{"title":"Vitamins B<sub>9</sub> and B<sub>12</sub> in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).","authors":"Fatemeh Razavinia, Atefeh Ebrahimiyan, Shahla Faal Siahkal, Neda Ghazinezhad, Parvin Abedi","doi":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000809","DOIUrl":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000809","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b></b> <i>Background:</i> Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder that begins before age 12. Given the role of B group vitamins in cell metabolism, synthesis of nucleotides, and neurotransmitters, the present study systematically investigated the plasma levels of vitamins B<sub>9</sub> and B<sub>12</sub> in children with ADHD. <i>Methods:</i> We searched electronic databases including Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Iran MEDEX, Cochran database, and SID from conception to June 2023. Full-text case-control or cross-sectional studies were included in this study. Participants in the case group were children with ADHD aged 6-12 years. Review Manager Software (RevMan 5.4) was used for statistical analyses. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% CIs were used to determine the differences between the two groups. <i>Results:</i> Six studies were included in the present meta-analysis. They included 982 children, of whom, 204 were girls and 744 were boys. The mean age of the children was 8.86±2.03 years. The level of vitamin B<sub>9</sub> was significantly different between children with and without ADHD [SMD -0.80, 95% CI (-1.55, -0.04)]. Vitamin B<sub>12</sub> was significantly lower in children with ADHD [SMD -0.29, 95% CI (-0.42, -0.16)]. However, due to high heterogeneity (I<sup>2</sup> = 93%), sensitivity analysis was used, I<sup>2</sup> fell to 21%, and significant difference was observed between the two groups [SMD -0.19, 95% CI (-0.34, -0.04)]. <i>Conclusion:</i> The results of this systematic review showed that the level of vitamins B<sub>9</sub> and B<sub>12</sub> in children with ADHD was significantly lower than that in healthy children.</p>","PeriodicalId":13884,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research","volume":"94 5-6","pages":"476-484"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141431898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stephanie J Davis, Sara A Arscott, Shellen Goltz, Cassidy Muir, Neil Binkley, Sherry A Tanumihardjo
{"title":"Urinary 2- to 16α-hydroxyestrone ratio did not change with cruciferous vegetable intake in premenopausal women.","authors":"Stephanie J Davis, Sara A Arscott, Shellen Goltz, Cassidy Muir, Neil Binkley, Sherry A Tanumihardjo","doi":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000785","DOIUrl":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000785","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b></b> The mass ratio of urinary 2-hydroxyestrone to 16-α-hydroxyestrone (2:16) is hypothesized as a biomarker of breast cancer risk in premenopausal women, with higher ratios being theoretically protective. Cruciferous vegetable intake has been associated with higher urinary 2:16 in some studies. We investigated whether a whole-food supplement made from dried Brussels sprouts and kale would increase urinary 2:16 in comparison with placebo or cruciferous vegetables in women. This randomized, parallel arm, placebo-controlled, partly blinded study included 78 healthy premenopausal women (38-50 y) with screening urinary 2:16 ≤3.0. Subjects received either six capsules containing 550 mg dried Brussels sprouts and kale per capsule, 40 g daily alternating broccoli or Brussels sprouts, or placebo for eight weeks. Urinary 2:16 and creatinine were measured at baseline, four, and eight weeks. Intent-to-treat repeated measures-ANOVA with multiple imputation (<i>n</i>=100) for missing values identified no treatment effect (<i>P</i>=0.9) or treatment-by-time interaction (<i>P</i>=0.6); however, a significant time effect was noted (<i>P</i>=0.02). Per-protocol analyses including complete cases found no treatment effect (<i>P</i>=1) or treatment-by-time interaction (<i>P</i>=0.6); however, the significant time effect remained (<i>P</i>=0.03). Restricting analysis to subjects with >80% compliance maintained the time effect (<i>P</i>=0.02). Using Pearson correlations, android-pattern and android:gynoid fat were predictive of change (<i>P</i>≤0.05). In conclusion, neither cruciferous supplements nor an added vegetable serving altered urinary 2:16 in premenopausal women with eight weeks treatment. This ratio did vary with time, which is important for designing future trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":13884,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research","volume":" ","pages":"177-186"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9717333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Serum carotenoid levels are positively associated with DNA methylation of thioredoxin-interacting protein.","authors":"Keisuke Maeda, Hiroya Yamada, Eiji Munetsuna, Ryosuke Fujii, Mirai Yamazaki, Yoshitaka Ando, Genki Mizuno, Yoshiki Tsuboi, Hiroaki Ishikawa, Koji Ohashi, Shuji Hashimoto, Nobuyuki Hamajima, Koji Suzuki","doi":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000791","DOIUrl":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000791","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b></b> <i>Background:</i> Carotenoids have been reported to exert protective effects against age-related diseases via changes in DNA methylation. Although lower <i>thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)</i> DNA methylation is associated with age-related diseases, only a few studies have investigated the