Valeria Galetti

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Galetti

First Name

Valeria

ORCID

0000-0002-7867-9960

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Publications 1 - 10 of 16

Iron status in women of reproductive age in Switzerland: the role of inflammation and ferritin thresholds for the prevalence of iron deficiency–a cross-sectional study
Herter-Aeberli, Isabelle; Andersson, Maria; Galetti, Valeria (2025)
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Background/Objectives Iron deficiency in women of childbearing age remains a public health challenge, but prevalence data in high-income countries is scarce and the role of predictors remains uncertain. We determined the prevalence of iron deficiency in women in Switzerland and assessed the influence of BMI, inflammation, and age on iron status. In addition, we determined the ferritin concentration below which hemoglobin (Hb) starts to decline. Subjects/Methods This is a secondary, pooled data analysis including data from 26 studies conducted in Switzerland between 2009 and 2020. Participants were a convenience sample of generally healthy women aged between 18 and 54 years (n = 2709). Results The prevalence of iron deficiency in women (median 23.3 years; IQR: 21.1–26.4) was 18.9%, while 4.7% of the women were anemic and 3.3% were iron deficient anemic. The prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) was 7.2%, and 1.4% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2); 8.9% suffered from acute inflammation (CRP ≥ 5 mg/l). In multivariate regression analysis, BMI and age were positive predictors of ferritin (p < 0.001), while inflammation was not. Correcting iron status for inflammation had a negligible effect on the prevalence of iron deficiency. We observed a decrease in Hb below a ferritin concentration of 28.5 µg/l. Conclusions In this convenience sample of young women in Switzerland, one in five was iron deficient and one in 30 was anemic due to iron deficiency. Controlling ferritin concentrations for inflammation did not substantially affect the prevalence of iron deficiency, indicating that such corrections are redundant in a healthy population with a low prevalence of inflammation. Impaired erythropoiesis was observed when the ferritin concentration fell below 28.5 µg/l, providing further evidence for a physiologically based ferritin threshold to identify the onset of iron-deficient erythropoiesis.
Zinc deficiency and stunting
Galetti, Valeria (2019)
Handbook of Famine, Starvation, and Nutrient Deprivation: From Biology to Policy
Seasonal effects on urinary iodine concentrations in women of reproductive age: An observational study in Tanzania and South Africa
Arns-Glaser, Leonie; Zandberg, Lizelle; Assey, Vincent D.; et al. (2022)
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Background Iodine intake in populations is usually assessed by measuring urinary iodine concentrations (UICs) in spot samples. Hot climate conditions may reduce urine volume, thus leading to overestimations of UIC and thereby masking inadequate iodine intake. Objectives We investigated the effects of season on UICs in 2 populations exposed to high-temperature climates. Methods In this observational study, we examined women (18–49 years) in Tanzania (ncold = 206; nhot = 179) and South Africa (ncold = 157; nhot = 126) during cold and hot seasons. From each woman in both seasons, we obtained two 24-hour urine collections and 2 spot urine samples, as well as salt, water, and cow's milk samples. We measured the urine volume, UIC, and urinary creatinine concentration (UCC). The 24-hour urinary iodine excretion (UIE) was calculated and used to estimate the iodine intake. We used linear mixed-effects models to test for differences between seasons. Results In Tanzanian women, we observed no seasonal effect on the urine volume, 24-hour UIE, 24-hour UIC, spot UIC, spot UIC:UCC ratio, or salt iodine concentration. In South African women, the median 24-hour urine volume was 1.40 L (IQR, 0.96–2.05 L) in the winter and 15% lower in the summer (P < 0.001). The median 24-hour UIE was 184 µg/day (IQR, 109–267 µg/day) in the winter and 34% lower in the summer (P < 0.001), indicating a lower iodine intake. As a result, UICs did not significantly differ between seasons in 24-hour collections and spot samples, whereas the spot UIC:UCC ratio differed by 21% (P < 0.001) and reflected the lower iodine intake. In both study populations, the within- and between-person variabilities in urine volume, 24-hour UICs, and spot UICs were higher than the variability between seasons. Conclusions Spot UIC may slightly overestimate the iodine intake in hot temperatures due to concentrated urine, and methods to correct for urine volume may be considered. Local seasonal differences in iodine intakes may also occur in some populations. This trial was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03215680.
Iodine bioavailability from cow milk: a randomized, crossover balance study in healthy iodine-replete adults
van der Reijden, Olivia L.; Galetti, Valeria; Bürki, Sarah; et al. (2019)
