Article

Association between Vitamin Deficiency and Metabolic Disorders Related to Obesity

Taylor & Francis
Critical Reviews In Food Science and Nutrition
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Abstract

Inappropriate food behavior contributes to obesity and leads to vitamin deficiency. This review discusses the nutritional status of water- and fat-soluble vitamins in obese subjects. We verified that most vitamins are deficient in obese individuals, especially the fat-soluble vitamins, folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin C. However, some vitamins have been less evaluated in cases of obesity. The adipose tissue is considered a metabolic and endocrine organ, which in excess leads to changes in body homeostasis, as well as vitamin deficiency which can aggravate the pathological state. Therefore, the evaluation of vitamin status is of fundamental importance in obese individuals.

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... The condition of obesity is widely recognized to be associated with a wide range of negative health consequences, including but not limited to cardiovascular illnesses and metabolic syndromes [2,3]. Within the intricate web of interrelated elements, there has been a growing scholarly interest in exploring the potential impact of micronutrient status, specifically focusing on vitamin B12 [4,5]. ...
... Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a crucial water-soluble vitamin that plays a fundamental role in various physiological processes, such as DNA synthesis, erythropoiesis, and the maintenance of brain integrity [6]. A deficiency in vitamin B12, primarily acquired from the consumption of animal-derived foods, results in a wide range of clinical manifestations, including exhaustion, anemia, and significant neurological deficits [4]. The significant involvement of vitamin B12 in conjunction with other B vitamins in the metabolic process of homocysteine, an amino acid that has established connections with cardiovascular risks, is particularly noteworthy [7,8]. ...
... Nevertheless, the existing body of literature does not provide a unanimous consensus. While several research studies emphasize the association between a deficit in vitamin B12 and obesity, other investigations fail to identify a significant correlation between these two factors [4,15,16]. These disparities may emerge due to diverse research methodologies, variations in study populations, and variances in the assessment techniques employed for evaluating both vitamin B12 levels and obesity. ...
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Introduction:The potential influence of micronutrient status on obesity should be considered. Nevertheless, previous research examining the relationship between serum vitamin B12 levels and obesity has yielded inconclusive results. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between serum vitamin B12 levels and obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) in a population consisting of persons aged 18 years and older. Methods: A retrospective case-control research was undertaken on a sample of 1024 individuals aged 18 years and older who were admitted to a tertiary healthcare facility (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Education and Research Hospital, Rize) for either overweight-related issues or routine check-ups. The primary objective of this study was to assess the B12 levels of these individuals. The researcher recorded the body mass index (BMI) and history of DM for all subjects. Results: The study comprised a total of 1024 participants, consisting of 834 females and 190 males. The levels of vitamin B12 in women were found to be 308±113 pg/mL, while in men, the levels were 304±125 pg/mL. The results of the statistical analysis indicate that there is no statistically significant disparity in vitamin B12 levels between males and females (p=0.748). There was a statistically significant positive correlation seen between age and B12 levels; however, the magnitude of this connection was found to be minor (p=0.000, R2=0.017). The study findings revealed that out of the 1,024 individuals evaluated, 179 individuals exhibited B12 levels below 200, while 845 individuals displayed vitamin B12 levels above 200. The study findings indicated that there was no statistically significant distinction observed in the occurrence of obesity and DM in relation to vitamin B12 deficiency (p = 0.938, p = 0.08, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study offer empirical support for the notion that there is no significant difference in vitamin B12 levels between individuals afflicted with obesity and diabetes and those unaffected by these conditions. Interestingly, it was shown that serum B12 levels exhibited a modest increase with advancing age.
... For instance, a low-fat and high-protein diet in the Mediterranean region could help achieve weight loss and prevent muscle loss and osteoporosis [4]. Maintaining a balanced diet with a sufficient consumption of vitamins and trace elements and limiting the consumption of high-calorie foods, along with the proper intake of drinking water and physical activity, can prevent the development of metabolic syndrome and adiposity [5,6]. In the second stage, pharmacological treatment options are recommended alongside lifestyle modifications. ...
... Some vitamins also possess substantial anti-obesity potential [6,129]. The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of tocopherol helps in preventing metabolic syndrome [130]. ...
... A deficiency of some vitamins in the body can cause excess weight. Thus, Thomas-Valdés et al. [6] concluded that most vitamins were deficient in obese persons, especially the fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin B12, folic acid, and ascorbic acid. ...
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The obesity pandemic is one of society's most urgent public health concerns. A third of the global adult population may fall under obese or overweight by 2025, suggesting a rising demand for medical care and an exorbitant cost of healthcare expenditure in the coming years. Generally, the treatment strategy for obese patients is largely patient-centric and needs dietary, behavioral, pharmacological, and sometimes even surgical interventions. Given that obesity cases are rising in adults and children and lifestyle modifications have failed to produce desired results, so the need for medical therapy adjunct to lifestyle modifications is vital for better managing of obesity. Most existing or past drugs for obesity treatment target satiety or monoamine pathways and induce a feeling of fullness in patients, while drugs like orlistat are targeted against intestinal lipases. However, many medications targeted against neurotransmitters showed adverse events in patients, thus being withdrawn from the market. Alternatively, the combination of some drugs has been successfully tested in obesity management. However, the demand for novel, safer, and more efficacious pharmaceutical drugs for weight management does exist. The present review elucidates the current understanding of the available anti-obesity medicines of synthetic and natural origin, their main mechanisms of action, and the shortcomings associated with current weight-management drugs.
... Folate deficiency relates to an increase in serum homocysteine levels, which in turn is associated with cardiovascular disease due to endothelial dysfunction. Obese people show inadequate folate levels and are at higher risk of cardiovascular events [43]. A 1% decrease in serum folate concentration has been observed to be associated with each one-unit increase in BMI [44]. ...
... Vitamin B12, known as cobalamin, is involved in the synthesis of methionine into homocysteine, and its deficiency can lead to hyperhomocysteinemia [43]. The concerns reported for folate deficiency are similar for vitamin B12 deficiency, which highlights the importance of assessing both in combination to better understand the nutritional status of obese individuals to avoid potential complications, such as insulin resistance and components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). ...
... It is currently unclear whether vitamin B12 deficiencies with or without folate are a cause or consequence of obesity. However, it is suggested that being obese may alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism and/or excretion of micronutrients, which may cause deficiencies of these vitamins and the association of these with other obesityrelated diseases [43]. ...
Article
Background The adipose tissue influences by an extensive crosstalk at the local and systemic level the energy balance, including storage, mobilization, and utilization at both central and peripheral sites in response to specific external stimuli or metabolic changes. The balance between energy intake and expenditure is a delicate equilibrium among multifactorial aspects ranging from genetic to environmental influences. Aim The evidence from several recently published papers dealing with the topic of the beneficial health effects of micronutrient and plant bioactive compounds on obesity and/or comorbidities has been reported in this paper. Methodology MEDLINE database (PubMed database; National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD and Google Scholar) was searched by combining the terms of specific micronutrients and/or plant bioactive compounds associated with obesity and related comorbidities. All English language manuscripts published between 2005 and 2021 in the MEDLINE database were searched, selected and reviewed here. Conclusion People do not consume single food or ingredients but global composite diets; thus, the evaluation of mechanisms of action, efficacy and safety of vitamins and mineral and natural bioactive compounds is still a challenge in research on nutrition and food supplements.
... Moreover, recent studies have shown that oxidative stress also causes obesity through several mechanisms, such as stimulating the deposition of WAT (white adipose tissue), increasing the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes, and increasing the size of mature adipocytes. In turn, increased inflammation and oxidative stress lead to greater utilization of antioxidants, including carotenoids [5,6]. ...
... Moreover, the relationship between the nuclear receptor superfamily and carotenoids may indicate carotenoid involvement in anti-obesity mechanisms of action [5,33]. Fatsoluble carotenoids have been shown to be present in lipid droplets in adipocytes and to influence lipid absorption and transport, indicating a correlation between carotenoids and EBW [33]. ...
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Plasma carotenoid concentrations are associated with antioxidant defense which might be disturbed in people with excessive body weight (EBW). This study aimed at evaluating the effect of a 6-week weight reduction program on plasma concentration of β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin in adults with EBW. A total of 130 adults were recruited for the study; 75 completed the program. Data on food consumption were collected with a 3-day recording method and a semi-quantitative FFQ. Body height, body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were measured. Lipid profile, β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin were analyzed in blood. The AntioxObesity program resulted in a significant reduction in BW, WC, FM, SAT, and VAT. The mean plasma concentrations of β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin increased significantly after intervention. A reduction in FM above 4 kg significantly increased the concentration of β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids. An increase in carotenoid levels correlated with FM reduction, as fruit and vegetable intake remained unchanged. However, this effect may vary due to gender, HDL-cholesterol, body fat content, and obesity status in the weight loss process.
... Increasingly people prefer Western dietary patterns that are heavy in energy and fat but deficient in dietary vitamins, fiber and minerals (Christ et al. 2019). Vitamins deficiency may motive a series of health damages, inclusive of overweight, neurological dysfunction, diabetes and so on (Diab and Krebs 2018;Thomas-Valdés et al. 2017). Vitamins, essential nutrients, are required to preserve human health and may have an impact on the brain function by taking part in the neurosynthesis (Kennedy 2016). ...
... Vitamins are a group of regulatory substances that play a vital role in the metabolism process. As well as their involvement in neurochemical synthesis and antioxidant, they could thus be perceived as having a specific impact on numerous organs, including the brain, ear, eye, etc. (Berger et al. 2012;Kennedy 2016;Thomas-Valdés et al. 2017). An overabundance of ROS has adverse effects on vision, hearing and sleep by inducing oxidative stress, which can cause cochlea damage, reduce blood flow and affect the normal function of the vascular, endothelial and nervous systems (Çakir et al. 2020;Choi et al. 2021;Curhan et al. 2015;Evans and Lawrenson 2017). ...
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Based on nationally representative samples from US, we aimed to assess the associations of vitamins with hearing loss, vision disorder and sleep problem. A total of 25,312, 8425 and 24,234 participants were included in this study to investigate the relationship of vitamins with hearing loss, vision disorder and sleep problem from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, respectively. Vitamins including niacin, folic acid, vitamin B6, A, C, E and carotenoids were considered in our study. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between all included dietary vitamin intake concentrations and the prevalence of specific outcomes. Increased lycopene (odds ratio [OR]: 0.904, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.829–0.985) intake was associated with a deceased prevalence of hearing loss. Higher dietary intake of folic acid (OR: 0.637, 95% CI: 0.443–0.904), vitamin B6 (0.667, 0.465–0.947), alpha-carotene (0.695, 0.494–0.968), beta-carotene (0.703, 0.505–0.969) and lutein + zeaxanthin (0.640, 0.455–0.892) were associated with a decreased prevalence of vision disorder. The inversely associations of sleeping problem with niacin (OR: 0.902, 95% CI: 0.826–0.985), folic acid (0.882, 0.811–0.959), vitamin B6 (0.892, 0.818–0.973), vitamin C (0.908, 0.835–0.987), vitamin E (0.885, 0.813–0.963) and lycopene (0.919, 0.845–0.998) were also observed. Our findings provide evidence that increased specific vitamin intake is associated with decreased prevalence of hearing loss, vision disorder and sleep problem.
... Speeth et al. is the scientist who found that with the help of Zinc, activity of ACE2 receptors in the lungs of rats were reduced. Recent case study was done on COVID-19 confirmed patients, study shows significant improvement with the high dose of zinc salt [49]. ...
... Several clinical trials suggests that zinc supplement improves the reduction of viral infection by the immunotherapy [49]. ...