factors influencing <i>TXNIP</i> DNA methylation. Carotenoids may be a factor linking TXNIP to specific pathophysiological functions. The aim of this study was to examine whether serum carotenoid levels are associated with <i>TXNIP</i> DNA methylation levels. <i>Methods:</i> We conducted a cross-sectional study using 376 health examination participants (169 men). DNA methylation levels were determined using a pyrosequencing assay. Serum carotenoid levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between <i>TXNIP</i> DNA methylation levels and serum carotenoid levels with adjustment for age, BMI, HbA1c, CRP, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, exercise habits, and percentage of neutrophils. <i>Results:</i> Multiple linear regression analyses showed that <i>TXNIP</i> DNA methylation levels were positively associated with serum levels of zeaxanthin/lutein (<i>β</i> [95%CI]: 1.935 [0.184, 3.685]), β-cryptoxanthin (1.447 [0.324, 2.570]), α-carotene (1.061 [0.044, 2.077]), β-carotene (1.272 [0.319, 2.226]), total carotenes (1.255 [0.040, 2.469]), total xanthophylls (2.133 [0.315, 3.951]), provitamin A (1.460 [0.402, 2.519]), and total carotenoids (1.972 [0.261, 3.683]) in men (all <i>p</i><0.05). Of these, provitamin A showed the stronger association (standardized <i>β</i>=0.216). No significant association of <i>TXNIP</i> DNA methylation and serum carotenoid was observed in women. <i>Conclusions:</i> The findings of this study suggest that carotenoid intake may protect against age-related diseases by altering <i>TXNIP</i> DNA methylation status in men.</p>","PeriodicalId":13884,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research","volume":" ","pages":"210-220"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41119526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"LIFANA - toward developing a meal recommender system as a dietary support app for the elderly.","authors":"Torsten Bohn, Krizia Ferrini, Christoph Stahl","doi":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000795","DOIUrl":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000795","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b></b> <i>Background:</i> Though a variety of eHealth/mHealth dietary solutions exist, many are ill-adapted to the target population and local eating habits. A specific need exists for the elderly, a growing vulnerable population with limited digital literacy. The LIFANA project aimed at developing a mobile nutrition solution, i.e. a dietary meal-recommender app for personalized meal planning useful for the elderly. <i>Methods:</i> In addition to considering age, gender, and physical activity, the app assured sufficient intake of calories and proteins. The solution was optimized to consider local eating culture in Portugal (PT)/The Netherlands (NL) where it was tested. Recipes (>300) were included and aligned with national food composition dietary databases (FCDBs) to analyse their nutritional values for meal planning. Individual dietary preferences, food restrictions (i.e., allergies), and budget considerations were included in the user profile. The development process involved user integration, including focus groups and usability evaluations, followed by longer field trials in Portugal (n=53 participants, age 60-81 y, 14 months) and the Netherlands (n=107, age 52-86 y, 3 months). Endpoints regarding acceptance/usage frequency, anthropometric measures and (in PT) blood pressure and body fat were collected. <i>Results:</i> 23/34 elderly finalized the trials in PT/NL. No significant changes in anthropometry or other assessed markers, including blood pressure, were observed. 9% (NL) and 47% (PT) of users reported that they would consider using the solution if it were on the market. <i>Conclusions:</i> Via an iterative adaptive process, a dietary app was developed and improved that demonstrated acceptance/user-friendliness comparable to other tools available on the market and allowed - despite the COVID crisis - for stable anthropometric markers and blood pressure. However, it was also observed that additional features, such as a link to an online shopping app, and closer personal follow-up was associated with increased usability and acceptance of the solution and thus further personalization and nudges are warranted to increase employment of such dietary apps.</p>","PeriodicalId":13884,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research","volume":" ","pages":"221-238"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50157863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ülgen S Fideli, Ann I Scher, Cara Olsen, Elizabeth Hisle-Gorman
{"title":"Assessing mean corpuscular volume as a screening tool for gestational vitamin B12 deficiency based on NHANES.","authors":"Ülgen S Fideli, Ann I Scher, Cara Olsen, Elizabeth Hisle-Gorman","doi":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000788","DOIUrl":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000788","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b></b> Vitamin B12 can lead to neurological deficits. We assessed whether the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) could be a sufficiently sensitive measurement for abnormal serum methylmalonic Acid (MMA) and total plasma homocysteine (tHCY) (biomarkers of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency) and if so, at what cutoff value. A total of 26,397 participants (12,730 males and 13,667 females) were included in the analysis. Weighted analysis was performed using NHANES data to calculate crude/adjusted associations between MCV-MMA/tHCY, using linear regression. Unadjusted odds ratios (OR) 95% CIs were estimated from logistic regression models. Receiver Operating Curve and the