Modelling vitamin D fortification scenarios for the Australian population.

Background: Low vitamin D status (circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration <50 nmol/L) is prevalent in Australia, and 95% of Australians have been estimated to have low vitamin D intake (mean range 1.8-3.2 μg/day).

Plasma levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and multiple sclerosis susceptibility in a US case-control study.

Background: There are plausible mechanisms, yet mixed evidence, that higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) levels reduces the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Prior studies relied on dietary surveys to estimate levels.

Objective: We tested associations between plasma levels of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and likelihood of MS onset or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) using data from the MS Sunshine Study, a case-control study conducted in the United States.

Development of an updated, comprehensive food composition database for Australian-grown horticultural commodities.

Australia supplies horticultural commodities to domestic and international markets; however, food composition data for many commodities are outdated or unavailable. We produced a nationally representative dataset of up to 148 nutrient components in 92 Australian-grown fruit (fresh n = 39, dried n = 6), vegetables (n = 43) and nuts (n = 4) by replacing outdated data (pre-2000), confirming concentrations of important nutrients and retaining relevant existing data. Primary samples (n = 902) were purchased during peak growing season in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth between June 2021 and May 2022.

Feasibility of a co-designed online nutrition education program for people with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Diet quality is important for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), but conflicting online information causes them confusion. People with MS want evidence-based MS-specific information to help them make healthy dietary changes, and we co-designed an asynchronous, online nutrition education program (Eating Well with MS) with the MS community. Our aim was to determine the feasibility of Eating Well with MS.

Mediterranean diet and associations with the gut microbiota and pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis using trivariate analysis.

Background: The interplay between diet and the gut microbiota in multiple sclerosis (MS) is poorly understood. We aimed to assess the interrelationship between diet, the gut microbiota, and MS.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study including 95 participants (44 pediatric-onset MS cases, 51 unaffected controls) enrolled from the Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Network study.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of Dietary Inflammatory Index and the likelihood of multiple sclerosis/ demyelinating autoimmune disease.

Diet and inflammation may contribute to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the association between proinflammatory diet, as estimated by the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®), and the likelihood of developing MS or other demyelinating autoimmune diseases. A systematic search was performed of search engines and databases (PubMed, ISI Web of Sciences, Scopus, and Embase) to identify relevant studies before 10th June 2023.

Vitamin K content of Australian-grown horticultural commodities.

Vitamin K is a multi-function vitamin that has emerging roles in bone, brain and vascular health. Vitamin K composition data remain limited globally and Australia has lacked nationally representative data for vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) in horticultural commodities. Primary samples (n = 927) of 90 Australian-grown fruit, vegetable and nut commodities were purchased in three Australian cities.

Associations between diet and disease progression and symptomatology in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of observational studies.

Background: Although many people with MS (pwMS) modify their diet after diagnosis, there is still no consensus on dietary recommendations for pwMS. A number of observational studies have explored associations of diet and MS progression, but no studies have systematically reviewed the evidence. This systematic review aimed to provide an objective synthesis of the evidence for associations between diet and MS progression, including symptoms and clinical outcomes from observational studies.

Mapping the citation network on vitamin D research in Australia: a data-driven approach.

Vitamin D research can vary geographically, as vitamin D status is influenced by latitude, season, dietary intake, body mass index, ethnicity, and public health initiatives. Over the last two decades, research on vitamin D has increased in Australia, where the potential for sun exposure (a major source of vitamin D) is high. We aimed to identify key topics and gaps in vitamin D research in Australia using a data-driven approach.

Effect of household cooking on the retention of vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in pulse UV-irradiated, air-dried button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus).

Vitamin D deficiency has widespread global prevalence. Fresh mushrooms exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation generate vitamin D which remains after drying. It is not clear if vitamin D is retained after rehydration and cooking of dried mushrooms.

A pro-inflammatory diet in people with multiple sclerosis is associated with an increased rate of relapse and increased FLAIR lesion volume on MRI in early multiple sclerosis: A prospective cohort study.

Background: A pro-inflammatory diet has been posited to induce chronic inflammation within the central nervous system (CNS), and multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the CNS.

Objective: We examined whether Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) scores are associated with measures of MS progression and inflammatory activity.

Methods: A cohort with a first clinical diagnosis of CNS demyelination was followed annually (10 years,  = 223).

The Retention of Vitamin D and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Pulse UV-Irradiated Dried Button Mushrooms () after 12 Months of Storage.

Fresh mushrooms exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation prior to drying generate high concentrations of vitamin D. The aim of this study was to determine the retention of D vitamers in mushrooms that were pulse UV irradiated, then air dried, and stored for up to 12 months. Fresh button mushrooms () were exposed to pulsed UV radiation (dose 200 mJ/cm, peak of 17.

Vitamin D status in healthy populations worldwide: a systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to report on circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and the prevalence of 25(OH)D concentrations below commonly used cut points for vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency in healthy populations worldwide.

Introduction: Vitamin D sufficiency is important for optimal bone health and has been identified as being protective against a range of adverse health outcomes. Poor vitamin D status is considered a global public health concern.

