Vitamin D supplementation preserves glucose homeostasis in mid-late gestation

A recent study suggests that in mid-late gestation, vitamin D supplementation significantly preserves glucose homeostasis. This study was published in the journal of Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland).

1720 pregnant women at 24-28 weeks gestation were recruited in a multicenter randomized trial and were allocated to receive either 1600 IU/d vitamin D3 (n = 858) or 400 IU/d vitamin D3 (n = 862) for 2 months. Outcomes included changes in baseline fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and serum 25(OH)D levels.

The FPG levels of the intervention group showed no significant variation after two months, while the FPG levels of the control group significantly increased at delivery. Participants with the ApaI SNP CC genotype or BsmI-CC, TaqI-AA, or FokI-AA, respectively, also showed differences in FPG variation. The greatest decline in FPG levels was seen in pregnant women with basal 25(OH)D concentrations greater than 50 nmol/L subgroup. Additionally, FPG decline from vitamin D treatment was more likely to occur in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), multiple pregnancies, or who were overweight.

This study showed that vitamin D supplementation can protect glucose homeostasis in mid-late gestation and glycemic response to vitamin D of these pregnant women may be dependent on VDR gene polymorphism, on basal 25(OH)D status, or their metabolic profiles.

Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine is effective as an anti-aging supplement in older adults

The findings of a recent study revealed that Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC)  supplementation in older adults improves age-associated abnormalities and promotes health in aging humans. The results of this study were published in the journal, The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences.

It was a randomized controlled trial, that included 24 Older adults (OA) and 12 young adults (YA). The OA subjects were randomized to receive either GlyNAC (n=12) or isogenous alanine placebo (n=12) for 16-weeks; and YA (n=12) received GlyNAC for 2 weeks. The participants were assessed before, after 2 and 16 weeks of supplementation to evaluate intracellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH) concentrations, oxidative stress (OxS), mitochondrial fatty-acid oxidation (MFO), molecular regulators of energy metabolism, inflammation, endothelial function, aging hallmarks, gait speed, muscle strength, body composition and blood pressure.

The results indicated that GlyNAC supplementation in OA has shown improvement in the aging factors including GSH deficiency, OxS, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, IR, multiple aging hallmarks, impaired physical function, increased waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure.

Thus, GlyNAC supplementation in OA for 16-weeks was safe and well tolerated with benefits as an effective nutritional supplement against age-associated abnormalities and promotes health in aging humans.

Esophageal cancer patients can benefit through supplemental parenteral nutrition

The findings of a recent study indicate that supplemental parenteral nutrition can be  helpful in maintaining optimal postoperative nutritional status, improved immune function and reduced inflammatory stress response in perioperative esophageal cancer patients.  

The results of the study were published in the journal, Medicine (Baltimore). It was a single-center randomized controlled study that included seventy-two patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer. They were divided equally into two groups- one with a combination of parenteral nutrition PN) and enteral nutrition (EN) and the other, a control group (total EN [TEN]). The PN + EN group received the combined nutritional supplement on postoperative days 4 to 8 while the control group was administered EN on postoperative days 1 to 8.

Before surgery, the prealbumin values of both groups were lower than normal, and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were above normal. The IgA, IgG and CD4 levels were lower than normal.

On postoperative day 7, prealbumin levels of the PN + EN group were significantly higher, the C-reactive protein level was significantly lower, and IgA, IgG, and CD4 were significantly higher, than that of the TEN group.

Based on the results of the study, supplemental parenteral nutrition can be beneficial for perioperative esophageal cancer patients in maintaining optimal nutritional status, improving immune function, and reducing the inflammatory stress response. 

Almond consumption causes positive changes in gut microbiota functionality

Including almonds in diet shows positive changes in the microbiota functionality, says a latest study. This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

This study was a 3-arm randomized controlled trial including 87 healthy adults to evaluate the impact of different almond forms on fecal bifidobacterial. Participants were given whole almonds (56 g/day), ground almonds (56g/day), or an isocaloric control in place of habitual snack for a duration of 4 weeks. Gut microbiota composition and diversity (16S rRNA gene sequencing), Volatile organic compounds, short chain fatty acids, gut transmit time, stool output and gut symptoms were measured at baseline and endpoint. Particle size distribution (PSD) and predicted lipid release was measured (n=31) in different almond forms.

There were no significant differences in the abundance of fecal bifidobacterial after consumption of either forms of almond or in the control group. However, almond consumption (both whole and ground) lead to a higher mean ± standard deviation butyrate than control.

Therefore, the study concludes though there is limited impact of almond consumption on the microbiota composition, but it has increased levels of butyrate suggesting positive effects to microbiota functionality.