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In the entire world COVID-19 disease has been spread rapidly in December 2019 and now it has been almost 2 years we are facing the trouble of COVID-19 disease condition. Till now we have very less evidence based options for the treatment and prevention. In the COVID -19 Pandemic public health being focused towards the healthy living, hygiene and nutritional dietary routine. COVID-19 patients are at the high risk of nutritional imbalance and thus weak immunity. Due to lack of the specific treatment preventive measures have been focused majorly and here nutrition plays the important role. Since ancient times, nutritional diet, micronutrients and vitamins have been proved best to boost the immunity against viral infections. Deficiency of micronutrients and fat soluble vitamins leads to the weak immunity. Several statistical data and evidences shows that people with weak immunity are being targeted by COVID-19 Virus.Various cross-sectional study, data analysis and clinical trials have been performed to investigate the role of micronutrients in COVID-19 diseased condition. Several recent reports have found the greater risk for the COVID-19 patients associated with other severe diseases like respiratory tract infection, kidney related problems, diabetes, hypertension Etc. Detailed Clinical Trials will be focused more in the future.The various available scientific data, evidences, statistical analysis, reviews, surveys and clinical trials are studied and the collection of these information together forms this effective article. I ensure that, due to the research based evidences presented in this article, this article is being the worthy in all.
... Nutrients analyses found that, not only the consumption of lower carbohydrate and total fat, but the proper number and quality of protein (more bean-derived protein and not less animal food-derived protein) is another characteristic of pattern 4. This was definitely an important reason for good health, with effective body fat control in college students, which could find similar results in research of a low-carbohydrate Mediterranean (LCM) diet [45]. The proper proportion of red meat (Table 2 and Table S1) was also the healthy beneficial factor of pattern 4, which may also be reflected in the negative correlation between HBS and FMI (Tables 3 and 6). ...
... The same conclusion could be found in other research [47][48][49], which showed that high dietary quality in adolescents can improve nutrient status and be associated with a lower percentage of body mass. Samanta T. Valdés [45] reported that overweight individuals were more predisposed to vitamin deficiency, due to differences in the intake of dietary fruit, vegetables, and energy by individuals with overweight and obesity as compared to individuals of normal weight. ...
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There is limited evidence regarding the effects of dietary pattern and dietary quality on the risk of unhealthy weight status and related body composition in Chinese adolescence. In particular, studies using bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) in these subjects are rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of diet in body composition, to find a healthy dietary pattern for Chinese youth, and to promote the application of BIA among this population. A total of 498 participants aged from 18 to 22 years old were included. Dietary patterns were identified by principal components analysis. Energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (DII) and diet balance index (DBI) were calculated based on semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression and logistic regression analysis were used to examine the relationship of dietary patterns, dietary quality with body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and the effect of dietary factors on BMI levels. The majority of participants with overweight and obesity had abdominal obesity, and there was 3.7% abdominal obesity in normal BMI individuals. Four dietary patterns were detected in the subjects. The pattern with the higher energy intake, which was close to the Western diet, was positively correlated with BMI (β = 0.326, p = 0.018) and FMI (β = 0.201, p = 0.043), while being negatively correlated with FFMI (β = −0.183, p = 0.021). Individuals who followed the pattern similar to the Mediterranean diet had a higher basal metabolic rate (BMR), and the highest fat free mass, soft lean mass, and skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.05) but the lowest FMI, visceral fat area (VFA), waist–hip ratio, and FMI/FFMI ratio (p < 0.05). Higher energy-adjusted DII was associated with high BMI. Higher bound score (HBS) (β = −0.018, p = 0.010) and diet quality distance (DQD) (β = −0.012, p = 0.015) were both negatively correlated with FFMI. In conclusion, fat or muscle indexes, such as BMR, FMI, and FFMI, had an important role in predicting overweight and obesity, which suggested the importance of applying BIA among Chinese college students. Students who followed healthful dietary patterns or the high-quality diet that is similar to the Mediterranean diet but not close to the Western diet were more likely to have a healthy BMI and normal body composition.
... Compared with normal-weight individuals, overweight and obese individuals are more vulnerable to vitamin de ciency due to differences in dietary intake of fruits, vegetables and energy [14,15].Preliminary population studies have demonstrated that people with obesity have insu cient amounts of folate, which may be related to the volume dilution of blood in obese subjects and/or low folate intake in obese people [16]. Our research once again found that folate intake was lower in obese adults than normal adults. ...
... Like previous studies, we found that obese people had lower vitamin C intake than normal people [15]. ...
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Background: Many investigations have explored the relationship between dietary intake and obesity risk/incidence, but they have only assessed obesity-related dietary patterns and/or single nutrients, not taking into account the diversity of dietary variables or multicollinearity among multiple nutrients. Therefore, this study aimed to use logistic LASSO regression combined with logistic regression to overcome multicollinearity, and overall investigate the possible association between dietary factors and obesity by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2007-2016). Method: Logistic LASSO regression was performed to examine the relationship between 59 dietary variables, and subsequently identify the most relevant variables associated with obesity. Then we used logistic regression to test the relevant variables, and finally used the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) to test the effect of logistic regression. Using the methods described above, we explored the relationship between dietary intake and obesity in 12135 NHANES participants (2007-2016). Result: The set of factors screened by LASSO regression, obesity risk factors including cholesterol and PFUA 20:4 (β>0); protective factors including vitamin E, caffeine, folate, vitamin C and copper (β<0). Ultimately, after multivariate unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression tests as well as ROC tests, four in the factor set associated with obesity were selected. Statistically significant dietary factors only folate (OR=0.80), vitamin C (OR=0.95), copper (OR=0.60) and PFUA 20:4 (OR=2.57) in adjusted logistic regression. Conclusion: Dietary intake of folate, vitamin C and copper negatively correlated with obesity, but PFUA 20:4 positively inversely. Necessary to assess the effective levels of folate, vitamin C and copper supplementation in obese subjects.
... The monitoring of nutrition and the health status of Chinese residents from 2010 to 2012 [27] showed that intakes of vitamin A (<EAR: 77%), vitamin B1 (<EAR: 77.8%), vitamin B2 (<EAR: 90.2%), iron (<EAR: 11.5%) and calcium (<EAR: 96.6%) were insufficient. Clinical evidence shows that insufficient intake of certain micronutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin B1 or vitamin C is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome [28]. Our study found that adult Chinese men and women have a high prevalence of obesity, accompanied by insufficient intakes of vitamins A, B1 and C, especially in adult women, possibly due to micronutrient deficiencies caused by unbalanced diets [29]. ...
Article
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Half of Chinese adults face the double burden of overweight/obesity and micronutrient deficiencies, and nearly 40% of them are severely overweight/obese or have micronutrient deficiencies. This study used the data from China Nutrition and Health Survey (CNHS) from 2015 to 2017 to estimate the prevalence of inadequate dietary micronutrient intake (including vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C, cCalcium, iron and sodium) in Chinese adults and further determine the differences in micronutrient intake by gender, age and BMI. A total of 61,768 subjects were included in this study, of which 33,262 (54%) were female. The intake of energy and all macronutrients decreased with age, and the intake was higher in men than in women. Inadequate energy intake occurs in adults of all ages. In terms of nutrient intake, women had a higher rate of insufficient carbohydrate intake than men in all age groups. Inadequate protein intake was more common in women aged 18–49 years (60.9%) than in men. Compared with women, men had a higher rate of vitamin B2 intake. Insufficient vitamin B3 intake was more common in women aged 18–49 years (35.6%), men aged 65–79 years (39.7%) and men aged 80 years and above (47.9%). In all age groups, insufficient vitamin C intake is higher in women than in men—up to 85.8 percent in women aged 80 years old and above. Compared with men in the same age group, insufficient intake of calcium and iron is more obvious in women. Women have significantly higher rates of inadequate intake of calcium, iron and sodium than men. In the analysis of correlations between BMI or demographic data and micronutrient intakes, the likelihood of micronutrient intakes being insufficient was higher in the central and western regions in all age groups compared to the eastern regions. The risk of insufficient micronutrient intake was higher in obese men and women aged 18–49 years and 50–64 years. Underweight and overweight women in the 65–79 age group were more likely to have inadequate micronutrient intake. Obese women over 80 years of age were less likely to have inadequate micronutrient intake. No significant difference was found between urban and rural areas for each age group.
... Furthermore, research has shown a link between vitamin deficiencies and the accumulation of abdominal fat in individuals with obesity. For example, a review study revealed a negative relationship between vitamin C and total body fat [73]. Additionally, vitamin C has been found to prevent obesity by regulating lipid accumulation, inhibiting lipolysis, reducing glucocorticoid production, disrupting interactions between adipose cells and macrophages, scavenging ROS, and potentially inhibiting the hypoxia inducible factor-1a pathway [74]. ...
Article
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Obesity has become a global health concern, with its prevalence steadily increasing in recent decades. It is associated with numerous health complications, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The aetiology of obesity is multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. In recent years, oxidative stress has emerged as a potential contributor to obesity and its related metabolic disorders. Dietary antioxidants, which can counteract oxidative stress, have gained significant attention for their potential role in preventing and managing obesity. This comprehensive review aims to explore the impact of dietary antioxidants on obesity and its associated metabolic dysregulations, discussing the underlying mechanisms and highlighting the potential therapeutic implications.
... Some studies believe that vitamin deficiency is closely related to obesity and related metabolic disorders. 101 After human preadipocytes and adipocytes were co-treated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα (10 ng/mL) and saturated fatty acid palmitate (300 μM) for 24 hr, Luo et al 102 found that the expression of ERS-associated markers, sXBP1, CHOP, and GRP78 mRNAs in preadipocytes was significantly increased by 6-to 20-fold, whereas vitamin C co-treatment not only reduced these ERS-associated markers to the baseline values, but also promoted the secretion of ADPN. This suggests that vitamin C may improve adipose tissue dysfunction and restore adipose tissue metabolic homeostasis by inhibiting ERS and increasing ADPN secretion. ...
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Adipose tissue dysfunction plays an important role in metabolic diseases associated with chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and lipid ectopic deposition in obese patients. In recent years, it has been found that under the stimulation of adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), the over-activated ER unfolded protein response (UPR) exacerbates the inflammatory response of adipose tissue by interfering with the normal metabolism of adipose tissue, promotes the secretion of adipokines, and affects the browning and thermogenic pathways of adipose tissue, ultimately leading to the manifestation of metabolic syndrome such as ectopic lipid deposition and disorders of glucolipid metabolism in obese patients. This paper mainly summarizes the relationship between adipocyte ERS and obese adipose tissue dysfunction and provides an overview of the mechanisms by which ERS induces metabolic disorders such as catabolism, thermogenesis and inflammation in obese adipose tissue through the regulation of molecules and pathways such as NF-κB, ADPN, STAMP2, LPIN1, TRIP-Br2, NF-Y and SIRT2 and briefly describes the current mechanisms targeting adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum stress to improve obesity and provide ideas for intervention and treatment of obese adipose tissue dysfunction.
... For example, while some studies have reported lower serum TAC in SO compared to NW [10,11], others have not found such differences or have reported higher levels [12,13]. Obesity is a worldwide public health problem that contributes to excess morbidity and mortality, and there is growing evidence indicating that several of its comorbidities result from the excessive production of reactive oxygen species [14][15][16][17][18][19]. Therefore, it is necessary to look more deeply into the role of serum TAC levels in obesity and their relationship to clinical or biochemical parameters. ...
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The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) has been related to the development of and complications associated with chronic diseases, but its importance during obesity is not entirely clear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify whether there are differences or similarities in the TAC between subjects with obesity (SO) and subjects with normal weight (NW). Following the recommendations of PRISMA and Cochrane, we performed a systematic search in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and PROSPERO databases, identifying 1607 studies. Among these, 22 studies were included in the final analysis, comprising 3937 subjects (1665 SO and 2272 NW) in whom serum TAC was measured, and from these 19,201 subjects, the correlation of serum TAC with anthropo-metabolic parameters was also estimated. The Newcastle–Ottawa method was used for the evaluation of the risk of bias. Using a random-effect model (REM), TAC was reduced in SO independently of age (SMD, −0.86; 95% CI −1.38 to −0.34; p = 0.0012), whereas malondialdehyde (SMD, 1.50; 95% CI 0.60 to 2.41), oxidative stress index (SMD, 1.0; 95% CI 0.16 to 1.84), and total oxidant status (SMD, 0.80; 0.22 to 1.37) were increased. There were seven significant pooled correlations of TAC with anthropometric and metabolic parameters: weight (r = −0.17), hip circumference (r= −0.11), visceral adipose index (r = 0.29), triglycerides (r = 0.25), aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.41), alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.38), and uric acid (r = 0.53). Our results confirm a decrease in TAC and an increase in markers of oxidative stress in SO and underpin the importance of these serum biomarkers in obesity.