A collaborative approach to designing an online nutrition education program for people with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: People with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) want disease-specific dietary advice to reduce the confusion around diet. This study used co-design principles to develop an online nutrition education program for pwMS.

Methods: Mixed-methods (multiphase sequential design).

Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased likelihood of central nervous system demyelination in a case-control study of Australian adults.

Background: Consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has been linked to risk of chronic diseases, with scant evidence in relation to multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: We tested associations between UPF consumption and likelihood of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD) (267 cases, 508 controls), a common precursor to MS. We used data from the 2003-2006 Ausimmune Study and logistic regression with full propensity score matching for age, sex, region of residence, education, smoking history, body mass index, physical activity, history of infectious mononucleosis, dietary misreporting, and total energy intake.

Mapping the Literature on Diet and Multiple Sclerosis: A Data-Driven Approach.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease of the central nervous system that is currently incurable. Diet may influence the onset and progression of MS. A variety of literature reviews have been conducted in the field of diet and MS.

Vitamin K content of cheese, yoghurt and meat products in Australia.

Vitamin K is vital for normal blood coagulation, and may influence bone, neurological and vascular health. Data on the vitamin K content of Australian foods are limited, preventing estimation of vitamin K intakes in the Australian population. We measured phylloquinone (PK) and menaquinone (MK) -4 to -10 in cheese, yoghurt and meat products (48 composite samples from 288 primary samples) by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry.

Total Dairy Consumption Is Not Associated With Likelihood of a First Clinical Diagnosis of Central Nervous System Demyelination.

Background: The evidence associating consumption of dairy products and risk of MS is contradictory and inconclusive.

Objective: To test associations between dairy consumption and the likelihood of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD), a common precursor to MS.

Methods: We used data from the 2003-2006 Ausimmune Study, a population-based Australian, multicentre, matched case-control study (272 cases, 519 controls).

Vitamin D Fortification of Milk Would Increase Vitamin D Intakes in the Australian Population, but a More Comprehensive Strategy Is Required.

Low vitamin D status (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration < 50 nmol/L) is prevalent in Australia, ranging between 15% and 32% in the adolescent and adult populations. Vitamin D intakes are also low across the population and were recently estimated at 1.8−3.

Nutrition Education Programs for Adults with Neurological Diseases Are Lacking: A Scoping Review.

The nutrition recommendation for most common neurological diseases is to follow national dietary guidelines. This is to mitigate malnutrition, reduce the risk of diet-related diseases, and to help manage some common symptoms, including constipation. Nutrition education programs can support people in adhering to guidelines; hence the aim of this scoping review was to explore what programs have been implemented for adults with neurological diseases.

Vitamin D composition of Australian game products.

The vitamin D content of many Australian game products is unknown. These foods are potential sources of vitamin D for remote-dwelling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, of whom 39% are vitamin D deficient (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations < 50 nmol/L). Vitamin D, 25(OH)D, vitamin D and 25(OH)D were measured by liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QQQ) in raw meat (camel, crocodile, emu, kangaroo), emu eggs and emu oil.

The Effects of Using the Sun Safe App on Sun Health Knowledge and Behaviors of Young Teenagers: Results of Pilot Intervention Studies.

Background: A balanced approach toward sun exposure and protection is needed by young people. Excessive sun exposure increases their risk for skin cancers such as melanoma, whereas some exposure is necessary for vitamin D and healthy bones. We have developed a new iOS smartphone app-Sun Safe-through a co-design process, which aims to support healthy and balanced decision-making by young teenagers (aged 12-13 years).

Evidence of low vitamin D intakes in the Australian population points to a need for data-driven nutrition policy for improving population vitamin D status.

Background: Nearly one in four Australian adults is vitamin D deficient (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations [25(OH)D] < 50 nmol L ) and current vitamin D intakes in the Australian population are unknown. Internationally, vitamin D intakes are commonly below recommendations, although estimates generally rely on food composition data that do not include 25(OH)D. We aimed to estimate usual vitamin D intakes in the Australian population.

Vitamin D metabolites and risk of first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration is a recognised risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). Associations with vitamin D metabolites and vitamin D binding globulin (VDBG) have not been widely studied. We assessed the association between vitamin D metabolites (25(OH)D, 25(OH)D, c3-epimer 25(OH)D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D), and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)D)) measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assays, VDBG measured using a polyclonal immunoassay, and calculated free and bioavailable 25(OH)D, free 1,25(OH)D, and the 24,25(OH)D: total 25(OH)D and total 1,25(OH)D: total 25(OH)D ratios with risk of a first clinical diagnosis of CNS demyelination (FCD) in an Australian case-control study (n = 196 cases, n = 241 controls, matched on age, sex and study region).

A proinflammatory diet is associated with an increased likelihood of first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination in women.

Background: While a number of studies have examined associations between dietary factors and risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), little is known about intakes of inflammation-modulating foods and nutrients and risk of MS.

Objectives: To test associations between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and risk of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) demyelination (FCD) (267 cases, 507 controls) using data from the Ausimmune Study.

Methods: The 2003-2006 Ausimmune Study was a multicentre, matched, case-control study examining environmental risk factors for an FCD, a common precursor to MS.