PhD defence S. (Sadaf) Oliai Araghi

The growing interest in the role of micronutrients in optimizing health and prevention of diseases results in increasing in use of dietary supplements. Ageing is associated with higher risk on fracture, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and frailty. However, there is limited evidence to evaluate the role of the micronutrients in health and disease among older adults. Common used micronutrients are B-vitamins, calcium and vitamin D. Consequently, it is essential to identify the role of these micronutrients on the most common diseases in the ageing population. In this thesis we addressed the effect of these micronutrients on body composition, fractures, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Furthermore, the role of the interaction of calcium and vitamin D in the association between diuretics and bone health, and the interaction of SNPs in the association between calcium and colorectal cancer is described in this thesis. Based on the results of this thesis, the dietary supplementation is recommended for people with proven deficiencies and not used in large amount. The optimal dose for dietary supplementation should be further investigated. Furthermore, the use of micronutrients should be monitored for the potential risks and negative effects of supplementation should be investigated in the future. Also, the interaction between nutrition and medication is recommended to study in large scale.

Due to corona, the PhD defences do not take place publicly in the usual way in the Senate Hall or in the Professor Andries Querido Room. The candidates will defend their dissertation either in a small group or online.