Youden Index were used to identify the MCV level that most accurately distinguished those with abnormal MMA and tHCY (dependent variables) from those without. A positive and significant correlation between MCV-MMA/tHCY was found in the general population between ages 18-85, 0.95 (95% C.I. 0.75-1.17) and 2.61 (95% C.I. 2.15-3.08). In pregnant women, for every unit increase in MCV there was a 19% increase in odds of abnormal MMA, OR 1.19 (95% C.I. 1.08-1.31), p=0.001 and the Area Under the Curve for MCV as a test for abnormal MMA was 78%. An MCV cutoff of 93.1 correctly identified abnormal MMA in pregnant women with 81% sensitivity and 77% specificity. In the general population the MCV test performed poorly in identifying abnormal MMA/tHCY. MCV is an inexpensive measurement that may be useful to screen asymptomatic pregnant women for vitamin B12 abnormalities. This may have a significant impact on reducing adverse neurological outcomes in their children.</p>","PeriodicalId":13884,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research","volume":" ","pages":"198-209"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9828267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Could polyphenols be an effective treatment in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome?","authors":"Esra Irmak, Nazli Tunca Sanlier, Nevin Sanlier","doi":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000802","DOIUrl":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000802","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b></b> Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a health problem observed in women of reproductive age. Different diets, physical activity recommendations and lifestyle changes can be effective in dealing with the symptoms of PCOS. Nutrition is indeed an essential part of the treatment of the disease as it directly affects body weight loss, insulin resistance, lipid profile, hormones, and dermatological complaints such as acne. Polyphenols, simply classified as flavonoids and non-flavonoids, are bioactive components found in plant-based foods. The most common polyphenols in the diet are flavanols, flavonols, flavanone, anthocyanins. In particular, polyphenols which are compounds naturally found in foods, have antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic benefits along with many other ones. In the treatment of PCOS, polyphenols may help reduce the symptoms, improve insulin resistance and poor lipid profile, and cure hormonal disorders. It has been reported that polyphenols are influential in menstrual cycle disorders and enable a decrease in body weight, hyperandrogenism, estrogen, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratios and LH. For adequate daily intake of polyphenols, which are found in high amounts in fruits and vegetables, at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables should be consumed in addition to a healthy nutrition pattern. In this review, the effects of various polyphenols on polycystic ovary syndrome are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":13884,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research","volume":" ","pages":"422-433"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139477831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dietary iron and the risk of lung cancer.","authors":"Milad Mohammadzadeh, Alireza Bahrami, Fatemeh Ghafouri-Taleghani, Saman Khalesi, Fatemeh Abdi, Ehsan Hejazi","doi":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000789","DOIUrl":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000789","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b></b> Animal models have suggested the carcinogenic effect of iron due to its oxidative potential. The lung is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. However, epidemiological studies investigating the association between dietary iron and the risk of lung cancer have reported inconclusive results. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to clarify this association. <i>Methods:</i> We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google scholar for eligible articles published through May 2023 reporting the Relative Risk (RR), Hazard Ratio (HR) or Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Case-control and cohort studies that examined the relationship between dietary iron and lung cancer risk were included and review and meta-analyses articles, experimental studies, abstracts, letters to editor and studies with insufficient data were excluded. Finally, three case-control studies and 6 cohort studies were included. Random effect models were used to calculate the pooled results. <i>Results:</i> Nine studies (cases <i>n</i>=21,943, participants <i>n</i>=1,542,993) were included. There were no significant associations between the highest dietary total iron (heme and non-heme) (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.51) or heme iron (RR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.38) intake compared to the lowest intake with lung cancer risk. Null-associations were also observed in the subgroup analysis based on smoking status and lung cancer histology. However, in the subgroup of women (cases <i>n</i>=5074), heme iron was associated with a 14% increase in the risk of lung cancer (RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.29). <i>Conclusions:</i> The current results demonstrated that there is no significant relationship between dietary iron intake and the risk of lung cancer. However, a positive association was observed between dietary heme iron and the risk of lung cancer in women, which may require further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":13884,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research","volume":" ","pages":"264-274"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9837414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mei Ha, Yuhui Yang, Mingzhu Wu, Ting Gong, Zongyue Chen, Luo Yu
