ABSTRACT Introduction The main objective was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vitamin D supplementation habits and their changes in the follow-up, 20 months after the study in ...Slovenian premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2021. 176 healthy women aged 44 to 65 from the Central Slovenian region were included in the final analysis. Vitamin D status was determined by measuring 25(OH)D concentration. After 20 months an online follow-up questionnaire was sent out, to which 123 participants responded with complete data. Results Between March and May 2021, 61% of the participants were supplementing vitamin D. 55% of the supplementers and 88% of the non-supplementers had insufficient levels (total 25(OH)D <75 nmol/L). After 20 months in the follow-up, it was found that 62% of participants were taking vitamin D supplements, but only 70% of those who had initially reported taking supplements were still doing so. In the follow-up 61% of participants stated that they started or increased vitamin D intake due to COVID-19. Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation increased 7-fold compared to pre-pandemic levels and remained at a high level after 20 months. However, a significant number of participants discontinued supplementation, and only one-fifth were taking vitamin D throughout the entire year. Supplementation is effective for vitamin D deficiency prevention only at the individual level, however due to low compliance it should not be the only strategy for preventing vitamin D deficiency in the population.
The objective of our study was to evaluate vitamin D status and its predictors in Slovenian premenopausal and postmenopausal women. A cross-sectional study was carried out between 1 March 2021 and 31 ...May 2021. A total of 319 healthy women from the Central Slovenian region aged between 44 and 65 were recruited; 176 were included in the final analysis. The vitamin D status was determined by measuring the total 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) concentration, vitamin D binding protein (DBP), and albumin and calculating the bioavailable 25(OH)D and free 25(OH)D. For the calculation of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D, we developed a new online calculator. The Endocrine Society’s thresholds for vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were used; 29.0% of premenopausal and 24.4% of postmenopausal subjects were found to be vitamin D deficient (total 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L); 76.8% of the premenopausal and 61.7% of postmenopausal subjects were found to have insufficient levels (total 25(OH)D < 75 nmol/L). Premenopausal women had 11.8% lower total 25(OH)D, 32.2% lower bioavailable 25(OH)D, and 25.2% higher DBP than postmenopausal women. The most important predictors of vitamin D status were vitamin D supplementation and time spent in the sun. Contrary to similar studies, the vitamin D status in Slovenian postmenopausal women was significantly better than in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, the measurement of free or bioavailable 25(OH)D instead of the total 25(OH)D could be advantageous.
Abstract Lactulose is a synthetic disaccharide composed of galactose and fructose. Literature review of history, legal status and possible food applications of lactulose in functional foods, such as ...confectionery and beverages. In the colon, lactulose is fermented by the microbiota and acts as a selective modulator of bacterial growth, promoting the growth of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria . It generates organic acids, such as short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid, which lower the pH of the colon and act as an osmotic laxative. Lactulose was first used in 1957 as an ingredient in an infant formula. Later it was registered as a prescription drug and banned for food use in many countries. In 2012, lactulose received an EU (European union) health claim “contributes to acceleration of intestinal transit”. It can be used in food and food supplements across all age groups, from infants to the elderly. Lactulose has favourable technological properties, such as sweetness of 48–62% sucrose without an aftertaste, high solubility, low cariogenic potential and stability. Lactulose gummy candy, without added sweeteners, has an overall likability comparable to classic sucrose/glucose-based candy. With more than 60 years of safe use in infant, child, adult and elderly population, lactulose is an ideal ingredient for prebiotic functional food. Its technological properties allow for development of functional candy and beverages almost indistinguishable from those made from sucrose.
For almost nine decades, the fortification of foods with vitamin D has been proven effective in preventing rickets. This study aims to build and economically evaluate a fortification model based on ...egg biofortification and milk (including yoghurt) fortification.
A cross-sectional study was carried out between 1. March and 31. May 2021. Three hundred and nineteen healthy women from the Central Slovenian region aged between 44 and 65 were recruited for the study, with 176 participants included in the final analysis. For the fortification model calculations, the vitamin D contents of unenriched milk (including yoghurt) and eggs were replaced by enriched foods containing vitamin D. The economic evaluation was done using available drug and food supplement prices. Fortification costs were calculated using vitamin D prices provided by suppliers.
