Changes in Bone Turnover, Inflammatory, Oxidative Stress, and Metabolic Markers in Women Consuming Iron plus Vitamin D Supplements: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

We aimed to investigate whether combination of vitamin D and iron supplementation, comparing vitamin D alone, could modify bone turnover, inflammatory, oxidative stress, and metabolic markers. Eighty-seven women with hemoglobin (Hb) ≤ 12.7 g/dL and 25OHD ≤ 29 ng/mL vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency aged 18-45 years were randomly assigned into two groups: (1) receiving either 1000 IU/day vitamin D3 plus 27 mg/day iron (D-Fe); (2) vitamin D3 plus placebo supplements (D-P), for 12 weeks. In D-Fe group, significant decrease in red blood cells (RBC) (P = 0.001) and hematocrit (Hct) (P = 0.004) and increases in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P = 0.001), 25OHD (P < 0.001), osteocalcin (P < 0.001), high-density cholesterol (HDL) (P = 0.041), and fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P < 0.001) were observed. D-P group showed significant decrease in RBC (P < 0.001), Hb (P < 0.001), Hct (P < 0.001), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (P = 0.004), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (P < 0.001), MCHC (P = 0.005), serum ferritin (P < 0.001), and low-density cholesterol (LDL) (P = 0.016) and increases of 25OHD (P < 0.001), osteocalcin (P < 0.001), C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) (P = 0.025), triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.004), FBS (P < 0.001), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P = 0.001) at week 12. After the intervention, the D-P group had between-group increases in mean change in the osteocalcin (P = 0.007) and IL-6 (P = 0.033), and decreases in the RBC (P < 0.001), Hb (P < 0.001), Hct (P < 0.001), and MCV (P = 0.001), compared with the D-Fe group. There were significant between-group changes in MCH (P < 0.001), MCHC (P < 0.001), ferritin (P < 0.001), and serum iron (P = 0.018). Iron-vitamin D co-supplementation does not yield added benefits for improvement of bone turnover, inflammatory, oxidative stress, and metabolic markers, whereas, vitamin D alone may have some detrimental effects on inflammatory and metabolic markers. IRCT registration number: IRCT201409082365N9.

Comparing the effectiveness of vitamin D plus iron vs vitamin D on depression scores in anemic females: Randomized triple-masked trial.

Background: Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) have been related to depression and anxiety. It seems that anemia is associated with vitamin D deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the effects of iron-vitamin D co-supplementation versus vitamin D alone on depression scores in anemic females with low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on eighty premenopausal females who were recruited between May 2015 and October 2015 from primary health care centers. Women with anemia and low concentrations of 25(OH)D were randomized to either 1000 IU/d vitamin D plus 27 mg/d iron (D-Fe) or vitamin D plus placebo supplements (D-P) for 12 weeks. Depressive and anxious symptoms were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) with subscales 1-13 and 14-21 and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). To compare the groups, Mann-Whitney or chi-squared tests were used and within groups comparison was performed using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The study was registered on www.clinicaltrial.org as NC 01876563. Results: The serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were increased significantly in both groups at the end of the study. In both groups, there was a significant improvement in total BDI, the BDI subscale, and the BAI scores (p<0.001). No differences were found between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although the potential positive effect of vitamin D on mental health was evident, iron plus vitamin D co-supplementation did not demonstrate any significant benefits over vitamin D alone, neither in depression score reduction nor anxiety symptoms.

Effects of Iron on Vitamin D Metabolism: A Systematic Review.

