BACKGROUND & AIMS: Oral supplementation with vitamin D is recommended for older adults to maintain a sufficient 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status throughout the year. While supplementation with vitamin D2 or D3 is most common, alternative treatment regimens exist which require further investigation with respect to increasing 25(OH)D concentration. We investigated the dose-response effects of supplementation with calcifediol compared to vitamin D3 and assessed the dose which results in mean serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations between 75 and 100 nmol/L.METHODS: This randomized, double-blind intervention study included men and women aged ≥65 years (n = 59). Participants received either 5, 10 or 15 μg calcifediol or 20 μg vitamin D3 per day, for a period of 24 weeks. Blood samples were collected every four weeks to assess response profiles of vitamin D related metabolites; serum vitamin D3, 25(OH)D3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24,25(OH)2D3). Further, serum calcium, plasma parathyroid hormone, and urinary calcium were evaluated.RESULTS: Supplementation with 20 μg vitamin D3 increased 25(OH)D3 concentrations towards 70 nmol/L within 16 weeks. Supplementation with 10 or 15 μg calcifediol increased 25(OH)D3 levels >75 nmol/L in 8 and 4 weeks, respectively. Steady state was achieved from week 12 onwards with serum 25(OH)D3 levels stabilizing between 84 and 89 nmol/L in the 10 μg calcifediol group. A significant association was observed between the changes in 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 (R2 = 0.83, P < 0.01), but not between 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 (R2 = 0.04, P = 0.18). No cases of hypercalcemia occurred in any treatment during the study period.CONCLUSIONS: Calcifediol supplementation rapidly and safely elevates serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations to improve vitamin D status in older adults. A daily dose of 10 μg calcifediol allows serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations to be maintained between 75 and 100 nmol/L.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01868945.
Rationale: The dietary protein counselling of the VITAMIN trial showed to be effective in increasing the protein intake in community-dwelling older adults up to 1.41 g/kg/day after 6-months intervention and sustaining this intake up to 1.24 g/kg/day at 12-months. In this sub-analysis we determine how the increased protein intake was established. Methods: The VITAMIN (VITal AMsterdam older adults IN the city) RCT randomised older adults into: control, exercise, or exercise plus dietary counselling (protein) group. The dietary counselling intervention was blended, by use of face-to-face contacts and videoconferencing during a 6-month intervention, followed by a 6-month follow-up. Dietary intake was measured by a 3d dietary record at 0, 6 and 12 months (m). Sub-group analysis included characterisation of protein sources, product groups, resulting amino acid intake, and intake per meal moment. Linear Mixed Models were performed with SPSSv25; whereas time and time*group interaction were defined as fixed factors, and the protein group as reference.Results: In total 212 subjects were eligible for analysis (72.2 ± 6.3y), with an average protein intake at baseline of 77.8 (20) g/day and 1.08 (0.3) g/kg/day. Animal protein (g) accounted as major source (6m +25.6 (2.7) p<0.001 | 12m +15.6 (2.8) p<0.001), with the main increase in dairy products (g) (6m +14.2 (1.5) p<0.001 | 12m +10.0 (1.5) p<0.001), followed by fish and meat. This resulted in significant changes in amino acid intake: e.g. leucine (g) 6m +2.3 (0.3) p<0.001 | 12m +1.1 (0.3) p<0.001. Significant increased intake for the protein group was seen at all 6 meal moments, and particularly at breakfast (g) 6m +6.2 (1.0) p<0.001 | 12m +6.5 (1.1) p<0.001) and lunch (g) 6m +7.2 (1.3) p<0.001 | 12m +4.0 (1.3) p=0.003.Conclusions: Blended dietary counselling was effective in increasing protein intake in a lifestyle intervention in community-dwelling older adults. This was predominantly achieved by consuming more animal protein sources, particularly dairy products, and especially during breakfast and lunch. Keywords: Ageing, Behaviour change, E-health, Nutrition, Protein
BACKGROUND: Intentional weight loss in obese older adults is a risk factor for muscle loss and sarcopenia.OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine the effect of a high whey protein-, leucine-, and vitamin D-enriched supplement on muscle mass preservation during intentional weight loss in obese older adults.DESIGN: We included 80 obese older adults in a double-blind randomized controlled trial. During a 13-wk weight loss program, all subjects followed a hypocaloric diet (-600 kcal/d) and performed resistance training 3×/wk. Subjects were randomly allocated to a high whey protein-, leucine-, and vitamin D-enriched supplement including a mix of other macro- and micronutrients (150 kcal, 21 g protein; 10×/wk, intervention group) or an isocaloric control. The primary outcome was change in appendicular muscle mass. The secondary outcomes were body composition, handgrip strength, and physical performance. Data were analyzed by using ANCOVA and mixed linear models with sex and baseline value as covariates.RESULTS: At baseline, mean ± SD age was 63 ± 5.6 y, and body mass index (in kg/m(2)) was 33 ± 4.4. During the trial, protein intake was 1.11 ± 0.28 g · kg body weight(-1) · d(-1) in the intervention group compared with 0.85 ± 0.24 g · kg body weight(-1) · d(-1) in the control group (P < 0.001). Both intervention and control groups decreased in body weight (-3.4 ± 3.6 kg and -2.8 ± 2.8 kg; both P < 0.001) and fat mass (-3.2 ± 3.1 kg and -2.5 ± 2.4 kg; both P < 0.001), with no differences between groups. The 13-wk change in appendicular muscle mass, however, was different in the intervention and control groups [+0.4 ± 1.2 kg and -0.5 ± 2.1 kg, respectively; β = 0.95 kg (95% CI: 0.09, 1.81); P = 0.03]. Muscle strength and function improved over time without significant differences between groups.CONCLUSION: A high whey protein-, leucine-, and vitamin D-enriched supplement compared with isocaloric control preserves appendicular muscle mass in obese older adults during a hypocaloric diet and resistance exercise program and might therefore reduce the risk of sarcopenia. This trial was registered at the Dutch Trial Register (http://www.trialregister.nl) as NTR2751.
