Mineral adequacy of vegetarian diets.

The bioavailability of a number of minerals may be altered by the special characteristics of vegetarian diets. Concern has centered on both inadequate and high dietary levels of specific minerals as well as reduced bioavailability because of a variety of dietary components. The possibility that plant-based diets may compromise mineral status is briefly reviewed for the following minerals: zinc, calcium, iron, manganese, selenium, and copper.

[Inadequate milk production in cattle caused by an incorrect diet; an example from practice]. / Een onvoldoende melkproduktie bij rundvee veroorzaakt door een onjuiste voeding; een voorbeeld uit de praktijk.

The milk production per cow on a dairy farm did not increase to any appreciable extent during the past few years. Moreover, when a number of cattle were found not to be pregnant, this suggested mineral deficiency to the livestock owner. The diet of the animals was therefore examined at his request and some advice was offered on this basis. These recommendations resulted in an increase of the production per cow in a standard herd, averaging 3.2 units, during the following year. The production of milk fat and milk protein showed an average daily increase of 146 g per animal. Mineral deficiency as a causative factor was considered to be unlikely.

[Low-gravitational changes in the bone system]. / Gipogravitatsionnye izmeheniia v kostnoi sisteme.

This review surveys reported data and observations made by the present authors concerning the effect of real and simulated hypogravity on bones of man and various animals. Bone biomechanics and mechanisms of osteodystrophic changes in hypogravity are discussed. Based on published data about bone metabolism regulation, the concept of bone formation and degradation in normal gravity and hypogravity is advanced. The conclusion is made that hypogravity-induced changes obey regulation at different levels, with local mechanisms being predominant. It is emphasized that a detailed investigation of every component of this process may become an important contribution to space and clinical medicine.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies following obesity surgery.

Any obesity operation, whether malabsorptive or based upon the production of early satiety, produces weight loss by causing a net reduction in the delivery of nutrients to the portal circulation. The malabsorption caused by jejunoileal bypass produces numerous severe micronutrient deficiencies along with other potentially damaging conditions. Although there are numerous reports of such deficiencies following gastric restrictive procedures (particularly gastric bypass), the conditions are almost always more easily treated than those after intestinal bypass, and resultant clinical illnesses are rare. Physicians should be aware that any obesity procedure carries a risk of nutritional deficiency.

Nutrition and sickle cell disease.

The role of protein and calorie deficiency in sickle cell disease remains poorly defined. While such features as growth retardation, impaired immune function, and delayed menarche do suggest a relationship between sickle cell disease and undernutrition, measurement of more direct nutritional parameters in these patients have yielded mixed results. Anthropometric measurements such as skinfold thickness are subnormal in many but not all reports. Serum protein levels are normal, but low values for serum lipids have been reported. Finally, one small study shows an improvement in both growth parameters and clinical course following caloric supplementation. A variety of micronutrient deficiencies have been suggested in sickle cell disease. Numerous case reports describing an exacerbation of the chronic anemia that was reversed by folic acid therapy led to routine folate supplementation. More recent studies have shown, however, that clinically significant folic acid deficiency occurs only in a small minority of sickle cell patients. Clearly, more work is necessary to define the cost/benefit ratio of routine folic acid supplementation. Pharmacological amounts of vitamin B6 and certain of its derivatives possess in vitro antisickling activities. Nevertheless, a small clinical trial failed to demonstrate any consistent hematologic effects of B6 supplementation. Several reports indicate that vitamin E levels are low in sickle erythrocytes. Since these abnormal red cells both generate excessive oxidation products and are more sensitive to oxidant stress, and because oxidants appear to play a role in ISC formation, vitamin E deficiency could well be linked to ISC formation and hemolysis. Small clinical trials, however, have again failed to produce a clear hematological response in sickle cell anemia. The role of zinc in sickle cell disease has received considerable attention. Though studies are generally small, most do support a relationship between sickle cell disease and zinc deficiency. Etiologic associations between zinc deficiency and such complications of sickle cell disease as poor ulcer healing, growth retardation, delays in sexual development, immune deficiencies, and high ISC counts have all been suggested. Most of these studies need further corroboration. Iron deficiency is now known to be a relatively common occurrence in sickle cell anemia, especially in children and pregnant women. The theoretical benefits of concomitant iron deficiency and sickle cell anemia remain to be proven in a controlled clinical trial.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Malnutrition and the immune system]. / Malnutrition und Immunsystem.

The immune system is governed by a large number of influences. An important support of the nutritional dependent changes of the reaction to immunity is represented by the prostaglandin and leukotriene system. The basis are essential and non-essential highly unsaturated fatty acids which are transformed by the body's own enzyme system in oxidative steps. As coenzyme and cosubstrate, for instance Vitamin B6 and zinc, are needed--tests show the influence of pyridoxine and folic acid on the immune system. The significance of minerals, especially zinc, iron and selenium, for the immune metabolism will be demonstrated. Selenium deficiency leads, evidently, to a reduction in the ability to stimulate the lymphocytes and decreases the phagocytosis index of the macrophages--some risk groups, responsible for the appearance of the state of malnutrition, will be pointed out and pharmaco-therapeutic prevention measures will be described.

[Evaluation of mineral nutrition of milk cows in the period between pregnancies (study of a herd with reduced fertility)]. / Ocena gospodarki mineralnej u krów mlecznych w okresie miedzyciazowym w stadzie z obnizona plodnoscia.

