Natural Medicine News

Low Vitamin D Status in Nondialyzed Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
"Risk Factors for Hypovitaminosis D in Nondialyzed Chronic Kidney Disease Patients," Figuiredo-Dias V, Cuppari L, et al, J Ren Nutr, 2011 June 6; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Nutrition Program, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil).

 

In a cross-sectional study involving 120 patients with chronic kidney disease at stages 2 to 5 (62% male; average age: 55 years; estimated GFR: 35.1 mL/min, BMI: 27.1 kg/m(2), 31% diabetics), insufficiency of vitamin D (25(OH)D: 15-30 ng/mL) was found in 55% of patients and vitamin D deficiency (less than 15 ng/mL) was found in 20% of patients, with the lowest levels found in diabetics, those with BMI 30 kg/m(2) or higher, and those whose blood was measured in the winter or spring. Serum levels of 25(OH)D were inversely associated with PTH, proteinuria, insulin resistance, leptin, and subcutaneous abdominal fat. Risk factors of hypovitaminosis D were found to be: diabetes (OR=3.8) and having a BMI of 30 kg/m(2) or higher (OR=4.3). The authors conclude, "Diabetes and obesity were the risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in nondialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease. Effective interventional protocols of vitamin D supplementation taking into account these risk factors are warranted for this population."

 

 

Chromium Supplementation and Glycemic Control
"Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on glucose, HbA(1)C and lipid variables in individuals with newly onset type-2 diabetes," Sharma S, Agrawal RP, et al, J Trace Elem Med Biol, 2011 May 11; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: College of Home Science, MPUA&T, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India).

 

In a placebo-controlled, single-blinded, prospective study involving 40 newly onset type 2 diabetics, daily supplementation with chromium (9 g brewer's yeast containing 42 microg chromium) for a period of 3 months was found to be associated with significant reductions in fasting blood glucose levels (197.65 to 103.68 mg/dL) and improvements in HbA(1)c (from 9.51 to 6.86), suggesting improved glycemic control. In addition, improvements in total cholesterol (from 199 to 189 mg/dL), triglycerides (from 144.94 to 126.01), and LDL cholesterol levels (from 119.19 to 99.58) were found. The authors state, "These data demonstrate beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on glycaemic control and lipid variables in subjects with newly onset type-2 diabetes."

 

 

Zinc plus Multivitamin/minerals and Glycemic Control
"Effects of zinc and multimineral vitamin supplementation on glycemic and lipid control in adult diabetes," Gunasekara P, Hettiarachchi M, et al, Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes, 2011 Jan 26; 4: 53-60. (Address: Coronary Care Unit, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lanka).

 

In a single-blinded study involving 96 diabetic subjects, supplementation with oral zinc sulfate (22 mg/d) in addition to multivitamin/multimineral supplementation for a period of 4 months was found to be associated with a greater change in fasting blood sugar (mean change: -0.33 mmol/L), as compared to subjects who received multivitamin/mineral supplementation without additional zinc (+0.19), and those who received a placebo (+0.43). Furthermore, Hb(A1c) reduced significantly in the zinc + multivitamins/minerals group as well. Levels of serum lipid reduced significantly in both the zinc+multivitamins/minerals group and the multivitamins/multiminerals group. The authors state, "Zinc+MVM supplementation showed beneficial effects in the metabolic control of adult diabetics in addition to elevating their serum zinc level."

 

 

Micronutrients and Diabetic Neuropathy
"Improving neuropathy scores in type 2 diabetic patients using micronutrients supplementation," Farvid MS, Homayouni F, et al, Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2011 April 13; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Community Nutrition, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran).

 

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial involving 75 type 2 diabetics, daily supplementation for a period of 4 months with: (Group MV): zinc (20 mg), magnesium (250 mg), vitamin C (200 mg), vitamin E (100 mg), or (Group MVB) those vitamins and minerals plus vitamin B1 (10 mg), B2 (10 mg), B6 (10 mg), biotin (200 microg), and folic acid (1 mg) - was associated with significant improvements in neuropathic symptoms. Specifically, neuropathic symptoms improved from 3.54 to 0.64 in group MVB, from 3.96 to 1.0 in group MV, and from 2.54 to 1.95 in the placebo group. The authors state, "These studies suggest that micronutrients supplementation might ameliorate diabetic neuropathy symptoms."

