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Kennedy KP, Alexander JL, Garakani A, Gross LS, Mintz DL, Parikh T, Pine JH, Sumner CR, Baron DA. Vitamin B 12 Supplementation in Psychiatric Practice. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2024; 26:265-272. [PMID: 38696105 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-024-01505-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) deficiency has been associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms, suggesting a role for B12 supplementation both as a treatment for psychiatric symptoms due to B12 deficiency and as an augmentation strategy for pharmacological treatments of psychiatric disorders. This critical review discusses the major causes of B12 deficiency, the range of psychiatric and non-psychiatric manifestations of B12 deficiency, the indications for testing B12 levels, and the evidence for B12 supplementation for major psychiatric disorders. RECENT FINDINGS We find that high-quality evidence shows no benefit to routine B12 supplementation for mild depressive symptoms or to prevent depression. There is very limited evidence on the role of B12 supplementation to augment antidepressants. No high-quality evidence to date suggests a role for routine B12 supplementation in any other major psychiatric disorder. No formal guidelines indicate when clinicians should test B12 levels for common psychiatric symptoms, in the absence of major risk factors for deficiency or cardinal symptoms of deficiency. No robust evidence currently supports routine B12 supplementation for major psychiatric disorders. However, psychiatrists should be aware of the important risk factors for B12 deficiency and should be able to identify symptoms of B12 deficiency, which requires prompt testing, medical workup, and treatment. Testing for B12 deficiency should be considered for atypical or severe psychiatric presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P Kennedy
- Department of Psychiatry, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Suite C8-193, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
| | | | - Amir Garakani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lawrence S Gross
- Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Tapan Parikh
- Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Janet H Pine
- Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Calvin R Sumner
- Department of Psychiatry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine of Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - David A Baron
- Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
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Kaput J, Monteiro JP. Human Nutrition Research in the Data Era: Results of 11 Reports on the Effects of a Multiple-Micronutrient-Intervention Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:188. [PMID: 38257081 PMCID: PMC10819666 DOI: 10.3390/nu16020188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Large datasets have been used in molecular and genetic research for decades, but only a few studies have included nutrition and lifestyle factors. Our team conducted an n-of-1 intervention with 12 vitamins and five minerals in 9- to 13-year-old Brazilian children and teens with poor healthy-eating indices. A unique feature of the experimental design was the inclusion of a replication arm. Twenty-six types of data were acquired including clinical measures, whole-genome mapping, whole-exome sequencing, and proteomic and a variety of metabolomic measurements over two years. A goal of this study was to use these diverse data sets to discover previously undetected physiological effects associated with a poor diet that include a more complete micronutrient composition. We summarize the key findings of 11 reports from this study that (i) found that LDL and total cholesterol and fasting glucose decreased in the population after the intervention but with inter-individual variation; (ii) associated a polygenic risk score that predicted baseline vitamin B12 levels; (iii) identified metabotypes linking diet intake, genetic makeup, and metabolic physiology; (iv) found multiple biomarkers for nutrient and food groups; and (v) discovered metabolites and proteins that are associated with DNA damage. This summary also highlights the limitations and lessons in analyzing diverse omic data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacqueline Pontes Monteiro
- Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Pediatrics, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil;
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Jakše B, Fras Z, Fidler Mis N. Vegan Diets for Children: A Narrative Review of Position Papers Published by Relevant Associations. Nutrients 2023; 15:4715. [PMID: 38004109 PMCID: PMC10675242 DOI: 10.3390/nu15224715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The scientific discourse on vegan diets for children and adolescents primarily involves referencing position statement papers from different scientific and professional organizations, including paediatric associations. Over the past two decades, specialized associations have issued official statements and published position papers about adopting well-designed vegan diets during crucial life stages, including pregnancy and lactation, infancy, and childhood. A subset of these associations firmly supports the notion that a well-designed vegan diet can indeed be healthy and support normal growth and development during particularly delicate life stages, emphasizing careful planning, vitamin B12 supplementation, and regular supervised medical and dietetics oversight. In contrast, specific paediatric associations caution against vegan diets for children and adolescents, citing potential harm and the lack of adequate substantiation. These criticisms in position papers frequently point to lower-quality studies and/or outdated studies. Additionally, concerns extend to comparing vegan and omnivorous diets, considering public health issues such as obesity and early stages of cardiovascular disease as well as the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Notably, some scepticism stems from studies where children's adherence to a well-designed vegan diet is incomplete. Scientific rigor suggests performing a comparable assessment of omnivorous and vegan diets. This narrative review highlights the need for a comprehensive, up-to-date literature review to inform balanced perspectives on vegan diets for children and adolescents. Researchers and decision-makers should aim to actively improve the design and consistent implementation of both diet types.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zlatko Fras
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Preventive Cardiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Fidler Mis
- Ministry of Health, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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