Sex-specific determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations in an elderly German cohort : a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Considering the suggested link between vitamin D insufficiency and several chronic diseases, attention should be given to approaches for improving vitamin D status. Elderly subjects are regarded as a high-risk group for developing an insufficient vitamin D status. Socioeconomic, dietary, lifestyle and environmental factors are considered as influencing factors, whereupon sex differences in predictors of vitamin D status are rarely investigated. The purpose of this study is to identify the main predictors of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] concentrations in elderly subjects by taking into account potential sex differences. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study in 162 independently living German elderly aged 66 to 96years. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were assessed by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of 25(OH)D3 concentrations stratified by sex. RESULTS:Median 25(OH)D3 concentration was 64nmol/L and none of the subjects had 25(OH)D3 concentrations<25nmol/L. In women, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (beta=-0.323), % total body fat (beta=-0.208), time spent outdoors (beta=0.328), month of blood sampling (beta=0.229) and intake of vitamin D supplements (beta=0.172) were the predominant predictors of 25(OH)D3, whereas in men, iPTH (beta=-0.254), smoking (beta=-0.282), physical activity (beta=0.336) and monthly household net income (beta=0.302) predicted 25(OH)D3 concentrations. The final regression models accounted for 30% and 32% of the variance in 25(OH)D3 concentrations in women and men, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that 25(OH)D3 concentrations are influenced by body composition, month of blood sampling, economic factors, lifestyle, supplement intake and iPTH, but may not be associated with age, sex, dietary factors, kidney function and presence of selected chronic diseases in community-dwelling elderly. Furthermore, our results provide evidence for sex-specific determinants of the vitamin D status, which ought to be considered for preventive strategies

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, parathyroid hormone and blood pressure in an elderly cohort from Germany: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although several studies indicate a link between vitamin D status and blood pressure (BP), the results are inconsistent. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether in predominantly non-obese elderly people without vitamin D deficiency or very high intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃[25(OH)D₃] and iPTH are independently associated with BP.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional data of 132 non-institutionalised subjects (90 women and 42 men, aged 66- 96 years) from Giessen, Germany, were analysed. Serum 25(OH)D₃and iPTH were measured by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and BP was determined with a sphygmomanometer. We performed univariate and multiple regression analyses to examine the influence of 25(OH)D₃and iPTH on BP with adjustments for age, body composition and lifestyle factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>While iPTH had no impact on BP, 25(OH)D₃was negatively associated with systolic BP in men, but not in women. After splitting the cohort into antihypertensive medication users and non-users, 25(OH)D₃was a significant predictor for systolic and diastolic BP only in men not receiving antihypertensive medicine, even after multiple adjustment. Adjustment for 25(OH)D₃resulted in an inverse association of iPTH with diastolic BP also only in men without intake of antihypertensive medicine.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In elderly men without vitamin D deficiency and not taking antihypertensive medicine, 25(OH)D₃may be a negative determinant of BP, independent of iPTH, body composition and lifestyle factors. Furthermore, iPTH may be an independent negative determinant of diastolic BP in men not taking antihypertensive medicine.</p

RESEARCH Open Access

hormone and blood pressure in an elderly cohort from Germany: a cross-sectional stud

The Revised D-A-CH-Reference Values for the Intake of Vitamin B 12 : Prevention of Deficiency and Beyond

Scope: The nutrition societies of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are the joint editors of the “D-A-CH reference values for nutrient intake”, which are revised regularly. Methods and Results: By reviewing vitamin-B 12 -related biomarker studies, the reference values for vitamin B 12 were revised in 2018. For adults, the estimated intake is based on the adequate serum concentrations of holotranscobalamin and methylmalonic acid. The estimated values for children and adolescents are extrapolated from the adult reference value by considering differences in body mass, an allometric exponent, and growth factors. For infants below 4 months of age, an estimated value is set based on the vitamin B 12 intake via breast milk. The reference values for pregnant and lactating women consider the requirements for the fetus and for loss via breast milk. The estimated values for vitamin B 12 intake for infants, children, and adolescents range from 0.5 to 4.0 µg d −1 . For adults, the estimated values are set at 4.0 µg d −1 , and for pregnant and lactating women, they are set at 4.5 and 5.5 µg d −1 , respectively. Conclusion: Based on the data of several vitamin B 12 status biomarkers studies, the reference value for vitamin B 12 intake for adults is raised from 3.0 to 4.0 µg d −1

Scientific Opinion on the energy conversion factor of d‐tagatose for labelling purposes