... In contrast, it has been recognized that these patients commonly suffer from micronutrient deficiencies [66,67]. Deficiencies occur in key vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, iron, folic acid, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins [68][69][70][71]. These deficiencies can contribute to poor surgical outcomes; as wound healing can be inhibited, they increase risks for surgical site infections, thromboembolic disease, and respiratory complications, all of which can result in protracted ICU and hospital admissions [72][73][74] ...
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Purpose of Review It is well established that malnutrition leads to worse outcomes in patients undergoing surgical procedures. To help prevent this, a litany of tools and scoring systems have been identified to identify both individuals and groups of patients who are at risk for malnutrition. The purpose of this review is to highlight the groups who are at the highest risk of malnutrition and to review the adjuncts to nutritional support in an effort to optimize post-operative outcomes. Recent Findings This review highlights the need to nutritionally optimize certain patient populations, including patients presenting with starvation-related malnutrition, geriatric patients, patients undergoing major surgery, and patients with sarcopenic obesity. In addition, we review the adjuncts to nutritional support, including preoperative carbohydrate loading, immune and metabolic modulation using arginine, fish oils, and RNA supplementation, and the use of pre and probiotics. Summary Patient nutrition remains a key preoperative intervenable area for quality improvement as a means to improve patient outcomes post-procedure. Not only have specific scoring systems been devised to quantify risk of complications in individuals, certain groups remain at high risk of malnutrition. Recognizing these groups preoperatively and providing nutritional adjuncts to improve patients’ nutritional status may help lead to improved patient outcomes.
... In addition, increased blood homocysteine levels, often seen in vitamin B 12 -deficient individuals with obesity, can affect energy metabolism and induce weight gain. Several studies have shown that individuals with obesity have a deficiency in vitamins B 6 and B 12 [34]. We consistently observed a positive correlation between the SVR and intake of vitamins B 6 and B 12 , suggesting that a higher intake can lower the probability of developing SO. ...
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Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is more associated with cardiovascular diseases than sarcopenia or obesity alone. This study aimed to assess the association between the skeletal muscle mass-to-visceral fat area ratio (SVR) and dietary and cardiometabolic health risk factors in obese women. Fifty-nine women aged 19–65 years with BMI values of ≥25 kg/m2 and <32 kg/m2 were included. The SVR was inversely correlated with blood lipids (total cholesterol, β = −0.369, p = 0.022; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, β = −0.326, p = 0.049) and hs-CRP (β = −0.305, p = 0.043). Among the dietary factors, fatty acid intake (saturated fatty acids (SFA), β = −0.287, p = 0.044; monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), β = −0.282, p = 0.048; polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), β = −0.301, p = 0.035) was inversely correlated with the SVR. Conversely, vitamin B6 and B12 intake (vitamin B6, β = 0.338, p = 0.012; vitamin B12, β = 0.281, p = 0.024) showed positive associations with the SVR. Individuals with a lower SVR were more likely to have SO and higher blood lipids and inflammatory marker levels. Regarding dietary factors, the SVR increased with vitamin B6 and B12 intake, which was less likely to occur in individuals with SO.
... The action of retinoic acid in inducing UCP-1 expression and the consequent activation of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue and the browning of white adipose tissue were well established [12]. In addition, retinoic acid is also associated with increased lipolysis in white adipose tissue via PPAR-y, decreased RXR expression, improved oxidative metabolism [32], increased lipolysis in adipocytes, decreased leptin and resistin expression, activation of thermogenesis by UCPs, and reduced cell differentiation of pre-adipocytes into adipocytes, thus reducing lipid storage capacity in adipocytes due to the action of the enzyme monooxygenase-1 β, β-carotene [43]. ...
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Body adiposity is associated with increased metabolic risk, and evidence indicates that vitamin A is important in regulating body fat. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of vitamin A and its association with body adiposity in women with the recommended intake of vitamin A. A cross-sectional study was designed with 200 women divided into four groups according to Body Mass Index (BMI): normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), class I obesity (OI), and class 2 obesity (OII). The cut-off points to assess inadequate participants were retinol < 1.05 µmol/L and β-carotene < 40 µg/dL. Body adiposity was assessed through different parameters and indexes, including waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), hypertriglyceridemic waist (HW), lipid accumulation product (LAP), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), and Body Adiposity Index (BAI). It was observed that 55.5% of women had low serum concentrations of β-carotene (34.9 ± 13.8 µmol/L, p < 0.001) and 43.5% had low concentrations of retinol (0.71 ± 0.3 µmol/L, p < 0.001). Women classified as OI and OII had lower mean values of β-carotene (OI—35.9 ± 4.3 µg/dL: OII—32.0 ± 0.9 µg/dL [p < 0.001]). IAV showed significant negative correlation with retinol (r = −0.73, p < 0.001). Vitamin A deficiency is associated with excess body adiposity in women with the recommended intake of vitamin. Greater body adiposity, especially visceral, was correlated with reduced serum concentrations of vitamin A.
... An experimental analysis of hypertensive rats showed that folate deficiency promoted a variety of phenotypes, such as oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome [29]. Studies have shown that folic acid supplementation may improve insulin resistance, another aggravating feature of obesity [30,31]. ...
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Background: Maternal lack of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy may increase the risk of low birth weight and preterm delivery. However, little is known about the relationship between folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and the physical development of offspring in the later stage. Objective: This study aimed to explore the association between maternal folic acid supplementation status during pregnancy and the physical development of preschool children. Methods: A total of 3064 mother-child pairs with data on maternal folic acid supplementation status during pregnancy and children's anthropometric measurements were recruited from the Ma'anshan-Anhui Birth Cohort (MABC) in China. Maternal folic acid supplementation status during pregnancy was the main exposure, and the primary outcomes were children's growth development trajectories. Children's growth development trajectories were fitted using group-based trajectory models. The association between maternal folic acid supplementation status during pregnancy and children's growth trajectories was performed using multiple logistic regression models. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that the absence of maternal folic acid supplementation before pregnancy and in the first trimester was significantly associated with a "high level" trajectory (trajectory 3) and a "high rising level" trajectory (trajectory 4) of BMI-Z scores in children 0 to 6 years of age (OR = 1.423, 95%CI:1.022-1.982; OR = 1.654, 95%CI: 1.024-2.671). In children aged 4 to 6 years old, a "high level" trajectory (trajectory 3) of body fat ratio was substantially related to maternal no folic acid supplementation before pregnancy and in the first trimester (OR = 1.833, 95%CI:1.037-3.240). No significant additional benefits associated with physical developmental indicators in preschool children have been observed with continued folic acid supplementation after the first trimester of gestation. Conclusions: Maternal non-supplementation with folic acid during pregnancy is associated with a "high level" BMI trajectory and a "high level" body fat ratio trajectory in preschool-aged children.
... Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin found in many foods, including meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, and bananas. It acts as a cofactor in several enzymatic reactions, including glycogen breakdown by glycogen phosphorylase, to obtain glucose for energy production [32]. It is also crucial for one-carbon metabolism related to homocysteine, for provision of methyl groups and sulphur-containing amino acids. ...
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Maternal obesity (MO) is expanding worldwide, contributing to the onset of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). MO and GDM are associated with adverse maternal and foetal outcomes, with short- and long-term complications. Growing evidence suggests that MO and GDM are characterized by epigenetic alterations contributing to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. In this pilot study, plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) of obese pregnant women with/without GDM were profiled at delivery. Nineteen women with spontaneous singleton pregnancies delivering by elective Caesarean section were enrolled: seven normal-weight (NW), six obese without comorbidities (OB/GDM(−)), and six obese with GDM (OB/GDM(+)). miRNA profiling with miRCURY LNA PCR Panel allowed the analysis of the 179 most expressed circulating miRNAs in humans. Data acquisition and statistics (GeneGlobe and SPSS software) and Pathway Enrichment Analysis (PEA) were performed. Data analysis highlighted patterns of significantly differentially expressed miRNAs between groups: OB/GDM(−) vs. NW: n = 4 miRNAs, OB/GDM(+) vs. NW: n = 1, and OB/GDM(+) vs. OB/GDM(−): n = 14. For each comparison, PEA revealed pathways associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as with nutrients and hormones metabolism. Indeed, miRNAs analysis may help to shed light on the complex epigenetic network regulating metabolic pathways in both the mother and the foeto-placental unit. Future investigations are needed to deepen the pregnancy epigenetic landscape in MO and GDM.
... For example, undernutrition characterized by deficiencies in micro-and macronutrients severely impacts the functionality of the immune response, especially in children, leading to impaired gut-barrier function, reduced plasma concentrations of complement, and cytokine patterns that are skewed toward a T helper (Th)-2 response [22]. Although the presence of obesity is accompanied by overnutrition of macronutrients, the incidence of micronutrient deficiencies is relatively high in individuals with obesity [23][24][25][26]. Indeed, deficiencies in several micronutrients, including Vitamin D and zinc, are more frequently observed in individuals with obesity compared with lean subjects [26,27]. ...
Article
Obesity is associated with the development of various complications, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, and an increased risk for infections, driven by dysfunctional innate immune responses. Recent insights have revealed that the availability of nutrients is a key determinant of innate immune cell function. Although the presence of obesity is associated with overnutrition of macronutrients, several micronutrient-deficiencies, including Vitamin D and zinc, are often present. Micronutrients have been attributed important immunomodulatory roles. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the immunomodulatory effects of Vitamin D and zinc. We also suggest future lines of research to further improve our understanding of these micronutrients; this may serve as a stepping-stone to explore micronutrient supplementation to improve innate immune cell function during obesity.
... With its fast rising prevalence, obesity brings a heavy burden on the healthcare system [2]. Obesity is a long-term nutritional disorder; in addition to the presence of excess energy, obese individuals also have vitamin deficiencies, especially of fat-soluble vitamins, folic acid, vitamin B 12 , and vitamin C [3]. ...
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Objective: Previous studies have found that obese people have lower levels of vitamin B, but most have focused on obesity as defined by body mass index (BMI), and its relationship with other types of obesity is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between vitamin B levels and obesity assessed by different definitions among Chinese middle-aged and older community-dwelling adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 887 participants aged 45 years and older (45-82 years). The concentrations of vitamin B (B1, B2, B6, and B9) were measured by robotic dry blood spot extraction systems in combination with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), visceral fat area (VFA), and waist circumference (WC) were used to diagnose obesity. VFA and BF% were assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The logistic regression model was used to assess the associations between vitamin B levels and the odds of obesity. Results: The average age of all participants was 60.77 (SD 6.33) years. The prevalence of obesity varied from 8.6% to 52.4% depending on different diagnostic criteria. After adjusting for covariates, a negative correlation was observed between vitamin B1 level and obesity according to the criteria of WC, VFA, and BF%, and the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 0.47, 0.52, and 0.46, respectively. When using WC and BF% to define obesity, higher quartiles of vitamin B2 were negatively associated with the odds of obesity (OR: 0.62 and 0.62, respectively). Vitamin B6 was inversely associated with VFA-defined and BF%-defined obesity (OR: 0.64 and 0.64, respectively). When using VFA and BF% to define obesity, a negative correlation was observed in vitamin B9 (OR: 0.61 and 0.67, respectively). Conclusions: Vitamin B (B1, B2, B6, and B9) level was negatively related to obesity (defined by WC, VFA, or BF%) in Chinese middle-aged and older adults.
... This situation can be aggravated by dietary behaviour, which can additionally contribute to vitamin C deficiencies. People with excess body weight much less often consume products rich in vitamin C, such as fruits and vegetables [52]. ...
