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1.
Role of vitamins and minerals as immunity boosters in COVID-19.
Kumar, P, Kumar, M, Bedi, O, Gupta, M, Kumar, S, Jaiswal, G, Rahi, V, Yedke, NG, Bijalwan, A, Sharma, S, et al
Inflammopharmacology. 2021;(4):1001-1016
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) known as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. On March 11, 2020, it was declared a global pandemic. As the world grapples with COVID-19 and the paucity of clinically meaningful therapies, attention has been shifted to modalities that may aid in immune system strengthening. Taking into consideration that the COVID-19 infection strongly affects the immune system via multiple inflammatory responses, pharmaceutical companies are working to develop targeted drugs and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19. A balanced nutritional diet may play an essential role in maintaining general wellbeing by controlling chronic infectious diseases. A balanced diet including vitamin A, B, C, D, E, and K, and some micronutrients such as zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and phosphorus may be beneficial in various infectious diseases. This study aimed to discuss and present recent data regarding the role of vitamins and minerals in the treatment of COVID-19. A deficiency of these vitamins and minerals in the plasma concentration may lead to a reduction in the good performance of the immune system, which is one of the constituents that lead to a poor immune state. This is a narrative review concerning the features of the COVID-19 and data related to the usage of vitamins and minerals as preventive measures to decrease the morbidity and mortality rate in patients with COVID-19.
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2.
The Role of Diet in Bone and Mineral Metabolism and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism.
Bargagli, M, Arena, M, Naticchia, A, Gambaro, G, Mazzaferro, S, Fuster, D, Ferraro, PM
Nutrients. 2021;(7)
Abstract
Bone disorders are a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), obesity and gut malabsorption. Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is defined as an appropriate increase in parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, driven by either reduced serum calcium or increased phosphate concentrations, due to an underlying condition. The available evidence on the effects of dietary advice on secondary hyperparathyroidism confirms the benefit of a diet characterized by decreased phosphate intake, avoiding low calcium and vitamin D consumption (recommended intakes 1000-1200 mg/day and 400-800 UI/day, respectively). In addition, low protein intake in CKD patients is associated with a better control of SHPT risk factors, although its strength in avoiding hyperphosphatemia and the resulting outcomes are debated, mostly for dialyzed patients. Ultimately, a consensus on the effect of dietary acid loads in the prevention of SHPT is still lacking. In conclusion, a reasonable approach for reducing the risk for secondary hyperparathyroidism is to individualize dietary manipulation based on existing risk factors and concomitant medical conditions. More studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes of a balanced diet on the management and prevention of secondary hyperparathyroidism in at-risk patients at.
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3.
Variations in Mineral/heavy Metals Profiling and Preventive Role of Trichomes in Peach Fruits Treated with CaC2.
Irfan, M, Abbas, S, Azhar, BJ, Ahmad, S, Muhammad, H, Ahmed, I, Hussain, J, Shakeel, SN
Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening. 2021;(4):598-604
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phytonutrients in peach fruits have health-promoting antioxidants against various chronic diseases. However, there is no extensive data to show the nutritional values of Local peach cultivars after post-harvest treatments. OBJECTIVE Mainly this study was objective to determine the effect of calcium carbide on nutritional value and quality of fruits of Pakistani peach cultivars. METHODS The peach fruits were collected from three different peach orchids of KPK and the fruits were divided into 4 groups while 5th group was collected from a local fruit shop. Each experimental group was treated with different concentrations of calcium carbide whereas control group was not treated. The peel and pulp samples were oven dried and ground to fine powder separately. The elemental compositions were determined using Particle Induced X-ray emission and Pelletron Tandem Accelerator. RESULTS Sixteen elements were identified in peach fruits and the elements were Al, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Se. In peel, the concentration of some elements increased or decreased after treatment with CaC2 while in pulp the conc. of nearly all detected elements was increased in treated samples. We found a significantly higher amount of heavy metals traces, including As, Se, Co, Si, and P in peach fruits treated with CaC2 Interestingly, the presence of trichomes in peach skin prevents the transfer of these heavy metals deep into the pulp which was also verified by the elemental profiling of nectarines. CONCLUSION Conclusively, the artificial ripening with CaC2 changed the nutritional value of peach fruits that has higher health risks if consume with the peel. According to our best knowledge, this is the first report that highlights the effects of CaC2 which deteriorate the nutritional value of peach fruits in Pakistan.
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4.