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutritionand Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a scienti\ufb01c opinion on the energy conversion factor ofD-tagatose to be used for calculating the energy value of foods to be declared in nutrition labelling.Energy conversion factors for nutrients for the purpose of nutrition labelling have been set based onthe concept of metabolisable energy (ME). The same methodology has been applied to calculate theenergy conversion factor forD-taga tose in this opinion. The assessment is based on a dossier preparedfor Nutrilab NV and submitted by Bioresco Ltd. At present, data are insuf\ufb01cient to derive an accurateME value forD-tagatose. Relying on the human data indicating a mean absorption rate of 80% (range69\u201388%) and a urinary excretion of either 1% or 5%, the corresponding energy values forD-tagatosewould be 2.8 kcal/g (11.8 kJ/g) and 2.96 kcal/g (12.4 kJ/g), respectively. Taking into account that theremaining 20% ofD-tagatose which is not absorbed in the sma ll intestine is fermented in the colonand may deliver at least some energy, e.g. in form of short-chain fatty acids, the Panel concludes thata rounded estimate of the energy conversion factor forD-tagatose based on the available data andcalculated as ME would be 3 kcal/g (12.5 kJ/g). The Panel considers that additional data on theabsorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion ofD-tagatose in humans w ould help in thecalculation of a more accurate energy conversion factor forD-tagatose based on the concept of ME

Symbiosal^®and lowering of blood pressure and reduced risk of hypertension:evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Han-Biotech GmbH, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Germany, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Symbiosal® , lowering of blood pressure and reduced risk of hypertension. The Panel considers that the food, Symbiosal® , which is the subject of the health claim, and the food, table salt, which Symbiosal® should replace, are sufficiently characterised. Lowering of blood pressure is a beneficial physiological effect. Increased blood pressure is a risk factor for hypertension. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that one human study with some methodological limitations showed an effect of Symbiosal® on blood pressure in the context of a self-selected diet with a maximum of 3 g/day added salt. The Panel also took into account that no other human studies in which these results have been replicated were provided, that the animal studies did not support the results of the human study, that no evidence was provided in support of a mechanism by which Symbiosal® could induce a decrease in blood pressure upon oral consumption as compared to table salt in vivo in humans, and the low biological plausibility of the effect observed in the human intervention study. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Symbiosal® and lowering of blood pressure. </p

NWT-02, a fixed combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and docosahexaenoic acid in egg yolk and reduction of the loss of vision:evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Newtricious R&amp;D B.V., submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of the Netherlands, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to NWT-02 and a reduction of the loss of vision. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is NWT-02. NWT-02 is standardised by its content in lutein (≥ 1.10 mg), zeaxanthin (≥ 0.20 mg) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (≥ 170 mg). The Panel considers that the food/constituent that is the subject of the health claim, NWT-02, a fixed combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and docosahexaenoic acid in egg yolk, is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is ‘reduces loss of vision’. The target population proposed by the applicant is ‘healthy adults over 50 years of age’. The Panel considers that a reduction of the loss of vision is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant provided two human intervention studies for the scientific substantiation of the claim. The Panel considers that the only study from which conclusions can be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claim did not show an effect of NWT-02 on vision. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of NWT-02, a fixed combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and docosahexaenoic acid in egg yolk, and a reduction of the loss of vision.</p

L-carnitine and contribution to normal lipid metabolism:evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Lonza Ltd., submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Germany, the EFSA Panelon Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to L-carnitine and normal lipid metabolism. The food that is proposed as the subject of the health claim is L-carnitine. The Panelconsiders that L-carnitine is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is normal lipid metabolism'. The target population proposed by the applicant is the general population. The Panelconsiders that contribution to normal lipid metabolism is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant proposes that the claim submitted with this application is based on the essentiality of a nutrient. The Panelconsiders that the evidence provided does not establish that dietary L-carnitine is required to maintain normal lipid metabolism in the target population, for which the claim is intended. The Panelconcludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnitine and contribution to normal lipid metabolism in the target population

Scientific Opinion related to a notification from DuPont Nutrition Biosciences Aps on behenic acid from mustard seeds to be used in the manufacturing of certain emulsifiers pursuant to Article 21(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 – for permanent exemption from labelling

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition andAllergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a scienti\ufb01c opinion related to a noti\ufb01cation from DuPont NutritionBiosciences Aps on behenic acid from mustard seeds to be used in the manufacturing of certainemulsi\ufb01ers pursuant to Article 21(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 \u2013 for permanent exemptionfrom labelling. Behenic acid is produced from rapeseed\u2013mustard seed variants prevalent in India,namely Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. (oriental mustard), Brassica rapa (L.) (brown/yellow Sarson orToria), Brassica napus (L.) (rapeseed) and Brassica nigra (L.) W.D.J.Koch (black mustard). No humanor animal allergenicity data were provided by the applic ant for either behenic acid or the emulsi\ufb01ersmanufactured from beheni c acid. Based on enzyme-linke d immunosorbent assay (ELISA) data, thePanel considers that proteins and peptides may not be carried over into behenic acid after the twodistillation steps reported in the manufacturing process in amounts beyond 1 mg/kg. The Panel notesthat the maximum amount of mustard protein that could be consumed from emulsi\ufb01ers manufacturedfrom behenic acid (E 470a, E 471 and E 477) on a single occasion by an adult under the proposedconditions of use would be around 0.00119 mg, which is about 1,000 times lower than the proteindoses repo rted to trigger allergic reactions in mustard-allergic individuals (around 1 mg). On the basisof the data presented, the Panel concludes that oral consumption of emulsi\ufb01ers manufactured usingbehenic acid from mustard seeds (E 470a, E 471 and E 477) are unli kely to trigger an allergic reactionin susceptible individuals (i.e. mustard-allergic individuals) under the proposed conditions of use