Natural Medicine News

Vitamin D Deficiencies in the Elderly
"B vitamin status, dietary intake and length of stay in a sample of elderly rehabilitation patients," O'Leary F, Flood VM, et al, J Nutr Health Aging, 2011; 15(6): 485-9. (Address: S. Samman, Discipline of Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Molecular Bioscience, G08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia. E-mail: samir.samman@sydney.edu.au ).

 

 

In a cross-sectional study involving 52 consenting geriatric rehabilitation patients with normal creatinine levels and no dementia, a high risk of B vitamin deficiencies was found. Thirty patients were found to be deficient in vitamin B6, 22 were found to be deficient in vitamin B12, and 5 were found to be deficient in folate. The authors state, "The study indicates a high risk of vitamin B deficiencies in the elderly and suggests that deficiencies of vitamins B6 and B12 are associated with length of stay. This is concerning as B vitamin status is rarely fully assessed."

 

 

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
"Effects of Chronic Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Human Pulmonary Vein and Left Atrial Electrophysiology in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation," Kumar S, Sutherland F, et al, Am J Cardiol, 2011 May 28; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Cardiology Department, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia).

 

In a randomized study involving patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF),undergoing pulmonary vein isolation, supplementation with fish oil (6 g/d) for mean 40 days prior to the procedure was found to be associated with various beneficial effects, including longer left-sided and right-sided pulmonary venous ERPs, less dispersion of pulmonary venous ERPs, longer left atrial ERPs, no difference in pulmonary venous conduction, lower incidence of atrial fibrillation initiated from pulmonary veins during effective refractory period testing (77% vs. 31%) and prolongation of mean AF cycle length and shortest AF cycle length in PVs. The authors state, "These changes may in part explain the antifibrillatory effect of chronic omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in patients with PAF."

 

 

L-Carnitine Benefits Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders

"A prospective double-blind, randomized clinical trial of levocarnitine to treat autism spectrum disorders," Geier DA, Kern JK, et al, Med Sci Monit, 2011 June; 17(6): PI15-23. (Address: The Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A. and CoMeD, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA).

 

In a randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 30 subjects diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), daily supplementation with L-carnitine (50 mg/kg body weight) for a period of 3 months was found to be associated with significant improvements in clinical measures of ASD severity, including scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS, -2.03), modified clinical global impression (CGI, -0.69), and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). In addition, serum free carnitine levels were significantly associated with positive clinical changes in terms of hand muscle strength, cognitive scores, and CARS scores. The authors conclude, "subsequent studies are recommended."

 

 

Vitamin D Deficiency in Healthy Saudi Arabian Men
"High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy Saudi Arabian men: relationship to bone mineral density, parathyroid hormone, bone turnover markers, and lifestyle factors," Ardawi MS, Sibiany AM, et al, Osteoporos Int, 2011 April 6; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Center of Excellence for Osteoporosis Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 20724, Jeddah, 21465, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: ardawims@yahoo.com ).

 

In a cross-sectional study involving 834 Saudi Arabian men between the ages of 20 and 74 years, out of which 87.8% were found to have vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D less than 50 nmol/L), and 9.7% were found to have vitamin D insufficiency, vitamin D deficiency was common among older and obese men with no education and sedentary lifestyle, serum 25(OH)D was found to be inversely linearly associated with intact PTH, and BMD values at the lumbar spine and femur neck were associated with serum 25(OH)D levels. The authors state, "Functionally significant vitamin D deficiency affects BMD and bone turnover markers among Saudi Arabian men and is largely attributed to older age, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, no education, poor exposure to sunlight, smoking, and poor dietary vitamin D supplementation."

 

 

Turmeric Supplementation in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetic Neuropathy

"Oral supplementation of turmeric attenuates proteinuria, transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin-8 levels in patients with overt type 2 diabetic nephropathy: A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study," Khajehdehi P, Pakfetrat M, et al, Scand J Urol Nephrol, 2011 May 31; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: P. Khajehdehi, Department of Medicine, Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. E-mail: khajehdp@hotmail.com ).

 

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 40 patients with overt type 2 diabetic nephropathy, supplementation with turmeric (500 mg per capsule, each containing 22.1 mg curcumin, taken 3 times/day, with each meal), for a period of 2 months, was found to be associated with significant decreases in TGF-beta and IL-8 and urinary protein excretion, suggesting that, "Short-term turmeric supplementation can attenuate proteinuria, TGF-beta and IL-8 in patients with overt type 2 diabetic nephropathy and can be administered as a safe adjuvant therapy for these patients."

 

 

Low Intake of Vitamin B6 Associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
"Low intake of vitamin B(6) is associated with irritable bowel syndrome symptoms," Ligaarden SC, Farup PG, Nutr Res, 2011 May; 31(5): 356-61. (Address: Department of Medicine, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Gjøvik, Norway).

 

In a study involving 17 human subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intake of vitamin B6 was found to be associated with IBS. Specifically, in this population, the median daily intake of vitamin B6 was 0.9 mg/d (recommended is 1.6 mg/d or more for men and 1.2 mg/d or more in women), and a high symptoms score was associated with low vitamin B6 intake. The authors state, "A significant inverse association between intake of vitamin B(6) and severity of IBS symptoms might have clinical implications."