Studies were carried out on the evaluation of the condition of minerals in cows of a herd with reduced fertility, including 7 head of primiparae and 7 head of multiparae, in the period of interpregnancy. On the basis of analyses of fodder, blood serum and hair mineral disproportions were found which were manifested by excess calcium and deficiency of copper and phosphorus in the organism of the cows. This could be the reason of decreased fertility indices of the herd studied.

Comparison of the nutritional state of new and long-term patients in a psychogeriatric unit.

Nutritional deficiencies have been implicated in the pathophysiology of various mental disorders. Life in institutions has been associated with development of nutritional deficiencies, the elderly being most at risk especially those with senile dementia. In this study nutritional status, particularly vitamin and essential mineral status was assessed in a group of 64 new admissions to a psychogeriatric unit and 49 long-term patients. The results indicated that psychogeriatric patients were at risk of experiencing nutritional deficiencies and those with senile dementia were likely to have more abnormalities than those with functional illnesses. Those patients in long-term care would appear to have a better nutritional state than those on admission.

Mineral intake and blood levels in vegetarians.

Concern has been raised that a long-term high-fiber diet may lead to mineral deficiencies. In this study, mineral intake and blood levels were investigated in 92 ovolacto vegetarians and 113 omnivores. The intake of iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium was adequate in both groups. The intake of iron and magnesium was significantly higher in the vegetarians. Mean blood levels of iron, iron binding capacity, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, zinc and magnesium were within normal limits in both groups. Serum magnesium levels were significantly higher in male vegetarians. Iron binding capacity was significantly lower in vegetarians of both sexes. It is concluded that a long-term ovolacto vegetarian diet does not lead to mineral deficiencies.

Absorption, dosage, and effect on mineral homeostasis of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in premature infants: comparison with 400 and 800 IU vitamin D2 supplementation.

Because the efficiency of vitamin D absorption or hepatic uptake and 25-hydroxylation appears decreased in very premature infants, the routine use of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) supplementation has been suggested. Absorption studies of a 3 micrograms/kg orally administered dose of 25-OHD3 showed peak serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and -vitamin D3 (25-OHD) concentrations at 4 to 8 hours similar in timing but of lesser magnitude to those seen in adults. Administration of 1 microgram/kg birth weight/day of 25-OHD3 corrected moderately low, but not very low serum (25-OHD) concentrations, and 2 micrograms/kg BW/day resulted in rapid and sustained increase in serum 25-OHD. Administration of 800 IU ergocalciferol (D2) also produced significantly higher serum 25-OHD concentrations than those in infants given 400 IU vitamin D2, but increases in serum 25-OHD were more gradual than in infants given 25-OHD3. In treatment trials with infants weighing less than 1500 gm, those given 800 IU D2, compared with those given 400 IU D2, had higher serum calcium concentrations and less frequent moderate or severe hypomineralization. Infants given 2 micrograms/kg BW 25-OHD3 had a significant increase in serum phosphorus values, but a decrease in serum calcium and magnesium concentrations, and parathyroid hormone also was suppressed to low normal values. The frequency of moderate to severe hypomineralization remained the same as in infants given 400 IU D2. In a subgroup of infants, serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was elevated over adult values, both in infants given 25-OHD3 (68.5 +/- 8.4 pg/ml) and in infants given vitamin D2 (60 +/- 6.7 pg/ml). Serum vitamin D concentrations were undetectable in four of six infants receiving 25-OHD3, but were elevated (5 to 31 ng/ml) in four infants receiving vitamin D2. Although 800 to 1000 IU D2 can be recommended as routine vitamin D supplementation in very premature infants fed standard formula, the use of 25-OHD3 requires further study.

Bone mineral loss, bone histomorphometry and vitamin D metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on long-term glucocorticoid treatment.

Long-term glucocorticoid treatment might interfere with the vitamin D metabolism. The serum concentrations of 25-OHD were significantly reduced whereas the circulating levels of 1,25-(OH)2D were normal in 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis on long-term treatment with small doses of prednisone. The bone mineral content of the forearm was significantly reduced, but the degree of bone loss did not correlate with duration of treatment or dose of prednisone given. Quantitative bone histomorphometry was performed in 18 patients. Apart from a significant correlation between serum 25-OHD and the fractional trabecular bone volume, no relationships were observed between bone histomorphometry and vitamin D metabolites or serum iPTH. The results indicate that the bone loss was due to a decreased osteoblastic activity rather than to an impaired vitamin D metabolism.

Nutritional factors of lameness and metabolic bone disease in cattle.

Lameness in cattle has numerous causes, and many factors interact to interfere with normal locomotion. The nutrients that have been implicated are protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, selenium, zinc, and vitamins A, D, and E. The fact that several nutrients may be involved with the problem should not be overlooked. There may also be factors in the diet that interact with the nutrient (particularly with trace minerals) that must be considered. When congenital skeletal deformities are being investigated, the veterinarian should not overlook the nutrition of the dam during pregnancy. When recommending dietary changes, a veterinarian should be careful that new imbalances have not been created and that the producer is not adding nutrients to the diet other than those suggested.

Eating more and enjoying it less: U.S. prison diets for women.

A study of weight gain and dietary adequacy among female prisoners was conducted by studying inmate weight changes, nutritional values of prison diets and consumption patterns in a jail cafeteria. Inmates were found to incur significant weight gains (Mean = 14 lbs.); their diets were inadequate nutritively, and were consumed in such a way as to exacerbate the inadequacies. The authors conclude that some of these problems could be ameliorated by changing ingredients, preparation, and the role of food in the prisoner's life, although for certain categories of prisoners with specific health conditions (e.g., pregnancy), adequate diets will require major adjustments in jail and prison food management.