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Effects of Oral Multi-Vitamin Multi-Mineral Supplement Formulations on Laboratory Outcomes and Quality of Life: A Quasi-Experimental Study.
Jittat, N, Pongpirul, K, Tepwituksakit, B, Iammaleerat, P, Heath, J, Lungchukiet, P, Taechakraichana, N, Charukitpipat, A
Frontiers in nutrition. 2022;9:889910
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The human diet requires both macronutrients and micronutrients. While macronutrients provide the main source of calories, micronutrients are required for developmental processes. Micronutrient supplementation has gained popularity among individuals who want to ensure and maintain their health and wellness. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in laboratory parameters and the quality of life (QOL) among individuals who received different multi-vitamin and multi-mineral (MVMM) formulations. This study is a three-arm non-randomized controlled trial with a total of 72 healthy adult individuals with insufficient levels of total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Participants were assigned to one of the three groups namely, Hydro-Cell-Key (HCK) granules, vital-life (VTL-7) MVMM capsules, and placebo group (no supplement). Results showed that Vitamin D and beta-carotenoids levels increased in all three groups. Both VTL-7 and HCK had a significantly higher increase in vitamin D compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, secondary laboratory outcomes and QOL did not increase significantly from baseline in any of the three groups. Authors conclude that micronutrient supplement formulation, specifically granule vs. capsule formulation, was found to impact certain laboratory outcomes but not QOL.
Abstract
Background: Multi-vitamin multi-mineral (MVMM) products often come in several single-substance capsules from different manufacturers. However, attempts to mix several vitamins and minerals into one MVMM product have been complicated and often involve legal concerns. This study aimed to comparatively investigate the changes in laboratory parameters and the quality of life (QOL) among individuals who received different MVMM formulations. Methods: This three-arm non-randomized controlled trial was conducted at VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center (VSWC), Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 72 healthy adult individuals with total serum 25-(OH)D level of 20-29 ng/ml were invited to choose from the three available options, namely, (1) Hydro-Cell-Key (HCK®, Hepart AG, Switzerland) contains vitamin D3 2,000 IU, vitamin C 1,000 mg, vitamin E 166 mg, vitamin A 1 mg, coenzyme Q10 30 mg, natural carotenoids 8 mg, and citrus flavonoids 200 mg in granule formulation; (2) VTL-7 (VWSC) contains similar vitamins and minerals but in capsule formulation; and (3) placebo capsule (no supplement). The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to measure QOL at baseline, month 3 and 6. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to compare the repeated-measure outcomes across the three groups. This study was registered at the Thai Clinical Trial Registration (TCTR20190205002) and approved by the Bumrungrad International Institutional Review Board (BI-IRB No.258-10-18PhFub). Results: Both VTL-7 and HCK saw a significantly higher increase in vitamin D than placebo at months 3 and 6, i.e., VTL-7 from 25.15 ± 2.13 to 35.53 ± 6.11 (p < 0.001) and 33.38 ± 6.89 (p < 0.001); HCK from 24.25 ± 3.08 to 28.43 ± 5.93 (p = 0.005) and 27.40 ± 5.24 (p = 0.012); and placebo from 24.00 ± 2.73 to 23.05 ± 4.39 (p = 0.273) and 22.30 ± 6.23 (p = 0.200), respectively. Similarly, β-carotenoids of VTL-7 vs. HCK groups significantly increased from 0.88 ± 0.68 vs. 0.94 ± 0.55 at baseline to 3.03 ± 1.79 (p < 0.001) vs. 1.09 ± 0.61 (p = 0.125) and 3.26 ± 1.74 (p < 0.001) vs. 1.15 ± 0.66 (p = 0.064), respectively. These findings were corroborated through the GEE analysis. Other micronutrients at months 3 and 6 did not increase significantly from baseline in any group. The overall QOL among the three groups in terms of physical (p = 0.560) and mental (p = 0.750) health increased but was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The supplements of MVMM in capsule formulation increased the serum levels of some micronutrients to a higher extent than that of granule formulation. Participant adherence remains a potential confounder and should be further explored. Clinical Trial Registration: identifier: TCTR20190205002.
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Unusual Early Recovery of a Critical COVID-19 Patient After Administration of Intravenous Vitamin C.