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The aim of the study is to present a review of literature data on lactoferrin’s characteristics, applications, and multiple health-promoting properties, with special regard to nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics. The article presents a new approach to food ingredients. Nowadays, lactoferrin is used as an ingredient in food but mainly in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. In the European Union, bovine lactoferrin has been legally approved for use as a food ingredient since 2012. However, as our research shows, it is not widely used in food production. The major producers of lactoferrin and the few available food products containing it are listed in the article. Due to anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumour activity, the possibility of lactoferrin use in disease prevention (as a supportive treatment in obesity, diabetes, as well as cardiovascular diseases, including iron deficiency and anaemia) is reported. The possibility of targeted use of lactoferrin is also presented. The use of nutrition genomics, based on the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes, for example, FTO, PLIN1, TRAP2B, BDNF, SOD2, SLC23A1, LPL, and MTHFR, allows for the effective stratification of people and the selection of the most optimal bioactive nutrients, including lactoferrin, whose bioactive potential cannot be considered without taking into account the group to which they will be given.
... 19 Obesity also could result in vitamin deficiencies, especially for fat-soluble vitamins. 20 We also found that the HHcy group exhibited a higher percentage of risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Currently, the relationship between blood pressure and Hcy levels remains uncertain. ...
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Objective Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels play a detrimental role in ischemic stroke. Acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for nearly 25% of all stroke cases. However, the influence of Hcy levels and ICH severity on clinical outcomes is unclear. Participants and Study Location Data were obtained from 85,705 ICH patients enrolled in the China Stroke Center Alliance (CSCA) study, a national, hospital-based, multicenter, voluntary, quality assessment and improvement initiative performed in China. Patients were divided into high and normal Hcy groups according to their Hcy levels observed at admission. Outcome Measures The outcome indices included severe ICH, in-hospital mortality, and a poor functional outcome at discharge. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association of different Hcy levels with outcomes. Results The final analysis included 55,793 ICH patients. High homocysteine (HHcy) levels had higher adjusted odds ratios for severe ICH (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.10, P<0.0001) and a poor functional outcome at discharge (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.10, P=0.0100) compared with normal Hcy levels. There was no significant difference between HHcy and in-hospital mortality. In the subgroup analysis, stratified by sex and history of hypertension, significant interactions were observed between HHcy and severe ICH (P for interactions was 0.0138 and 0.0120, respectively). HHcy levels exhibited greater associations for severe ICH in female patients (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.12) and patients without hypertension (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.09–1.33). Conclusion An elevated Hcy level exhibited significant association with severe ICH on admission and a poor functional outcome at discharge. The relationship between HHcy and ICH severity on admission was more robust in female patients and patients without hypertension. Hcy might be a valuable biomarker for ICH patients to predict severity at onset and functional outcome at discharge.
... Furthermore, we found that newborn vitamin B complexes, namely, nicotinic acid and riboflavin, might be related to the association between Bacteroides and the infant waist circumference. Consistently, it has been reported that vitamin B complexes were involved in energy metabolism and linked with obesity [52,53]. Altogether, our find-ings revealed a possible Bacteroides-related mechanism in breastmilk reducing the risk of childhood obesity. ...
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The complex microbiota and sialylated oligosaccharides in breastmilk are important bioactive components that affect the gut microbiota. However, the effect of breastmilk microbiota and sialylated oligosaccharides on the gut microbiota during the neonatal period has been largely overlooked. Here, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics analysis were applied to the breastmilk and feces of 69 newborns to clarify the link between breastmilk components and the newborn gut. Results showed that Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Bacteroides were commonly shared and positively correlated between breastmilk and the neonatal intestine and they were the main bacteria of breastmilk that interacted with the newborn fecal metabolome. Breastmilk Staphylococcus mainly interacted with amino acids, whereas Bacteroides was involved in the tryptophan, nucleotide, and vitamin metabolism. Breastmilk sialylated oligosaccharides were related to Bacteroides and amino acids of the newborn fecal metabolites. Moreover, Bacteroides was related to the interaction between breastmilk 3′-sialyllactose and newborn fecal metabolites in the mediation effect models. Finally, we pointed out that breastmilk Bacteroides was important in the milk–gut interaction, and it was negatively associated with waist circumference in infants aged 1 year. Our study provides a scientific basis for understanding the role of breastmilk in the development of newborn gut microbiota and metabolome.
... In conclusion, vitamin D insufficiency and Introduction Vitamin D, as an essential micronutrient, has pleiotropic skeletal and non-skeletal actions, including its antiinflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-oxidative, and immunomodulatory effects (1). An increasing number of studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with obesity and metabolic disorders related to obesity (2)(3)(4). Compared with normal weight subjects, obese subjects are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency, most probably due to volumetric dilution, even though other mechanisms also could have a role (5,6). Currently, hypovitaminosis D is observed at high rates, most probably because of the modern lifestyle, but some argue that this may be also due to the high global obesity prevalence (5,7). ...
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Obesity and vitamin D deficiency are both considered risk factors for mortality, but the potential additive effects of vitamin D status and obesity on mortality has not been well-studied. We aimed to examine the possible additive effects of obesity and vitamin D status on all-cause and cause-specific mortality. The data from the NHANES III (1988–1994) and NHANES 2001–2014 surveys were used, and multivariate Cox regression models were performed to assess the additive effects of vitamin D status and overweight/obesity/abdominal obesity on the all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, by stratifying Cox Hazard Ratios (HRs) across different categories of vitamin D status and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) categories. The models were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational level, family income to poverty ratio, leisure-time physical activity, smoking, and drinking. Across all BMI/WC categories, there was an additive effect of the vitamin D both insufficiency and deficiency on all mortality rates, with deficiency having much stronger effect than insufficiency. Interestingly, the effect of vitamin D deficiency overcame the effect of obesity on all mortality rates. The highest HRs for overall and cardiovascular mortality were observed among vitamin D deficient obese/abdominally obese subjects, while for cancer mortality among vitamin D deficient normal weight/non-abdominally obese subjects. In stratified analyses, regarding all-cause mortality, there was an additive effect of the vitamin D both insufficiency and deficiency in all BMI/WC categories. Regarding cardiovascular mortality, there was an additive effect of vitamin D deficiency in all BMI/WC categories, but the additive effect of vitamin D insufficiency reached significance only in normal weight subjects. Regarding cancer mortality, the effect did not reach significance among obese subjects for vitamin D deficiency, while for insufficiency, significance was reached only among non-abdominally obese subjects. Interestingly, vitamin D surplus was associated with increased risk for cancer mortality in obese subjects, but there was an inadequate number of subjects in this category to make proper judgment. In conclusion, vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency gradually increase risk for mortality across all BMI/WC categories. In our analyses, vitamin D deficiency overcame the effect of obesity on mortality rates.
... Excessive fat deposits in the liver may lead to the loss of vitamin homeostasis (3). Vitamin C (Vit C) deficiency occurs in NAFLD as well as NASH (4). ...
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Vitamin C (Vit C) and iron metabolism are closely related to metabolic disorders. However, the relation between iron storage protein ferritin and Vit C has not been elucidated. We aimed to investigate the crosstalk between Vit C and ferritin and its implications on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Clinical information of 3,614 subjects was obtained from the NHANES Public Data 2017–2018. FibroScan data, which estimates liver steatosis and fibrosis and Vit C, were selected to assess factors influencing NAFLD in this cross-sectional study. Ferritin and Vit C among different categories of liver steatosis and fibrosis were assessed by CAP and E value. Logistic regression and RCS models were used to analyze the correlations. In vitro study in hepG2 were conducted to validate the regulations. Ferritin increased while Vit C decreased with more severe hepatic steatosis and hepatic fibrosis (all P < 0.001). Logistic regression models indicated that increased serum ferritin was a risk factor for NAFLD while increased Vit C was a protective factor for NAFLD and hepatic fibrosis after adjusting the continuous and categorical variables. Vitamin C was negatively associated with ferritin. Further mediation analysis identified that ferritin mediates the impact of Vit C on NAFLD (P < 0.05) and cirrhosis (P < 0.001). The experiments on cellular level suggested Vit C alleviated PA/OA induced steatosis and maintains iron homeostasis through inhibiting PA/OA induced upregulation of iron bound protein ferritin and labile iron pool (LIP) induction in hepG2 cells. In conclusion, Vit C was a protective factor, whereas ferritin was a risk factor for hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Vitamin C alleviated NAFLD and maintained iron homeostasis via ferritin suppression and LIP induction.
... Obesity is caused by micronutrient deficiency [10], inadequate intake of vitamins, such as cobalamin (vitamin B12), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), fat-soluble vitamins, and folic acid [11], a deficiency of vitamin D (VD) [12], poor mineral status [13], and low calcium (CAL) diet [14]. The average plasma concentration of 25(OH)D is used to determine VD level. ...
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Obesity has been linked to vitamin D (VD) deficiency and low calcium (CAL) status. In the last decade, dietary supplementation of vitamin D and calcium (VD–CAL) have been extensively studied in animal experiments and human studies. However, the physiological mechanisms remain unknown as to whether the VD–CAL axis improves homeostasis and reduces biomarkers in regulating obesity and other metabolic diseases directly or indirectly. This review sought to investigate their connections. This topic was examined in scientific databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed from 2011 to 2021, and 87 articles were generated for interpretation. Mechanistically, VD–CAL regulates from the organs to the blood, influencing insulin, lipids, hormone, cell, and inflammatory functions in obesity and its comorbidities, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, previous research has not consistently shown that simultaneous VD–CAL supplementation affects weight loss or reduces fat content. This discrepancy may be influenced by population age and diversity, ethnicity, and geographical location, and also by degree of obesity and applied doses. Therefore, a larger prospective cohort and randomised trials are needed to determine the exact role of VD–CAL and their interrelationship.
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Introduction Double burden of malnutrition (DBM) has been recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an emerging Global Syndemic characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of both undernutrition and overnutrition. Women of the reproductive age group (15 to 49 years) are disproportionately affected by DBM and are at high risk of continuing the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. This study aims to assess the changing trends and determinants of DBM among women of the reproductive age group in India. Materials and methods We used data from three rounds of National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-3,4,5) conducted in years 2005–06, 2015–16, and 2019–2021. Descriptive statistics and Poisson regression analysis were done using weights with log link function. Results The prevalence of anaemia, underweight and overweight/obesity was 57.2%, 18.6% and 24% respectively. The combined burden of underweight and anaemia has declined by 46% (21.6% to 11.7%), whereas the combined burden of overweight/obesity and anaemia has increased by 130% (5.4% to 12.4%) in the past 15 years. The prevalence of DBM, which includes both underweight and overweight/obesity with anaemia was 24.1% in 2021, a decline of 11% in 15 years. Women who were younger, rural, less educated, poor and middle class, and women living in the eastern, western and southern regions of India had higher risk for being underweight with anaemia and lower risk for developing overweight/obesity with anaemia. Conclusion The significant decrease in underweight yet enormous increase in overweight/obesity over the past 15 years with the persistence of anaemia in both ends of the nutritional spectrum is characteristic of the new nutritional reality emphasizing the need to address malnutrition in all its forms. It is critical to consider geography and a population specific, double-duty targeted intervention to holistically address the risk factors associated with DBM and accomplish India’s commitment to the global agenda of Sustainable Development Goals-2030.
Chapter
Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. These are among the greatest public health problems worldwide, as excess weight is a risk factor for numerous conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and heart disease. In the general population overweight has a complex architecture, which means that it depends on genetic and environmental factors and on the interactions between them. Increasing evidence suggests that DNA methylation and other epigenetic mechanisms are involved in development and progression of obesity. Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) identified numerous loci associated with obesity or with the results on weight-loss interventions. However, heterogeneity in study design and analysis limits overlap in the results. Different types of non-coding RNAs have also been related to obesity as they are involved in stimulation or inhibition of adipogenesis and regulation of its metabolic and endocrine functions. The identification of reliable and reproducible epigenetic biomarkers for obesity and response to weight-loss therapies remains challenging.