The seaweed aquaculture sector, aimed at cultivation of macroalgal biomass to be converted into commercial applications, can be placed within a sustainable and circular economy framework. This bio-based sector has the potential to aid the European Union meet multiple EU Bioeconomy Strategy, EU Green Deal and Blue Growth Strategy objectives. Seaweeds play a crucial ecological role within the marine environment and provide several ecosystem services, from the take up of excess nutrients from surrounding seawater to oxygen production and potentially carbon sequestration. Sea lettuce, Ulva spp., is a green seaweed, growing wild in the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea. Sea lettuce has a high nutritional value and is a promising source for food, animal feed, cosmetics and more. Sea lettuce, when produced in controlled conditions like aquaculture, can supplement our diet with healthy and safe proteins, fibres and vitamins. However, at this moment, Sea lettuce is hardly exploited as resource because of its unfamiliarity but also lack of knowledge about its growth cycle, its interaction with microbiota and eventually, possible applications. Even, it is unknown which Ulva species are available for aquaculture (algaculture) and how these species can contribute to a sustainable aquaculture biomass production. The AQULVA project aims to investigate which Ulva species are available in the North Sea and Wadden Sea which can be utilised in onshore aquaculture production. Modern genomic, microbiomic and metabolomic profiling techniques alongside ecophysiological production research must reveal suitable Ulva selections with high nutritional value for sustainable onshore biomass production. Selected Ulva spp lines will be used for production of healthy and safe foods, anti-aging cosmetics and added value animal feed supplements for dairy farming. This applied research is in cooperation with a network of SME’s, Research Institutes and Universities of Applied Science and is liaised with EU initiatives like the EU-COST action “SeaWheat”.
Cupplement; Koffie voor sporters. Een dagelijks kopje verrijkt in vitamines kan sporters helpen om te voorzien in de extra behoefte van deze vitamines. Uit HU onderzoek blijkt dat koffie uit cups in principe kunnen worden verrijkt met vitamines. In dit project voorstel zullen de volgende vervolg activiteiten worden verricht, namelijk: • Analyse van de beschikbaarheid van vitamines in koffie namelijk; o wateroplosbare vitamines, (andere vitBs). o vetoplosbare vitamines (vitD). • Kwaliteit en shelf life testen. • Smaakoptimalisatie na verrijking. Het uiteindelijk resultaat zal zijn, een koffie blend in cups verrijkt met vit B en D waarvan de smaak is geoptimaliseerd.
De LTO heeft aangekaart wat het belang van licht is voor het welzijn van paarden. Zowel de lichtsterkte, als de kleur en de lichtduur hebben effect op het welzijn van het paard. Licht is noodzakelijk voor een goede gezondheid en zorgt voor het aanmaken van vitaminen en het aansturen van de voortplantingscyclus. Ook de Federatie van Nederlandse Ruitersportcentra (FNRS) heeft recent (april jl.) geschreven over het belang van natuurlijk daglicht. Ledverlichting in de stal die zonlicht nabootst zorgt voor meer rust en minder stress bij paarden, wat meetbaar is in de hormoonspiegels in het bloed. Er zijn commercieel verkrijgbare lampen die natuurlijk daglicht nabootsen, maar er is nog geen lamp die rekening houdt met meerdere kleuren (rood, blauw, groen en geel) licht, wat belangrijk is voor paarden. . Geel licht zou bijvoorbeeld bijdragen aan een betere wateropname. De lichaamstemperatuur van het paard blijkt toe te nemen bij blauw en rood licht, maar af te nemen bij groen of geel licht. Rood licht zorgt voor het stimuleren van de nachtelijke stijging in melatonine, terwijl blauw licht juist een verlaging in melatonine veroorzaakt wat bijdraagt aan meer alertheid. Signify® heeft verschillende modulaire lichtsystemen op de markt gebracht voor kippen, vissen en varkens, maar nog niet voor paarden. De innovatie is hier de aanpasbaarheid en modulariteit van het systeem. Voordat deze lichtsystemen ook voor paarden ontwikkeld kunnen worden, wil Signify® eerst meer onderzoek laten doen naar wat nu écht belangrijk is voor een paard. Signify heeft deze vraag neergelegd bij Lentiz MBO Maasland. In samenwerking met EquInnoLab. en de HAS green academy wil Lentiz daarom een onderzoek uitvoeren naar het effect van de aanwezigheid en de kleur van licht op het (slaap)gedrag en fysiologie van het paard.