Waqas Khan, HM, Parikh, N, Megala, SM, Predeteanu, GS
The American journal of case reports. 2020;21:e925521
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Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) continues to spread globally and to date there are no proven treatments. Current treatment focuses on the management of the associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There are many studies demonstrating that in severe sepsis and ARDS; Vitamin C reduces systemic inflammation, prevents lung damage, reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay in patients. This is a case report where a critically ill patient received high-dose Vitamin C intravenous (IV) infusions and recovered. A 74 year-old woman with Covid-19, developed ARDS and septic shock. Usual medications were given. She needed MV and deteriorated rapidly. On Day 7 she was administered Vitamin C (11g per 24 hours as a continuous IV infusion). Her clinical condition improved slowly after this. In this case, high dose IV Vitamin C was associated with fewer days on mechanical intervention, a shorter ICU stay and earlier recovery. These results show the importance of further investigation of IV Vitamin C to assess its efficacy in critically ill Covid-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation and ICU care.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread, with confirmed cases now in more than 200 countries. Thus far there are no proven therapeutic options to treat COVID-19. We report a case of COVID-19 with acute respiratory distress syndrome who was treated with high-dose vitamin C infusion and was the first case to have early recovery from the disease at our institute. CASE REPORT A 74-year-old woman with no recent sick contacts or travel history presented with fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Her vital signs were normal except for oxygen saturation of 87% and bilateral rhonchi on lung auscultation. Chest radiography revealed air space opacity in the right upper lobe, suspicious for pneumonia. A nasopharyngeal swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 came back positive while the patient was in the airborne-isolation unit. Laboratory data showed lymphopenia and elevated lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, and interleukin-6. The patient was initially started on oral hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. On day 6, she developed ARDS and septic shock, for which mechanical ventilation and pressor support were started, along with infusion of high-dose intravenous vitamin C. The patient improved clinically and was able to be taken off mechanical ventilation within 5 days. CONCLUSIONS This report highlights the potential benefits of high-dose intravenous vitamin C in critically ill COVID-19 patients in terms of rapid recovery and shortened length of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay. Further studies will elaborate on the efficacy of intravenous vitamin C in critically ill COVID-19.
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Nutritional Intervention for a Patient with Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Morbid Obesity: a Case Report.
Lee, HO, Choi, SI, Jeong, IK
Clinical nutrition research. 2020;9(2):157-162
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Bariatric surgery improves obesity-related complications by reducing body weight and recovering body functions. In order to recover quickly after surgery, continuous nutrition management is required. The aim of the medical institution was to examine the contents of nutritional arbitration conducted on patients who underwent gastric surgery, examine the results, identify the nutritional problems that can be seen through the course of the patient's meal process, and share the clinical experience. This study is a case report of a 46-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with morbid obesity, impaired fasting glucose (blood sugar) and hypertension. Results show that: - the patient did not lose weight preoperatively because she thought she would be unable to eat postoperatively and did not change her eating habits. - Blood sugar and blood lipid levels improved after weight loss. - The patient’s biochemical data showed no nutritional deficiency. Author concludes that for stomach surgery patients, a multidisciplinary approach and continuous nutritional management, motivation for weight loss, postoperative dietary adaptation, and individual access to patients are most important.
Abstract
Nutritional intervention for individual patients has a wide range of postoperative food adaptability, so an individual evaluation is required. The medical institution intends to examine the contents of nutritional arbitration conducted on patients who underwent gastric surgery, examine the results, identify the nutritional problems that can be seen through the course of the patient's meal process, and share the clinical experience. In this case study, a 46-year-old female patient was diagnosed with morbid obesity, impaired fasting glucose and hypertension. She was 153 cm tall and weighed 88 kg, with a body mass index 37.6 kg/m2 at initial evaluation. The patient maintained normal biochemical data before and after surgery and shows postoperative weight loss, body fat reduction, and abdominal fat reduction. In this case, blood sugar and blood lipid levels improved after weight loss. The repeated nutritional intervention for a sleeve gastrectomy patient, which is performed by clinical dietitians, is as follows. A balanced diet, supplemented with vitamins and minerals, is very important for preventing nutritional complications after obesity surgery. In conclusion, for stomach surgery patients, a multidisciplinary approach and continuous nutritional management, motivation for weight loss, postoperative dietary adaptation, and individual access to patients are most important.
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Intramyocellular Lipids, Insulin Resistance, and Functional Performance in Patients with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Chien, MY, Lee, PL, Yu, CW, Wei, SY, Shih, TT
Nature and science of sleep. 2020;12:69-78
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Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA) is characterized by repeated occlusion of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in periods of intermittent hypoxemia [low level of oxygen in blood]. The aim of this study was to (a) investigate the intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) and extramyocellular lipids (EMCL), biochemical data, and functional performance in patients with severe OSA versus controls, and (b) examine the correlations between intra-muscular lipid contents and biochemical and performance variables. This study is a clinical trial that recruited 20 patients with OSA and body mass index(BMI)-matched controls. Results demonstrate that patients with OSA had significantly lower IMCL and EMCL values when compared with their age-, and BMI-matched controls without OSA. Furthermore, compared with controls, patients with OSA had significantly reduced functional performance and exhibited abnormal biochemical data, including glucose and insulin levels and lipid profiles. Authors conclude that additional large-scale clinical trials are required to further explore the complex mechanism between OSA, muscle metabolism, and insulin action.
