News
Low vitamin D may weaken muscles
9 March 2010
Insufficient blood levels of vitamin D may be associated with the accumulation of fat in muscle tissue, leading to lower muscle strength, says a new study.
24 April 2013
According to a new study, increased intakes of antioxidant nutrients are associated with a lower risk of developing heart failure.
The prospective cohort study estimated the intake of all antioxidants in diet based on food-frequency questionnaires (total antioxidant capacity of diet) of 33,713 women (aged 49-83 years) and documented cases of heart failure over an 11-year period (1). The results showed that – after adjusting the data for risk factors such as smoking, body mass index, and physical activity, participants with the highest total antioxi-dant capacity of diet had a 42% decreased risk of heart failure compared with those with the lowest anti-oxidant capacity.
The researchers commented the study results would provide additional evidence that consuming a diet rich in antioxidant-containing foods benefits cardiovascular health. Antioxidants are thought to protect against car-diovascular disease by preventing the oxidation of lipids and endothelial damage, which can lead to athero-sclerosis, and by preserving the nitric oxide pool, which promotes vasodilatation and potentially reduces blood pressure, a factor that is of particular importance in the development of heart failure. According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart failure affects 5.7 million people in the United States, half of whom die within five years of diagnosis.
9 March 2010
Insufficient blood levels of vitamin D may be associated with the accumulation of fat in muscle tissue, leading to lower muscle strength, says a new study.
1 January 2013
Humans require an adequate intake of micronutrients in order to maintain normal bodily function. Though it is possible to obtain sufficient doses from a healthy diet, proper micronutrient nutrition is not always possible, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In developed countries, national intake surveys have shown inadequate micronutrient status for vulnerable population groups, such as children, women during pregnancy and lactation, the elderly, and people who are ill, as well as for young to middle-aged adults who make unhealthy food and other lifestyle-related choices that become risk factors. Micro-nutrient deficiencies and long-term insufficient intakes are associated with adverse health effects ranging from severe birth defects to chronic diseases. The costs of treating these health implications, as well as the productivity lost due to micronutrient deficiency-related morbidity and mortality, have been found in various studies to be economically significant. Interventions aimed at correcting insufficient micronutrient intakes have been generally proven cost effective.
9 August 2012
A new US review suggests that the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C be increased by more than 100% of the current levels for adults.