Oral dietary supplements (DSs) include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, energy drinks, and herbal products. The use of DSs is increasing and their manufacturers promote their benefits. Studies have validated some of these benefits, but have also indicated that some DSs can have adverse effects, especially if used without the appropriate supervision. Little information on DS use among Saudis is available. This study assessed the use of dietary supplements among male and female university students with the goal of educating the community about DSs and the dangers associated with their misuse. Online and paper validated questionnaires were administered to King Abdulaziz University (KAU) students between September 2019 and January 2020. The responses were collected and analyzed statistically. Of the 954 KAU students who completed the survey, one-third used DSs (42.9% women vs 25.7% men). Of these, 51.7% believed that DSs are essential for health, 41.7% classified them as both food and drugs, 67.2% were aware that DSs could not replace a healthy diet, and 25.8% were aware of their potentially harmful effects. Multivitamins and minerals were the most used DSs. DS awareness among KAU students is limited. Additional health education is necessary to assist students in their selection of the most suitable DSs.
Evidence shows that the different etiologies of neonatal jaundice, including breastfeeding and breast milk jaundice, have many different aspects. Therefore, the present study aims to conduct a literature review to compare breastfeeding and breast milk jaundice, ehich will furtherly help physicians and healthcare practitioners to have adequate information to properly establish an accurate diagnosis. The precise cause of breast milk jaundice is unclear. The majority of the suggested etiologies include factors found in human breast milk. Other theories point to possible genetic defects in the infected neonates. It has been reported that pregnane-3a,20ß-diol, epidermal growth factor, interleukin (IL)1ß, alpha-fetoprotein, and ß-glucuronidase are several factors that are solid constituents of the breast milk which may attribute to the development of this jaundice. Reports showed that breast milk jaundice usually develops in 20-30% of U.S. neonates, and most of whom are breastfed. Moreover, studies showed that more than one-third of infants on breastfeeding will eventually have high serum bilirubin levels that are ≥5 mg/dl. Evidence showed that the diagnosis should be considered when the levels of serum bilirubin exceed 5 mg/dl. Breast milk jaundice will usually fade away with no interventions, and in some cases, phototherapy inauguration and breast milk discontinuation might be needed. In breastfeeding jaundice, serum bilirubin levels usually peak within the first five or six days of life due to wrong or inadequate breastfeeding practices, and the management should be done by correcting these habits, while phototherapy might be applied when the bilirubin levels exceed 18-20 mg/dl.
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