Long-term effects of giving nursing home residents bread fortified with 125 microg (5000 IU) vitamin D(3) per daily serving.

Background: In older adults, a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration >75 nmol/L lowers the risk of fracture. An oral intake of 125 microg (5000 IU) vitamin D(3)/d may be required to achieve this target.

Objective: The objective was to characterize the safety and efficacy of fortifying bread with a biologically meaningful amount of vitamin D(3).

[Nutrition and old age].

The cellular and extracellular degenerative changes that take place simultaneous with aging in elderly will determine changes in the life style. In order to reach the ideal age, the elderly must have a balanced diet, sufficient physical activity and to quit smoking and drinking. In addition to this requirements, the society must provide the economic means, that will allow the elderly a decent life, and free access to medical services.

[Oxidative stress and antioxidants in the diet in pathological processes at the level of the cardiovascular system].

After a short review of the data on the free radicals occurring in the human body (hydroxyl radical, superoxide, nitric acid, peroxynitrite), the possible effects of these radical upon the cardiovascular system are presented. The preservation of the oxidants-antioxidants balance is highly important for preventing the cardiovascular diseases. Endogenous antioxidants are not 100 per cent effective, reason why for the individuals with atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease antioxidant supplements (tocopherols, carotenes, vitamin C, selenium) are essential especially during the seasons when diets are deficient in fruits and vegetables.

[The cutaneous manifestations in food allergies].

A study on cutaneous signs in food allergies was perform on a number of patients admitted in the dermatology clinic. The clinical diagnosis is based on a critical anamnesis on the alimentary origin, laboratory findings and therapeutical test. The different alimentary behavior in the urban areas, in association with stress, generates a higher frequency of food allergies in these areas, comparative with the incidence in the rural areas.

[Illumination in schools, a health problem for the developing body].

The relationship between lightening degree in schools and vision problems was investigated in a series of 500 pupils (aged between 11 and 14 years) from both rural and urban areas, schooled in 21 different classrooms. The tests revealed that natural lightening is observing the health standards in a percentage of 100% in the urban classrooms and is deficient with 16.64% in the rural ones.