Abstract
PURPOSE An increasing number of studies have linked the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with metabolic dysfunction. However, little is known about the lipid compartments (intramyocellular [IMCL] and extramyocellular [EMCL] lipids) inside the musculature in these patients. The present study was designed to investigate the IMCL and EMCL, biochemical data, and functional performance in patients with severe OSA, and to examine the correlations between intramuscular lipid contents and test variables. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Twenty patients with severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]: ≥30/h; body mass index [BMI]: 26.05±2.92) and 20 age- and BMI-matched controls (AHI <5/h) were enrolled. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure the IMCL and EMCL of the right vastus lateralis muscle. Biochemical data, including levels of fasting plasma glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), were measured. Insulin resistance index (IR) was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment method. Performance tests included a cardiopulmonary exercise test and knee extension strength and endurance measurements. RESULTS Patients with severe OSA had significantly (P<0.05) lower values of IMCL (14.1±5.4 AU) and EMCL (10.3±5.8 AU) compared to the control group (25.2±17.6 AU and 14.3±11.1 AU, respectively). Patients with severe OSA had significantly higher hsCRP, IR, and dyslipidemia compared with controls (all P<0.05). Furthermore, IMCL was negatively correlated with AHI, cumulative time with nocturnal pulse oximetric saturation lower than 90% (TSpO2<90%) (ρ=-0.35, P<0.05), IR (ρ=-0.40, P<0.05), glucose (ρ=-0.33, P<0.05), and insulin (ρ=-0.36, P<0.05), and positively correlated with lowest oximetric saturation (ρ=0.33, P<0.01). CONCLUSION Skeletal muscle dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities were observed in patients with OSA that did not have obesity. IMCL was positively correlated with aerobic capacity and muscular performance, but negatively correlated with AHI and IR. Large-scale clinical trials are required to explore the complicated mechanism among OSA, intramuscular metabolism, and insulin action. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00813852.
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Significant Impact of the Ketogenic Diet on Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels.
Salas Noain, J, Minupuri, A, Kulkarni, A, Zheng, S
Cureus. 2020;12(7):e9418
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Ketogenic diet includes food with a very low-carbohydrate and high-fat content that aims to drastically reduce carbohydrate intake and replace it with fat, hence inducing ketosis. This study is a case report which presents a case of a rapid increase, followed by a rapid correction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in a patient following a ketogenic diet. The patient is a 56-year-old Hispanic female who showed a rapid increase in LDL-C and total cholesterol after only 30-40 days of following a ketogenic diet. She was directed to follow a balanced diet and take statin medication. Results showed that the patient's BMI, four weeks after the discontinuation of ketogenic diet, did not change despite a marked improvement in her LDL-C. Authors conclude that due to the unpredictable response of LDL-C levels to a ketogenic diet, close monitoring of patients with a high risk of cardiovascular disease should be considered.
Abstract
It is well known, based on the previous research, that a ketogenic diet leads to an improvement in the lipid profile and decreases cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension. However, recent studies have also reported increased levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as a result of this diet. It has been postulated that this elevation in LDL-C would not likely increase cardiovascular complications due to the large LDL-C particle size. In this case report, we present a case of a rapid increase, followed by a rapid correction of LDL-C, in a patient following a ketogenic diet. A 56-year-old Hispanic female with a past medical history of hypertension and fibromyalgia presented to the outpatient clinic for evaluation of fatigue. She reported that she had been following a strict ketogenic diet along with daily regular exercise for approximately 30-40 days prior to this visit. Her diet consisted of low-carbohydrate vegetables, seafood, avocados, eggs, and coconut oil. The patient's physical exam was unremarkable. At the time of the visit, her BMI was calculated at 28 kg/m2, with a weight loss of approximately six to seven pounds since starting the ketogenic diet. Her fasting lipid profile showed a total cholesterol of 283 mg/dl, LDL-C of 199 mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of 59 mg/dl, and triglycerides levels of 124 mg/dl. She was instructed to stop the ketogenic diet and to incorporate a balanced diet, which includes a higher amount of carbohydrates and lower fat. She was also started on high-intensity atorvastatin. However, she reported experiencing myalgias soon after initiating atorvastatin; therefore, the medication was switched to rosuvastatin 10 mg at bedtime. During her follow-up appointment, she reported not having consistently taken rosuvastatin due to the concern of worsening myalgias. Her lipid profile, after four weeks of ketogenic diet discontinuation and inconsistent use of statins, showed significant improvement resulting in a total cholesterol level of 190 mg/dl and LDL-C of 106 mg/dl. Statin therapy was discontinued, and the patient maintained optimal LDL-C levels on subsequent testing. This patient showed a rapid increase in LDL-C and total cholesterol after only 30-40 days of the ketogenic diet. Her drastic elevation in LDL-C could also be explained due to the rapid weight loss, as cholesterol in the adipose tissue is known to mobilize as the fat cells shrink. Interestingly, her BMI four weeks after the discontinuation of the ketogenic diet did not change despite a marked improvement in her LDL-C. Therefore, we believe the acute onset and resolution of hyperlipidemia was secondary to the ketogenic diet itself. This study helps to better understand expectations when recommending a ketogenic diet to patients and its consequences. There is currently no statistically significant study that proves this elevation of LDL-C would not increase cardiovascular risks. Furthermore, the necessity for statin therapy in a ketogenic diet-induced hyperlipidemia remains unknown.
