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B Vitamins (b + vitamins)
Selected AbstractsPlasma Homocysteine, B Vitamins, and Amino Acid Concentrations in Cats with Cardiomyopathy and Arterial ThromboembolismJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2000M.A. McMichael Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) is a common complication of cats with cardiomyopathy (CM), but little is known about the pathophysiology of ATE. In people, high plasma concentrations of homocysteine and low B vitamin concentrations are risk factors for peripheral vascular disease. In addition, low plasma arginine concentrations have been linked to endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to compare concentrations of homocysteine, B vitamins, and amino acids in plasma of normal cats to those of cats with CM and ATE. Plasma concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, and amino acids were measured in 29 healthy cats, 27 cats with CM alone, and 28 cats with both CM and ATE. No differences were found between groups in homocysteine or folate. Mean vitamin B12 concentration (mean ± standard deviation) was lower in cats with ATE (866 ± 367 pg/mL) and cats with CM (939 ± 389 pg/mL) compared with healthy controls (1,650 ± 700 pg/mL; P < .001). Mean vitamin B6 concentration was lower in cats with ATE (3,247 ± 1,215 pmol/mL) and cats with CM (3,200 ± 906 pmol/mL) compared with healthy control animals (4,380 ± 1,302 pmol/mL; P= .005). Plasma arginine concentrations were lower in cats with ATE (75 ± 33 nmol/mL) compared with cats with CM (106 ± 25 nmol/mL) and healthy control animals (96 ± 25 nmol/ mL; P < .001). Vitamin B12 concentration was significantly correlated with left atrial size. We interpret the results of this study to suggest that vitamin B12 and arginine may play a role in CM and ATE of cats. [source] Schoolchildren's Consumption of Competitive Foods and Beverages, Excluding à la Carte,JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 9 2010Madhuri Kakarala MD BACKGROUND: Competitive foods/beverages are those in school vending machines, school stores, snack bars, special sales, and items sold à la carte in the school cafeteria that compete with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meal program offerings. Grouping à la carte items with less nutritious items allowed in less regulated venues may obfuscate analysis of the school competitive food environment. Excluding à la carte items from competitive foods, the objectives were to: (1) assess competitive food use by gender, ethnicity, eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, and participation in school meals programs, (2) determine differences between grade levels in energy intakes obtained from food sources, (3) determine the nutrient intake derived from competitive foods for students who consumed them, and (4) determine energy-adjusted differences in 24-hour nutrient intakes of protein, calcium, iron, and other selected nutrients between competitive food consumer and nonconsumers. METHODS: Competitive foods/beverages use, excluding à la carte items, was examined using the third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study (SNDA III), a nationally representative sample of 2309 schoolchildren in grades 1 to 12. Mean nutrient intakes were adjusted for energy intake and other covariates, and differences between consumers and nonconsumers of competitive items were determined using analysis of variance and sudaan. RESULTS: Excluding à la carte items, 22% of schoolchildren consumed competitive items in a representative school day and use was highest in high school. Consumers of competitive items other than à la carte had significantly higher mean energy, sugar intakes, and lower sodium, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and iron intakes than nonconsumers. CONCLUSIONS: Use of competitive foods/beverages, excluding à la carte, was detrimental to children's diet quality. [source] Nutritional comparison of fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables.JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2007Part 1. Abstract The first of a two-part review of the recent and classical literature reveals that loss of nutrients in fresh products during storage and cooking may be more substantial than commonly perceived. Depending on the commodity, freezing and canning processes may preserve nutrient value. The initial thermal treatment of processed products can cause loss of water-soluble and oxygen-labile nutrients such as vitamin C and the B vitamins. However, these nutrients are relatively stable during subsequent canned storage owing to the lack of oxygen. Frozen products lose fewer nutrients initially because of the short heating time in blanching, but they lose more nutrients during storage owing to oxidation. Phenolic compounds are also water-soluble and oxygen-labile, but changes during processing, storage and cooking appear to be highly variable by commodity. Further studies would facilitate the understanding of the changes in these phytochemicals. Changes in moisture content during storage, cooking and processing can misrepresent changes in nutrient content. These findings indicate that exclusive recommendations of fresh produce ignore the nutrient benefits of canned and frozen products. Nutritional comparison would be facilitated if future research would express nutrient data on a dry weight basis to account for changes in moisture. