scholarly journals Religious dietary rules and their potential nutritional and health consequences

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Chouraqui ◽  
Dominique Turck ◽  
André Briend ◽  
Dominique Darmaun ◽  
Alain Bocquet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Sodium Intake ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Vegan Diet ◽  
World Population ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Individualized Approach ◽  
Calcium Iron

Abstract Background The vast majority of the world population declares affiliation to a religion, predominantly Christianity and Islam. Many religions have special dietary rules, which may be more or less strictly adhered to. Methods Religious food rules were collected from holy books and religious websites as well as their translation into dietary practices. The literature was searched for potential associations between these rules and potential nutritional consequences. Results Jewish, Islamic and Indian religions support prolonged breastfeeding. Religious avoidance of alcohol is probably beneficial to health. When strictly applied, a few rules may lead to nutritional inadequacies, mainly in populations living in unfavourable socio-economic or environmental conditions. In Jewish and Muslim observants, animal slaughtering procedures may increase the risk of iron deficiency. Jews may be at risk of excess sodium intake related to home-prepared foods. A vegan diet, as observed by some believers, often by drifting from original precepts, or by some Hindus or Buddhists, may result in vitamin B12, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium and n-3 fatty acids deficiencies. Conclusion When implemented in accordance with the rules, most religious food precepts are not detrimental to health, as suggested by the fact that they have more or less been followed for millennia. Nevertheless, some practices may lead to nutritional inadequacies, such as iron, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Patients with low socio-economic status, children and women of childbearing age are of particular risk of such deficiencies. Being aware of them should help health professionals to take an individualized approach to decide whether to supplement or not.

scholarly journals Folate, vitamin B12, ferritin and haemoglobin levels among women of childbearing age from a rural district in South India

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samiksha Singh ◽  
Jaga Jeevan Babu Geddam ◽  
G. Bhanuprakash Reddy ◽  
Dinesh Raj Pallepogula ◽  
Hira Ballabh Pant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
South India ◽  
Rural District ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age

scholarly journals The Profile of Reproductive Age Women Causes of Low Birth Weight (LBW) Baby Incidence in South East Asia 2005-2014

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 14-21
Author(s):  
Laras Sitoayu ◽  
Nanda Aula Rumana
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age

Low birth weight (LBW) accounts for the highest percentage of causes of neonatal death. The purpose of this study was to identify family profiles that influence the incidence of LBW throughout Southeast Asia. The sample in this study were women aged 19-29 years. The data used were secondary data published by Measure Demografic Health Survey (DHS) in 2005-2014. Women's profiles identified included maternal factors (area of residence, education, age, economic status, marital status, parity, location of delivery), health service factors (iron consumption, pregnancy visit / ANC). The results showed that the incidence of LBW occurs a lot with the profile of respondents who have rural areas, even though they have high economic status. Most respondents who gave birth to LBW had secondary and low education, with unmarried marital status and low partner education. In addition, there were still many respondents who were not obedient to antenatal visits and consume less iron. However, some had given birth at local health services, although there were still respondents who had a lot of parity. Researchers  suggest  that women, especially women of  childbearing age, want to pay attention to the risk factors for the incidence of LBW, including consumption of iron and delivery in health services so that the incidence of LBW can be suppressed.  Keyword: family profile, Southeast Asia, LBW, women of childbearing age

scholarly journals Placing a Well-Designed Vegan Diet for Slovenes

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4545
Author(s):  
Boštjan Jakše
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Vegan Diet ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Calcium Iron

Interest in vegan diets has increased globally as well as in Slovenia. The quantity of new scientific data requires a thorough synthesis of new findings and considerations about the current reserved position of the vegan diet in Slovenia. There is frequently confusion about the benefits of vegetarian diets that are often uncritically passed on to vegan diets and vice versa. This narrative review aims to serve as a framework for a well-designed vegan diet. We present advice on how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks associated with the vegan diet and lifestyle. We highlight the proper terminology, present the health effects of a vegan diet and emphasize the nutrients of concern. In addition, we provide guidance for implementing a well-designed vegan diet in daily life. We conducted a PubMed search, up to November 2021, for studies on key nutrients (proteins, vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), calcium, iron, zinc, iodine and selenium) in vegan diets. Given the limited amount of scientific evidence, we focus primarily on the general adult population. A well-designed vegan diet that includes a wide variety of plant foods and supplementation of vitamin B12, vitamin D in the winter months and potentially EPA/DHA is safe and nutritionally adequate. It has the potential to maintain and/or to improve health. For physically active adult populations, athletes or individuals with fast-paced lifestyles, there is room for further appropriate supplementation of a conventional vegan diet according to individuals’ health status, needs and goals without compromising their health. A healthy vegan lifestyle, as included in government guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, includes regular physical activity, avoidance of smoking, restriction of alcohol and appropriate sleep hygiene.

scholarly journals Dietary Intake Adequacy and Food Sources of Nutrients Involved in the Methionine-Methylation Cycle in Women of Childbearing Age from the ANIBES Spanish Population

