Is vitamin D-fortified yogurt a value-added strategy for improving human health? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Yogurt is a good source of probiotics, calcium, and proteins, but its content of vitamin D is low. Therefore, yogurt could be a good choice for vitamin D fortification to improve the positive health outcomes associated with its consumption. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of vitamin D-fortified yogurt compared with plain yogurt on levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD). The secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of fortified yogurt on parathyroid hormone, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and lipid profile. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for eligible studies; that is, randomized controlled trials (RCT) that compared vitamin D-fortified yogurt with control treatment without any additional supplement. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. Findings from 9 RCT (n = 665 participants) that lasted from 8 to 16 wk are summarized in this review. The meta-analyzed mean differences for random effects showed that vitamin D-fortified yogurt (from 400 to 2,000 IU) increased serum 25OHD by 31.00 nmol/L. In addition, vitamin D-fortified yogurt decreased parathyroid hormone by 15.47 ng/L, body weight by 0.92 kg, waist circumference by 2.01 cm, HOMA-IR by 2.18 mass units, fasting serum glucose by 22.54 mg/dL, total cholesterol by 13.38 mg/dL, and triglycerides by 30.12 mg/dL compared with the controlled treatments. No publication bias was identified. Considerable between-study heterogeneity was observed for most outcomes. Vitamin D-fortified yogurt may be beneficial in improving serum 25OHD, lipid profile, glucose metabolism, and anthropometric parameters and decreasing parathyroid hormone level in pregnant women and adult and elderly subjects with or without diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome.

Nutritional strategies for psoriasis: current scientific evidence in clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: Several nutritional strategies for the management of psoriasis are promising. Even if recent data support that nutrition may play a pivotal role in prevention and co-treatment and despite patient's concerns regarding the best nutritional habits, the consensus regarding the nutritional strategies to be adopted lacks in clinical settings. In this manuscript, the effects of several nutritional strategies for psoriasis patients such as hypocaloric diet, vitamin D, fish oil, selenium, and zinc supplementation were systematically reviewed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on beneficial botanical oral supplements were also included in the analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For each topic, a search was conducted in MEDLINE electronic databases for articles published in English between January 1, 1990 and September 2018. Two independent reviewers assessed and extracted the data. Only controlled clinical trials were selected. RESULTS: The evidence regarding the current nutritional strategies for psoriasis patients were summarized and translated into a global, comprehensible recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss combined with a healthy lifestyle was shown to be very beneficial for patients with moderate to severe disease with a significant reduction of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. Currently, oral vitamin D supplementation for prevention or treatment of psoriasis in adults with normal vitamin D levels is not recommended; however, psoriasis patients with a deficit in plasma vitamin D levels are advised to complement with oral supplements to prevent psoriasis-related comorbidities. Instead of zinc, selenium, and omega 3 supplements have been proven beneficial for psoriasis patients. Among botanical species, Dunaliella bardawil (D. bardawil), Tripterygium wilfordii (T. wilfordii), Azadirachta indica (A. indica), Curcuma longa (C. longa), and HESA-A are the most beneficial. In conclusion, a close cooperation between nutritionists and dermatologists may be useful for the management of psoriasis.

A Preliminary Investigation on Metal Bioaccumulation by Perenniporia fraxinea.

The lignicolous macrofungus Perenniporia fraxinea has drawn increased attention due to its role as a pathogen of ornamentals in urban sites. The present study investigated the bioaccumulation of heavy metals by P. fraxinea. Sporophores were collected from urban and suburban areas in Pavia (Northern Italy) and analyzed for metals content (Cd, Hg, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, after microwave acidic digestion. On the basis of the obtained results the potential bioaccumulation capability of P. fraxinea was investigated. The isolates were grown in a culture medium enriched with different concentrations of Cd and Hg, chosen as probes of environmental pollution, and Cu for comparison. As P. fraxinea grows in the presence of Cd, Hg and Cu, it seems to be a potential tool in environmental monitoring.