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Dephytinisation of rice bran and manufacturing a new food ingredientJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 15 2001Wea-Shang Fuh Abstract Rice bran was extruded at 130,°C and a screw speed of 140,rpm for 20,s to inactivate lipase and prevent lipid oxidation. Although the extrusion process induced further complex formation between phytic acid and protein as well as between phytic acid and starch, nearly 94% of phytic acid in the extruded rice bran could still be removed by solid/liquid extraction conducted at 25,°C for 30,min using hydrochloric acid at pH 2 as solvent and a solvent/rice bran ratio of 15. After the extract had been neutralised and phytic acid removed, it was added back to the rice bran solid to replenish the nutritional and functional components of the solid. The mixture was then dried in a drum dryer to yield a powdered product. The dephytinised rice bran product contained most of the protein, fat, dietary fibre and B vitamins and more than 50% of the oryzanol originally present in the raw rice bran. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free dietALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 8 2009C. HALLERT Summary Background, Patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet show vitamin deficiency and reduced subjective health status. Aim, To study the biochemical and clinical effects of B vitamin supplementation in adults with longstanding coeliac disease. Methods, In a double blind placebo controlled multicentre trial, 65 coeliac patients (61% women) aged 45,64 years on a strict gluten-free diet for several years were randomized to a daily dose of 0.8 mg folic acid,0.5 mg cyanocobalamin and 3 mg pyridoxine or placebo for 6 months. The outcome measures were psychological general well-being (PGWB) and the plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level, marker of B vitamin status. Results, Fifty-seven patients (88%) completed the trial. The tHcy level was baseline median 11.7 ,mol/L (7.4,23.0), significantly higher than in matched population controls [10.2 ,mol/L (6.7,22.6) (P < 0.01)]. Following vitamin supplementation, tHcy dropped a median of 34% (P < 0.001), accompanied by significant improvement in well-being (P < 0.01), notably Anxiety (P < 0.05) and Depressed Mood (P < 0.05) for patients with poor well-being. Conclusions, Adults with longstanding coeliac disease taking extra B vitamins for 6 months showed normalized tHcy and significant improvement in general well-being, suggesting that B vitamins should be considered in people advised to follow a gluten-free diet. [source] Plasma Homocysteine, B Vitamins, and Amino Acid Concentrations in Cats with Cardiomyopathy and Arterial ThromboembolismJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2000M.A. McMichael Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) is a common complication of cats with cardiomyopathy (CM), but little is known about the pathophysiology of ATE. In people, high plasma concentrations of homocysteine and low B vitamin concentrations are risk factors for peripheral vascular disease. In addition, low plasma arginine concentrations have been linked to endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to compare concentrations of homocysteine, B vitamins, and amino acids in plasma of normal cats to those of cats with CM and ATE. Plasma concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, and amino acids were measured in 29 healthy cats, 27 cats with CM alone, and 28 cats with both CM and ATE. No differences were found between groups in homocysteine or folate. Mean vitamin B12 concentration (mean ± standard deviation) was lower in cats with ATE (866 ± 367 pg/mL) and cats with CM (939 ± 389 pg/mL) compared with healthy controls (1,650 ± 700 pg/mL; P < .001). Mean vitamin B6 concentration was lower in cats with ATE (3,247 ± 1,215 pmol/mL) and cats with CM (3,200 ± 906 pmol/mL) compared with healthy control animals (4,380 ± 1,302 pmol/mL; P= .005). Plasma arginine concentrations were lower in cats with ATE (75 ± 33 nmol/mL) compared with cats with CM (106 ± 25 nmol/mL) and healthy control animals (96 ± 25 nmol/ mL; P < .001). Vitamin B12 concentration was significantly correlated with left atrial size. We interpret the results of this study to suggest that vitamin B12 and arginine may play a role in CM and ATE of cats. [source] Effect of selenium status and supplementation with high-selenium yeast on plasma homocysteine and B vitamin concentrations in the UK elderlyMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 11 2008Bram Bekaert Abstract The level of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), long known to be B vitamin dependent, has recently been shown to be inversely associated with plasma selenium (Se) concentration in human subjects. We therefore, chose to investigate the interaction between Se, tHcy and B vitamins