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dr emma derbyshire phd rnutr (public health) nutritional insight ltd

lateSt On Pregnancy micrOnutrientS: neW Data On iODine StatuS

Iodine is important for pregnancy as it helps make thyroid hormones needed for growth, metabolism and babies’ brain development. Now, new work has measured the iodine status of pregnant mums in the UK.

The SPRINT (Selenium in PRegnancy INTervention) trials recruited a sample of 230 women and took spoturine samples at weeks 12, 20 and 35 of pregnancy. The iodine-to-creatine ratio (a measure of iodine deficiency) was also measured.

Mean iodine concentration from all time points was 56.8μg/L and the iodineto-creatinine ratio was 116μg/g, indicating that women were mildly to moderately iodine deficient in each trimester. Only 3.0% of women took prenatal supplements containing iodine.

On the whole, these findings indicate that this group of pregnant women were mildly to moderately iodine deficient at all trimesters, which is concerning. More studies in other populations are now needed.

Vitamin D anD anaemia link?

There is heightened awareness about vitamin D deficiency. As this may also come hand in hand with diseases that involve inflammatory processes, it seems likely that anaemia could also follow. New work has looked into this.

A large cross-sectional study of 638 healthy American adults measured vitamin D (25(OH)D) status and anaemia incidence. Results found that black Americans with serum 25(OH)D) levels less than <50nmol/l had an increased likelihood of anaemia with inflammation.

Taken together, these results indicate that individuals with darker skin, poor vitamin D status and inflammation are at greatest risk of having anaemia.

For more information, see Smith EM et al (2015). British Journal of Nutrition Vol 113, Issue 11, pg 1732-40.

dr emma derbyshire is a freelance nutritionist and former senior academic. her interests include pregnancy and public health. www.nutritionalinsight.co.uk hello@nutritionalinsight.co.uk

magneSium & geStatiOnal DiaBeteS

The number of women developing diabetes in pregnancy is on the rise. While conventional treatments are one option, emerging evidence suggests a possible role for magnesium supplements.

Seventy pregnant women with diabetes were randomly allocated to take: 250mg magnesium oxide or a placebo for six weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of the intervention.

Results showed that fasting plasma glucose levels and serum insulin levels were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.001) amongst women who took the magnesium, compared with the placebo by the end of the study.

Overall, the findings from this trial indicate a possible role for magnesium in the management of gestational diabetes. More work is now needed to better understand how magnesium exerts its actions.

For more information, see: Bath SC et al (2015). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol 101 no 6, pg. 1180-7 and Asemi Z et al (2015). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol 102 no 1, pg. 222-29.

Protein has been hot on the agenda at conferences this year. This seems to be down to the growing body of evidence linking its consumption to satiety and weight management benefits. Now, some new papers add to this further.

One of the main verdicts from the Protein Summit 2.0 Conference, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was that protein dietary guidelines might need to be revisited.

The current Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kg. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that amounts around twice this could help to promote a healthy body weight, preserve lean body mass and functional ability with age.

Another article looking at the benefits of higher protein diets also concluded that about 1.2 and 1.6g protein per kg a day in the form of 25-30 grams of protein per meal led to improvements in appetite, body weight and cardio-metabolic health.

These are interesting findings, implying that a revisit of guidelines and the composition of our diets may be needed.

Vitamin D anD DePreSSiOn link

As there are vitamin D receptors in the brain, it makes sense that there could be links with brain function and mood. Now, a new Dutch study has looked at this.

Amongst a large sample of 2839 adults aged ≥65 years, vitamin D (25(OH)D) status was measured and depression measured using a validated scale. Genes affecting vitamin-D status were also studied.

Results showed that individuals with a higher vitamin D status, i.e. in the second, third or fourth quartiles, had a 22%, 21% and 18% lower score of depressive symptoms compared with those with lower vitamin D status, i.e. in the first quartile.

These are interesting findings, indicating that low vitamin D status could contribute to depression. Genetic make-up did not affect vitamin D status in this study. Further studies, including randomised trials are now needed.

For more information, see Brouwer-Brolsma EM et al (2015). European Journal of Nutrition [Epub ahead of print].

mOnOgen - nutritiOnally cOmPlete

neStlé nutritiOn inStitute Satellite SymPOSium at BSaci SePtemBer 2015

Monogen is a nutritionally complete, low fat, powdered feed low in LCT and high in MCT. Monogen is intended for use in the dietary management of defects of long-chain fatty acid oxidation and may also be suitable for infants and children requiring a very low fat diet such as seen in Chylothorax, Intestinal Lymphangiectasia and Hyperlipoproteinaemia Type I. Next generation Monogen contains essential fatty acids and is supplemented with DHA. Visit http://nutricia.co.uk/products/view/fatty_acid_oxidation_disorders/monogen

Are you interested in increasing the awareness of Cows’ Milk Allergy (CMA)? If so please visit us on Stand 20 at the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) Meeting, Telford, 4-6 September. We will be sponsoring a satellite symposium on CMA. Topics include: • “Cows’ Milk Protein Allergy: Improving Standards of Care in Paediatric Practice” • “What do we know about lactose?” • “Introducing the new Cows’ Milk Symptom

Score (CoMiSS)” For more details please contact your local representative. For information on our Allergy product portfolio please visit: www.nestlehealthscience.co.uk

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