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Inflammatory bowel diseases: a burden in pediatrics: Case series and a review of the literature.
Mărginean, CO, Meliţ, LE, Mocanu, S, Mărginean, MO
Medicine. 2017;96(11):e6329
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disorder of the digestive tract and is of two types –Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. IBD can occur at any age but it seems, it's on increase in children especially in developed countries. The etiology of IBD is not fully understood, though the prognosis depends on the number of relapses. This study is a review based on four cases of IBD presenting in children under the age of 16. The authors found that emotional disorders and stress are often the common factors encountered in IBD patients. Also, a diet high in animal fat and low in fruit and vegetable seems to be associated with increased risk of IBD. The authors concluded that intervention of defined formula diet and supplementation of vitamin D showed positive outcomes in IBD sufferers. However, alongside medical approach for the treatment of IBD, educational intervention as well as addressing the emotional disorders may be helpful in the management of IBD.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic condition of the gastrointestinal tract, comprising mainly Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both of them are frequently encountered in children, being multifactorial conditions, with an unclear etiology. PATIENTS CONCERNS We present 4 cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children in order to underline the variable evolution depending on the patient's particularities. DIAGNOSIS, INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES The first case, a 13-year-old male patient, with a history of Henoch-Schonlein purpura, was admitted for rectal bleeding and weight loss, with normal laboratory parameters. The colonoscopy and the histopathological examination established the diagnosis of UC. The evolution was initially favorable under corticosteroids and sulfasalazine, but with 3 relapses in 2 years. The second case, a 16-year-old male patient, with a history of lactose intolerance and constipation, was admitted for bloody, diarrheic stools, the laboratory tests pointing out only leukocytosis with neutrophilia. The colonoscopy and histopathological examination established the diagnosis of UC. The patient's evolution was slowly favorable. The third case, a 9-year old male patient, with emotional disorders and babbling, admitted for semiconsistent, bloody stools, with increased inflammatory tests, whose colonoscopy pointed out diffuse edema and hemorrhages, the histopathological examination establishing the diagnosis of CD. The evolution was initially favorable, but with 5 relapses in 3 years. The last case, a 12-year-old male patient, was admitted with diarrheic, bloody stools, refractory to antibiotics, and weight loss, with increased inflammatory tests. The colonoscopy pointed out ulcerations, hemorrhages, and disseminated puss deposits. The histopathological examination established the diagnosis of CD. The patient's evolution was favorable, with only 1 relapse in 3 years. CONCLUSIONS The adequate management, especially the self-management can influence the prognosis of patients with IBD, even though it is unpredictable and burdened by the risk of malignant transformation.
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Inhalational Alzheimer's disease: an unrecognized - and treatable - epidemic.
Bredesen, DE
Aging. 2016;8(2):304-13
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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the third leading cause of death in the USA, with around 5.2 million Americans diagnosed with AD. Effective treatment with medications has yet to be found. A recent multiple therapy programme (originally known as MEND, now called ReCODE) proposed by Professor Bredesen and team, has shown some promising anecdotal results. Identifying sub-types of AD has been proposed as a means to develop targeted protocols for treatment. Recently, 3 sub-types of AD have been described: Type 1 (inflammatory), Type 2 (non-inflammatory or decreasing brain size) and Type 3 (damage to the outer layer of the cerebrum). This report describes 7 patients with Type 3 AD. Type 3 AD is characterised by exposure to specific toxins (usually inhaled) and is often associated with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). The report provides the symptoms, signs and laboratory values representative of Type 3 AD and could be used by Nutrition Practitioners to help with implementation of appropriate nutrition protocols when working with clients with AD.