in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial where 501 healthy UK elderly volunteers were randomly allocated to receive 100, 200, or 300 ,g Se/day as high-Se-yeast, or placebo-yeast for 6 months. Plasma Se, tHcy, folate, vitamin B-12, pyridoxal-5,-phosphate (PLP) and its catabolite, 4-pyridoxic acid, were measured in all participants at baseline and in samples from the placebo, 100 and 300 ,g Se/day groups, at follow-up. At baseline, Se was inversely correlated with tHcy but only in males (p < 0.001). Before supplementation, tHcy concentration was significantly lower in the highest compared to the lowest Se tertile in males (p < 0.05), and in females when folate concentrations were also in the top tertile (p < 0.05). The effect of folate, PLP and vitamin B-12 concentrations on plasma tHcy correlated with Se concentration at baseline. After 6 months of Se supplementation, only Se concentration had changed significantly. Supplementation with Se does not affect tHcy concentration in the UK elderly population. [source] Modest increase in plasma homocysteine follows levodopa initiation in Parkinson's diseaseMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 12 2004Padraig E. O'Suilleabhain MB Abstract Levodopa, typically ingested chronically at high daily doses, is predictably methylated by means of a series of reactions using B vitamins, which convert methionine to homocysteine. Elevated total plasma homocysteine (tHcy), a risk factor for dementia, has been found in PD patients using levodopa. We prospectively measured the effects on plasma tHcy and B vitamins of levodopa initiation, and measured the effects of dose changes and of treatment with dopamine agonists and entacapone. We collected paired plasma samples, at baseline and again after several months treatment, from patients initiating levodopa (n = 30), from patients whose levodopa dose was doubled (n = 15), halved or stopped (n = 14), from patients starting or stopping entacapone (n = 15) and from patients initiating or doubling dopamine agonist monotherapy (n = 16). Vitamin B12, folate, and tHcy concentrations were measured. Baseline tHcy concentration of 8.7 (2.8) ,mol/L increased to 10.1 (3.1) ,mol/L (P = 0.004) an average of 94 (range 36 to 200) days after initiation of 604 (240 to 1050) mg/day of L -dopa. Average concentration of vitamin B12 fell from 380 to 291 pmol/ L (P = 0.01). Patients who doubled their daily levodopa dose experienced tHcy elevations from 9.5 to 11.1 ,mol/L (P = 0.05). Levodopa reduction, agonist treatment, and entacapone treatment did not have significant effects. Levodopa elevates tHcy and lowers vitamin B12 concentration to modest degrees. The clinical implications, if any, have not yet been determined. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society [source] REVIEW: An overview of the role of potatoes in the UK dietNUTRITION BULLETIN, Issue 3 2010E. Weichselbaum Summary Potatoes are widely consumed in the United Kingdom and in many other countries. They provide energy, mainly in the form of starch, as well as other nutrients including vitamin C, folate, some B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Potatoes are naturally low in energy and provided that little or no fat is used when cooking them, they can decrease the energy density of a meal. As potatoes are high in starch and as they are usually eaten as a side dish replacing other carbohydrate rich foods, they are found in the starchy food section of the UK's Eatwell plate model and do not officially count towards the recommended 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. However, potatoes can help consumers to meet their daily requirements for some nutrients, including micronutrients for which there is evidence of low intakes in some groups in the UK, such as potassium. This paper gives an overview on the role of potatoes in the UK diet, including their consumption and their contribution to nutrient intakes in the UK. [source] Update: Effects of Antioxidant and Non-Antioxidant Vitamin Supplementation on Immune FunctionNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 5 2007Aimee L. Webb PhD The purpose of this manuscript is to review the impact of supplementation with vitamins E and C, carotenoids, and the B vitamins on parameters of innate and adaptive immune function as reported from clinical trials in humans. There is evidence to support causal effects of supplementation with vitamins E and C and the carotenoids singly and in combination on selected aspects of immunity, including the functional capacity of innate immune cells, lymphocyte proliferation, and the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response. Controlled intervention trials of B vitamin-containing multivitamin supplements suggest beneficial effects on immune parameters and clinical outcomes in HIV-positive individuals [source] Nutritional deficiencies in iron overloaded patients with hemoglobinopathies,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Susan Claster One of the hallmarks of both sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia major (TM) is accelerated oxidative damage. Decreased antioxidant levels and increased oxidant stress biomarkers are