{"title":"Astaxanthin could regulate the gut-kidney axis to mitigate kidney injury in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.","authors":"Mei Ha, Yuhui Yang, Mingzhu Wu, Ting Gong, Zongyue Chen, Luo Yu","doi":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000786","DOIUrl":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000786","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b></b> Accumulating evidences have shown the beneficial effects of astaxanthin (AST) supplementation on metabolic diseases prevention and treatment. The goal of present study was to reveal the favorable interactions among AST supplementation, gut microbiota, and kidneys <i>in vivo</i>, so as to attenuate kidney impairment in diabetic mice. Twenty C57BL/6J mice were assigned to a normal control group and a diabetic model group induced by a high-fat diet plus low-dose streptozotocin, and then the diabetic mice were fed with a high-fat diet without or with AST [0.01% (AST_a) or 0.02% (AST_b)] for 12 weeks. When compared to the diabetes kidney disease (DKD) group, AST supplementation delayed the renal pathological progression, reduced fasting blood glucose (AST_b: 1.53-fold, <i>p</i><0.05), repressed levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; AST_a: 1.24-fold, <i>p</i>=0.008; AST_b: 1.43-fold, <i>p</i><0.001) and TMAO (AST_a: 1.51-fold, <i>p</i>=0.001; AST_b: 1.40-fold, <i>p</i>=0.003), inhibited IL-6 (AST_a: 1.40-fold, <i>p</i>=0.004; AST_b: 1.57-fold, <i>p</i>=0.001) and reactive oxygen species (ROS; AST_a: 1.30-fold, <i>p</i>=0.004; AST_b: 1.53-fold, <i>p</i><0.001), as well as regulated the Sirt1/PGC-1α/NFκB p65 signaling pathway. Moreover, the results of 16S rRNA gene-based Illumina deep sequencing in each group revealed that dietary AST supplementation also favorably modulated the gut microbiota compared with the DKD group, as evidenced by the inhibition of the harmful bacteria <i>Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1</i>, <i>Romboutsia,</i> and <i>Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002,</i> and the enhancement of the probiotics such as <i>Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Roseburia,</i> and <i>Ruminococcaceae</i>. Taken together, dietary AST supplementation could protect kidneys against inflammation and oxidative stress by adjusting the gut-kidney axis in diabetic mice.</p>","PeriodicalId":13884,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research","volume":" ","pages":"187-197"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10129016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Selenium and children's cognition.","authors":"Ya-Zhi Bai, Shuang-Qing Zhang","doi":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000787","DOIUrl":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000787","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13884,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research","volume":" ","pages":"161-162"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10135552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katarzyna Wzorek-Łyczko, Weronika Woźniak, Anna Piwowarczyk, Ernest Kuchar
{"title":"The anti-infective effect of β-glucans in children.","authors":"Katarzyna Wzorek-Łyczko, Weronika Woźniak, Anna Piwowarczyk, Ernest Kuchar","doi":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000793","DOIUrl":"10.1024/0300-9831/a000793","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b></b> <i>Background:</i> β-glucans are bioactive β-D-glucose polysaccharides of natural origin, presenting antimicrobial and immunomodulation properties, with a low risk of toxicity. <i>Objectives:</i> This scoping review aims to present the current knowledge on the anti-infective properties of β-glucans in the pediatric population. <i>Methods:</i> We used the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist to prepare this review. Studies were identified by electronic searches of Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to May 2021. <i>Results:</i> The primary search allowed us to find 6232 studies, twelve of which were finally included in the analysis. Eight studies were designed as randomized, placebo-controlled trials, while in four studies the intervention outcome was compared with the pre-intervention period in the same group. The type of preparation and doses varied between studies: in five trials pleuran was administered (in dose 10 mg/5 kg of body weight/day), and in one study baker's yeast β-glucan was used (in two doses: 35 mg/day and 75 mg/day). In six other studies, the analyzed preparation comprised β-glucan and other substances. The shortest study lasted seven days, while the most prolonged intervention lasted six months, followed by six months of follow-up. Ten out of twelve trials demonstrated the effectiveness of β-glucans in reducing respiratory tract infection incidence or alleviation of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. Ten out of twelve studies have reported a good tolerance and safety profile. <i>Conclusions:</i> Good tolerance of β-glucans shows a favorable benefit-risk ratio of this type of intervention. Nevertheless, further monitoring of their efficacy and safety in high-quality research is necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":13884,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research","volume":" ","pages":"296-307"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41110610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}