Articles

Background: </b>Vitamin D plays an important role in the development of bone health and possibly non-communicable diseases. Arab countries had made their own national studies to assess serum vitamin D level among women, yet in Egypt there is no national survey<b> </b>done. The aim of the current study was to identify risk factors affecting vitamin D level among Egyptian females during the child-bearing period.<b> Subjects and methods: </b>A total of 100 healthy adult females in their childbearing period who were attending a Family Medicine Center were included in our study. The age of the included women ranged from 19 to 49 years old with a mean age of 34 (SD 8.47) years. The majority of participants had deficiency (43%) and insufficiency (13%) of vitamin D level. <b>Results: </b>Unemployed women were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than employed women (P<0.05). Participants who were exposed to sun ˃30 minutes/day were more likely to have sufficient vitamin D level (P<0.05). All participants who consume fish ≥3 times/week had sufficient vitamin D level. Therefore, there was a statistically significance association between a number of consuming fish/week and vitamin D3 level groups. Also, there was statistically significant association between number of consumed milk cups/day and vitamin D3 level groups. All participants who drink 2 cups of milk have sufficient vitamin D level.<b> </b>No statistically significance association was found between using multivitamins and vitamin D3 level groups.<b> Conclusion: </b>Unemployment, low fish consumption and infrequent sun exposure were significant risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Future research on the role of multivitamins supplements in improving vitamin D nutrition is warranted.

Nutrition plays a key role in regulating the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is responsible for controlling involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion and body temperature. Some nutrients, such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals, have a specific role in the ANS. For example, amino acids are necessary for the synthesis of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and anxiety. Vitamins and minerals are important for the proper functioning of the ANS, such as vitamin B12, magnesium and zinc. A balanced diet can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which can negatively affect ANS functioning. On the other hand, a nutrient-poor diet can lead to dysfunctions in the ANS, such as hypertension, changes in heart rate and digestive disorders. Digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia can occur when the ANS is not working properly. It is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet to ensure the proper functioning of the autonomic nervous system.

Since the first outbreak of SARS-CoV2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 in Wuhan, China in the December 2019, the world continues to be in state of fear, uncertainty, tension and anxiety till date and this state might continue because of emerging mutants. The vaccination drive all over the world is continuing, still the new variants are cause of concern, with the aim to prevent the spread of the virus, focus should be on techniques and processes which helps in strengthening our defense mechanism, the immune system. It has becoming clear from several studies that the immune system is greatly impacted by the COVID-19 infection through several inflammatory reactions. The role of balanced diet full of nutrients cannot be overlooked in controlling infectious diseases. A balanced diet which should include plant foods, vitamins and micronutrients and this review wants to emphasize on the preventive role played by the plant foods, vitamins and minerals in COVID-19 infections, to reduce the mortality rate as well as the morbidity in patients who are infected.