found in both diseases. Although isolated vitamin deficiencies have been reported in TM and nontransfused SCD patients, a comprehensive evaluation of vitamin and trace mineral levels has never been performed in chronically transfused SCD or TM patients. As vitamins and trace minerals may be consumed as a result of chronic oxidative stress; we hypothesized that levels of these compounds would correlate with surrogates of iron overload, hemolysis, and inflammation in chronically transfused patients. Using a convenience sample of our group of chronically transfused patients we studied 43 patients with SCD (17 male, 26 female) and 24 patients with TM (13 male and 11 female). The age range for our patients varied from 1.5 to 31.4 years. Levels of vitamins A, thiamin, B6, B12, C, D, E as well as selenium, zinc, copper, and ceruloplasmin were measured. We found that 40,75% of the patients were deficient in A, C, D and selenium and 28,38% of the patients had low levels of B vitamins and folate. There was little association with iron overload, hemolysis, or inflammation. Although the precise mechanism of these deficiencies is unclear, they may contribute to the morbidity of chronically transfused hemoglobinopathy patients. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Latest news and product developmentsPRESCRIBER, Issue 19 2007Article first published online: 22 NOV 200 UK data suggest OCs may reduce cancer risk The latest analysis of the RCGP oral contraception (OC) study suggests that oral contraceptives may be associated with an overall reduction in the risk of cancer (Br Med J online: 11 September 2007; doi:10.1136/bmj.39289. 649410.55). The cohort of 46 000 women provided 744 000 woman-years for ever use of an oral contraceptive and 339 000 woman-years of never use. Longer use was associated with increasing risks of cervical (RR 2.73), and pituitary or CNS (RR 5.51) cancers, but decreasing risks of uterine (RR 0.57) and ovarian (RR 0.38) cancers. OC use was also associated with a lower overall risk of colorectal cancers. The overall risk of any cancer was reduced by 12 per cent (RR 0.88). CombAT two-year data Two-year data revealed at the 29th Congress of the Société Internationale d'Urologie in Paris in September show that dutasteride (Avodart) and tamsulosin combination therapy provides significantly improved symptom control in BPH compared with either therapy alone. The Combination therapy with Avodart (dutasteride) and tamsulosin (CombAT) study took over 4800 eligible men (age ,50 years with a prostate volume ,30cc, serum PSA level ,1.5-10ng per ml and IPSS ,12) who received placebo for four weeks before being randomised in a 1:1:1 ratio to either dutasteride monotherapy (0.5mg per day), tamsulosin monotherapy (0.4mg per day) or a combination of both drugs. At two years the primary efficacy end-point was achieved: combination therapy was significantly more effective than either monotherapy, and continuous improvement could be observed throughout the two years. The combination therapy was also well tolerated, although drug-related adverse events were more common with combination therapy (24 per cent) than either monotherapy (dutasteride 18 per cent, tamsulosin 14 per cent). Dutasteride, a 5-, reductase inhibitor, has been shown to be more effective for long-term use in men than tamsulosin, while tamsulosin, an alpha blocker, has been shown to be effective in the short term. CombAT is the first study to demonstrate that the combination therapy of both drugs could lead to greater symptom improvement over time than an alpha blocker alone. Aliskiren - new class of antihypertensive Novartis has introduced aliskiren (Rasilez), the first direct renin inhibitor for the treatment of hypertension. It is likely to be used in combination with other agents but is also licensed as monotherapy. The commonest adverse effect is diarrhoea. At the recommended dose of 150-300mg per day, a month's treatment costs £19.80-£23.80. MHRA updates drug safety advice The balance of benefit and risks from HRT may be more favourable for younger women, the MHRA says in its monthly bulletin, Drug Update (September 2007). GPs considering prescribing HRT should evaluate the potential risks and benefits for each individual, the MHRA says. The bulletin summarises the risks of cardiovascular events and cancers associated with HRT. Cardiovascular risk is a particular concern for women over 60, whose baseline risk is high; although evidence for the safety of HRT in younger women is limited, their baseline risk is lower. Overall, the lowest dose of HRT should be used for the shortest possible time, and HRT should be prescribed to prevent osteoporosis only when alternatives are not suitable. The MHRA also advises in the bulletin that: Individual risk of stroke, breast cancer and endometrial cancer should be considered before prescribing tibolone (Livial). Nasal formulations of desmopressin are no longer indicated for primary nocturnal enuresis; prescribers are reminded to adhere to product guidance on fluid intake. Patients and carers should be warned of the risk of psychiatric effects associated with corticosteroids; symptoms may develop within a few days or weeks in