0
selected
-
1.
Influence of methyl donor nutrients as epigenetic regulators in colorectal cancer: A systematic review of observational studies.
Chávez-Hidalgo, LP, Martín-Fernández-de-Labastida, S, M de Pancorbo, M, Arroyo-Izaga, M
World journal of gastroenterology. 2023;29(7):1219-1234
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent type of cancer and yet has the second highest mortality rate in cancer patients worldwide. Hence there is an urgency to understand more about dietary and lifestyle factors that can help to prevent this type of cancer. It is known that folate has a preventive function in CRC, possibly due to its role in DNA methylation. Methylation is the addition of methyl groups to DNA, which influences gene expression and regulation. This systematic review investigated how folate and other dietary methyl groups and methyl influencers such as B vitamins and alcohol influence the development of CRC, whilst also considering various genetic variants in methyl-metabolising enzymes (polymorphisms). The analysis included a total of 19 case-control and cohort studies and highlighted that potential interactions between methyl donor nutrients, genetic variants, and alcohol influence CRC risk. For most, high levels of folate intake were considered a protective factor, while high alcohol consumption proved to be a risk factor. Yet these interactions appear to be complex, with gender, genetic variations and folate status appearing to contribute to variable and, in some cases, contradictory outcomes. The authors suggested in their findings that Vitamin B6, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and alcohol may affect CRC by influencing its risk by acting on both the genetic code itself and the epigenetic factors that control gene activity. Further research is needed to better understand the complexity of these mechanisms, and to help clarify the influence of methyl group donors as epigenetic regulators of gene activity in CRC development.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary methyl donors might influence DNA methylation during carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, whether the influence of methyl donor intake is modified by polymorphisms in such epigenetic regulators is still unclear. AIM: To improve the current understanding of the molecular basis of CRC. METHODS A literature search in the Medline database, Reference Citation Analysis (https:// www.referencecitationanalysis.com/), and manual reference screening were performed to identify observational studies published from inception to May 2022. RESULTS A total of fourteen case-control studies and five cohort studies were identified. These studies included information on dietary methyl donors, dietary components that potentially modulate the bioavailability of methyl groups, genetic variants of methyl metabolizing enzymes, and/or markers of CpG island methylator phenotype and/or microsatellite instability, and their possible interactions on CRC risk. CONCLUSION Several studies have suggested interactions between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms, methyl donor nutrients (such as folate) and alcohol on CRC risk. Moreover, vitamin B6, niacin, and alcohol may affect CRC risk through not only genetic but also epigenetic regulation. Identification of specific mechanisms in these interactions associated with CRC may assist in developing targeted prevention strategies for individuals at the highest risk of developing CRC.
-
2.
Dietary supplements in neurological diseases and brain aging.
Naureen, Z, Dhuli, K, Medori, MC, Caruso, P, Manganotti, P, Chiurazzi, P, Bertelli, M
Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene. 2022;63(2 Suppl 3):E174-E188
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
The rate of neurodegenerative diseases (ND) is increasing at a concerning rate. The condition is characterized by the progressive decline of neuron function in the brain, eventually leading to cognitive impairment and motorneuron disorders. This process appears to be mediated by the complex interplay of factors. The brain is extremely sensitive to oxidative stress, and oxidative stress and inflammation of the nervous tissue appear to be a common denominator in all neurodegenerative diseases. One of the challenges of ND for prevention as well as treatment and treatment development, is that the initial disease progression usually goes unnoticed, with symptoms only becoming apparent in the more advanced stages when irreversible damage has occurred. Diet quality has a significant impact on brain health and hence can also influence ND development. For example, the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has demonstrated many valuable attributes that can reduce ND incidences and improve cognitive function. This review looked at dietary components, natural compounds and medicinal plants that have shown to be beneficial for brain health in ND. The authors discussed the MedDiet followed by a brief review of dietary supplements, including N-acetylcysteine (NAC), phospholipids (Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylcholine), Gamma-aminobutyric acid, melatonin, omega-3 fatty acids, neurotropic vitamin B (B1, B6 and B12), S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), the amino acid tryptophan, magnesium and various polyphenols. Several medicinal plants are reviewed that have demonstrated positive effects on preventing or alleviating neurological diseases. This includes Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Baccopa monnieri (Brahmi), Acorus calamus (Calamus) and Hypericum perforatum (St. Johns Wort). The review concluded that many bioactive compounds and plant constituents that can be obtained from a qualitative diet, as well as certain medicinal plants and supplements, can help preserve and promote brain health and prevent the onset of ND. Large clinical trials are needed to assess their suitability for their wider use.