Article
Gut microbiota and its metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and vitamins are involved in maintaining energy homeostasis, which is relevant in the context of obesity. The aim was to screen the predicted representation of vitamin and SCFAs biosynthesis pathways based in patients with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). The study included two groups: a control group (n = 130) and obese patients (n = 133), which was divided into subgroups with MHO (n = 38) and MUHO (n = 55). The predicted representation of metabolic pathways for the biosynthesis of vitamins and SCFAs in feces was studied using PICRUSt2. Obese patients had an increase in the representation of the synthesis of vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, B9 and vitamin K pathways, as well as a decrease in the pathways for the vitamin B12 synthesis. At the same time, the identified changes were determined by the metabolic phenotype of obesity. MHO was accompanied by an imbalance in the B1 synthesis pathways and an increased representation of vitamin K formation pathways. Whereas MUHO led to an increase in the ability of the gut microbiota to synthesize vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, B9 and K, as well as to inhibition of the B12-synthesizing pathways. In addition, patients with MUHO had an increase in the representation of the pathways for the SCFAs synthesis such as acetate, propanoate, and butanoate, which was not observed in MHO patients. In general, the change in the metabolic pathways representation of gut microbiota in obese patients is the result of the microorganism’s “selection” under the influence of specific factors, which are more pronounced in MUHO. Thus, the imbalance in the pathways for the vitamins and short-chain fatty acids biosynthesis of the gut microbiome reflects a violation of the metabolic symbiosis within the superorganism (“microbiota-macroorganism”).
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Metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has emerged as a significant global health concern, representing a major cause of liver disease worldwide. This condition spans a spectrum of histopathologic stages, beginning with simple fatty liver (MAFL), characterized by over 5% fat accumulation, and advancing to metabolic (dysfunction)-associated steatohepatitis, potentially leading to hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite extensive research, there remains a substantial gap in effective therapeutic interventions. This condition’s progression is closely tied to micronutrient levels, crucial for biological functions like antioxidant activities and immune efficiency. The levels of these micronutrients exhibit considerable variability among individuals with MAFLD. Moreover, the extent of deficiency in these nutrients can vary significantly throughout the different stages of MAFLD, with disease progression potentially exacerbating these deficiencies. This review focuses on the role of micronutrients, particularly vitamins A, D, E, and minerals like iron, copper, selenium, and zinc, in MAFLD’s pathophysiology. It highlights how alterations in the homeostasis of these micronutrients are intricately linked to the pathophysiological processes of MAFLD. Concurrently, this review endeavors to harness the existing evidence to propose novel therapeutic strategies targeting these vitamins and minerals in MAFLD management and offers new insights into disease mechanisms and treatment opportunities in MAFLD.
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Vitamins are essential micronutrients for the functioning of the human body. Vitamins can be classified as water-soluble and fat-soluble, and are obtained through diet or supplementation. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. These compounds are very sensitive to external factors, including light, oxygen, pH, and temperature. Lack of compound stability, poor solubility, and low permeability can compromise the bioavailability and usefulness of fat-soluble vitamins. The methodology of encapsulation of vitamins is currently being widely studied in order to improve their transportation and usage. Proteins (including protein isolates and concentrates) and carbohydrates derived from legumes are very interesting materials to coat compounds, considering their functional properties, and the fact that they are beneficial for the environment and human health. This review describes in detail the current knowledge about the use of legume protein and carbohydrates as materials for the encapsulation of fat-soluble vitamins. The functionality, health, and environmental advantages of legume fractions (particularly soy and pea fractions) as wall materials are also discussed. Future use of legume wastewater (soaking and cooking water derived from the treatment of legumes) as wall materials is evaluated as well. The study of encapsulation of fat-soluble vitamins by leguminous fractions is mainly focused on soy and pea protein isolates and concentrates and can still be expanded, considering the numerous benefits of encapsulation they provide. Research on encapsulation using legume carbohydrates is scarce and may be interesting due to their high encapsulation efficiency and easy digestibility. Saponins, proteins, and carbohydrates present in legume wastewaters could offer useful properties to encapsulation processes, while benefiting the environment.
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Background: Obesity is an abnormal fat accumulation that adversely affects human health. Studies reported several vitamin deficiencies in obese patients. The current study investigates the deficiencies of vitamins D, B6, and B12 among Jordanian adults with hyperlipidemia and demonstrates the association between serum vitamin levels and metabolic and lipid profile parameters. Methods: Sixty male subjects were divided into 40 hyperlipidemic patients (age: 45.9 yr. ±10.2) and 20 controls (age: 41.2 yr. ±10.7). The blood levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, and vitamins D, B6, and B12 were measured. Results: The hyperlipidemic patients showed significantly increased triglycerides, total cholesterol, non-HDL, cholesterol/HDL ratio, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels, and decreased HDL-cholesterol levels compared to the controls. No significant differences were found in the blood levels of vitamin D, vitamin B6, or vitamin B12 between groups. However, 50% of the hyperlipidemic patients and 54.5% of the controls exhibited vitamin D deficiency. Only the hyperlipidemic patients exhibited deficiencies of vitamins B6 and B12 in 5.4% and 3.3% of cases, respectively. In the controls, vitamin B12 level was inversely associated with total cholesterol, whereas in the hyperlipidemic patients, vitamin B6 level was inversely correlated with total cholesterol and non-HDL levels. Conclusion: The hyperlipidemic patients exhibited vitamins D, B6, and B12 deficiencies. Additionally, vitamins B6 and B12 levels were inversely correlated with total cholesterol and non-HDL levels. Our findings highlight the importance of routine evaluation of vitamin levels in patients with hyperlipidemia.
Article
In recent years, the rapidly increasing incidence of obesity is becoming a worldwide public health problem. Obesity is a chronic disease which may have a major negative effect on the people’s quality of life. Previous studies on the comprehensive effects of multivitamins on central obesity and general obesity are relatively few. The aim of this study was to evaluate association of vitamins exposure with obesity risk and obesity-related indicators. We fitted three statistical models (linear regression model, logistic regression model, and Bayesian kernel machine regression model) to evaluate the correlation between vitamin levels and obesity in the study population. The vitamin score represents the overall level of vitamin in serum, which was mutually verified with the results obtained from statistical model. The vitamin (A, C, and D) levels were significantly higher among non-obesity group compared to the obesity group. Using the lowest quartile of vitamin level as a referent, vitamin A, C, and D levels showed significantly negative correlation with the obesity risk in both adjusted and unadjusted models. When considering all vitamin as a mixed exposure, we found a generally negative relationship between vitamin mixtures with binary outcome (obesity) and continuous outcome (BMI, waist circumference, and hsCRP). Reduced levels of vitamins (A, C and D) increased the risk of obesity. Increased levels of vitamin mixtures can significantly reduce obesity risk and obesity-related indicators. Vitamins may reduce the risk of obesity by suppressing inflammatory responses.
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Background Family history of obesity is known to increase the odds of developing childhood obesity in the offspring, but its influence in underlying molecular complications remains unexplored. Subjects/Methods Here, we investigated a population-based cohort comprising children with obesity, with and without parental obesity (PO+, N = 20; PO−, N = 29), and lean healthy children as controls ( N = 30), from whom plasma and erythrocyte samples were collected to characterize their multi-elemental profile, inflammatory status, as well as carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms. Results We found parental obesity to be associated with unhealthier outcomes in children, as reflected in increased blood insulin levels and reduced insulin sensitivity, unfavorable lipid profile, and pro-inflammatory milieu. This was accompanied by moderate alterations in the content of trace elements, including increased copper-to-zinc ratios and iron deficiency in circulation, as well as metal accumulation within erythrocytes. Conclusions Therefore, we hypothesize that family history of obesity could be an important risk factor in modulating the characteristic multi-elemental alterations behind childhood obesity, which in turn could predispose to boost related comorbidities and metabolic complications.
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Background Visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) are comprehensive indicators to evaluate visceral fat and determine the metabolic health of individuals. Carotenoids are a group of naturally occurring antioxidants associated with several diseases. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the association between serum carotenoid concentration and VAI or LAP. Methods The data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2001 and 2006. The levels of serum carotenoids were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariate linear regression models were employed to investigate the relationship between levels of serum carotenoids and VAI or LAP. The potential non-linear relationship was determined using threshold effect analysis and fitted smoothing curves. Stratification analysis was performed to investigate the potential modifying factors. Results In total, 5,084 participants were included in this population-based investigation. In the multivariate linear regressions, compared to the lowest quartiles of serum carotenoids, the highest quartiles were significantly associated with VAI, and the effect size (β) and 95% CI was − 0.98 (− 1.34, − 0.62) for α-carotene, − 1.39 (− 1.77, − 1.00) for β-carotene, − 0.79 (− 1.18, − 0.41) for β-cryptoxanthin, − 0.68 (− 0.96, − 0.39) for lutein/zeaxanthin, and − 0.88 (− 1.50, − 0.27) for trans-lycopene. Using piece-wise linear regression models, non-linear relationships were found between β­carotene and trans-lycopene and VAI with an inflection point of 2.44 (log2-transformed, ug/dL) and 3.80 (log2-transformed, ug/dL), respectively. The results indicated that α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and lutein/zeaxanthin were linearly associated with VAI. An inverse association was also found between serum carotenoids and LAP after complete adjustments. Conclusion This study revealed that several serum carotenoids were associated with VAI or LAP among the general American population. Further large prospective investigations are warranted to support this finding.
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Background & aims Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with life-threatening conditions. Several studies have reported an association of vitamin B12, folic acid, or homocysteine (Hcy) levels with MetS. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the association of vitamin B12, folic acid, and Hcy levels with MetS. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science were searched up to February 13, 2023. Cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies were included. A random-effects model was performed using the DerSimonian and Laird method to estimate the between-study variance. Effect measures were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Between-study heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran’s Q test and the I² statistic. Results Sixty-six articles (n = 87,988 patients) were included. Higher vitamin B12 levels were inversely associated with MetS (OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.81–0.93; p < 0.01; I2 = 90%). Higher Hcy levels were associated with MetS (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.14–1.24; p < 0.01; I2 = 90%). Folate levels were not associated with MetS (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.66–1.03; p = 0.09; I2 = 90%). Conclusion Higher vitamin B12 levels were inversely associated with MetS, whereas higher Hcy levels were associated with MetS. Studies assessing the pathways underlying this association are required.
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Background: Many epidemiologic investigations have explored the relationship between viatmins and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the effectiveness of vitamin, vitamin-like nutrient, or mineral supplementation in reducing the risk of PCOS remains a subject of debate. Aim: To investigate the impact of plasma levels of vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K on PCOS and key pathways implicated in its development, namely, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and obesity, through Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with vitamin levels were selected from genome-wide association studies. The primary analysis was performed using the random-effects inverse-variance-weighted approach. Complementary analyses were conducted using the weighted median, MR-Egger, MR-robust adjusted profile score, and MR-PRESSO approaches. Results: The results provided suggestive evidence of a decreased risk of PCOS with genetically predicted higher levels of vitamin E (odds ratio [OR] = 0.118; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.071-0.226; P < 0.001) and vitamin B12 (OR = 0.753, 95%CI: 0.568-0.998, P = 0.048). An association was observed between vitamin E levels and insulin resistance (OR = 0.977, 95%CI: 0.976-0.978, P < 0.001). Additionally, genetically predicted higher concentrations of vitamins E, D, and A were suggested to be associated with a decreased risk of hyperlipidemia. Increased vitamins K and B12 levels were linked to a lower obesity risk (OR = 0.917, 95%CI: 0.848-0.992, P = 0.031). Conclusion: The findings of this MR study suggest a causal relationship between increased vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12 levels and a reduced risk of PCOS or primary pathways implicated in its development.