Mean vitamin D intake from food was 2.19±1.34 µg/d. With fortification Model 1 (enriched eggs), it would be: 6.49±4.45 µg/d, and with Model 2 (enriched eggs and milk): 10.53±6.49 µg/d. Without fortification, none of the participants would reach a daily vitamin D intake >10 µg. With fortification Model 1 (egg fortification), 15.3% would reach >10 µg and with Model 2 (egg and milk fortification) 46.2% would reach >10 µg. The economic comparison of the annual cost of 10 µg vitamin D/d/person was EUR 6.17 for prescription drugs, EUR 6.37 for food supplements, EUR 0.09 for direct milk fortification and EUR 0.12 for egg biofortification with vitamin D.
Egg and milk (including yoghurt) fortification could cost-effectively increase vitamin D intake in the Slovenian population of women between 44 and 65 by almost five-fold, and could significantly lower the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Additional research and changes to legislation are needed before this can be introduced.
Abstract
Aim
Aiming at assessing sufficiency of energy/protein intake in hospitalized patients, the objective was to monitor and analyze actual food intake of patients hospitalized in three clinical ...wards of one of major Slovenian hospitals.
Methods
53 patients were included in the study. Food intake was assessed 3 times daily from leftovers. Nutritional status was assessed with Nutritional Risk Screening tool 2002. The observed outcomes were percentage of energy coverage (PEC) and percentage of protein coverage (PPC). In PEC energy nutritional value of the menu (ENVM), and in PPC protein nutritional value of the menu (PNVM) were considered as the main modifiable risk factors. Data were analyzed univariately and multivariately by using logistic regression method.
Results
The patients did not cover energy needs (67.4±24.5%). Multivariate model for PEC was highly significant (R2=0.347; pmodel<0.001) with ENVM showing high strength of association (b=0.040; p=0.004). Patients also did not cover protein needs (84.0±40.2%). Multivariate model for PEC was highly significant (R2=0.477; pmodel<0.001) and PNVM showing high strength of association (b=0.937; p=0.002).
Conclusion
For successful prevention and early detection of malnutrition, food intake in hospitals is vital and should be constantly monitored. A simple method for monitoring is proposed. The menus provided to patients should also be adequate in terms of energy and protein content.
The objective of our study was to evaluate vitamin D status and its predictors in Slovenian premenopausal and postmenopausal women. A cross-sectional study was carried out between 1 March 2021 and 31 ...May 2021. A total of 319 healthy women from the Central Slovenian region aged between 44 and 65 were recruited; 176 were included in the final analysis. The vitamin D status was determined by measuring the total 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) concentration, vitamin D binding protein (DBP), and albumin and calculating the bioavailable 25(OH)D and free 25(OH)D. For the calculation of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D, we developed a new online calculator. The Endocrine Society’s thresholds for vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were used; 29.0% of premenopausal and 24.4% of postmenopausal subjects were found to be vitamin D deficient (total 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L); 76.8% of the premenopausal and 61.7% of postmenopausal subjects were found to have insufficient levels (total 25(OH)D < 75 nmol/L). Premenopausal women had 11.8% lower total 25(OH)D, 32.2% lower bioavailable 25(OH)D, and 25.2% higher DBP than postmenopausal women. The most important predictors of vitamin D status were vitamin D supplementation and time spent in the sun. Contrary to similar studies, the vitamin D status in Slovenian postmenopausal women was significantly better than in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, the measurement of free or bioavailable 25(OH)D instead of the total 25(OH)D could be advantageous.
Aiming at assessing sufficiency of energy/protein intake in hospitalized patients, the objective was to monitor and analyze actual food intake of patients hospitalized in three clinical wards of one ...of major Slovenian hospitals.
53 patients were included in the study. Food intake was assessed 3 times daily from leftovers. Nutritional status was assessed with Nutritional Risk Screening tool 2002. The observed outcomes were percentage of energy coverage (PEC) and percentage of protein coverage (PPC). In PEC energy nutritional value of the menu (ENVM), and in PPC protein nutritional value of the menu (PNVM) were considered as the main modifiable risk factors. Data were analyzed univariately and multivariately by using logistic regression method.
The patients did not cover energy needs (67.4±24.5%). Multivariate model for PEC was highly significant (R2=0.347; pmodel<0.001) with ENVM showing high strength of association (b=0.040; p=0.004). Patients also did not cover protein needs (84.0±40.2%). Multivariate model for PEC was highly significant (R2=0.477; pmodel<0.001) and PNVM showing high strength of association (b=0.937; p=0.002).
For successful prevention and early detection of malnutrition, food intake in hospitals is vital and should be constantly monitored. A simple method for monitoring is proposed. The menus provided to patients should also be adequate in terms of energy and protein content.
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