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Background: Milk and dairy products are considered important dietary sources of iodine in many countries. However, to our knowledge, iodine bioavailability from milk has not been directly measured in humans. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare iodine bioavailability in iodine-replete adults from: 1) cow milk containing a high concentration of native iodine; 2) milk containing a low concentration of native iodine, with the addition of potassium iodide (KI) to assess a potential matrix effect; and 3) an aqueous solution of KI as a comparator; with all 3 containing equal amounts of total iodine (263 µg/250 mL). We also speciated iodine in milk. Design: We conducted a 3-wk, randomized, crossover balance study in adults (n = 12) consuming directly analyzed, standardized diets. During the 3 test conditions — high intrinsic iodine milk (IIM), extrinsically added iodine in milk (EIM), and aqueous iodine solution (AIS) — subjects collected 24-h urine over 3 d and consumed the test drink on the second day, with 3- or 4-d wash-out periods prior to each treatment. Iodine absorption was calculated as the ratio of urinary iodine excretion (UIE) to total iodine intake. Milk iodine speciation was performed using ion chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Iodine intake from the standardized diet was 195 ± 6 µg/d for males and 107 ± 6 µg/d for females; the test drinks provided an additional 263 µg. Eleven subjects completed the protocol. There was a linear relation between iodine intake and UIE (β = 0.89, SE = 0.04, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in UIE among the 3 conditions (P = 0.24). Median (range) fractional iodine absorption across the 3 conditions was 91 (51–145), 72 (48–95), and 98 (51–143)% on days 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with day 2 significantly lower compared with days 1 and 3 (P < 0.001). In milk, 80–93% of the total iodine was inorganic iodide. Conclusion: Nearly all of the iodine in cow milk is iodide and although fractional iodine absorption from milk decreases with increasing dose, its bioavailability is high. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03590431.
Iodine in milk and dairy products in relation to iodine in feed and the contribution to iodine intakes in Swiss adults
Van der Reijden, Olivia L.; Galetti, Valeria; Zeder, Christophe; et al. (2018)
World Food System Center 2018 Research Symposium - Program and Abstracts
Senegal's Iodine Puzzle: Iodine Status, Salt Iodization, and Dietary Iodine Sources
Wegmüller, Rita; Beye, Maguette F.; Ndiaye, Ndeye F.; et al. (2025)
Current Developments in Nutrition
Background: Iodine is vital for human health, and its deficiency is linked to severe disorders. Although salt iodization is practiced in Senegal, evidence shows declining household iodized salt coverage. Objectives: This survey assessed iodine status in nonpregnant females and examined dietary sources contributing to their iodine intake. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2023 and was nationally representative. Using stratified sampling, data were collected from 866 households and from 657 nonpregnant females aged 15–49 y. Median urinary iodine concentration (UIC), urinary sodium concentration, and household salt iodine concentration were analyzed, with the apportioning of iodine sources through statistical methods to estimate iodine intake from native dietary sources, iodized salt in processed foods, and iodized household salt. Results: Iodine sufficiency was observed with a median UIC of 252 μg/L, yet regional disparities exist, with some areas showing more than adequate iodine concentrations. Coverage with adequately iodized salt was low (19%), with higher availability in urban areas. Females in urban areas showed higher UICs than those in rural areas, which might be related to a higher contribution from adequately iodized salt. Processed foods, including bouillon, contributed about half to iodine intake, with household salt accounting for only a small portion (9% in urban and 5% in rural areas). Conclusions: Despite low iodized salt coverage at the household level, nonpregnant Senegalese females have adequate iodine intake due to iodine in processed foods. Effective monitoring of iodized salt used for processed foods is essential to mitigate potential excess intake whereas ensuring continued iodine sufficiency in all population groups.
Fortifying cow’s milk and dairy products with iodine by supplementation
van der Reijden, Olivia L.; Galetti, Valeria; Herter-Aeberli, Isabelle; et al. (2019)
ETH-Schriftenreihe zur Tierernährung ~ Mengen- und Spurenelemente: essentiell für Leistung und Tiergesundheit
Observational study of lipid profile and c-reactive protein after a seven-day fast
Galetti, Valeria; Brnic, Marica; Lotin, Benjamin; et al. (2021)
Nutrients
