Study of the Association of Muscle Strength, Balance and Other Factors With Vitamin Levels Among...
Muscle StrengthVitamin B 12 Deficiency4 moreVitamin B12 deficiency can cause severe problems with the blood, nerves, brain and psychological well-being. Ironically, our modern methods for the control of diabetes mellitus can actually contribute to vitamin B12 deficiency. This is because the diabetic medication "metformin", low-cholesterol diets lacking in meats (a natural source of vitamin B12) and the use of powerful anti-gastric medication can all reduce the natural absorption of vitamin B12 from the diet, especially in elderly people with diabetes. There is both a high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiencies and falls among the elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the investigators hypothesize that B12 deficiency contributes directly and significantly to falls in elderly diabetics through impaired muscle strength, gait and balance. This study therefore proposes to investigate the association between vitamin B12 deficiency and fall risk among diabetic elderly patients (older than 65 years) in the polyclinic setting by assessing muscle strength, balance and walking speed. The predictors of vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine and vitamin D levels will also be explored in this study. If the hypothesis is right, this would be of public health importance & can lead to further studies that can change the way we treat diabetes by reducing falls in our elderly diabetics through the screening for, prevention and treatment of B12 deficiency.
The Vitamin B Status in Type 2 Diabetes (VITA) Study
Diabetes MellitusType 22 moreThe objective of this study was to evaluate vitamin B deficiency (particularly vitamin B6 deficiency) in diabetic patients in Germany in relation to the presence or absence of proteinuria, and global vascular risk.
Maternal B12 Supplementation to Improve Infant B12 Deficiency and Neurodevelopment
Child Developmental DelayChild Malnutrition2 moreVitamin B12 plays a key role in the development and normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. Unborn and new-born infants derive their vitamin B12 stores almost entirely from maternal B12 stores. As such, infants who are born to vegetarian mothers and exclusively breast fed are at a high-risk of B12 deficiency. This is because the best sources of vitamin B12 are found in animal based or fortified foods (e.g. cheese, milk and eggs). Vitamin B12 deficiency is widely reported among antenatal mothers and children, particularly in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) where these food sources are uncommon. So far, studies have shown that antenatal vitamin B12 deficiency in mothers may be associated with poorer neurodevelopment in their children. Furthermore, vitamin B12 supplementation during pregnancy and early lactation has been shown to increase maternal, breast milk, and infant levels of vitamin B12. Although existing literature documents several studies on maternal vitamin B12 supplementation, there is a lack of research on the causative effect of maternal vitamin B12 supplementation on infant development. This project, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), will undertake a multi-centric nutritional trial in Nepal and India, as these are two LMICs where high incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency is reported.
COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF MCI and DEMENTIA TREATMENTS IN A COMMUNITY-BASED DEMENTIA PRACTICE...
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentDementia15 moreThis retrospective study is a more extensive, confirmatory analysis of the cognitive and functional outcomes initially seen in 2 groups of MCI/dementia patients in Springfield, MA and compares specialized dementia care and a comprehensive treatment approach versus usual care delivered in a non-specialist setting. The first group of patients (n= 328) was seen by a dementia specialist, who utilized a standardized assessment and treatment protocol (CNS). This included comprehensive identification and treatment of hypoxia, sleep-disorders, and other cognitively-impairing metabolic conditions as well as maximally- dosed FDA-approved medications for dementia, depression, and PBA. The second group of patients (n= 280) was seen by non-dementia specialists in the community and received usual care which did not include comprehensive assessment or treatment of underlying metabolic derangements or maximal utilization of currently available medications. This study, evaluating date from a larger cohort (n>800) of specialist-treated cognitively-impaired patients, will further examine the hypothesis that a comprehensive dementia treatment protocol yields cognitive stabilization and/or improvement using already available dementia drugs when compared with usual community care.
Vitamin B12 Supplementation Study
Vitamin B12 DeficiencyWe hope to learn the clinical and functional signs of sub-clinical vitamin B12 deficiency and its response to supplementation in non-anemic, non-pregnant, and non-lactating women in Rural Mexico. Vitamin B12 is important in hematopoiesis, neuro-cognitive functions and genetic integrity. However vitamin B12 is only found in animal source foods therefore a large segment of the population in developing countries and those practicing vegetarianism are at risk of deficiency of the vitamin. This information will help decide weather supplementation with vitamin B12 is necessary in such populations for public health reasons.
Cobalamin Deficiency - Diagnosis and Therapy
Vitamin B 12 DeficiencyIn a retrospective study with existing values of vitamin B12 and holotranscobalamin 4 strategies are simulated and the results and costs are compared. Generally, cobalamin ist substituted by intramuscular administration. However, oral preparations are also available. Aims of the focus groups are to investigate the awareness of a (potential) deficiency and to identify a therapy for best adherence.
Supplementation of Critical Nutrients in a Plant-based Diet
DeficiencyVitamin2 more500 participants of the vegan/vegetarian congress VegMed are to be included, which should answer once (cross-sectional study) a medicine socio-behaviorist questionnaire on the topic "supplementation of critical nutrients in a plant-based diet" at the VegMed congress on 21/04/2018. The aim of the study is to understand how experts in this field behave and whether actions taken follow official recommendations.
Holotranscobalamin Remains Unchanged During Pregnancy
Vitamin B12 DeficiencyBackground and objective: Plasma cobalamins decrease during pregnancy but it is not fully elucidated how this is reflected in the total and cobalamin saturated transport proteins, transcobalamin (total TC, holoTC) and haptocorrin (total HC, holoHC). TC transports cobalamin into the cells. The function of HC is unknown, but in contrast to TC it binds both cobalamins and cobalamin analogues. Design and methods: Healthy pregnant women (N=141) had blood samples drawn at 18th, 32nd, 39th gestation week and 8 weeks postpartum. The protein moiety of TC and HC (total and holo) was measured by in-house ELISA methods.
Adults Nutrition as a Protective or Health-risk Factor
Nutritional StatusNutrient Deficiency7 moreTo obtain up-to-date data on nutrient intakes in adults, a national dietary survey - the EU Menu study will be conducted during 12 consecutive months in 2017/2018, providing data on the consumption of foods and enabling the assessment of energy and macronutrient intakes. Participating subjects will be invited to NUTRIHEALTH study for assessment for micronutrient status (focusing into vitamin D, folic acid, vitamin B12, and iron) and medical examination, in which thyroid size will be aslo measured, to investigated thyroid epidemiology in Slovenia.
Metformin Use and Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 DeficiencyType 2 Diabetes MellitusThe primary objective is to determine the incidence of Vitamin B12 deficiency in patients on metformin therapy for diabetes.