Antioxidants play a crucial role in mitigating oxidative stress and preventing cellular damage caused by free radicals. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of three antioxidant assays—DPPH, TEAC, and FRAP—in quantifying the antioxidant capacity of 15 plant-based spices, herbs, and food materials from five distinct plant families. The relationship between these assays and total polyphenol content (TPC) as well as total flavonoid content (TFC) was also investigated. The results showed that FRAP exhibited the strongest correlation with TPC (r = 0.913), followed by TEAC (r = 0.856) and DPPH (r = 0.772). Lamiaceae species, such as rosemary and thyme, consistently demonstrated high antioxidant activities across all assays. The study highlights the complementary nature of these assays in assessing antioxidant capacity and underscores their utility in profiling polyphenol- and flavonoid-rich plants for potential nutritional and therapeutic applications.

Background/Objectives: Epidemiological data on vitamin D status revealed that, despite various dosage and durations of supplementation, the effectiveness often fails to achieve optimal outcomes. The need for higher doses than previously recommended was suggested, but several modifying factors should be considered, including the level of deficiency, and BMI. The objectives of this post hoc evaluation are to characterize treatment effectiveness based on the applied dose, duration and BMI; and to assess the safety aspects associated with rapid repletion of vitamin D. Methods: Vitamin D deficient subjects selected in the post-hoc analysis: seventy patients included from a combined loading-maintenance supplementation (300,000 IU followed by 60,000 IU) protocol and 62 deficient subjects who received a low-dose maintenance (1000 IU/day) therapy. The risk of overload and the incidence of hypercalciuria and hypercalcemia resulting from loading or post-loading maintenance were investigated. Results: The moderate–fast-loading schedule of 60,000 IU per week for 5 weeks, effectively achieves the target in 25(OH)D levels over 30 ng/mL for all deficient subjects, regardless of their BMI. Slower loading with lower weekly doses confirms the safety of supplementation, but the effectiveness is dependent on the subjects’ BMI; overweight and obese patients require higher doses to reach the same vitamin D levels. No difference in safety parameters observed compared to low-dose therapies. Conclusions: The loading treatment involving a total dose of 300,000 IU administered over 5 or 10 weeks is effective for repletion, does not lead to 25(OH)D overload, and poses no additional risks of hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria. Furthermore, there are no safety concerns regarding changes in bone resorption markers. A combination of the loading treatment with a subsequent maintenance dose of 2000 IU daily is adequate to achieve the target vitamin D levels.

Background Calcium intake is an essential component of a healthy diet and has been linked to numerous health benefits, including the prevention of osteoporosis and reduction of fracture risk in children and adults. The most plausible consequence of insufficient calcium intake can lead to osteoporosis over decades, which is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality with high burden of disease. However, attention should be given to the risk of potential overdoses, since some trials have linked excessive calcium supplementation to increased risk of health complications. Methods Our study aimed to evaluate the possible factors influencing the participants’ calcium profile through a “dietary intake specific questionnaire” to achieve the optimal calcium and vitamin D intake in the prevention of or during therapies for osteoporosis. A comprehensive multi-dimensional dietary survey was administered to evaluate various aspects of the participants' diets, including dietary and supplemented calcium intake, vitamin D exposure, vitamin supplementation profile, and relevant lifestyle parameters. In this article, we specifically analyzed the calcium intake profiles and pharmacovigilance aspects of the study participants. Results We received 478 evaluable datasets. The dietary calcium intake, on average, was close to optimal in the general public. Supplementation safety concerns were raised for the public in less than 7% of patients, who were reported to have a potential overload in daily calcium intake. Albeit, one-third (34%) of the population had a significant deficiency (average: 544 mg/day), and this effect was more relevant among ≤ 25-years old individuals, of them only less than 37% of the responders had an optimal calcium intake. More than half (52%) of the dietary calcium deficient participants did not take any additional calcium supplements. Although, in 73% of general population, most calcium supplementation dosage in use was equal to or below 200 mg/day. Conclusion Our study highlights the importance to implement a “Patient Focused Motivation Strategy” as a broader approach in pharmaceutical care for increasing the patient’s knowledge, understanding the needs of supplementation, and selecting the correct form and dose of the available non-prescription products. It is important to maintain motivation and adherence to the recommended therapy to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Background Calcium intake is an essential component of a healthy diet and has been linked to numerous health benefits, including the prevention of osteoporosis and reduction of fracture risk in children and adults. The most plausible consequence of insufficient calcium intake can lead to osteoporosis over decades, which is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality with high burden of disease. However, attention should be given to the risk of potential overdoses, since some trials have linked excessive calcium supplementation to increased risk of health complications.Methods Our study aimed to evaluate the possible factors influencing the participants’ calcium profile through a “dietary intake specific questionnaire” to achieve the optimal calcium and vitamin D intake in the prevention of or during therapies for osteoporosis. A comprehensive multi-dimensional dietary survey was administered to evaluate various aspects of the participants' diets, including dietary and supplemented calcium intake, vitamin D exposure, vitamin supplementation profile, and relevant lifestyle parameters. In this article, we specifically analyzed the calcium intake profiles and pharmacovigilance aspects of the study participants.Results We received 478 evaluable datasets. The dietary calcium intake, on average, was close to optimal in the general public. Supplementation safety concerns were raised for the public in less than 7% of patients, who were reported to have a potential overload in daily calcium intake. Albeit, one-third (34%) of the population had a significant deficiency (average: 544 mg/day), and this effect was more relevant among ≤ 25-years old individuals, of them only less than 37% of the responders had an optimal calcium intake. More than half (52%) of the dietary calcium deficient participants did not take any additional calcium supplements. Although, in 73% of general population, most calcium supplementation dosage in use was equal to or below 200 mg/day.Conclusion Our study highlights the importance to implement a “Patient Focused Motivation Strategy” as a broader approach in pharmaceutical care for increasing the patient’s knowledge, understanding the needs of supplementation, and selecting the correct form and dose of the available non-prescription products. It is important to maintain motivation and adherence to the recommended therapy to achieve optimal health outcomes.