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Assessment of Vitamin Deficiency and Benefits of Vitamin Supplementation for Human Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition Methodology & Assessment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 November 2025 | Viewed by 1348

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
Interests: vitamins; nutrients; optimal nutritional status
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Vitamins are essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly. One’s intake via their diet is often inadequate compared to recommendations. Recommendations are often defined to avoid deficiencies. However, it is no longer about vitamin deficiency. Optimal status provides many health benefits. In the Special Issue, the following aspects should be covered:

- What are cut off points for deficiency, suboptimal status, and optimal status?
- Which biomarkers should be used to assess vitamin status?
- What are the benefits of optimal status for long-term health?

Also, the contributions should next address the benefits of single vitamins and how vitamins work in concert regarding the optimal range.

Prof. Dr. Manfred Eggersdorfer
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • vitamins
  • intake
  • optimal status
  • health benefits
  • deficiency

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 1157 KiB  
Article
Examination of Genetic and Epigenetic Characteristics of Patients with Hyperhomocysteinemia Following High-Dose Folic Acid Consumption
by Barbara K. Bartak, Zsofia B. Nagy, Nikolett Szakallas, Alexandra Kalmar, Eszter Farkas, Fruzsina Banyai, Orsolya Pipek, Istvan Csabai, Nora Sydo, Emese Csulak, Bela Merkely, Istvan Takacs and Bela Molnar
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2133; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132133 - 27 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Purpose: Homocysteine (HCY) metabolism is regulated by the methionine cycle, which is essential for DNA methylation and is associated with the folate cycle. This study examines the alterations in DNA methylation signature including epigenetic age changes, measure cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and HCY concentrations, [...] Read more.
Purpose: Homocysteine (HCY) metabolism is regulated by the methionine cycle, which is essential for DNA methylation and is associated with the folate cycle. This study examines the alterations in DNA methylation signature including epigenetic age changes, measure cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and HCY concentrations, and identifies genetic markers that may influence homocysteine response following folic acid (FA) supplementation in individuals with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC). Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 43 HHC patients undergoing FA supplementation. We quantified FA and HCY levels, separated plasma and white blood cell fractions, and evaluated global DNA methylation using LINE-1 bisulfite pyrosequencing. Biological age was determined using Illumina BeadArray technology, and whole-exome sequencing was performed to investigate the patients’ genetic backgrounds. Results: Following FA supplementation, cfDNA levels significantly decreased and correlated positively with HCY (r = 0.2375). Elevated average LINE-1 methylation of cfDNA and PBMC-origin DNA was observed, with mean relative changes of 1.9% for both sample types. Regarding HCY levels, we categorized patients based on their response to FA supplementation. FA responders showed decreased HCY from 15.7 ± 5.5 to 11 ± 2.9 µmol/L, while in FA non-responders, an opposite trend was detected. The average biological age was reduced by 2.6 years, with a notable reduction observed in 80% of non-responders and 48% of responders. Sequencing identified mutations in several genes related to the one-carbon cycle, including MTRR, CHAT, and MTHFD1, with strong correlations to the non-responder phenotypes found in genes like PRMT3, TYMS, DNMT3A, and HIF3A. Conclusions: FA supplementation influences the HCY level, as well as affects the cfDNA amount and the DNA methylation pattern. However, genetic factors may play a crucial role in mediating individual responses to folate intake, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches in managing hyperhomocysteinemia. Full article
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16 pages, 1563 KiB  
Article
Low Vitamin D Status Attenuates Hypolipidemic and Pleiotropic Effects of Atorvastatin in Women
by Robert Krysiak, Karolina Kowalcze, Witold Szkróbka and Bogusław Okopień
Nutrients 2025, 17(10), 1674; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17101674 - 15 May 2025
Viewed by 842
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Low vitamin D status seems to be associated with increased cardiometabolic risk, and was found to attenuate cardiometabolic benefits of statins in men. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether a different vitamin D status determines the pleiotropic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Low vitamin D status seems to be associated with increased cardiometabolic risk, and was found to attenuate cardiometabolic benefits of statins in men. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether a different vitamin D status determines the pleiotropic effects of statins in women. Methods: This pilot, single-center, prospective, matched-cohort study included 78 women with hypercholesterolemia requiring statin therapy, assigned into one of three age-, plasma lipid-, and body mass index-matched groups: women with vitamin D deficiency (group I), women with vitamin D insufficiency (group II), and women with normal vitamin D homeostasis (group III). Throughout the study (16 weeks), all patients were treated with atorvastatin. The outcome of interest included plasma lipids, glucose homeostasis markers (fasting glucose, HOMA-IR and glycated hemoglobin), plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, creatine kinase, uric acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine, fibrinogen, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and computed values of a 10-year risk of atherosclerotic events. Results: Compared to the control group (group III), group I was characterized by higher values of HOMA-IR, glycated hemoglobin, uric acid, hsCRP, homocysteine, fibrinogen, a UACR, and a 10-year risk of atherosclerotic events, whereas group II had higher values of hsCRP, homocysteine and a UACR. Atorvastatin reduced plasma levels of total and LDL cholesterol and a 10-year risk of atherosclerotic events in all study groups, but this effect was weakest in group I and strongest in group III. In group III, the drug decreased uric acid, hsCRP, homocysteine, fibrinogen, and the UACR. In the remaining groups, its effect was limited to a small decrease in only hsCRP (group I) or in hsCRP and homocysteine (group II). In group I, atorvastatin treatment was associated with an increase in HOMA-IR, glycated hemoglobin, and creatine kinase. Conclusions: Low vitamin D status may exert an unfavorable effect on the lipid-dependent and lipid-independent effects of atorvastatin in middle-aged or elderly women. Full article
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