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Background New statistical methodologies were developed in the last decade to face the challenges of estimating the effects of exposure to multiple chemicals. Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression is a recent statistical method that allows estimating a mixture effect associated with a specific health effect and identifying the components that characterize the mixture effect. Objectives In this study, we propose an extension of WQS regression that estimates two mixture effects of chemicals on a health outcome in the same model through the inclusion of two indices, one in the positive direction and one in the negative direction, with the introduction of a penalization term. Methods To evaluate the performance of this new model we performed both a simulation study and a real case study where we assessed the effects of nutrients on obesity among adults using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. Results The method showed good performance in estimating both the regression parameter and the weights associated with the single elements when the penalized term was set equal to the magnitude of the Akaike information criterion of the unpenalized WQS regression. The two indices further helped to give a better estimate of the parameters [Positive direction Median Error (PME): 0.022; Negative direction Median Error (NME): −0.044] compared to the standard WQS without the penalization term (PME: −0.227; NME: 0.215). In the case study, WQS with two indices was able to find a significant effect of nutrients on obesity in both directions identifying sodium and magnesium as the main actors in the positive and negative association, respectively. Discussion Through this work, we introduced an extension of WQS regression that improved the accuracy of the parameter estimates when considering a mixture of elements that can have both a protective and a harmful effect on the outcome; and the advantage of adding a penalization term when estimating the weights.
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Childhood obesity has become a public health concern. As the importance of vitamin A (VA) in the body has become increasingly acknowledged, there is limited clinical trial evidence to substantiate the association between VA and childhood obesity. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) increases the risk of childhood obesity, a finding consistently reported in pregnant women. VA could regulate the adipogenic process, inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolism-related gene expression in mature adipocytes. VAD disrupts the balance of obesity-related metabolism, thus affecting lipid metabolism and insulin regulation. Conversely, VA supplementation has a major impact on efficacy in obesity, and obese individuals typically have a lower VA status than normal-weight individuals. Several studies have attempted to identify the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the association between VA and obesity. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent new developments focusing on retinol, retinoic acid, and RBP4 and elucidate and provide an overview of the complex interrelationships between these critical components of VA and childhood obesity. However, the causal relationship between VA status and childhood obesity remains unclear. It is also unknown whether VA supplementation improves the overall obesogenic metabolic profile.
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The thyroid hormones play a pivotal role in various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism regulation, and reproduction. While non-modifiable factors are known to impact thyroid function, such as genetics and age, nutritional factors are also important. Diets rich in selenium and iodine are conventionally acknowledged to be beneficial for the production and release of thyroid hormones. Recent studies have suggested a potential link between beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A (retinol), and thyroid function. Beta-carotene is known for its antioxidant properties and has been shown to play a role in the prevention of various clinical conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. However, its impact on thyroid function is still unclear. Some studies have suggested a positive association between beta-carotene levels and thyroid function, while others have found no significant effect. Conversely, the hormone produced by the thyroid gland, thyroxine, enhances the conversion of beta-carotene to retinol. Furthermore, vitamin A derivatives are being explored as potential therapeutic options for thyroid malignancies. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms through which beta-carotene/retinol and thyroid hormones interact and review the findings of clinical studies examining the association between beta-carotene consumption and thyroid hormone levels. Our review underscores the need for further research to clarify the relationship between beta-carotene and thyroid function.
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Introduction Existing evidence suggests an association between certain vitamins and metabolic syndrome (MetS), but few epidemiological studies have focused on the effects of multivitamin co-exposure on MetS. This study aims to investigate the associations of the individual or multiple water-soluble vitamins (i.e., vitamin C (VC), vitamin B9 (VB9), and vitamin B12 (VB12)) with co-exposure to MetS, as well as the dose-response relationships among them. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted by employing the National Health and Examination Surveys (NHANESs) 2003-2006. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models were used to explore the association between individual serum water-soluble vitamins and the risk of MetS and its components, including waist circumference, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose. Restricted cubic splines were performed to explore the dose-response relationships among them. The quantile g-computation method was adopted to explore the associations of multiple water-soluble vitamins co-exposure with MetS risk and MetS components. Results A total of 8983 subjects were involved in the study, of whom 1443 were diagnosed with MetS. The MetS groups had a higher proportion of participants with age ≥60 years, BMI ≥30 kg/m², and insufficient physical activity. Compared with the lowest quartile, the third (OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.94) and highest quartiles (OR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.35, 0.76) of VC were associated with lower MetS risk. Restricted cubic splines showed negative dose-response relationships among VC, VB9 and VB12, and MetS. Regarding MetS components, higher VC quartiles were associated with lower waist circumference, triglyceride, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose, while higher VC and VB9 quartiles were associated with higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Co-exposure to VC, VB9, and VB12 was significantly inversely associated with MetS, with ORs (95% CI) of 0.81 (0.74, 0.89) and 0.84 (0.78, 0.90) in the conditional and marginal structural models, respectively. Furthermore, we found that VC, VB9, and VB12 co-exposure were negatively associated with waist circumference and blood pressure, while VC, VB9, and VB12 co-exposure were positively associated with HDL. Conclusion This study revealed negative associations of VC, VB9, and VB12 with MetS, while the high water-soluble vitamin co-exposure was associated with a lower MetS risk.
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Background: The joint effect of folic acid (FA) supplements and maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has not been fully addressed. This study aimed to examine the joint effect of FA supplements and pre-pregnancy BMI on GDM. Methods: Pregnant women at 4 to 14 weeks of gestation (n = 3186) were recruited during their first prenatal visit in Qingdao from May 1, 2019, to June 27, 2021. The main outcome was GDM at 24-28 weeks' gestation. Screening was based on 75 g 2-hour oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), a fasting glucose ≥ 5.1 mmol/L, or a 1-hour result ≥ 10.0 mmol/L, or a 2-hour result ≥ 8.5 mmol/L. The interactive effect of FA supplements and pre-pregnancy BMI on GDM was examined using logistic regression analysis and ratio of odds ratios (ROR) was used to compare subgroup differences. Results: Overall, 2,095 pregnant women were included in the analysis, and GDM incidence was 17.76%. Compared with women with pre-pregnancy BMI lower than 25.0 kg/m2 and FA-Sufficient supplements ≥ 400 µg/day (FA-S) population, the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of FA-S and FA-Deficiency supplements < 400 µg/d (FA-D) were 3.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.02-6.34) and 10.82 (95% CI: 1.69-69.45) for the obese women (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2), and the aORs of FA-S and FA-D were 2.17 (95% CI: 1.60-2.95) and 3.27 (95% CI: 1.55-6.92) for overweight women (25.0 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 30.0 kg/m2). However, the risk of GDM did not differ significantly between the FA-D and the FA-S group in pre-pregnancy obese women (ROR = 2.70, 95%CI: 0.47-2.30), or overweight women (ROR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.30-1.49). After further stratification of FA supplementation time, F-D and FA-S in obese women showed an interaction when FA supplement intake time < 3 months. However, there was no significant difference between subgroups (ROR = 1.63, 95% CI: 0.37-7.04). Conclusion: Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with the incidence of GDM, the dose of FA supplementation from pre-pregnancy to early pregnancy was not found to be related to the incidence of GDM. The dosage of FA supplement was not associated with GDM irrespective of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI.
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Objective To explore the association between adiposity and plasma folate deficiency odds among women of reproductive age in China. Methods A cross-sectional survey on nutritional status among women of reproductive aged 18–30 years in 2005–2006 in China was conducted. General adiposity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg/m², and central adiposity was defined as waist circumference >80 cm. A plasma folate concentration <10.5 nmol/L (measured through microbiological assay) was defined as plasma folate deficiency. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for plasma folate deficiency were calculated using a logistic regression model, with adjustment for potential confounders. Results A total of 3,076 women of reproductive age were included in the final analysis. Compared to women with normal BMI and WC, women with both general and central adiposity had the highest odds for plasma folate deficiency (OR = 3.107, 95% CI: 1.819–5.307). Women with exclusively central adiposity had excess odds for plasma folate deficiency (WC > 80 cm, BMI <24 kg/m²; OR = 2.448, 95% CI: 1.144–5.241), which was higher than women with exclusively general adiposity (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m², WC ≤ 80 cm; OR = 1.709, 95% CI: 1.259–2.319). The combined use of BMI and WC can detect more women (11.7%) at higher plasma folate deficiency odds than either used alone. Conclusions Women with central adiposity in normal weight have higher odds for plasma folate deficiency than those with general obesity only. Early screening for central adiposity among women of reproductive age would be meaningful to prevent folate deficiency and improve life-cycle health.
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Background Obesity is associated with a chronic inflammatory state and evident oxidative stress. Antioxidant supplementation may have beneficial effects on adipocyte function and on oxidative stress. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of vitamins C, E on redox and metabolic parameters in adipocytes of control and obese Wistar rats. Methods Adipocytes were isolated from abdominal adipose tissue and were cultured in RPMI medium for 24 h, in the presence or the absence of vitamins (C, E at 50 µM). Glucose consumption, lactate and glycerol release, ATP and triglyceride contents, redox balance were investigated with biochemical methods. Results The results showed altered glucose consumption and lactate and glycerol efflux, high triglycerides, low ATP contents (P<0.01), associated to an intracellular oxidative stress in adipocytes of obese rats. Vitamins C and E restored adipocyte function in obesity. Vitamin E increased lipolysis in adipocytes during obesity (P<0.01). Redox balance was also modulated by antioxidants, including a reduction in intracellular hydroperoxides and carbonyl proteins levels and an increase in catalase and SOD activities and glutathione contents in adipocytes of obese rats. Conclusion Treatments with vitamins had beneficial effects on adipocyte function, and should be considered in therapeutic approaches for normalizing adipose function in obesity.
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Despite the growing evidence from meta-analyses on vitamin D’s anti-obesity properties, their results are controversial. The current umbrella review was performed to assess the available evidence and provide a conclusive explanation in this regard. The international databases PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar were systematically searched till March, 2022. A random-effects model was used to run the meta-analysis. All meta-analyses that examined the effect of vitamin D supplementation on BW, BMI, WC, and fat mass were included. Findings of 14 meta-analyses revealed that vitamin D supplementation reduced body mass index (BMI) (ES: −0.11 kg/m²; 95% CI: −0.18, −0.05, p?0.001; I² = 61.0%, p < 0.001), and waist circumference (WC) (ES = −0.79 cm; 95% CI: −1.20, −0.37; p < 0.001; I² = 46.5%, p = 0.096) in comparison to control group. However, the effects of vitamin D on body weight (ES = −0.16 kg, 95% CI: −0.36, 0.04; p = 0.125; I² = 57.0%, p = 0.017), and fat mass (ES: 0.02, 95% CI: −0.20, 0.24, p = 0.868; I² = 0.0%, p = 0.531) were not considerable. Vitamin D supplementation significantly improved levels of obesity indices such as BMI, and WC.
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Background Several studies have found a strong association between cardiovascular diseases and myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a marker of oxidative stress. Although the anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D in adults have been validated, evidence about the relationship between MPO and 25(OH)D is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between MPO and 25(OH)D in the general Chinese population. Methods From November 2018 to August 2019, a total of 6414 subjects were enrolled in a tertiary referral hospital in China, which included 3,122 women and 3,292 men. The dependent and independent variables were MPO and 25(OH)D, respectively. The confounders included age, sex, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, calcium, and parathyroid hormone concentration. Results In the fully adjusted model, we found that MPO decreased by 0.12 (95% CI −0.16, −0.08), ng/mL for each unit (1 nmol/L) increase in 25(OH)D. When 25(OH) D was divided into quartiles, compared with Q1 (< 41.4 nmol/L), the adjusted beta coefficients (β) of MPO in Q2–Q4 were −2.29 (95% CI, −4.31 to −0.27), −4.76 (95% CI, −6.83 to −2.69), and −6.07 (95% CI, −8.23 to −3.92), respectively ( P for the trend < 0.0001). When 25(OH) D was divided according to clinical severity, compared with the severely deficient (< 30 nmol/L) s≥ 30, < 50 nmol/L) and sufficient groups (≥ 50 nmol/L) were −2.59 (95% CI, −5.87 to 0.69) and −5.87 (95% CI, −9.17 to −2.57), respectively ( P for the trend < 0.0001). Conclusion After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, waist-hip ratio, smoking status, alcohol status, calcium, and PTH, circulating 25(OH)D was negatively associated with MPO.
