Calcium and phosphorus deficiencies affect mineral distribution in neonatal miniature piglets

Article Abstract:

The calcium and phosphorus needs of premature infants are not met by feedings of human milk, so that bone mineralization (calcium salt deposition) is compromised. Long-term studies have shown diminished body lengths at 18 months of age. Bone growth and mineralization in miniature piglets is similar to that of third-trimester fetuses, and mineral needs and rapid growth rate are high in the pigs and in premature infants. The effects on miniature piglets of diets deficient in calcium and phosphorus were evaluated. Piglets were fed diets containing 100 percent (group A), 60 percent (group B), or 20 percent (group C) of required calcium and phosphorus. The diet fed group A was similar to that of special formulas for premature infants, that of group B was similar to that of human milk fortified with minerals, and that of group C resembled unfortified human milk. Body weights of the groups were similar at birth, at weaning, and at 19 days, when the study ended. At 19 days, blood levels of phosphorus were significantly higher in groups A and B compared with C. The weight and calcium and phosphorus contents of the dried whole carcass and of the tibias (shin bones) and thoracic vertebrae (backbones in the region of the ribs) were significantly lower in group C compared with group A. The protein concentration in bones was increased, but absolute levels were similar, indicating that mineral deficiencies did not affect the protein-containing bone matrix. There was a lower ratio of calcium to phosphorus in group C, suggesting that less body calcium was retained. Several indicators of calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen status were similar to those in third-trimester human fetuses, suggesting that the neonatal piglets provide an appropriate model for premature infant bone metabolism. The study indicates that diets deficient in calcium and phosphorus had the greatest effect on mineralization of thoracic vertebrae but had no effect on the skull. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Infants (Premature), Premature infants, Calcium, Calcium (Chemical element), Phosphorus, Phosphorus (Chemical element), Mineral metabolism

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Detoxification and mineral supplementation as functions of geophagy

Article Abstract:

Geophagy, deliberate consumption of earth, is a normal human activity in some cultures, and usually is manifested as consumption of clay. The phenomenon has been studied in terms of adaptive function and within ecological and cultural contexts, while nutritionists tend to look on the practice as aberrant or a symptom of metabolic dysfunction. To better understand the phenomenon, seven clays from Africa and clays associated with consumption of acorns were evaluated in terms of two possible functions. In the first, clays are thought to remedy nutrient deficiencies. A second explanation is that geophagy may detoxify foods by adsorbing harmful molecules or biological substances. Clays from Sardinia and California were traditionally baked with acorns into a bread-like food. Tannins, bitter substances found in many plants including acorns, are toxic when particular amounts are ingested. The degree of adsorption of tannins by clay would not be sufficient to reduce toxic tannin levels. However, unpleasant taste would be decreased. Further, baking acorns with clays reduces tannin availability, thus detoxifying them, providing support for a detoxification role of clays. In addition, however, the acorn clays released significant amounts of calcium, as well as some other minerals, and thus provide a nutritional benefit. Five African clays provided iron, copper, calcium, zinc, or magnesium, depending on the source. Two other African clays were rather poor in mineral nutrition, however. Culturally, some clays were used as stomach medicine, just as kaolin-containing preparations (e.g. Kaopectate) are used in Western societies to treat digestive upsets. The clays are also commonly used to treat vomiting and nausea in pregnancy. The study suggests that geophagy is a useful and normal, rather than aberrant, human behavior. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Clay, Pica (Pathology), Pica

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Vitamin A supplementation reduces measles morbidity in young African children: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

Article Abstract:

Vitamin A deficiency has been reported to increase the rate of sickness and death in children living in developing countries. Studies have shown that with measles the amount of retinol (vitamin A) in the blood decreases, and this may increase the death rate among measles patients. It has been suggested that the death rate from measles may be reduced by vitamin A supplements. Measles is a common disease among poor children in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that in regions where greater than 1 percent of the children who contract measles die, vitamin A supplements should be given to all children who contract the disease. A study was performed to determine if vitamin A supplements are beneficial in improving the recovery of children with measles. Sixty African children who were hospitalized with measles were studied. Ninety percent of the children had abnormally low blood levels of retinol. The children were randomly divided into two groups. Twenty-nine of the children were given vitamin A supplements and 31 were not. The children who were treated with the vitamin A supplements had less severe symptoms (shorter duration of pneumonia, diarrhea and fever), and after six weeks of vitamin supplements they showed improvements in weight gain. One child in the group that did not receive the supplements died. It is concluded that vitamin A supplements are beneficial during measles. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Patient outcomes, Mortality, Complications and side effects, Measles, Africa, Nutritional aspects, Vitamin A, Vitamin A deficiency, Vitamin A in human nutrition

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