 

 

Maternal Intake of Magnesium May Protect Against Eczema in Offspring
"Intake of antioxidants during pregnancy and the risk of allergies and asthma in the offspring," Nwaru BI, Erkkola M, et al, Eur J Clin Nutr, 2011 May 11; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland).

 

In a population-based birth cohort study involving data from 2441 children, maternal dietary intake of magnesium during pregnancy was found to be associated with protection against eczema (OR=0.78). No other associations were found between maternal intake of antioxidants and asthma, rhinitis, or eczema. The authors state, "This may be due to the variable amount of antioxidant intake across studies and also indicative of the hypothesis that there may be a critical time window in pregnancy during which antioxidants might modify the risk of allergies in the offspring."

 

 

Magnesium Alleviates Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Patients
"A pilot phase II trial of magnesium supplements to reduce menopausal hot flashes in breast cancer patients," Park H, Parker GL, et al, Support Care Cancer, 2011 June; 19(6): 859-63. (Address: Department of Internal Medicine Residency Program, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, USA).

 

In a study involving 25 breast cancer patients (on average: 53.5 years; 8 on tamoxifen, 9 on aromase inhibitors, 14 on anti-depressants) experiencing at least 14 hot flashes each week, supplementation with magnesium oxide (400 mg/d for 4 weeks, increasing to 800 mg/d if needed, which occurred in 17 patients) was found to be associated with a significant reduction in frequency/week of hot flashes (from 52.2 to 27.7, a 41.4% reduction) and hot flash score (from 109.8 to 47.8, a 50.4% reduction). 56% of patients were found to have greater than 50% reduction in hot flash score and 76% were found to have greater than 25% reduction. Reductions in fatigue, sweating, and distress were all significant. Of the study subjects, 2 women experienced headaches and nausea, and 2 experienced grade 1 diarrhea. The authors state, "Oral magnesium appears to have helped more than half of the patients and was well tolerated. Side effects and cost ($0.02/tablet) were minimal."

 

 

Vitamin D Insufficiency in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
"Vitamin D insufficiency in Brazilian patients with SLE: prevalence, associated factors and relationship with activity," Souto MI, Coelho A, et al, Lupus, 2011 June 6; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Division of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

 

In a cross-sectional study involving 159 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, vitamin D insufficiency was found in 37.7% of patients and vitamin D deficiency was found in 8.2% of cases. No significant association was found between 25(OH)D levels and lupus activity score, disease duration, sun exposure, vitamin D supplementation, or use of corticosteroids.

 

 

Vitamins and Homocysteine, Lipoprotein(a) and Acute Myocardial Infarction
"Serum total homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) levels in acute myocardial infarction and their response to treatment with vitamins," Mujibul Haq AM, M Giasuddin AS, et al, J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 2011 May; 21(5): 266-70. (Address: Department of Medicine, Medical College for Women and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh).

 

In an interventional study involving patients with acute myocardial infarction, daily supplementation with vitamins (25 mg vitamin B6, 2 mg vitamin B12, 2.5 mg folic acid) for a period of 2 months was found to be associated with significant reductions in serum total homocysteine and Lp(a). The authors state, "These results indicated that tHcy and Lp(a) levels were possibly atherogenic risk factors independent of conventional risk factors. Since both tHcy and Lp(a) levels responded in a similar fashion, a common point of the metabolic and pathogenetic pathways of tHcy and Lp(a) may be influenced by the vitamins supplementation."

 

 

Selenium May Reduce Lipid Hydroperoxide Levels After Exercise in Overweight Individuals
"Selenium Supplementation and Exercise: Effect on Oxidant Stress in Overweight Adults," Savory LA, Kerr CJ, et al, Obesity (Silver Spring), 2011 May 19; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Bedford, UK).

 

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 10 normal weight and 10 overweight healthy subjects (28 kg/m(2)), supplementation with selenium (200 microgram/d sodium selenite) for a period of 3 weeks was found to decrease levels of lipid hydroperoxide among overweight subjects post-exercise (-0.25 micromol/l), as compared to placebo. The authors state, "This study has highlighted a potential benefit of Se in reducing LH levels postexercise in OW individuals."