Links: Vitamin university  MedlinePlus  axcella  (amino acids as food)

Drug Interactions

Companies engaged in Nutritional Research:  Asha Nutricion Sciences 

Nutritional deficiencies can lead to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Many viral infections such as rotavirus, measles and parinfluenza virus, for example, are much more severe in malnourished hosts as compared with well noruished hosts. Vitamin A, beta-caroteine, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, riboflavin, iron, zinc and selenium have immunomodulating functions and influence both the susceptibility of the host to infectious diseases and the course and outcome of these diseases. 

Not only may the immune response be impaired in nutritionally deficient hosts, but the viral pathogen itself may be affected by nutritional deficiency. Several viruses have been shown to develop increased virulence due to changes in their genomes as a result of replicating in a nutritionally deficient host. The mechanism for this is not well understood but appears to be related to increased oxidative stress in the deficient host. Thus the host as well as the pathogen itself can be influenced by the nutritional status of the host.

When supplementing your diet with vitamins be alert to possible drug nutrient interactions. Such interactions can occur directly between the drug and vitamin, typically during digestion and absorption. The binding of metals by tetracycline is an example of such direct interaction. In the alternative, functional interactions can occur in the gastrointestinal tract which alter GI function and affect digestion and absorption of both the drug and the nutrients. An example is grapefruit jice which increases the amount of drug that enters the bloodstream because it inhibits the an enzyme of interstinal cytochrome P450. This enzyme CYP3A4 is in the cells that line the samll intestine and helps to break down about 1/2 of all marketed drugs.

Vitamin A refers to a family of fat soluble compounds called retinoids, which have vitamin A activity. About 50 of the more than 600 carotenoids can be converted to vitamin A. It is essential in vision, particularly night vision. The current RDI is 1500 ug/L. Natural sources of vitamin A are solely animal sources and include organ meats, fish, egg yolks and fortified milk. Vitamin A deficiency imparis mucosal barriers and diminishes the function of neutrophils, macrophages and NK cells.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are important in disease. Axcella has a database of food and food proteins which may help in disease. 

Vitamin A supplementation is recommended as a tratment for severe measles infection and also as a supplementation at the time of vaccination for measles infection. Viramin A deficiency is associated with the development of severe measles infections, leading to a high rate of mortality.

Orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene which is converted to vitamin A. 

Vitamin C  see outline

Vitamin D see outline

Vitamin E: is an antioxidant. Trolox, Hoffman-LaRoche’s trade name for 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchorman-2-carboxylic acid, is a water soluble derivative of vitamin E and used in biological or biochemical applications to reduce oxidative stress or damage. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) is a mesurement of antioxidant strength based on Trolox. Due to the difficulties in measuring individual antioxidant components of a complex mixture such as green tea, Trolox equivalency is used as a benchmark for the antioxidant capacity of such a mixture.

Sunflower seeds are good sources for Vitamin E.

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) is a plant native to Peru which is rich in vitamin E.  The term “sacha inchi” typically refers to edible seeds produced by the sacha inchi plant. Also known as sacha peanut, mountain peanut, or Inca peanut, these seeds have a nut-like flavor when roasted.

Vitamin K is fat solube and essential for normal clotting, specifically for production of prothrombin factors VII, IX and X and proteins C and S. The RDI is 80 ug/L. Dietary sources include dark green vegetable, aprticularly spinach, but it is also synthesized by intestinal bacterial.

Folate, vitamins B6, B12 effect homocysteine. Elevated plasma total homocysteine level is a mjaor risk factor for coronary disease. Folate is a water solube B vitamin that is necessary in forming coenzymes fo rpurine and pyrimidine synthesis, erythropoiesis and methionine regeneration. The current RDI is 400 ug. The richester food sources are darkened green leafy vegetables, whole gran cereals, fortified grain products and animal products. Since 1996 in the US all flour and uncooked cereal grains have been supplemented with 140 ug of folate per 100 g of flour. Interest has grown in the effects of folate supplementaiton in cancer prevention since higher intake appears to reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer, particularly among moderate consumers of alcohol.

