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Vitamin Deficiency or Insufficiency Hypothesis: A Global Health Crisis of Biological Influence Towards Development of
Harold L Mashauri1,2,3
1Department of Clinical Physiology, School of Medicine KCMC University Moshi Tanzania.
Background And Aim:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been a growing crisis of economic, clinical, and public health concern for years. Different mechanisms of why and how AMR develops have been suggested and studied. Vitamins' immunological and genomic influence towards the evolution of resistant microbial agents makes them among the potential candidates to be examined when questioning the genesis and evolution of the AMR crisis. Unfortunately, this area is less explored. This perspective article aims at highlighting the potential role of vitamins towards the global AMR crisis development and suggesting potential hypothetical biological link and areas of further studies.
Findings:
Antimicrobial effect and reversal genomic influence of different vitamins among resistant microbial strains suggest a potential biological link in terms of resistant genes genesis and suppression when subjected to environments with some vitamins' concentrations below optimal levels and vice versa. Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables along the effects of climate changes on nutritional quality and quantity of crop products are among the key potential driving factors towards AMR crisis globally. Since different vitamins like vitamin C play a key role towards DNA stability by preventing and controlling DNA mutations, the potential biological influence of different vitamins towards AMR development is worth consideration for further exploration and should not be underestimated.
Conclusion:
Screening and supplementing strategies of specific vitamins of interest among resistant microbial- infected patients should be studied further to understand the biological link between specific vitamin deficiency or insufficiency levels and the development of specific antimicrobial-resistant strains. The role and influence of climate change on this biological link should also be explored in detail from a health perspective. Furthermore, different global health interventions should be implemented to increase the global intake of fruits and vegetables as one of the potential sustainable approaches towards prevention and control of AMR crisis, especially in developing countries.
Insights
Vitamins may influence antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development. Exploring vitamin levels and climate change impacts is crucial for understanding and preventing the global AMR crisis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Nutritional Science
- Genomics
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health, economic, and clinical challenge.
- The role of vitamins in the development and evolution of AMR is an under-explored area.
- Vitamins possess immunological and genomic influences that could impact microbial resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential role of vitamins in the global AMR crisis.
- To suggest hypothetical biological links between vitamin status and AMR.
- To identify areas for future research into vitamins and AMR.
Main Methods:
- This is a perspective article, relying on existing literature and theoretical frameworks.
- It synthesizes current knowledge on vitamin functions and AMR mechanisms.
- It proposes hypotheses for further investigation.
Main Results:
- Vitamins may exert antimicrobial effects and influence the genesis and suppression of resistant genes.
- Suboptimal vitamin concentrations might contribute to AMR development.
- Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and climate change impacts on crops are potential drivers of AMR.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to screen and supplement vitamins in patients with resistant infections.
- The interplay between climate change, vitamin status, and AMR requires detailed investigation.
- Global health interventions promoting fruit and vegetable consumption are vital for AMR prevention, especially in developing nations.
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