scores, energy consumption, and foodstuff expenditure between the KRPL and non-KRPL groups. DDP score of KRPL group was higher than non-KRPL group. This indicated that consumption of the KRPL group was more diverse and nutritionally balanced. The energy consumption of the KRPL group was higher than the non-KRPL group, so that the energy adequacy of the KRPL group was closer to the recommended dietary allowance. Protein consumption in the KRPL group was higher and has met the recommended dietary allowance, while the non-KRPL group has not met the recommended dietary allowance. The foodstuff expenditure in the KRPL group was lower than the non-KRPL group because there were savings on the foodstuff expenditure. Thus, the KRPL Program has an impact on increasing DDP scores, energy consumption and savings on household food expenditure. Keywords : Sustainable Food House Area (KRPL), energy consumption, protein consumption, foodstuff expenditure, DDP score.

Vitamins

The vitamins are a disparate group of organic compounds that are required in small amounts (mg or µg per day) for the maintenance of normal health and metabolic integrity. Four vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are lipid soluble, while the others are water-soluble. Determining how much of any particular vitamin is required for health is not straightforward, a standard technique being to deprive volunteers of the vitamin in question until there is detectable metabolic change and then replete with graded doses of the vitamin until normal metabolism is restored, with the reference intake (recommended daily intake or amount or recommended dietary allowance) set at 2× standard deviation above the average requirement.

Protein Intakes Above the Recommended Dietary Allowance Reduce Fat Mass Irrespective of Energy Balance and Resistance Training Status: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (P08-056-19)

Objectives The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein of 0.8 g/kg/d is the current standard of dietary adequacy. Research assessing the effects of higher protein intakes on body composition often focus on changes in lean mass and use the RDA as the reference protein intake. However, it is important to also assess the importance of protein intake on fat mass, which relates to cardiometabolic health indices. Therefore, we sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effects of protein intakes greater than versus at the RDA on changes in whole body fat mass. Methods Three researchers independently screened 1531 articles published through August 2018 using PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases, with additional articles identified through previously published review articles. Randomized-controlled, parallel studies at least 6 weeks long on apparently healthy adults (> = 19 years old) were eligible for data extraction. Results Data from 16 randomized-controlled, parallel studies resulting in 20 comparisons of fat mass changes were included in the final analysis. This abstract presents sub-analyses for comparisons with catabolic and anabolic stimuli, specifically energy restriction (ER) and/or resistance training (RT), respectively. Among all comparisons, consuming greater than the protein RDA resulted in greater fat mass change [–0.81 kg (–1.25, –0.37); WMD (95% CI), n = 20 comparisons]. The beneficial effect of greater protein intake on adiposity was apparent irrespective of energy or training status. Groups consuming greater than the RDA with ER lost more fat mass [–0.91 kg (–1.55, –0.28), n = 13], and groups consuming greater than the RDA without ER lost fat mass, while there was no reduction in groups consuming the RDA [–0.65 kg (–1.29, –0.05), n = 7]. Greater protein intake promoted fat mass loss with RT [–0.91 kg (–1.55, –0.28), n = 2] and without RT [–0.65 kg (–1.29, –0.05), n = 18]. Conclusions These results support protein intakes greater than the RDA to reduce fat mass, irrespective of energy balance and resistance training status. Funding Sources No external funding was provided.

Evaluation of the Contribution of Cassava Staple to the Recommended Dietary Allowance of Selected Nutrients Among the under Five Children in Mtwara Rural District, Tanzania

This study aimed at evaluating the contribution of cassava recipe in meeting Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of the under five children for the selected nutrients (protein, fat, iron and zinc) in Mtwara rural district. This was achieved by identifying the common cassava recipes and the consumption pattern by using a 24h dietary recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Proximate composition, mineral contents and anti-nutrients (cyanide and phytate contents) were also determined. The rate of consumption of a child was computed based on food portion and consumption frequency in a day. The sufficiency of nutrient of cassava recipes was determined on the basis of the quantity of food eaten per day. Computed nutrient intake was evaluated against the RDA of respective nutrient for respective age category. The findings indicate that the contribution of cassava to the RDAs of the respective nutrients were 19.4% for iron, 21% for zinc, 0.527% for fat and 4.26% for protein among the under five children which is extremely low. The anti-nutrient (phytate) content was far above the tolerable level of 25 mg/100g but cyanide was within the acceptable level. The computed Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS) of 2.5 was similarly far below the target IDDS of 5. This implies an extremely poor dietary diversity indicative of very low consumption of food varieties including those of animal origin. It is thus important to develop strategies which encourage and make easy for dietary diversification among community members in order to complement cassava based recipes with readily available foods rich in macro and micronutrients. The strategy should also consider dietary practices such as control of intake of inhibitors e.g. of iron absorption and increase intake of enhancers of absorption in a given meal. These strategies can also include cassava recipe supplementation and fortification.