Abstract
A healthy diet shapes a healthy mind. Diet quality has a strong association with brain health. Diet influences the onset and consequences of neurological diseases, and dietary factors may influence mental health at individual and population level. The link between unhealthy diet, impaired cognitive function and neurodegenerative diseases indicates that adopting a healthy diet would ultimately afford prevention and management of neurological diseases and brain aging. Neurodegenerative diseases are of multifactorial origin and result in progressive loss of neuronal function in the brain, leading to cognitive impairment and motoneuron disorders. The so-called Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with its healthy ingredients rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune, neuroprotective, antidepressant, antistress and senolytic activity plays an essential role in the prevention and management of neurological diseases and inhibits cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. The MedDiet also modulates the gut-brain axis by promoting a diversity of gut microbiota. In view of the importance of diet in neurological diseases management, this review focuses on the dietary components, natural compounds and medicinal plants that have proven beneficial in neurological diseases and for brain health. Among them, polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and several ayurvedic herbs have promising beneficial effects.
-
3.
Do B Vitamins Enhance the Effect of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Diseases? A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.
Zhu, J, Xun, PC, Kolencik, M, Yang, KF, Fly, AD, Kahe, K
Nutrients. 2022;14(8)
-
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Dietary intake of B-vitamins or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been found to be inversely related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to examine whether the combined supplementation of B-vitamins and omega-3 PUFAs could provide additional beneficial effects on improving risk factors to prevent CVD beyond the effects of either of them alone. This study is a systematic review of fifteen studies. The sample sizes ranged from 12 to 2501 participants with study duration ranging from 4 weeks to 4.7 years. Results show that the combined supplementation with B-vitamins and omega-3 PUFAs may be promising and more effective at reducing plasma homocysteine, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol than each supplementation alone. Authors conclude that: - there is no solid evidence that the joint supplementation of B-vitamins and omega-3 PUFAs can offer a synergistic effect on preventing CVD and decreasing the relevant morbidity and/or mortality in susceptible populations. - dietetic strategies for preventing CVD need to focus more on the importance of considering effects at the whole food and dietary patterns level. - further well-designed high-quality trials that will use the combined supplementation of B vitamins and omega-3 PUFAs or dietary patterns rich in these two types of nutrients are required.
Expert Review
Conflicts of interest:
None
Take Home Message:
- Combined vitamin B and n3 PUFA supplementation might have favourable health effects
- Combined vitamin B and n3 PUFA supplementation could help in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease
- The suggested favourable dose ranges are vitamin B6: 2.5–80 mg/day, vitamin B12: 20–1000 μg/day, folic acid: 150–10000 μg/day, and n3 PUFA 0.2–2) g/day.
Evidence Category:
-
A: Meta-analyses, position-stands, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs)
-
X
B: Systematic reviews including RCTs of limited number
-
C: Non-randomized trials, observational studies, narrative reviews
-
D: Case-reports, evidence-based clinical findings
-
E: Opinion piece, other
Summary Review:
- The paper reviews whether combined supplementation of vitamin B (B2, B6, B9, and B12) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3 PUFA) outweighs the individual cardiovascular benefits of each supplement. Registered in PROSPERO under CRD42018085993
- A total of 15 clinical studies including 8,263 individuals published from December 2021, that investigated the combined effects of the supplements met inclusion criteria and were included in the review
- Although the results indicate the beneficial effects of combined supplementation in primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention, firm conclusions cannot be drawn from the existing data, and more studies are needed in this area.