Probiotic Supplementation and Micronutrient Status in Healthy Subjects: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.
Barkhidarian, B, Roldos, L, Iskandar, MM, Saedisomeolia, A, Kubow, S
Nutrients. 2021;(9)
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies are a worldwide public health concern. Emerging evidence supports the ability of probiotics to enhance micronutrient status, which could aid in the prevention of non-communicable disease-associated malnutrition. This systematic review evaluated evidence of the efficacy of probiotic supplementation to improve micronutrient status in healthy subjects. The authors searched for published English language peer-reviewed journal articles in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases from inception to July 2020 using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of eligible studies was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (RoB)2 and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool (ROBINS-I tool). Fourteen original studies out of 2790 met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that, despite varying degrees of efficacy, the intake of certain probiotics in healthy subjects was associated with a positive impact on the status of certain micronutrients (vitamin B12, calcium, folate, iron and zinc). A limitation was that studies were widely heterogeneous in terms of participant age, probiotic strain, species, dosage, intervention duration, and form of administration. Additional clinical trials are warranted to determine the most effective strains of probiotics, doses and durations of interventions.
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5.
Associations of Habitual Mineral Intake with New-Onset Prediabetes/Diabetes after Acute Pancreatitis.
Norbitt, CF, Kimita, W, Ko, J, Bharmal, SH, Petrov, MS
Nutrients. 2021;(11)
Abstract
Associations between habitual dietary intake of minerals and glucose metabolism have been extensively studied in relation to metabolic disorders. However, similar research has yet to be conducted in individuals after acute pancreatitis (AP). The main aim was to investigate the associations between habitual intake of 13 minerals and glycaemic status: new-onset prediabetes/diabetes after AP (NODAP), pre-existing prediabetes/type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and normoglycaemia after AP (NAP). Associations between the dietary intake of minerals and markers of glucose metabolism (glycated haemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose) were also studied. The EPIC-Norfolk food frequency questionnaire was used in a cross-sectional fashion to determine the habitual intake of 13 dietary minerals. ANCOVA as well as multiple linear regression analyses were conducted and five statistical models were built to adjust for covariates. The study included 106 individuals after AP. In the NODAP group, intake of 4 minerals was significantly less when compared with the NAP group: iron (B = -0.076, p = 0.013), nitrogen (B = -0.066, p = 0.003), phosphorous (B = -0.046, p = 0.006), and zinc (B = -0.078, p = 0.001). Glycated haemoglobin was significantly associated with iodine intake (B = 17.763, p = 0.032) and manganese intake (B = -17.147, p = 0.003) in the NODAP group. Fasting plasma glucose was significantly associated with manganese intake (B = -2.436, p = 0.027) in the NODAP group. Habitual intake of minerals differs between individuals with NODAP, T2DM, and NAP. Prospective longitudinal studies and randomised controlled trials are now warranted to further investigate the associations between mineral intake and NODAP.
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6.
Did Cyclic Metaphosphates Have a Role in the Origin of Life?
Glonek, T
Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere : the journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life. 2021;(1):1-60
Abstract
How life began still eludes science life, the initial progenote in the context presented herein, being a chemical aggregate of primordial inorganic and organic molecules capable of self-replication and evolution into ever increasingly complex forms and functions.Presented is a hypothesis that a mineral scaffold generated by geological processes and containing polymerized phosphate units was present in primordial seas that provided the initiating factor responsible for the sequestration and organization of primordial life's constituents. Unlike previous hypotheses proposing phosphates as the essential initiating factor, the key phosphate described here is not a polynucleotide or just any condensed phosphate but a large (in the range of at least 1 kilo-phosphate subunits), water soluble, cyclic metaphosphate, which is a closed loop chain of polymerized inorganic phosphate residues containing only phosphate middle groups. The chain forms an intrinsic 4-phosphate helix analogous to its structure in Na Kurrol's salt, and as with DNA, very large metaphosphates may fold into hairpin structures. Using a Holliday-junction-like scrambling mechanism, also analogous to DNA, rings may be manipulated (increased, decreased, exchanged) easily with little to no need for additional energy, the reaction being essentially an isomerization.A literature review is presented describing findings that support the above hypothesis. Reviewed is condensed phosphate inorganic chemistry including its geological origins, biological occurrence, enzymes and their genetics through eukaryotes, polyphosphate functions, circular polynucleotides and the role of the Holliday junction, previous biogenesis hypotheses, and an Eoarchean Era timeline.
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7.