Vitamin D is a prohormone nutrient, which is involved in skeletal and extra-skeletal functions. Iron is another essential nutrient that is necessary for the production of red blood cells and oxygen transport. This element plays important roles in enzymatic systems including those required for Vitamin D activation. To the best of our knowledge, there is no exclusive review on the relationship between iron deficiency anemia (IDA), as the most prevalent type of anemia, and Vitamin D deficiency and the effect of recovery from iron deficiency on Vitamin D status. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic search of observational and clinical trials in this field. The databases of PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Knowledge, and SCOPUS were searched comprehensively. English-language human studies conducted on iron deficient patients or interventions on the effect of iron therapy on Vitamin D were extracted (n = 10). Our initial search yielded 938 articles. A total of 23 papers met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen studies were excluded because they were not relevant or not defining anemia types. The final analysis was performed on ten articles (3 cross-sectional and 7 interventional studies). Observational data indicated a positive relationship between iron status and Vitamin D, while trials did not support the effectiveness of iron supplementation on improving Vitamin D status. The mechanism underlying this association may involve the reduction of the activation of hydroxylases that yield calcitriol. Future randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes and proper designs are needed to highlight underlying mechanisms.

A randomized triple-masked controlled trial on the effects of synbiotics on inflammation markers in overweight children / Ensaio clínico controlado randomizado triplo-cego dos efeitos de simbióticos sobre marcadores de inflamação em crianças com sobrepeso

OBJECTIVE: the low degree of inflammation in obesity contributes to systemic metabolic dysfunction. Recent experimental studies proposed some effects of alteration in gut microbiota on inflammatory factors. This study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of a synbiotic supplement on inflammation markers in overweight and obese children and adolescents. METHODS: this randomized triple-masked controlled trial was conducted among 70 participants aged 6 to 18 years, with a body mass index (BMI) equal or higher than the 85th percentile. They were randomly assigned into two groups of equal number to receive synbiotic or placebo for eight weeks. RESULTS: fifty-six of 70 participants (80%) completed the study. Compared with the placebo group, the synbiotic group had significant decrease in mean values of tumor necrosis-α and interleukin-6, with significant increase in adiponectin; these changes were no longer significant after adjustment for BMI. There was no significant change in the mean values of high-sensitive C-reactive protein. CONCLUSION: the present findings suggest the positive influence of synbiotic supplementation on inflammation factors, which are dependent to its effect on weight reduction in overweight and obese children. .

OBJETIVO: o baixo grau de inflamação na obesidade contribui para disfunção metabólica sistêmica. Estudos experimentais recentes propuseram alguns efeitos de alteração na microbiota intestinal sobre fatores inflamatórios. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos anti-inflamatórios de um suplemento simbiótico sobre marcadores de inflamação em crianças e adolescentes com sobrepeso e obesos. MÉTODOS: este ensaio clínico controlado randomizado triplo-cego foi conduzido entre 70 participantes com idade entre seis e 18 anos, com índice de massa corporal (IMC) igual ou acima do 85º percentil. Eles foram aleatoriamente divididos em dois grupos de igual número de participantes para receber simbiótico ou placebo por oito semanas. RESULTADOS: no todo, 56 de 70 participantes (80%) concluíram o estudo. Em comparação ao grupo placebo, o grupo simbiótico teve redução significativa nos valores médios de necrose tumoral-α e interleucina-6, com aumento significativo na adiponectina; essas alterações não eram mais expressivas após o ajuste do IMC. Não houve alteração importante nos valores médios da proteína C-reativa altamente sensível. CONCLUSÃO: nossas conclusões sugerem a influência positiva da suplementação simbiótica sobre fatores inflamatórios, dependente de seu efeito sobre a redução de peso em crianças com sobrepeso e obesas. .

A randomized triple-masked controlled trial on the effects of synbiotics on inflammation markers in overweight children.

OBJECTIVE: the low degree of inflammation in obesity contributes to systemic metabolic dysfunction. Recent experimental studies proposed some effects of alteration in gut microbiota on inflammatory factors. This study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of a synbiotic supplement on inflammation markers in overweight and obese children and adolescents. METHODS: this randomized triple-masked controlled trial was conducted among 70 participants aged 6 to 18 years, with a body mass index (BMI) equal or higher than the 85th percentile. They were randomly assigned into two groups of equal number to receive synbiotic or placebo for eight weeks. RESULTS: fifty-six of 70 participants (80%) completed the study. Compared with the placebo group, the synbiotic group had significant decrease in mean values of tumor necrosis-α and interleukin-6, with significant increase in adiponectin; these changes were no longer significant after adjustment for BMI. There was no significant change in the mean values of high-sensitive C-reactive protein. CONCLUSION: the present findings suggest the positive influence of synbiotic supplementation on inflammation factors, which are dependent to its effect on weight reduction in overweight and obese children.