Fasting is becoming an increasingly popular practice. Nevertheless, its clinical benefits and possible inconveniences remain limitedly evaluated. We observed the effects of a seven-day fast conducted in a non-medical center located in the Swiss Alps. Clinical parameters were measured on the first and last day of fasting (D1 and D7), and two months later (D60). Among the 40 participants, blood analyses were done on 25 persons with an increased metabolic risk, with the primary goal of assessing the lasting effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. By comparing D60 with D1, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (+0.15 mmol/L) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (+2.05 mmol/L) increased (both p < 0.009), all other blood parameters (LDL, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP)) did not change; weight (−0.97 kg) and hearth rate (−7.31 min−1) decreased (both p < 0.006). By comparing D7 with D1, total cholesterol (+0.44 mmol/L), triglycerides (+0.37 mmol/L) and CRP (+3.37 mg/L) increased (all p < 0.02). The lack of LDL variation at D60 may be due to the low metabolic risk level of the participants. The increase of total cholesterol, triglycerides and CRP at D7 warrants studies to understand whether such fluctuations represent a stress reaction to the fasting state, which may vary in different fasting types.
A dose-response crossover iodine balance study to determine iodine requirements in early infancy
Dold, Susanne; Zimmermann, Michael B.; Baumgartner, Jeannine; et al. (2016)
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Background: Optimal iodine intake during infancy is critical for brain development, but no estimated average requirement (EAR) is available for this age group. Objective: We measured daily iodine intake, excretion, and retention over a range of iodine intakes in early infancy to determine the minimum daily intake required to achieve iodine balance. Design: In a dose-response crossover study, we randomly assigned healthy infants (n = 11; mean ± SD age 13 ± 3 wk) to sequentially consume over 33 d 3 infant formula milks (IFMs) containing 10.5, 19.3, and 38.5 μg I/100 kcal, respectively. Each IFM was consumed for 11 d, consisting of a 6-d run-in period followed by a 4-d balance period and 1 run-out day. Results: Iodine intake (mean ± SD: 54.6 ± 8.1, 142.3 ± 23.1, and 268.4 ± 32.6 μg/d), excretion (55.9 ± 8.6, 121.9 ± 21.7, and 228.7 ± 39.3 μg/d), and retention (−1.6 ± 8.3, 20.6 ± 21.6, and 39.8 ± 34.3 μg/d) differed among the low, middle, and high iodine IFM groups (P < 0.001 for all). There was a linear relation between daily iodine intake and both daily iodine excretion and daily iodine retention. Zero balance (iodine intake = iodine excretion, iodine retention = 0 μg/d) was achieved at a daily iodine intake of 70 μg (95% CI: 60, 80 μg). Conclusion: Our data indicate the iodine requirement in 2- to 5-mo-old infants is 70 μg/d. Adding an allowance for accumulation of thyroidal iodine stores would produce an EAR of 72 μg and a recommended dietary allowance of 80 μg. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02045784.
Threshold ferritin and hepcidin concentrations indicating early iron deficiency in young women based on upregulation of iron absorption
Galetti, Valeria; Stoffel, Nicole U.; Sieber, Chloe; et al. (2021)
eClinicalMedicine
Background Plasma ferritin is a widely used indicator to detect iron deficiency, but the threshold ferritin that defines iron deficiency remains uncertain. Our aim was to define the ferritin concentration at which the body begins to upregulate iron absorption from the diet; this could provide a functionally-defined threshold of incipient iron deficiency. We hypothesized this threshold ferritin concentration would correspond to the threshold hepcidin concentration at which iron absorption begins to increase. Methods We performed a pooled analysis of our stable iron isotope studies (n = 1058) conducted from 2006 to 2019 in healthy women (age 18–50 years; mean±SD ferritin 33.7 ± 27.1 μg/L) that measured iron absorption from labeled test meals providing physiological amounts of iron. To fit relationships between iron absorption, ferritin and hepcidin, we used generalized additive modeling, and to identify thresholds, we estimated the first derivatives of the fitted trend to assess inflection points in these relationships. Findings Hepcidin increased linearly with increasing ferritin over the entire range of ferritin values. Iron absorption began to increase below a threshold hepcidin value of 3.09 (95%CI: 2.80, 3.38) nmol/l, above which iron absorption remained stable. Iron absorption began to increase below a threshold ferritin value of 51.1 (95%CI: 49.1, 53.1) µg/l, above which iron absorption remained stable. The latter two findings were internally consistent in that, in the relationship between hepcidin and ferritin, a hepcidin of ~3 nmol/l corresponded to a ferritin of ~51 µg/l. Interpretation Based on physiological upregulation of iron absorption, a threshold ferritin of <50 µg/L, corresponding to a threshold hepcidin of <3 nmol/l, indicates incipient iron deficiency in young women.

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Valeria Galetti

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