Clinical practice applications:
In comparison with a single supplement alone, the combined administration of vitamin B and n3 PUFA might have:
- Hypolipidemic effects, by reducing triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. Some of the studies indicate a lowering of LDL-c up to 13% and triglycerides up to 24%
- Anti-inflammatory effects, by reducing homocysteine. Based on some of the studies, the lowering effects might go up to 39%.
Dietary practice might benefit from the following:
- The authors highlighted food-based and healthy dietary pattern-based strategies should include food sources rich in these nutrients such as fish, vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, and eggs
- The authors conclude that intake of whole foods and whole diets rich in desirable foods (such as MedDiet) should be encouraged
- The supplementation dose ranges in the studies covered by the review were the following: vitamin B6: 2.5–80 mg/day, vitamin B12: 20–1000 μg/day, folic acid: 150–10000 μg/day and n3 PUFA 0.2–2) g/day
- Limitations of the systematic review include different supplementation regimens, variability of study designs in terms of duration of the intervention, existence of placebo group, dosages and the inability to monitor study subjects’ habitual diet.
Considerations for future research:
- Future studies should be designed regarding the need for a uniform methodological approach in testing the combined effects of vitamin B complex and n3 PUFA supplements
- The studies should investigate supplementation strategies and dietary patterns rich in both nutrients.
Abstract
Studies have suggested that B vitamins or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may deter the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This systematic review aims to examine whether the combined supplementation of both B vitamins and omega-3 PUFAs could provide additional beneficial effects to prevent CVD beyond the effect of each supplement based on clinical trials published up to December 2021. The overall findings are inconsistent and inconclusive, yet the combined supplementation of these two nutrients may be more effective at reducing plasma homocysteine, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol than the individual components. The underlying mechanisms mainly include alleviating endothelial dysfunction, inhibiting atherosclerosis and lesion initiation, reducing oxidative stress, suppressing activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, regulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and interfering with methylation of genes that promote atherogenesis. Although biologically plausible, the existing literature is insufficient to draw any firm conclusion regarding whether B vitamins can further enhance the potential beneficial effects of omega-3 PUFA intake on either primary or secondary prevention of CVD. The inconsistent findings may be largely explained by the methodological challenges. Therefore, well-designed high-quality trials that will use the combined supplementation of B vitamins and omega-3 PUFAs or dietary patterns rich in these two types of nutrients are warranted.
-
4.
The Effect of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement on Immune Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial.
Fantacone, ML, Lowry, MB, Uesugi, SL, Michels, AJ, Choi, J, Leonard, SW, Gombart, SK, Gombart, JS, Bobe, G, Gombart, AF
Nutrients. 2020;12(8)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Vitamins and minerals are essential for a healthy immune system. The prevalence of vitamin and mineral deficiencies increases with age, and this may contribute to age-related decline of the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a daily multivitamin and mineral (MVM) supplement could improve the immune function of older people. 42 healthy adults aged between 55 and 75 took part in this single-centre, two-armed, parallel, randomised, double-blinded study. Half of the group was given a MVM supplement called Redoxon Vita Immune (VI) containing the vitamins A, D, E, C, B6, B12 and folate plus iron, copper, zinc and selenium daily for 12 weeks, whilst the other half was given placebo tablets for 12 weeks. Participants were instructed to avoid certain foods high in vitamins and minerals such as oily fish, red meat, liver, and citrus fruits during the study period. Blood and saliva samples were taken from all participants at the beginning and end of the study period, to measure vitamin and mineral status and markers of immune function. Participants also kept a diary to record any illnesses or symptoms. At the end of the study, participants given the MVM supplement had increased their blood levels of vitamin C by 126% and zinc by 43%. There was no significant change in blood levels of vitamin D. There was no significant difference in the potential of blood to kill the introduced bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, or in neutrophil activity, nor were there any significant changes in blood levels of cytokines and chemokines. Participants taking the supplement did however report a shorter length, and lower severity of illnesses compared to those taking the placebo. The authors concluded that their findings support further research to test whether MVM supplementation can improve immune outcomes in older adults.
