19.09.2022: Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and cell growth. Deficiency is particularly harmful in pregnancy and is associated with an increased risk of foetal malformations. High concentrations of folate are present in vegetables and fruit, but the vitamin is unstable, and 50–80 % is lost in cooking. In the United States and some other countries, breakfast cereals and flour are fortified with synthetic folate, folic acid, which is reflected in the population's folate status. Median serum folate levels in American women of childbearing age are 39.0 nmol/l (1). Corresponding levels in Norwegian women...

19.09.2022: Undernutrition and malnutrition are common among unwell and elderly individuals, but also occur during pregnancy, periods of growth and an unbalanced diet. Correct diagnosis is essential to ensure optimal vitamin and trace element status. Micronutrients are essential substances needed in small quantities for normal physiological function. Micronutrients comprise nine water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12 and C), four fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E and K), iron and trace elements such as iodine, copper, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc...

19.09.2022: Cobalamin is needed for normal cell metabolism, but a deficiency in the vitamin can be difficult to diagnose. There is currently no consensus on how to define biochemical cobalamin deficiency, particularly in a subclinical form. Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is produced by soil bacteria, and the main dietary sources are meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk and dairy products. A normal diet provides 5–7 µg cobalamin per day, a vegetarian diet with eggs and dairy products provides <0.5 µg, while a vegan diet provides no cobalamin. A daily intake of between 4 and 7 µg is associated with adequate cobalamin...

23.11.2020: Selenium concentration in serum is determined at a few major clinical chemistry laboratories in Scandinavia. Indications for testing are suspected selenium deficiency or toxicity. It is 40 years since selenium was first mentioned in the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association (1). At the time, it was known that one enzyme, glutathione peroxidase, was dependent on selenium as a catalytic factor. New knowledge shows that selenium has several critical physiological functions. There is a total of 25 genes coding for selenocysteine-containing proteins (selenoproteins) (2). Many selenoproteins...

06.01.2020: Cytokines may become an important diagnostic tool in the future, but for the time being are mainly used in research. Cytokines are small signalling proteins which include interleukins (IL), chemokines, interferons (IFN) and growth factors. Cytokines bind to cell receptors and regulate a number of immune responses that may be pro- or anti-inflammatory (1). Some classic examples of cytokines are tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL-6, IL-1β, the chemokine CXCL8 (IL-8), IFN-α, -β and -γ, and the growth hormone granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF). Potential indications Some patients lack a...