Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD has been associated with numerous symptoms and complications, with the most common being iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Iron deficiency in IBD is caused by inadequate intake, malabsorption (including duodenal involvement and surgical removal), and chronic blood loss by mucosal ulcerations. Therefore, an appropriate diet should be enforced. Iron deficiency and iron supplementation have been associated with alterations to gut microbiota. IBD-associated anemia, in particular iron deficiency anemia, is associated with a significant decrease in quality of life and with clinical symptoms such as chronic fatigue, headaches and dizziness, reduced exercise tolerance, pale skin, nails, conjunctiva, and fainting. However, despite these numerous adverse symptoms, IDA remains undertreated. The European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) guidelines state that patients should be monitored for anemia. Adequate treatment, whether oral or intravenous, should be implemented while taking into consideration C-reactive protein values (CRP), hemoglobin levels, and therapeutic response. It should be stressed that every case of anemia in IBD patients should be treated. Intravenous iron formulations, which are more superior compared to the oral form, should be used. There is a need to increase awareness and implementation of international guidelines on iron supplementation in patients with IBD.
The formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) in tissues is a physiological process; however, excessive production and storage are pathological and lead to inflammation. A sedentary lifestyle, hypercaloric and high-fructose diet and increased intake of processed food elements contribute to excessive production of compounds, which are created in the non-enzymatic multi-stage glycation process. The AGE’s sources can be endogenous and exogenous, mainly due to processing food at high temperatures and low moisture, including grilling, roasting, and frying. Accumulation of AGE increases oxidative stress and initiates various disorders, leading to the progression of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and their complications. Inborn defensive mechanisms, recovery systems, and exogenous antioxidants (including polyphenols) protect from excessive AGE accumulation. Additionally, numerous products have anti-glycation properties, occurring mainly in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. It confirms the role of diet in the prevention of civilization diseases.
Osteoporosis affects women twice as often as men. Additionally, it is estimated that 0.3 million and 1.7 million people have hip fractures in the USA and Europe, respectively. Having a proper peak bone mass and keeping it as long as possible is especially important for osteoporosis prevention. One of the most important calcium sources is milk and dairy products. Breast milk is the best infant food, but milk should not be avoided later in life to prevent losing bone mass. On the other hand, more and more people limit their milk consumption and consume other dairy or non-dairy products. For example, they are usually replaced with plant beverages, which should be consumed carefully in several age groups. Additionally, an important element of milk and dairy products, as well as plant beverages, are probiotics and prebiotics, which may modulate bone turnover. Dietary recommendations focused on milk, and dairy products are an important element for the prevention of osteoporosis.
Iodine deficiency is a global issue and affects around 2 billion people worldwide, with pregnant women as a high-risk group. Iodine-deficiency prevention began in the 20th century and started with global salt iodination programmes, which aimed to improve the iodine intake status globally. Although it resulted in the effective eradication of the endemic goitre, it seems that salt iodination did not resolve all the issues. Currently, it is recommended to limit the consumption of salt, which is the main source of iodine, as a preventive measure of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension or cancer the prevalence of which is increasing. In spite of the fact that there are other sources of iodine, such as fish, seafood, dairy products, water, and vegetables, the high consumption of processed food with a high content of unionised salt, alternative diets or limited salt intake can still lead to iodine deficiency. Thus, iodine deficiency remains a relevant issue, with new, preventive solutions necessary. However, it appears that there is no diet which would fully cover the iodine requirements, and iodine food supplementation is still required.
Summary: COVID‐19 crisis has lasted since the late 2019 to the present day. The severity of the disease is positively correlated with several factors, such as age and coexisting diseases. Furthermore, obesity is increasingly considered as a yet another risk factor, particularly, because it has been observed that people suffering from excessive body weight may experience a more severe course of COVID‐19 infection. On the basis of current research, in our nonsystematic review, we have investigated the extent to which obesity can affect the SARS‐CoV‐2 course and identify the potential mechanisms of the disease. We have also described the role of proper nutrition, physical activity and other aspects relevant to the management of obesity.
Folic acid, referred to as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble substance, which participates in the synthesis of nucleic acids, amino acids, and proteins. Similarly to B12 and B6, vitamin B9 is involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, which is associated with the MTHFR gene. The human body is not able to synthesize folic acid; thus, it must be supplemented with diet. The most common consequence of folic acid deficiency is anemia; however, some studies have also demonstrated the correlation between low bone mineral density, hyperhomocysteinemia, and folic acid deficiency. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently suffer from malabsorption and avoid certain products, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, which constitute the main sources of vitamin B9. Additionally, the use of sulfasalazine by patients may result in folic acid deficiency. Therefore, IBD patients present a higher risk of folic acid deficiency and require particular supervision with regard to anemia and osteoporosis prevention, which are common consequences of IBD.