Dense intracellular ion pools in unicellular organisms.
Gal, A
Journal of structural biology. 2021;(4):107807
Abstract
Uptake and concentration of inorganic ions are part of the complex cellular processes required for cell homeostasis, as well as for mineral formation by organisms. These ion transport mechanisms include distinct cellular compartments and chemical phases that play various roles in the physiology of organisms. Here, the prominent cases of dense ion pools in unicellular organisms are briefly reviewed. The specific observations that were reported for different organisms are consolidated into a wide perspective that emphasizes general traits. It is suggested that the intracellular ion pools can be divided into three types: a high cytoplasmic concentration, a labile storage compartment that hosts dense ion-rich phases, and a mineral-forming compartment in which a stable long-lived structure is formed. Recently, many labile pools were identified in various organisms using advanced techniques, bringing many new questions about their possible roles in the formation of the stable mineralized structures.
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8.
Update on Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements of Preterm Infants and Recommendations for Enteral Mineral Intake.
Mihatsch, W, Thome, U, Saenz de Pipaon, M
Nutrients. 2021;(5)
Abstract
BACKGROUND With current Ca and P recommendations for enteral nutrition, preterm infants, especially VLBW, fail to achieve a bone mineral content (BMC) equivalent to term infants. During the first 3 years, most notably in light at term equivalent age (<-2 Z score) VLBW infants' BMC does not catch up. In adults born preterm with VLBW or SGA, lower adult bone mass, lower peak bone mass, and higher frequency of osteopenia/osteoporosis have been found, implying an increased risk for future bone fractures. The aim of the present narrative review was to provide recommendation for enteral mineral intake for improving bone mineral accretion. METHODS Current preterm infant mineral recommendations together with fetal and preterm infant physiology of mineral accretion were reviewed to provide recommendations for improving bone mineral accretion. RESULTS Current Ca and P recommendations systematically underestimate the needs, especially for Ca. CONCLUSION Higher enteral fortifier/formula mineral content or individual supplementation is required. Higher general mineral intake (especially Ca) will most likely improve bone mineralization in preterm infants and possibly the long-term bone health. However, the nephrocalcinosis risk may increase in infants with high Ca absorption. Therefore, individual additional enteral Ca and/or P supplementations are recommended to improve current fortifier/formula mineral intake.
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9.
The effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
Li, D, Cai, Z, Pan, Z, Yang, Y, Zhang, J
BMC endocrine disorders. 2021;(1):106
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have not been well established. We conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on glycemic control, inflammation and oxidative stress for women with GDM. METHODS A systematic search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library up to July, 2020. Various results were pooled by using Review manager 5.3 and Stata 12.0. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed by I-squared (I2) tests. RESULTS Six hundred ninety-eight patients from 12 trials were included in our meta-analysis. Magnesium, zinc, selenium, calcium, vitamin D and E (alone or in combination) were found to significantly improve glycemic control in women with GDM compared to those receiving placebos: fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (MD = - 9.02; 95% CI: - 12.09, - 5.96; P < 0.00001), serum insulin (MD = - 4.33; 95% CI: - 5.35, - 3.32; P < 0.00001), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (MD = - 1.34; 95% CI: - 1.60, - 1.07; P < 0.00001), and homeostasis model of assessment for β cell function (HOMA-B) (MD = - 15.58; 95% CI: - 23.70, - 7.46; P = 0.0002). Vitamin and mineral supplementation was found to attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress through decreasing high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (MD = - 1.29; 95% CI: - 1.82, - 0.76; P < 0.00001), malondialdehyde (MDA) (MD = - 0.71; 95% CI: - 0.97, - 0.45; P < 0.00001), and increasing total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (MD = 45.55; 95% CI: 22.02, 69.08; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis shows that vitamin and mineral supplementation significantly improved glycemic control, attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress in women with GDM.
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10.
Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review.
Michalak, M, Pierzak, M, Kręcisz, B, Suliga, E
Nutrients. 2021;(1)
Abstract
Human skin is continually changing. The condition of the skin largely depends on the individual's overall state of health. A balanced diet plays an important role in the proper functioning of the human body, including the skin. The present study draws attention to bioactive substances, i.e., vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, polyphenols, and carotenoids, with a particular focus on their effects on the condition of the skin. The aim of the study was to review the literature on the effects of bioactive substances on skin parameters such as elasticity, firmness, wrinkles, senile dryness, hydration and color, and to define their role in the process of skin ageing.