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most significant healthcare problems today, with a dire need for effective treatment. Identifying subtypes of Alzheimer's disease may aid in the development of therapeutics, and recently three different subtypes have been described: type 1 (inflammatory), type 2 (non-inflammatory or atrophic), and type 3 (cortical). Here I report that type 3 Alzheimer's disease is the result of exposure to specific toxins, and is most commonly inhalational (IAD), a phenotypic manifestation of chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), due to biotoxins such as mycotoxins. The appropriate recognition of IAD as a potentially important pathogenetic condition in patients with cognitive decline offers the opportunity for successful treatment of a large number of patients whose current prognoses, in the absence of accurate diagnosis, are grave.
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Metabolic profiling distinguishes three subtypes of Alzheimer's disease.
Bredesen, DE
Aging. 2015;7(8):595-600
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The causes of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) remain incompletely defined and there are currently no truly effective drug therapies available. However, there is growing evidence that disordered blood glucose management and hormonal changes and deficiencies, amongst other things, are implicated in symptom onset. Optimising these various metabolic processes, therefore, may be used as a comprehensive way to avoid cognitive decline or achieve cognitive improvements in symptomatic individuals. This report provides the metabolic results of 3 case studies and suggests 3 different types of AD classification, depending on the individual metabolic profile. Further studies are required to elaborate on the metabolic profiles suggested in this report, however Nutrition Practitioners working with cognitive decline, can use this report as a basis for individualised nutrition protocols to optimise metabolic processes in clients with cognitive decline.
Abstract
The cause of Alzheimer's disease is incompletely defined, and no truly effective therapy exists. However, multiple studies have implicated metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, hormonal deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia. Optimizing metabolic parameters in a comprehensive way has yielded cognitive improvement, both in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Therefore, expanding the standard laboratory evaluation in patients with dementia may be revealing. Here I report that metabolic profiling reveals three Alzheimer's disease subtypes. The first is inflammatory, in which markers such as hs-CRP and globulin:albumin ratio are increased. The second type is non-inflammatory, in which these markers are not increased, but other metabolic abnormalities are present. The third type is a very distinctive clinical entity that affects relatively young individuals, extends beyond the typical Alzheimer's disease initial distribution to affect the cortex widely, is characterized by early non-amnestic features such as dyscalculia and aphasia, is often misdiagnosed or labeled atypical Alzheimer's disease, typically affects ApoE4-negative individuals, and is associated with striking zinc deficiency. Given the involvement of zinc in multiple Alzheimer's-related metabolic processes, such as insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, ADAM10 proteolytic activity, and hormonal signaling, this syndrome of Alzheimer's-plus with low zinc (APLZ) warrants further metabolic, genetic, and epigenetic characterization.
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Reversal of cognitive decline: a novel therapeutic program.
Bredesen, DE
Aging. 2014;6(9):707-17
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Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is estimated to affect 30 million individuals globally, with projections as high as 150 million by 2050 if no effective treatment is found. This report describes a personalised, multi-modal, therapeutic programme used with 10 individuals with various degrees of cognitive decline. The goal was to optimise metabolic parameters and lifestyle factors and was personalised based on laboratory test results. 9 out of 10 of the case study patients experienced improvement in cognitive abilities, beginning within 3-6 months of starting the programme. These effects were sustained at 2.5 year follow up. The 1 patient who did not benefit had advanced AD, in comparison to the other patients with subjective or mild cognitive decline. The authors call for a more extensive trial of the therapeutic programme.
Abstract
This report describes a novel, comprehensive, and personalized therapeutic program that is based on the underlying pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, and which involves multiple modalities designed to achieve metabolic enhancement for neurodegeneration (MEND). The first 10 patients who have utilized this program include patients with memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), or subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). Nine of the 10 displayed subjective or objective improvement in cognition beginning within 3-6 months, with the one failure being a patient with very late stage AD. Six of the patients had had to discontinue working or were struggling with their jobs at the time of presentation, and all were able to return to work or continue working with improved performance. Improvements have been sustained, and at this time the longest patient follow-up is two and one-half years from initial treatment, with sustained and marked improvement. These results suggest that a larger, more extensive trial of this therapeutic program is warranted. The results also suggest that, at least early in the course, cognitive decline may be driven in large part by metabolic processes. Furthermore, given the failure of monotherapeutics in AD to date, the results raise the possibility that such a therapeutic system may be useful as a platform on which drugs that would fail as monotherapeutics may succeed as key components of a therapeutic system.