The effects of synbiotic supplementation on some cardio-metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese children: a randomized triple-masked controlled trial.

Recent studies have suggested some beneficial effects of probiotics on controlling excess weight in adults; such experience is limited in the pediatric age group. This study aimed to assess the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects of a synbiotic supplement among children and adolescents. We conducted a randomized triple-masked controlled trial among 70 participants aged 6-18 years with body mass index (BMI) equal or higher than 85th percentile. They were randomly assigned to two groups of equal number to receive synbiotic or placebo for 8 weeks. At the end of the trial, decrease in BMI Z-score, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio were significantly higher in the synbiotic group than in the placebo group. Likewise, synbiotic group had significant decrease in serum triglycerides, total- and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. The beneficial effects of a synbiotic supplement on controlling excess weight and some cardio-metabolic risk factors among children and adolescents can be considered in clinical practice.

Do lifestyle interventions affect dietary diversity score in the general population?

OBJECTIVE: The dietary diversity score (DDS) is a good indicator of diet quality as well as of diet-disease relationships; therefore, the present study was undertaken to reveal the effect of a lifestyle intervention on this index. DESIGN: A baseline and three evaluation studies were conducted in two intervention districts (Isfahan and Najaf-Abad) and a reference area (Arak), all located in central Iran. The Isfahan Healthy Hearth Programme (IHHP) targeted the entire population of nearly 2 million in urban and rural areas of the intervention communities. One of the main strategies of the lifestyle intervention phase in the IHHP was healthy nutrition. Usual dietary intake was assessed using a forty-nine-item FFQ. A diversity score for each food group was calculated and the DDS was considered the sum of the diversity scores of the food groups. RESULTS: There were significant increases in DDS in both intervention areas (P = 0.0001) after controlling for confounding factors. There was a significant interaction between area and evaluation stage with regard to DDS (P = 0.0001). The effect of the intervention on the diversity scores of all food groups was also significant (P = 0.0001 for all) after adjusting for socio-economic status. CONCLUSION: The community-based lifestyle intervention in the IHHP was successful in improving DDS which might be related to an increase of diet quality of the population that in turn might decrease the risks of chronic diseases.

Effect of a community-based intervention on nutritional behaviour in a developing country setting: the Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to determine the impact of a community-based intervention on the nutritional behaviour of a representative sample of Iranian adults. DESIGN: The Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme (IHHP), a six-year, action-oriented, integrated community-based study aimed at health promotion through the reduction of CVD risk factors, targeted the whole population living in two intervention cities, and compared outcomes with the population of a non-intervention city considered as reference. Dietary interventions were performed as educational, environmental and/or legislative strategies. A global dietary index (GDI) was calculated representing the general dietary behaviour. In addition, two consumption indices were calculated for specific food groups, i.e. meat products and major sources of fat. Univariate AVOVA was conducted to evaluate the impact of the intervention on dietary behaviours. SETTING: Isfahan and Najaf-Abad (intervention cities) and Arak (reference city), central Iran. SUBJECTS: The baseline survey was conducted among 12514 randomly selected adults aged > or =19 years in both intervention and reference areas. The survey was repeated annually among about 5000 persons (2002-2005) in the intervention and reference communities. RESULTS: According to significant year x group interactions in mean fat consumption index (FCI) and meat consumption index (MCI) in the total population, a significant improvement in FCI and MCI was found in the intervention areas v. the reference area (P < 0.001). In addition, the GDI improved significantly in the intervention areas v. the reference area (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The IHHP interventions were effective in improving dietary behaviours at the population level. The highest effectiveness was documented in the change in the type of fat consumed. Such simple and integrated interventions can be adopted in other developing countries with limited financial resources.