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The relationship between interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) thermogenic potential and vitamin A status was investigated by studying the effects of feeding a vitamin A-deficient diet and all-trans retinoic acid (tRA) treatment on body weight and IBAT parameters in mice. Feeding a vitamin A-deficient diet tended to trigger opposite effects to those of tRA treatment, namely increased body weight, IBAT weight, adiposity and leptin mRNA expression, and reduced IBAT thermogenic potential in terms of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) mRNA and UCP2 mRNA expression. The results emphasize the importance of retinoids as physiological regulators of brown adipose tissue.
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AIM: To investigate nicotinamide’s action on glucose metabolism, and the association between niacin consumption and obesity prevalence. METHODS: Dynamic nicotinamide’s effect on plasma hydrogen peroxide and glucose metabolism was investigated using oral glucose tolerance tests with or without nicotinamide in the same five healthy subjects. Lag-regression analysis was used to examine the association between the niacin consumption and the obesity prevalence among US children using the data from the Economic Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture and from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the control oral glucose tolerance test, the 1-h plasma hydrogen peroxide (1.4 ± 0.1 μmol/L vs 1.6 ± 0.1 μmol/L, P = 0.016) and insulin levels (247.1 ± 129.0 pmol/L vs 452.6 ± 181.8 pmol/L, P = 0.028) were significantly higher, and the 3-h blood glucose was significantly lower (5.8 ± 1.2 mmol/L vs 4.5 ± 1.1 mmol/L, P = 0.002) after co-administration of glucose and 300 mg nicotinamide. The obesity prevalence among American children increased with the increasing per capita niacin consumption, the increasing grain contribution to niacin due to niacin-fortification, and the increasing niacin-fortified ready-to-eat cereal consumption, with a 10-year lag. The regression analyses showed that the obesity prevalence in the US children of all age groups was determined by niacin consumption (R2 = 0.814, 0.961 and 0.94 for 2-5 years, 6-11 years and 12-19 years age groups, respectively). CONCLUSION: The appetite-stimulating effect of nicotinamide appears to involve oxidative stress. Excess niacin consumption may be a major factor in the increased obesity prevalence in US children.
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Micronutrient status may be a contributing factor to the development of childhood obesity in many industrializing countries passing the nutritional transition. The few studies investigating associations between serum concentrations of vitamin B and intake of B vitamins with adiposity, however, have reported inconsistent findings. The aim of the study was to examine associations between serum vitamin B-12 and folate concentrations and intakes of B vitamins with body fat by using data on 1131 Mexican American children 8-15 y of age included in NHANES 2001-2004. Children's body mass index (BMI), trunk fat mass (TrFM), and total body fat mass (TBFM) were used as body adiposity (BA) measures. Serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B-12 were measured in blood samples collected from children. Intake of B vitamins was collected according to 24-h dietary recall. Associations of BA with serum concentrations of vitamin B-12 and folate and intake of B vitamins were determined by using linear and multinomial regression models. Serum concentrations of vitamin B-12 and folate were inversely associated with BMI (β: -2.68, P < 0.01; β = -1.33, P < 0.01), TrFM (β:-3.32, P < 0.01; β: -0.14, P < 0.05), and TBFM (β:-1.93, P < 0.01; β: -3.19; P < 0.01). Higher serum concentrations of vitamin B-12 were associated with a reduced risk of obesity (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.77; P < 0.001). Thiamin and riboflavin intakes were inversely associated with BMI (β:-1.35, P < 0.05; β: -1.11, P < 0.05) and TrFM (β:-1.26, P < 0.05; β: -1.37, P < 0.05). Similar inverse associations between BA and status of both vitamin B-12 and folate and intake of thiamin and riboflavin suggest that these micronutrients may play a role in adipogenesis and risk of childhood obesity. © 2014 American Society for Nutrition.
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Folates are essential cofactors in metabolic pathways that facilitate biological methylation and nucleotide synthesis, and therefore have widespread effects on health and diseases. Although obesity is prevalent worldwide, few studies have investigated how obesity interacts with folate status. Based on data from the NHANES, this study aims to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related metabolic factors with blood folate status. A nationally representative sample of 3767 adults from the NHANES (2003-2006) was used as the study population. Regression analyses, with and without adjustment for demographic factors and dietary intakes, were performed to examine associations between BMI and metabolic factors with serum and RBC folate. The results indicate serum folate concentrations were lower in obese groups compared to the desirable BMI and overweight categories, paralleling lower intakes in this group. In contrast, RBC folate increased incrementally with BMI. Regression analyses demonstrated an inverse relation between BMI and serum folate but a positive relation for RBC folate (P < 0.01). Waist circumference, serum triglycerides, and fasting plasma glucose each displayed significant positive relations with RBC folate (P < 0.01), although relations with serum folate were not significant and consistent. In summary, obesity is associated with decreased serum folate, which parallels decreased folate intakes. In contrast, obesity is positively associated with RBC folate. Therefore, RBC folate, in addition to serum folate, should also be considered as a critical biomarker for folate status, especially in the obese population. Future research is needed to understand how obesity differentially alters serum and RBC folate status because they are associated with a variety of medical complications. © 2015 American Society for Nutrition.
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Mexican-American children have a high prevalence of overweight/obesity. Micronutrient deficiencies may be contributing to the development of greater adiposity in these children. This study investigated the relations between adiposity and serum concentrations of carotenoids, retinol, and vitamin E among Mexican-American children 8-15 y of age included in the 2001-2004 U.S. NHANES. Associations of the outcomes of children's body mass index (BMI), truncal fat mass (TrFM), and total body fat mass (TBFM) with serum concentrations of α-carotene, cis-β-carotene, trans-β-carotene, retinol, and α-tocopherol were determined by using linear, quantile, and multinomial regression models. BMI was inversely associated with serum concentrations of α-carotene (β = -0.88, P < 0.05), trans-β-carotene (β = -2.21, P < 0.01), cis-β-carotene (β = -2.10, P < 0.01), and α-tocopherol adjusted for total cholesterol ratio (β = -3.66, P < 0.01), respectively. Similar inverse associations were found with TrFM and TBFM. Higher cis-β-carotene and α-tocopherol serum concentrations were associated with reduced probability of overweight (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.89; P < 0.05; and OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.86; P < 0.05; respectively) and obesity (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.58; P < 0.01; and OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.60; P < 0.01; respectively). Higher retinol serum concentrations were associated with increased probability of overweight and obesity (OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.26, 3.22; P < 0.01; and OR: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.65, 5.09; P < 0.01; respectively). Significant inverse associations were found between serum concentrations of carotenoids and vitamin E and adiposity among Mexican-American children, but serum retinol concentrations were positively associated with adiposity. Future research is needed to understand the causes and consequences of micronutrient status on adiposity and comorbidities.
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Plasma phylloquinone (vitamin K1) concentration from non-fasted blood samples was examined by season, smoking status, socio-demographic factors and phylloquinone intake in a nationally representative sample of 1154 British individuals aged 19–64 years from the 2000–1 National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Geometric mean plasma phylloquinone concentration was 0·94 (95 % CI 0·88, 1·00) nmol/l, with 95 % of values in the range 0·10–8·72 nmol/l. Plasma phylloquinone concentrations of 530 men were significantly higher than those of 624 women (1·13 (95 % CI 1·04, 1·22) v. 0·81 (95 % CI 0·74, 0·88) nmol/l; P < 0·001), independent of other factors. Women aged 19–34 years had significantly lower plasma phylloquinone concentration than their older counterparts. Women were also found to have lower plasma phylloquinone concentrations during summer compared with winter and spring (each P < 0·01). In contrast, plasma phylloquinone concentration in men did not vary significantly by season or any of the socio-demographic or lifestyle factors. Plasma phylloquinone concentrations were positively correlated with phylloquinone intake in men and women (r 0·26 and 0·32 respectively; each P < 0·001). Overall, forward stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that 8 % of the variation in plasma phylloquinone concentration was explained by phylloquinone intake, with a further 10 % of its variation explained by plasma concentrations of γ-tocopherol (6 %) and retinyl palmitate (4 %). After adjustment for age and corresponding nutrient intakes, plasma phylloquinone concentration was significantly associated (each P < 0·01) with plasma concentrations of total and LDL-cholesterol, α- and γ-tocopherols, retinyl palmitate, β-carotene, lycopene and lutein plus zeaxanthin in men and women.
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Background: Vitamin D concentrations are linked to body composition indices, particularly body fat mass. Relationships between hypovitaminosis D and obesity, described by both BMI and waist circumference, have been mentioned. We have investigated the effect of a 12-week vitamin D3 supplementation on anthropometric indices in healthy overweight and obese women. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, seventy-seven participants (age 38 ± 8.1 years, BMI 29.8 ± 4.1 kg/m²) were randomly allocated into two groups: vitamin D (25 μg per day as cholecalciferol) and placebo (25 μg per day as lactose) for 12 weeks. Body weight, height, waist, hip, fat mass, 25(OH) D, iPTH, and dietary intakes were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Serum 25(OH)D significantly increased in the vitamin D group compared to the placebo group (38.2 ± 32.7 nmol/L vs. 4.6 ± 14.8 nmol/L; P<0.001) and serum iPTH concentrations were decreased by vitamin D3 supplementation (-0.26 ± 0.57 pmol/L vs. 0.27 ± 0.56 pmol/L; P<0.001). Supplementation with vitamin D3 caused a statistically significant decrease in body fat mass in the vitamin D group compared to the placebo group (-2.7 ± 2.1 kg vs. -0.47 ± 2.1 kg; P<0.001). However, body weight and waist circumference did not change significantly in both groups. A significant reverse correlation between changes in serum 25(OH) D concentrations and body fat mass was observed (r = -0.319, P = 0.005). Conclusion: Among healthy overweight and obese women, increasing 25(OH) D concentrations by vitamin D3 supplementation led to body fat mass reduction.
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Background: Obesity is associated with vitamin D deficiency, and both are areas of active public health concern. We explored the causality and direction of the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] using genetic markers as instrumental variables (IVs) in bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods and findings: We used information from 21 adult cohorts (up to 42,024 participants) with 12 BMI-related SNPs (combined in an allelic score) to produce an instrument for BMI and four SNPs associated with 25(OH)D (combined in two allelic scores, separately for genes encoding its synthesis or metabolism) as an instrument for vitamin D. Regression estimates for the IVs (allele scores) were generated within-study and pooled by meta-analysis to generate summary effects. Associations between vitamin D scores and BMI were confirmed in the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium (n = 123,864). Each 1 kg/m(2) higher BMI was associated with 1.15% lower 25(OH)D (p = 6.52×10⁻²⁷). The BMI allele score was associated both with BMI (p = 6.30×10⁻⁶²) and 25(OH)D (-0.06% [95% CI -0.10 to -0.02], p = 0.004) in the cohorts that underwent meta-analysis. The two vitamin D allele scores were strongly associated with 25(OH)D (p≤8.07×10⁻⁵⁷ for both scores) but not with BMI (synthesis score, p = 0.88; metabolism score, p = 0.08) in the meta-analysis. A 10% higher genetically instrumented BMI was associated with 4.2% lower 25(OH)D concentrations (IV ratio: -4.2 [95% CI -7.1 to -1.3], p = 0.005). No association was seen for genetically instrumented 25(OH)D with BMI, a finding that was confirmed using data from the GIANT consortium (p≥0.57 for both vitamin D scores). Conclusions: On the basis of a bi-directional genetic approach that limits confounding, our study suggests that a higher BMI leads to lower 25(OH)D, while any effects of lower 25(OH)D increasing BMI are likely to be small. Population level interventions to reduce BMI are expected to decrease the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency.