children and adults, and may be more common at higher doses. Patients taking steroids for more than three weeks are reminded not to stop treatment abruptly. A list of questions and answers for patients is available at www.mhra.gov.uk. The use of parenteral B vitamins plus ascorbic acid (Pabrinex) may rarely be associated with severe allergic reactions, but this should not preclude its use for patients who need it. Study claims statin switch may increase CV morbidity Switching patients from atorvastatin (Lipitor) to simvastatin may increase the risk of cardiovascular events, according to a UK study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Vienna. The analysis, from The Health Improvement Network database, included 11 520 patients taking atorvastatin for at least six months, of whom 2511 were switched to simvastatin. Switching was associated with a 30 per cent increase in the relative risk of cardiovascular events, though absolute figures have not been reported. Patients who were switched were also more likely to discontinue treatment (21 vs 8 per cent of those continuing atorvastatin). Details of the conduct of the study, which will be published in the British Journal of Cardiology, are not available. Glitazones controversy rumbles on New systematic reviews have fuelled the controversy over the cardiac safety of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. A meta-analysis of four trials involving 14 291 patients and lasting one to four years found that rosiglitazone was associated with a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction (relative risk, RR, 1.42) and heart failure (RR 2.09) but not cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.90) (J Am Med Assoc 2007;298:1189-95). The second review included 19 trials of pioglitazone involving 16 390 patients, with follow-up from four months to 3.5 years. Pioglitazone was associated with a lower risk of composite events (death, myocardial infarction, stroke; hazard ratio, HR, 0.82) but an increased risk of serious heart failure (HR 1.41) (J Am Med Assoc 2007;298: 1180-8). Neither review reported significant heterogeneity between the included studies. Another systematic review of eight controlled and cohort studies concluded that metformin is the only antidiabetic drug not associated with an increased risk of harm in patients with diabetes and heart failure (Br Med J Online First 30 August; doi:10.1136/bmj.39314. 620174.80). The Canadian authors found methodological problems with all studies, and concluded that results for sulphonylureas were conflicting due to differences between the studies. Asthma prescribing education Health professionals need more education about rational prescribing for children with asthma, say researchers from Australia (Arch Dis Child online: 4 September 2007; doi: 10. 1136/adc.2007.119834). Analysing trends in asthma medication prescriptions for children in the UK between 2000 and 2006, they found the proportion of steroid inhalers prescribed as combinations increased from 2.7 per cent in 2000 to 25 per cent in 2006. The authors say this excessive increase is inconsistent with guidance that steroid-only inhalers should be the mainstay for most people with asthma. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd [source] Nutrient intakes in women and congenital diaphragmatic hernia in their offspring,BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 3 2008Wei Yang Abstract BACKGROUND: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a severe birth defect where there is an opening in the diaphragm through which a portion of the abdominal contents protrudes into the thoracic cavity. The etiologies of CDH remain unknown, although experimental animal data suggest dietary factors might play a role. This study examined whether maternal nutrient intakes were associated with delivering infants with CDH. METHODS: We analyzed infants with isolated CDH who were born from 1997 to 2003 and recruited into the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS), a multisite, population-based case-control study. Exposure data were obtained from telephone interviews, which were completed within 24 months after delivery, and were available for 377 case mothers and 5,008 control mothers. A food frequency questionnaire was used to derive nutrient intakes during the year before pregnancy. RESULTS: A crude OR of 0.6 (95% CI: 0.3,1.0) was observed for higher intake of choline. Elevated ORs (1.4 to 1.7) were found for lower intakes of choline, cysteine, methionine, and protein. Among women who took vitamin supplements, higher intakes of B vitamins (i.e., folate, vitamin B1, B2, B6, and B12), minerals (i.e., calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc), and vitamin E were inversely associated with CDH (ORs from 0.7,0.3). Moreover, among women who did not take vitamin supplements, lower intakes of calcium, retinol, selenium, vitamin B12, and vitamin E had positive associations with CDH (ORs from 1.4 to 2.1). CONCLUSIONS: Our observations contribute to a limited body of evidence suggesting a woman's periconceptional diet might be associated with CDH in her offspring. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||