Abstract
Older adults are at increased risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies that contribute to age-related immune system decline. Several lines of evidence suggest that taking a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement (MVM) could improve immune function in individuals 55 and older. To test this hypothesis, we provided healthy older adults with either an MVM supplement formulated to improve immune function (Redoxon® VI, Singapore) or an identical, inactive placebo control to take daily for 12 weeks. Prior to and after treatment, we measured (1) their blood mineral and vitamin status (i.e., vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D); (2) immune function (i.e., whole blood bacterial killing activity, neutrophil phagocytic activity, and reactive oxygen species production); (3) immune status (salivary IgA and plasma cytokine/chemokine levels); and (4) self-reported health status. MVM supplementation improved vitamin C and zinc status in blood and self-reported health-status without altering measures of immune function or status or vitamin D levels, suggesting that healthy older adults may benefit from MVM supplementation. Further development of functional assays and larger study populations should improve detection of specific changes in immune function after supplementation in healthy older adults. Clinical Trials Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02876315.
-
5.
Functional biochemical and nutrient indices in frail elderly people are partly affected by dietary supplements but not by exercise.
de Jong, N, Chin A Paw, MJ, de Groot, LC, de Graaf, C, Kok, FJ, van Staveren, WA
The Journal of nutrition. 1999;129(11):2028-36
-
-
-
Plain language summary
Elderly people are at risk of nutritional deficiencies for a variety of reasons including reduced appetite, increased medication, and alterations in the absorption and metabolism of vitamins and minerals with age. The aim of this study was to measure the influence of exercise, and supplementing the diet with vitamins and minerals, on indicators of nutritional and health status in frail elderly people. A 17-week randomised controlled trial was carried out on 145 frail elderly people living in the community. Participants were given either; 1) food products enriched with vitamins D, E, thiamine, riboflavin, B6, folic acid, B12, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and iodine; 2) an exercise programme; 3) both enriched food products and exercise programme; or 4) food products that had not been enriched and a social programme (the control group). At the end of the study, significant improvements in the blood levels of vitamins B6, B12, C and D were detected in the groups receiving the enriched food products compared to the controls. There was no additional benefit to be gained from exercise. The improvement in nutritional status did not appear to influence several other biological indicators of health, perhaps because these indicators were already within normal levels at the start of the study. Despite this, the authors concluded that long-term supplementation may help to maintain optimal vitamin and mineral levels in elderly people, and therefore reduce the chance of this population developing health problems related to malnutrition.
Abstract
A decline in dietary intake due to inactivity and, consequently, development of a suboptimal nutritional status is a major problem in frail elderly people. However, benefits of micronutrient supplementation, all-round physical exercise or a combination of both on functional biochemical and hematologic indicators of nutritional and health status in frail elderly subjects have not been tested thoroughly. A 17-wk randomized controlled trial was performed in 145 free-living frail elderly people (43 men, 102 women, mean age, 78 +/- 5.7 y). Based on a 2 x 2 factorial design, subjects were assigned to one of the following: 1) nutrient-dense foods, 2) exercise, 3) both (1) and (2) or 4) a control group. Foods were enriched with micronutrients, frequently characterized as deficient [25-100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA)] in elderly people. Exercises focused on skill training, including strength, endurance, coordination and flexibility. Dietary intake, blood vitamin levels and nutritional and health indicators, including (pre)albumin, ferritin, transferrin, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin and lymphocytes were measured. At baseline, 28% of the total population had an energy intake below 6.3 MJ, up to a maximum of 93% having vitamin intakes below two thirds of the Dutch RDA. Individual deficiencies in blood at baseline ranged from 3% for erythrocyte glutathione reductase-alpha to 39% for 25-hydroxy vitamin D and 42% for vitamin B-12. These were corrected after 17 wk in the two groups receiving the nutrient-dense foods, whereas no significant changes were observed in the control or exercise group. Biochemical and hematologic indicators at baseline were within the reference ranges (mean albumin, 46 g/L; prealbumin, 0.25 g/L; hemoglobin, 8.6 mmol/L) and were not affected by any of the interventions. The long-term protective effects of nutrient supplementation and exercise, by maintaining optimal nutrient levels and thereby reducing the initial chance of developing critical biochemical values, require further investigation. Other indicative functional variables for suboptimal nutritional status, in addition to those currently selected, should also be explored.