A General Review on Vitamin B12 Deficiency with Focus on the Situation in Jordan. DIRASAT, 38(1,2): 37-44
Authors : Maysoun S. Qutob and Hamed R. Takruri
Abstract : Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential nutrient that is only obtained from foods of animal origin, such as meat, eggs and dairy products. Vitamin B12 plays an important role in DNA synthesis and neurological function. Thus its deficiency can lead to several neurological symptoms such as memory loss, dizziness and in severe cases may lead to dementia. Many factors can cause or lead to vitamin B-12 deficiency. Among these are malabsorption, several gastron intestinal problems (i.e. celiac disease, Crobn's disease) and gastrointestinal surgeries. diagnosis of vitamin B-12 status depends commonly on serum vitamin B12 which is nonspecific tool for the deficiency. Other more specific tests, which reflect true deficiency, include serum and urine methylmalonic aci de, total serum homocysteine and serum holotranscobalamin. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a worldwide public health problem; epidemiological studies showed that its prevalence in industrialized countries ranges from 5-60% of the population depending on the used cutoff point of cobalamin level. In Jordan, many reports were published on vitamin B 12 deficiency. However, these reports gave different results of its prevalence ranging from 16-48% depending on the serum vitamin B12 cutoff point used. A recent study showed a prevalence of true deficiency of 32.7% based on measuring both serum vitamin B12 level and plasma methylmalonic acid.
Keywords : Vitamin B12, B12 deficiency, Jordan
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Evaluation of True Vitamin B12 Deficiency in a Group of Jordanians Aged 20-40 Years Visiting the Jordan University Hospital. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 10(4): 343-349
Authors : Maysoun S. Qutob, Hamed R. Takruri and Farihan F. Barghouti
Abstract : A convenient study was conducted to evaluate vitamin B12 status among young healthy adult Jordanians and to check for the true vitamin B12 deficiency. One hundred sixty five subjects were recruited in the study. The subjects were chosen to be healthy aged between 20-40 years. Participants were asked to fill a detailed questionnaire that covers social and medical data as well as data on frequency consumption of food sources of vitamin B12. Blood tests including CBC, blood film and serum vitamin B12 level were done for all volunteers. For those with serum B12 <300 pg/ml, plasma Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) was measured to confirm deficiency. Results showed that 27.3% had vitamin B12 deficiency according to standard B12 deficiency definition (<200 pg/ml), 41.8% had serum B12 between 201-300 pg/ml and 30.9% had normal B12 levels (>300 pg/ml). Among those with B12 <300 pg/ml, 47.4% had confirmed deficiency, using MMA as an indicator. Even, 44.9% of those with serum B12 between 201-300 pg/ml had confirmed B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 status was found to be positively correlated with age, but negatively correlated with MCV. No significant associations were found between B12 status and gender, BMI, household size and total vitamin B12 intake. It is concluded that serum B12 level is not a specific test for true vitamin B12 deficiency. Furthermore, dietary vitamin B12 intake by itself is not an indicator of B12 deficiency.
Keywords : Vitamin B12, B12 deficiency, Jordan, Methylmalonic acid (MMA)
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Consumption of Food Components of the Mediterranean Diet Decreases the Risk of Breast Cancer in the Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia: A Case-Control Study. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9. Doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.863029
Authors : 3. Firas Azzeh, Deena M. Hasanain, Alaa H. Qadhi, Khloud J. Ghafour, Wedad F. Azhar, Mazen M. Ghaith, Hussain Almasmoum, Hamza Assaggaf, Maha H. Alhussain, Ahmad A. Alghamdi, Mahmoud M. Habibullah, Waleed M. Bawazir, Sofyan S. Maghaydah, Maysoun S. Qutob, Awfa Y. Alazzeh
Abstract : Background Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, it affects both men and women. In Saudi Arabia, breast cancer has been the most prevalent type of cancer in women, for the past few years. Dietary habits and cultural beliefs vary according to region, and further studies are required to demonstrate the relationship between these dietary habits and cultural beliefs and the risk of developing breast cancer. This study is aimed to discover the relationship between preventive dietary factors of the Mediterranean diet and rates of breast cancer among postmenopausal women in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A case-control study was conducted in King Abdulla Medical City Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia and included 432 Saudi female participants: 218 in the control group and 214 breast cancer patients. All participants were postmenopausal, around the same age, and all were ethnically Arab Saudis. Data were obtained using a self-administered validated questionnaire. Results Study results showed that a diet that includes 1–2 servings of legumes weekly, 1–5 servings of fish weekly, 1–5 servings of dairy products daily, 3–5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and more than one cup of black tea and coffee per day significantly (p < 0.05) reduces the risk of breast cancer. Conclusion This study demonstrates that consuming a Mediterranean diet, which includes legumes, fish, fruits and vegetables, black tea, coffee, and low intake of dairy products, works as a preventive factor against breast cancer in postmenopausal females from the Makkah region.
Keywords : breast cancer, postmenopausal, Mediterranean diet, dietary habits, nutrition
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