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2958
Author(s):  
Marina Redruello-Requejo ◽  
Alejandra Carretero-Krug ◽  
Paula Rodríguez-Alonso ◽  
María Lourdes Samaniego-Vaesken ◽  
Teresa Partearroyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Main Food ◽  
Dietary Record ◽  
Methionine Cycle

Growing evidence confirms choline as a critical perinatal nutrient. However, intake levels of choline and betaine among the Spanish fertile population remain unknown. Given their role in one-carbon metabolism with potential epigenetic effects, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the dietary intakes, their adequacy to existing guidelines and the main food sources together with other micronutrients involved in the methylation-methionine cycle (vitamin B6, folates and vitamin B12) in women of childbearing age. The ANIBES study, a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of women of childbearing age (18–45 years, n = 641) resident in Spain, was used. The sample was divided into younger women (18–30 years, n = 251) and older women (31–45 years, n = 390). Dietary intake was assessed by a three-day dietary record by using a tablet device. Total median intakes for the total sample were 303.9 mg/d for choline; 122.6 mg/d for betaine; 1.3 mg/d for vitamin B6; 140.8 μg/d for folates, and 3.8 μg/d for vitamin B12. The older subgroup showed significantly higher choline (p < 0.05), betaine (p < 0.001) and folates (p < 0.05) intakes than younger women. Main food sources for the whole sample were meat and meat products for choline (28.3%), vitamin B6 (25.7%) and vitamin B12 (22.8%); cereals and derivatives (79.9%) for betaine; vegetables (20.0%) for folates. Overall intake adequacy was only observed for vitamin B12, with a very limited number of participants showing adequate intakes for all the other micronutrients. These results illustrate there is a relevant need to raise awareness about optimizing the status of the methionine cycle-related vitamins and cofactors in this potentially vulnerable population.

scholarly journals Iodine status in a Sherpa community in a village of the Khumbu region of Nepal

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1431-1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma E Heydon ◽  
Christine D Thomson ◽  
Jim Mann ◽  
Sheila M Williams ◽  
Sheila A Skeaff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iodine Deficiency ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Urinary Iodine ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
World Population ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Iodine Status ◽  
Goitre Prevalence ◽  
The 1960S

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the iodine status of Sherpa residents living in Kunde village, Khumbu region, Nepal.DesignPrevalence of goitre was determined by palpation. Urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) were determined in casual morning samples, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in finger-prick blood samples on filter paper. Dietary and demographic data were obtained via questionnaire, and selected foods analysed for iodine.SettingKhumbu region is an area of low soil iodine in Nepal, where the prevalence of goitre was greater than 90 % in the 1960s prior to iodine intervention.SubjectsTwo hundred and fifteen of 219 permanent residents of Kunde were studied.ResultsOverall prevalence of goitre was 31 % (Grade 1 goitre, 27·0 %; Grade 2, 4·2 %). When adjusted to a world population, goitre prevalence was 27 % (95 % CI 23, 32 %); Grade 2 goitre prevalence was 2·8 % (95 % CI 1·0, 4·6 %). Median UIC was 97 μg/l, but only 75 μg/l in women of childbearing age. Thirty per cent had UIC < 50 μg/l and 52 % had UIC < 100 μg/l, while 31 % of children aged <14 years had UIC > 300 μg/l. Ten per cent of participants had TSH concentrations >5 μU/ml.ConclusionsThe prevalence of severe iodine deficiency has decreased since the 1960s, but mild iodine deficiency persists, particularly in women of childbearing age. The consumption of high-iodine uncooked instant noodles and flavour sachets by school-aged children contributed to their low prevalence of goitre and excessive UIC values. This finding may obscure a more severe iodine deficiency in the population, while increasing the risk of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism in children. Ongoing monitoring is essential.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Indicators of Vitamin B12 Insufficiency among Young Women of Childbearing Age

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Sara Al-Musharaf ◽  
Philip G. McTernan ◽  
Syed Danish Hussain ◽  
Khalid Abdullah Aleisa ◽  
Abdullah M. Alnaami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Recommended Dietary Allowance ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Dietary Allowance ◽  
Study Participants

Vitamin B12 insufficiency is a global health issue among women of childbearing age, yet few studies have investigated its prevalence and risk factors among healthy Middle Eastern populations. This cross-sectional study included 346 Saudi women aged 19–30 years and enrolled at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A series of questionnaires were administered to record the study participants’ sociodemographic status, medical history, dietary intake, and physical activity. Participants’ anthropometric data were also recorded and their fasting blood samples were analyzed. The rate of vitamin B12 insufficiency (≤220 pmol/L) was approximately 6% among the study participants. After adjusting for confounding factors, it was observed that the risk factors for vitamin B12 insufficiency included daily sitting time ≥ 7 h, low income (<10,000 Saudi riyal) and increasing age. The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin B12 (>2.4 mcg/day) has been shown to confer reasonable protection against vitamin B12 insufficiency. These study findings highlight that a combination of increased physical activity and dietary vitamin B12 intake above the current recommended dietary allowance may help improve the serum vitamin B12 levels of young women of childbearing age, especially those with a low socioeconomic status. Timely detection and protection against vitamin B12 insufficiency in this subpopulation are important to prevent maternal and fetal health risks.

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