Who should take vitamin supplements?

Truswell, Stewart

doi:10.1136/bmj.301.6744.135

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 21 publications

(3 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Besides efficacy, however, 4 other major concerns related to multiple-micronutrient supplementation (119) are also relevant to developing countries. First, women eating a good diet are more likely to take supplements regularly than are those at greater risk of micronutrient deficiencies.…”

Section: Multiple-micronutrient Supplementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition in pregnancy: mineral and vitamin supplements

Ladipo

2000

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

201

129

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Pregnancy is associated with physiologic changes that result in increased plasma volume and red blood cells and decreased concentrations of circulating nutrient-binding proteins and micronutrients. In many developing countries, these physiologic changes can be aggravated by undernutrition, leading to micronutrient deficiency states, such as anemia, that can have disastrous consequences for both mothers and newborn infants. Multiple micronutrients are often taken by pregnant women in developed countries, but their benefits are limited, except for prophylactic folic acid taken during the periconceptional period. Women in developing countries may benefit from multiple-micronutrient prophylaxis in pregnancy, but the underlying basis and rationale for changing from supplementation with iron and folate to supplementation with multiple micronutrients has not been debated in the context of existing program objectives. There is an urgent need for this discussion so that both program effectiveness and program efficacy can be improved. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72(suppl):280S-90S. KEY WORDSNutrition, vitamins, trace elements, minerals, pregnancy, requirements INTRODUCTIONThe demand for both energy and nutrients is increased during pregnancy (1). For well-nourished women, only a small amount of additional energy is required because the body adapts to the increased energy requirements and becomes more energy efficient through reduced physical activity and a lowered metabolic rate. Although the average-sized, well-nourished woman requires Ϸ10 460 kJ/d (2000 kcal/d) during the last trimester of pregnancy (2), many women in developing countries restrict their food intake during pregnancy to have smaller infants, on the premise that smaller infants will carry a lower risk of delivery complications (3). Recent evidence suggests, however, that infants who are small or disproportionate at birth have increased health risks later in life (4-6). The hypothesis is that such infants have had to adapt to a limited supply of nutrients and that in so doing their physiology and metabolism are permanently changed, although the rationale for this hypothesis has been challenged (7).Requirements for many, but not all, micronutrients increase during pregnancy. Deficiencies can exist because of losses or malabsorption associated with disease or inadequate intakes, lack of knowledge about adequate prenatal nutrition, or dietary taboos associated with pregnancy (8), with potential adverse consequences for both mothers and newborn infants. Rush (9) notes that anemia in pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension are common and thought to contribute significantly to maternal mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Maine (10), however, shows there is little evidence that nutrition plays a role in pregnancy-induced hypertension.This paper discusses minerals and trace elements as well as fat-and water-soluble vitamins in pregnancy-their concentrations, the requirements for them, the consequences of their deficiency, and the functional eff...

show abstract

Section: Multiple-micronutrient Supplementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition in pregnancy: mineral and vitamin supplements

Ladipo

2000

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

201

129

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In this study, intakes of all these nutrients were considerably higher than the RNIs. Truswell (1990) has suggested that three things may go wrong when people choose to take supplements themselves. Firstly, people eating a good diet are more likely to take supplements regularly than those at risk of nutritional deficiency (Worsley & Crawford, 1984;Surgeon General, 1988).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a nutrition education programme for people with multiple sclerosis

Doidge

1993

J Human Nutrition Diet

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A nutrition education programme was designed specifically to meet the needs of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and implemented in five self-help group. The programme was evaluated by means of two 7-day weighed food and drink records carried out before and after the programme, by an attitude questionnaire and subjectively by the dietitians and participants.Although the diets of the 48 participants were good before the programme, there were significant improvements in the mean intakes of added sugar, saturated fatty acids, K-3 PUFA, P/S ratio and energy from N-3 PUFA in both males and females. RNIs for all mean intakes of vitamins and minerals were met by males and females both before and after the programme and intakes were generally better than mean values for the British adult population.Seventy-five per cent of the group took food supplements before the programme and 65% after. The diets of those people who took supplements before the programme were better, compared with those who did not, in terms of fibre, vitamin C, saturated fatty acids, N-3 and N-6 PUFAs. The supplemented group also made more significant changes in their diets compared with the unsupplemented group.Attitudes towards diet were found to be positive both before and after the programme. Dietitians and participants subjectively evaluated the programme and their suggested alterations were incorporated into the programme.

show abstract

Iron and vitamin supplementation during pregnancy

Montgomery¹

1993

Midwifery Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Who should take vitamin supplements?

Cited by 8 publications

References 21 publications

Nutrition in pregnancy: mineral and vitamin supplements

Nutrition in pregnancy: mineral and vitamin supplements

Evaluation of a nutrition education programme for people with multiple sclerosis

Iron and vitamin supplementation during pregnancy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About