Iron: is an essential element that is required for numerous cellular functions. In mammals, the supply of iron to the body is regulated to match the body’s iron requirements at the level of iron absorption by duodenal enterocytes.

Calcium: is a mineral that is critical to bone strenght. But calcium does not work by itself. Healthy bones require a mix of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. They also need adequate protein to form their basic framework, vitamin K to maintain structural proteins, vitamin D for calcium absorption and exercise to stimulate bone building cells. Recommended intake is 10,000 milligrams a day for adults–1,200 for wormen older than 50 and 1,300 for teens.

OMEGA-3 fatty acids: may beneift not just the heart but apsychiatric and neurological problems. This includes bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, ADHD, Alzheimer’s. The brain is 60% and need omega-3s for optimal function. Studies suggest they help build cell membranes, boose levels of serotonin and incease the number of connections between neurons.

The short-chian omega-3s can be found in walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil and lefy green. The long-chain versions (which may be most beneficial for the brain) can be found in seafood and omega-3-enriched eggs. The American Heart Association also recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week for the prevention of heart disease.

–Krill Oil:

Krill oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. SuperBaKrill

Chromium: is a mineral that is involved in sugar metabolisms. Whenever your body mobilizes stored glucose, it requires chromium to do that. Research shows that it may help diabetic and pre-diabetic patients boost their insulin sensitivity by increasing both the number of insulin receptors on cells and activity of those receptors.

Chromium can be found in broccoli, apples. The current recommendation is 25 to 35 micrograms a day.

Zinc and essential nutrients

Zine is regarded as one of the most important nutrients required for immune health–it is involved in over 60 enzyme systems in the body, many of which are part of the immune system. Zinc intervenes in immune processes mainly through its influence on the maturation of lymphocytes, production of cytokines, generation of free radicals, regulation of apoptosis and gene transcription. Zn deficiency brings about a decrease in the ability of macrophages to kill intracellular parasites, a decreased production of various cytokines (IL-2, IL-12, IFNy, TNF) and antigen-mature cells (CD4+, CD45RO+), reduced levels of Th lymphocytes and a decreased NK activity. Essential nutrients (methionine, cystein, arginine, vitamins A, B, C, E, selenium and Zinc) deficiency can lead to a premature transition from efficient Th1 dependent cellular antiviral immune functions to Th2 dependent humoral immune functions which has implications for many diseases such as cancers and AIDS. For example, under Th2, levels of IL-4, IL-6, Il-10, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are raised, while levels of Il-2, Zn++, NO and other substances are lowered. This makes it easier for viruses like which multiple more efficiently in Th2 cells. The cell surface receptor for LTB4 also seems to be a co-receptor for CD4, which helps  to infect under Th2. In respect to Zinc, however, higher levels of zinc intake were actually associated with faster disease progression, so the verdict may not be in on the effectiveness of zinc with respect to HIV.

Zn shortage brings about an increase in the level of the plasma corticosterone which contributes to T cell immunosupression. The presence of minerals including zinc and copper is also important to production of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an endogenous enzyme that provides various antioxidant protections to cells.

Zinc deficiency promotes cancer. Under the influence of Th1 cells, zinc inhibits the growth of tumors by activating the endogenous tumor suppressor endostatin, which inhibits angiogenesis.

The recommended daily Zn dose is 15 mg. In old individuals, Zn supllementation can have preventive or even therapeutic effects against influenza and possibly other infections. However, such supplementation should not exceed the recommended daily allowance and show not last more than 1-2 months.

In patients withe the fourth clincial stage of AIDS, a daily Zn suplment of 45 mg over a period of 1 month together with a Zidovudine therapy induced a total elimination of opportunistic infections by Candida aesophageo and Pneumocystis carinii in comparison to patients with the same stage of AIDS treated only with Zidovudine.

Foods rich in Zinc: Oysters contain an abundance of zinc.