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Background Obesity and related morbidities are reaching epidemic proportions in the Arab populations. Possible mechanisms that link obesity/visceral fat to diabetes and cardiovascular (CVD) complications include inflammation and increased oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to test whether supplementary antioxidants with B-group vitamins enhance antioxidant capacity and/or mitigate oxidative damage and subclinical inflammation in obese diabetic patients. Methods Hundred diabetic patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral dose of daily B-group vitamins (1.67 mg folic acid, 1.67 mg vitamin B-2, 20 mg vitamin B-6, 0.134 mg vitamin B-12) and antioxidant vitamins (221 mg of α-tocopherol and 167 mg of vitamin C) [n = 50], or an identical placebo [n = 50] daily for 90 days. Blood was obtained before treatment, and after 90 days for measurements of plasma antioxidant vitamins status, markers of oxidative damage [malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls] and inflammation (C-Reactive Proteins [CRP], IL6 & TNFα). Results Supplementation with antioxidant and B-group vitamins increased plasma concentration of vitamin E and folate and reduced homocysteine in the intervention groups compared with the placebo group. Vitamin B12 improved in the supplement group compared with the decline seen in the placebo group however, this did not reach statistical significance. Vitamin C declined in both groups but more so in the intervention group. Both MDA and Protein carbonyls increased in both the supplement and the placebo group. IL6 concentration increased in both groups but less so in the supplement group (p = 0.023). TNF showed more pronounced decline in the supplement group compared with the placebo group but the difference between cumulative changes did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.204). CRP concentrations declined in the supplement group in contrast to the rise seen in the placebo group however, the difference between cumulative changes was not statistically significant (p = 0.205). Conclusions Antioxidants supplementation with B-group vitamins enhances antioxidant capacity, and may have an anti-inflammatory effect in obese diabetic patients.
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Lipophilic micronutrients (LM) constitute a large family of molecules including several vitamins (A, D, E, K) and carotenoids. Their ability to regulate gene expression is becoming increasingly clear and constitutes an important part of nutrigenomics. Interestingly, adipose tissue is not only a main storage site for these molecules within the body, but it is also subjected to the regulatory effects of LM. Indeed, several gene regulations have been described in adipose tissue that could strongly impact its biology with respect to the modulation of adipogenesis, inflammatory status, or energy homeostasis and metabolism, among others. The repercussions in terms of health effects of such regulations in the context of obesity and associated pathologies represent an exciting and emerging field of research. The present review will focus on the regulatory effects of vitamin A, D, E and K as well as carotenoids on adipose tissue biology and physiology, notably in the context of obesity and associated disorders.
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Recent evidence indicates that a higher plasma level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is associated with lower adiposity and a reduced number of metabolic disturbances (MetD). We examined associations among dietary quality, 25(OH)D, percent body fat (%BF), and MetD, and a pathway linking them, across central obesity. This cross-sectional nationally representative study used extensive data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys of 2001-2004. U.S. adults aged at least 20 yr were stratified by central obesity (CO) status. Sample sizes ranged from 1943 (all MetD combined) to 7796 (each component). %BF was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and MetD was measured with individual continuous nonadiposity outcomes (e.g. fasting plasma glucose) and with a composite count index of binary MetD with prespecified cutoff points (Index I). A higher 25(OH)D was associated with better dietary quality, lower %BF, and lower number of MetD. These inverse 25(OH)D-%BF and 25(OH)D-MetD associations (i.e. fasting blood glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, and Index I) were significantly stronger among the CO+ group. Finally, the pathway linking the dairy component of the Healthy Eating Index (HEIdairy) to Index I through 25(OH)D and %BF indicated complete mediation among the CO- group, but HEIdairy and 25(OH)D had direct inverse associations with Index I among the CO+ group. Due to potential genetic differences between CO- and CO+ groups, empowering U.S. adults with central obesity to make related behavioral changes may be especially effective in improving their vitamin D status and metabolic profile.
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The objectives were to characterize the vitamin D status of black and white adolescents residing in the southeastern United States (latitude: approximately 33 degrees N) and to investigate relationships with adiposity. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy for 559 adolescents 14 to 18 years of age (45% black and 49% female). Fat tissues, physical activity, and cardiovascular fitness also were measured. The overall prevalences of vitamin D insufficiency (<75 nmol/L) and deficiency (< or = 50 nmol/L) were 56.4% and 28.8%, respectively. Black versus white subjects had significantly lower plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in every season (winter, 35.9 + or - 2.5 vs 77.4 + or - 2.7 nmol/L; spring, 46.4 + or - 3.5 vs 101.3 + or - 3.5 nmol/L; summer, 50.7 + or - 4.0 vs 104.3 + or - 4.0 nmol/L; autumn, 54.4 + or - 4.0 vs 96.8 + or - 2.7 nmol/L). With adjustment for age, gender, race, season, height, and sexual maturation, there were significant inverse correlations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and all adiposity measurements, including BMI percentile (P = .02), waist circumference (P < .01), total fat mass (P < .01), percentage of body fat (P < .01), visceral adipose tissue (P = .015), and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (P = .039). There were significant positive associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and vigorous physical activity (P < .01) and cardiovascular fitness (P = .025). Low vitamin D status is prevalent among adolescents living in a year-round sunny climate, particularly among black youths. The relationships between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, adiposity, physical activity, and fitness seem to be present in adolescence.
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Antioxidant-based treatments are emerging as an interesting approach to possibly counteract obesity fat accumulation complications, since this is accompanied by an increased systemic oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to analyze specific metabolic effects of vitamin C (VC) on epididymal primary rat adipocytes. Cells were isolated and incubated for 72 h in culture medium, in the absence or presence of 1.6 nM insulin, within a range of VC concentrations (5-1000 microM). Glucose- and lipid-related variables as well as the secretion/expression patterns of several obesity-related genes were assessed. It was observed that VC dose dependently inhibited glucose uptake and lactate production, and also reduced glycerol release in both control and insulin-treated cells. Also, VC caused a dramatic concentration-dependent fall in leptin secretion especially in insulin-stimulated cells. In addition, VC (200 microM) induced Cdkn1a and Casp8, partially inhibited Irs3, and together with insulin drastically reduced Gpdh (listed as Gpd1 in the MGI database) gene expressions. Finally, VC and insulin down-regulatory effects were observed on extracellular and intracellular reactive oxygen species production respectively. In summary, this experimental assay describes a specific effect of VC in isolated rat adipocytes on glucose and fat metabolism, and on the secretion/expression of important obesity-related proteins.
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The aim of this study was to investigate modifiable predictors of vitamin D status in healthy individuals, aged 55-74, and living across the USA. Vitamin D status [serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)] was measured along with age and season at blood collection, demographics, anthropometry, physical activity (PA), diet, and other lifestyle factors in 1357 male and 1264 female controls selected from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO) cohort. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify associations with vitamin D status. Three%, 29% and 79% of the population had serum 25(OH)D levels<25, <50 and <80 nmol/L, respectively. The major modifiable predictors of low vitamin D status were low vitamin D dietary and supplement intake, body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2, physical inactivity (PA) and low milk and calcium supplement intake. In men, 25(OH)D was determined more by milk intake on cereal and in women, by vitamin D and calcium supplement and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use. Thus targeting an increase in vigorous activity and vitamin D and calcium intake and decreasing obesity could be public health interventions independent of sun exposure to improve vitamin D status in middle-aged Americans.
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To analyze the association between different anthropometric variables and vitamin D status in a group of Spanish schoolchildren. Study subjects were 102 children aged 9-13 years. Records were made of their height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip measurements (to determine the quantity of visceral or abdominal fat), and the thickness of the tricipital and bicipital skinfold (to determine the quantity of subcutaneous fat). Diets were analyzed using a 3-day weighed food record and vitamin D intakes compared with those recommended. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured using chemiluminescent assay. The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 49.6+/-15.9 nmol/l. The mean serum 25(OH)D in the ID subjects (that is, those with insufficient vitamin D levels, 25(OH)D of <70 nmol/l) was 46.6+/-13.4 nmol/l and in the AD subjects (that is, those with adequate vitamin D levels, 25(OH)D of > or =70 nmol/l) was 77.5+/-8.4 nmol/l (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed between both groups in vitamin D intake. However, the ID subjects had higher body weight, BMI, waist measurement and waist/height ratio than the AD subjects. Using a multiple linear regression analysis, only weight and BMI were found to independently influence 25(OH)D values. Children with a body weight, BMI, bicipital skinfold thickness, waist measurement and waist/height ratio above the 50th percentile for each variable were at a greater risk of having a low serum 25(OH)D concentration (<70 nmol/l). BMI and abdominal obesity influence the appearance of vitamin D insufficiency in children.
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To examine whether a worksite nutrition programme using a low-fat vegan diet could significantly improve nutritional intake. At two corporate sites of the Government Employees Insurance Company, employees who were either overweight (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) and/or had type 2 diabetes participated in a 22-week worksite-based dietary intervention study. At the intervention site, participants were asked to follow a low-fat vegan diet and participate in weekly group meetings that included instruction and group support (intervention group). At the control site, participants received no instruction (control group). At weeks 0 and 22, participants completed 3 d dietary records to assess energy and nutrient intake. A total of 109 participants (sixty-five intervention and forty-four control). In the intervention group, reported intake of total fat, trans fat, saturated fat and cholesterol decreased significantly (P < or = 0.001), as did energy and protein (P = 0.01), and vitamin B12 (P = 0.002), compared with the control group. Intake (exclusive of any use of nutritional supplements) of carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium increased significantly (P < or = 0.0001), as did that for beta-carotene (P = 0.0004), total vitamin A activity (P = 0.004), vitamin K (P = 0.01) and sodium (P = 0.04) in the intervention group, compared with the control group. The present study suggests that a worksite vegan nutrition programme increases intakes of protective nutrients, such as fibre, folate and vitamin C, and decreases intakes of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.
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Because vitamin D deficiency is associated with a variety of chronic diseases, understanding the characteristics that promote vitamin D deficiency in otherwise healthy adults could have important clinical implications. Few studies relating vitamin D deficiency to obesity have included direct measures of adiposity. Furthermore, the degree to which vitamin D is associated with metabolic traits after adjusting for adiposity measures is unclear. We investigated the relations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations with indexes of cardiometabolic risk in 3,890 nondiabetic individuals; 1,882 had subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volumes measured by multidetector computed tomography (CT). In multivariable-adjusted regression models, 25(OH)D was inversely associated with winter season, waist circumference, and serum insulin (P < 0.005 for all). In models further adjusted for CT measures, 25(OH)D was inversely related to SAT (-1.1 ng/ml per SD increment in SAT, P = 0.016) and VAT (-2.3 ng/ml per SD, P < 0.0001). The association of 25(OH)D with insulin resistance measures became nonsignificant after adjustment for VAT. Higher adiposity volumes were correlated with lower 25(OH)D across different categories of BMI, including in lean individuals (BMI <25 kg/m(2)). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D <20 ng/ml) was threefold higher in those with high SAT and high VAT than in those with low SAT and low VAT (P < 0.0001). Vitamin D status is strongly associated with variation in subcutaneous and especially visceral adiposity. The mechanisms by which adiposity promotes vitamin D deficiency warrant further study.
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The aim of this research was to investigate differential gene expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) in white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver from high-fat fed male Wistar rats with or without vitamin C (VC) supplementation (750 mg/kg of body weight). After 56 d of experimentation, animals fed on a cafeteria diet increased significantly body weights and total body fat. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) studies showed that cafeteria diet decreased p21 and p57 mRNA expression in subcutaneous WAT and increased p21 mRNA in liver. Overall, these data provide new information about the role of high fat intake on mRNA levels of several CKIs with implications in adipogenesis, cell metabolism and weight homeostasis. Interestingly, VC supplementation partially prevented diet-induced adiposity and increased p27 mRNA in liver without any changes in the other tissues and genes analyzed. Thus, hepatic mRNA changes induced by ascorbic acid indicate a possible role of these genes in diet-induced oxidative stress processes.