An Empirical Study on the Effect of Short-Term Regular Vitamin D3 Supplement Therapy on Blood Pressure and Exercise Tolerance in Heart Failure Patients

effect of vitamin d supplementation on adiposity, blood glycated hemoglobin, serum leptin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in type 2 diabetic patients

Since tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] could be one of the risk factors at the development of diabetes complications; as well as serum leptin deficiency is related to increased susceptibility to infections in diabetic patients, they are potential indices from the preventive medicine viewpoint. This study was conducted to represent the effect of supplemental vitamin D3 on serum leptin, TNF-alpha and adiposity in type 2 diabetic patients. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, study sample was selected through type 2 diabetic patients [n = 51]. A total of 26 patients were orally supplemented by vitamin D3[400 lU/d] [vitamin D group] and 25 patients by placebo [placebo group] for 14 weeks. The blood glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] and the serum ionized Ca, leptin, TNF-alpha, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25[OH] D] were measured at the two groups in the baseline and postintervention stages. It was shown that despite of theplacebo group, serum 25[OH] D and serum leptin was significantly increased [P = 0.001 and P= 0.002, respectively], while serum TNF-alpha was decreased significantly [P = 0.001] in vitamin D group. The remaining parameters, including body fat mass and HbA1c had no alterations between baseline and postintervention stages in vitamin D group. This study may advocate vitamin D supplementation among type 2 diabetic patients due to its beneficial effects on prevention of diabetes complications

Can current supply figures support the nutritional recommendation of fish consumption in Iran? a case-study of the challenges in front of a nutrition policy

Fish consumption twice per week" recommendation has been adopted in many countries, including Iran, by Nutrition experts. Data derived from food balance sheets [FBSs] and national household food consumption surveys [NHFCSs] show that fish consumption has been increased in the last 20 years in Iran. The gap between supply and recommendation figures in order to analyze the feasibility of this policy however needs to be determined. In this study, we took current figures of fish supply and consumption in Iran and calculated the amount of fish needed to support the recommendation of fish consumption. Data obtained from FAOSTAT-FBSs in 1980-82, 1990-92 and 2000-02, and NHFCS reports in 1992-95 and 2001-03. Fish supplies needed to fulfill the nutritional policy were calculated based on 120 and 180 gr/caput/wk scenarios. Sharp increase happened in the average fish supply from 1980s to 1990s, but slowed down afterwards. In early 2000, fish availability and intake were 4.73 and 4.43 kg [as raw-whole fish]/capita/year, respectively. The amount of fish required to fulfill the recommendation were however calculated as 10.97 and 16.43 kg/caput/yr based on the two scenarios, respectively. This study reveals that the gap between present fish consumption and the amounts for nutritional goal is still big. Whether bridging this gap in terms of feasibility, ecological, environmental and logistical burdens is attainable, needs more evaluation. Nutrition educators should be aware of the effects of their campaigns on the nationwide food policy as well as on issues such as consumer demand, prices, and environment

Arsenic intakes from spices and sheep tail [Donbeh] in a high oesophageal cancer area: pilot study from Iran

Arsenic is a carcinogenic and toxicant element widely found in the environment and might be part of causation web of Oesophageal Cancer [OC], which has one of the highest incidence rates in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran. In this pilot study, we collected 10 Sheep tail [donbeh] and 9 mixed spices samples, as widely consumed foods in the region, from main counties in the province and analyzed for arsenic concentrations using AOAC atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Findings showed that arsenic levels in all samples were less than the safe level of 1 ppm. Total arsenic intake from sheep tail and mixed spices sources were estimated at 4.68 and 4.24 micro g/day in men and women, respectively. Therefore, the study suggests that arsenic intake from these commonly consumed foods do not seem as a major hazard for OC etiology

Maternal weight gain might predict child's weight at the 12th and 24th months of age in Damavand city, North-East Tehran

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible association between pregnancy weight gain and child weight at the 12th and 24th months of age in Damavand city, North-East Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, using existing data collected by the urban health centers, records of 266 women who attended urban health centers for prenatal care and delivered between March 2004 and March 2008 with singleton term pregnancy were analyzed. Data on pre-pregnancy weight and height, total pregnancy weight gain, mother's age, parity, neonatal birth weight, birth order, mother's education, working status, breastfeeding practice and child weight at the 12th and 24th months of age were extracted. Pregnant Women were categorized based on their pre-pregnancy body mass index [BMI] as underweight, normal, and overweight and obese. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were employed to analyze data using SPSS software. Mean [+/-SD] of gestational weight gain was 11.4+/-3.9 kg. On average, 34% of mothers had inadequate weight gain, while 44 and 22% gained appropriate and excessive weight, respectively, based on the US Institute of Medicine [IoM-1990] guidelines. About 11, 56, 20 and 13% of mothers were defined as underweight, normal, overweight, and obese based on their BMI values. Initial BMI and educational level was associated with pregnancy weight gain. There was a significant difference between mean child weight at the 12th and 24th months of ages in all three categories of pregnancy weight gain, i.e. inadequate [<6.8 Kg], normal [6.8-11.3 Kg], and excessive [>11.3 Kg] [p< 0.01]. Gestational weight gain seemed associated with child weight. Educating and assisting pregnant women to meet the weight gain within recommendations range might therefore be an important strategy to prevent child malnutrition, both under- and overweight, in early life