Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is fundamental to human health, playing an important role in the formation of thyroid hormones, DNA synthesis, the immune response, and fertility. There is a lack of comprehensive epidemiological research, particularly the serum Se concetration in healthy infants and preschool children compared to the estimated dietary Se intake. However, Se deficiencies and exceeding the UL have been observed in infants and preschool children. Despite the observed irregularities in Se intake, there is a lack of nutritional recommendations for infants and preschool children. Therefore, the main objective of this literature review was to summarize what is known to date about Se levels and the risk of deficiency related to regular consumption in infants and preschool children.

Background: Lactoferrin is a major functional protein involved in maintaining human health, which possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Therefore, it can be used to support the treatment of viral and bacterial diseases, as well as in cancer prevention. Lactoferrin-manufacturing processes may compromise its protein structure and function, so it is necessary to establish reliable analytical methods for production efficiency and quality control purposes. This paper reviews the lactoferrin production processes, summarising the methods using various matrices (milk, milk powder, infant formula, whey, bovine lactoferrin lyophilised powder, yoghurt, colostrum, and human milk), the most popular purification methods, and sample preparation. Material and methods: The Medline and Embase databases were searched using the following phrases: ”lactoferrin” and “purification” or “isolation” or “extraction” or “separation”. The search was limited to recent studies from the last five years published in English up until 12 March 2025. Of the 573 articles identified, 17 were reviewed. Results: Lactoferrin purification and determination methods depend on the matrix used. The latest research focuses on improving parameters of lactoferrin determination, shortening time, improving efficiency or limiting costs, and even reducing toxicity by changing the reagents. The method of separating lactoferrin using magnetic beads or nanoparticles has been developed, as well as the determination parameters using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Conclusions: The current lactoferrin production techniques are characterised by increased efficiency and quality, but they require standardisation of the purification process depending on the matrix. The latest Lf determination methods are highly precise, and most of them produce high-quality Lf. This allows to introduce on the market a higher quality product, which can significantly improve standard approaches.

Objective: Dementia is a group of symptoms, characterised by a loss of cognition that interferes with everyday tasks, difficulty focusing, planning, problem solving, and behavioural changes, such as apathy, anxiety, or depression. The leading cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, but vascular dementia or mild cognitive impairment are also frequently occurring. There are six drugs legislated in Europe for use in the treatment of dementia. There are unmet clinical needs to find more effective, better tolerated or complementary therapeutic options. The aim of this study is to comprehensively analyse the results of clinical trials and other human studies regarding the efficacy and safety of herbal interventions used in patients with dementia. Methods: We enrolled a total of 48 studies for this systematic review, of which 27 were included into the statistical analysis of effect size (Cohen’s d). Results: We found significant improvements mainly after administration of Ginkgo biloba, Crocus sativus, Salvia officinalis, and Melissa officinalis. It should be emphasised that some herbs and herbal formulations demonstrated efficacy comparable to that of donepezil, a widely used and approved medication, suggesting potential for phytopharmaceutical therapies as complementary approaches. In some studies, the observed effects were similar to those reported for conventional treatments, indicating promising directions for further research in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Conclusion: In light of the evidence, phytopharmaceuticals have a promising role as a co-therapeutic option or alternative for patients with dementia who do not tolerate or have contraindications to standard medications. However, further research is necessary to translate these initial promising results into clinical practice.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity play a major role in the development of numerous chronic diseases. Edible plants and herbs are rich in polyphenols and other bioactive compounds that may protect cells by neutralizing free radicals and supporting endogenous defense systems. This study compared the antioxidant potential of 10 plant extracts using seven analytical methods. The total polyphenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents were measured, while the antioxidant activity was assessed with DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays. The statistical analyses included an ANOVA and a principal component analysis (PCA). Significant differences were observed among the extracts (p < 0.001). P. rotundifolia showed the highest polyphenol content and the strongest FRAP and ABTS activity. The greatest flavonoid levels were found in C. sativus and A. crassna, whereas E. cardamomum contained the highest anthocyanin levels. A strong correlation was observed between the total polyphenol content and the FRAP results, while the anthocyanin content showed an inverse relationship with the DPPH activity. The findings confirm the high antioxidant potential of the studied plants and suggest their promising application in the development of alternative and complementary therapies in the course of chronic diseases.

Inappropriate concentrations of elements in formulae for infants may lead to adverse health effects. Selenium (Se) is a trace element essential for the proper development of infants. It is naturally present in human milk and is also added to infant formulae. However, both insufficient and excessive Se intake may be harmful. The aim of this study was to determine Se concentrations and chemical forms in 148 formulae for infants available on the Polish market and to assess their nutritional safety. Se concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-iCRC-MS). Se speciation was performed using a HPLC system coupled to ICP-iCRC-MS. The Se concentrations in most analyzed formulae were in good agreement with the recommended EU limits (median 4.5 µg/100 kcal, range 0–15.6 µg/100 kcal). However, the estimated daily intake for 6-month-old infants exceeded the tolerable upper intake level in six formulae, indicating a potential health risk. Speciation analysis showed that the dominant Se forms were sodium selenite and sodium selenate, and their levels were mostly consistent with the manufacturers’ declarations. Additionally, trace amounts of selenometionine (SeMet) and methyloselenocysteine (MeSeCys) were detected. Therefore, regular monitoring of the composition of infant formulae remains necessary. The detection of SeMet and MeSeCys provides new avenues for research on Se content and Se speciation in formulae intended for infants.

Background/Objectives: Iron deficiency affects 2% of infants under six months of age and 4–18% of infants aged 6–12 months and may lead to anemia. Given the consequences of iron deficiency in infancy and the importance of adequate nutrition, this study aimed to assess indicators of iron metabolism in infants whose parents participated in nutritional education. Methods: The study included 104 infants, divided into a study group (SG, n = 52) receiving a nutritional education intervention and a control group (CG, n = 52). Peripheral blood morphology parameters and biochemical markers, e.g., iron status (serum iron, transferrin, ferritin, and hepcidin), were evaluated at 3 and 12 months of age. Additionally, at study end, parents completed a three-day dietary diary to assess their infant’s iron intake. Results: After nearly one year of intervention, no cases of anemia based on hemoglobin concentration were identified in either group. However, infants in the SG were less likely to present iron and ferritin concentrations below reference ranges compared to the CG. In the CG, low ferritin levels occurred more frequently at 12 months than at baseline. This finding may be related to higher dietary iron intake in the SG, as insufficient iron intake was more common among the CG. Heatmap analysis revealed strong positive correlations among erythrocyte indices, confirming their internal consistency. No single parameter emerged as a superior marker of iron deficiency, emphasizing the need for a combined assessment of iron status. Conclusions: Parental nutritional education may improve iron status and reduce the risk of iron metabolism disorders in infants.