 

 

Hepatoprotective Effects of Vitamin E and Selenium

"Hepatoprotective effects of vitamin E/selenium against malathion-induced injuries on the antioxidant status and apoptosis-related gene expression in rats," AM Aboul-Soud M, M Al-Othman A, et al, J Toxicol Sci, 2011; 36(3): 285-96. (Address: Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy Chair for DNA Research, Zoology Department, College of Science).

 

In a study involving male rats randomly divided into 8 groups (10 rats per group), supplementation with vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol, 100 mg/kg body weight) and selenium (0.1 mg/kg body weight) was found to protect the liver of rats exposed to malathion-induced oxidative stress. The authors state, "These data suggest that the administration of alpha-tocopherol/Se may partially protect against MTN-induced hepatic oxidative stress and injuries."

 

 

Weekly Vitamin D Supplementation Benefits Bone Growth in Low Birthweight Infants

"Effect of weekly vitamin D supplements on mortality, morbidity, and growth of low birthweight term infants in India up to age 6 months: randomised controlled trial," Kumar GT, Sachdev HS, et al, BMJ, 2011 May 31; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Institute of Home Economics, Delhi University, F-4 Haus Khas Enclave. New Delhi-110016, India).

 

In a randomized, controlled trial involving 2,079 low birthweight infants born at term (more than 37 weeks' gestation), weekly supplementation with vitamin D (35 microg/wk) was found to be associated with better vitamin D status at 6 months, significant increases in weight, length, and arm circumference, and decreases in the proportion of children with stunted growth (length for age z score less than or equal to 2) or with arm circumference z scores of 2 or less. No significant differences in mortality or hospital admissions (adjusted RR=0.93) or referral to outpatient clinic for moderate morbidity were found. The authors conclude, "A weekly dose of vitamin D resulted in better vitamin D status and benefited the classic vitamin D function of bone growth but did not decrease the incidence of severe morbidity or death among young low birthweight infants."

 

 

Calcium Supplementation Linked to Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Individuals

"Efficacy of calcium supplementation for management of overweight and obesity: systematic review of randomized clinical trials," Onakpoya IJ, Perry R, et al, Nutr Rev, 2011 June; 69(6): 335-43. (Address: Complementary Medicine, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom).

 

In a systematic review of studies investigating the effects of calcium on weight loss in overweight and obese subjects, analysis of results from 7 studies concluded that a small yet significant reduction in body fat was associated with calcium supplementation. The authors state, "...the clinical relevance of this finding is uncertain." Additional research is warranted.

 

 

Probiotics in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis
"A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study of probiotics in active rheumatoid arthritis," de Los Angeles Pineda M, Thompson SF, et al, Med Sci Monit, 2011 June; 17(6): CR347-354. (Address: Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada).

 

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 29 subjects with active rheumatoid arthritis (having at least 4 swollen and 4 tender joints, and stable medications with no steroids for at least 1 month prior to and during the study), supplementation with probiotics was associated with a significant improvement in the score on the Health Assessment Questionnaire. No statistically significant differences between individual components of the ACR20 criteria were found. The authors state, "Although probiotics did not clinically improve RA as measured by the ACR20, it is interesting that there was functional improvement seen within the probiotic group compared to placebo."

 

 

Vitamin D in Rheumatology Patients
"High prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in a Swiss rheumatology outpatient population," Stoll D, Dudler J, et al, Swiss Med Wkly, 2011 May 27; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Center for Bone Diseases, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) - DAL, Avenue Pierre Decker 4, 1011 Lausanne, CH. E-mail: delphine.stoll@chuv.ch ).

 

In a study involving 272 rheumatology outpatients (with a mean 25(OH)D of 21 microg/L), out of which 20 were found to have vitamin D deficiency, 215 were found to have vitamin D insufficiency, and 37 were found to have normal levels of vitamin D, among patients with osteoporosis, 31% had normal results and the mean 25(OH)D was 25 microg/L, in the group of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, 12% had normal results and the mean 25(OH)D was 20.5 microg/L, and in the small group of patients with degenerative diseases, 21% had normal results and the mean 25(OH)D was found to be 21.8 microg/L. Among patients taking supplementations, vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were found in 38% of patients. The authors state, "These results confirm that hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent in an outpatient population of rheumatology patients, affecting 86% of subjects."

 

 

Arginine Supplementation added to Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Facilitates Wound Healing
"Successful treatment of an infected wound in infants by a combination of negative pressure wound therapy and arginine supplementation," Masumoto K, Nagata K, et al, Nutrition, 2011 May 27; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Kyushu, Japan).

 

In a study involving 6 pediatric patients (average age: 12.2 months) with wound dehiscence due to surgical site infection, treatment with negative pressure wound therapy along with supplementation with an arginine-rich supplement was found to facilitate early healing of the surgical wounds. Specifically, all wounds were completely healed within 1 month of starting the combined therapy. Follow up at 6 months found no complications with the wounds. The authors state, "This combination therapy using NPWT and ARS administration was effective in inducing early healing of infected wound complications after surgery."