News
Obese people may need more vitamin D
14 March 2012
Older adults with a higher body mass index have lower vitamin D levels, which needs to be taken into account when determining an adequate dietary vitamin D intake, a new UK study suggests.
25 April 2014
A new US study reports that adults with increased intakes of folate may reduce their risk of developing an age-related eye disease which can lead to glaucoma.
Based on diet questionnaires the prospective cohort study estimated the intakes of B vitamins of 78’980 wo- men and 41’221 men (40 years or older) and documented cases of exfoliation glaucoma during up to
30 years (1). The study results showed that participants with higher folate intakes had a lower risk of developing the eye disease and decreased blood homocysteine levels compared to participants with low intakes. Vitamin B6 and B12 intakes were not related to disease risk.
The researchers commented that folate may support eye health by positively influencing homocysteine levels. High blood levels of this amino acid have been linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The new insights may give a better understanding of how exfoliation glaucoma progresses, which can help to develop interventions or treatments that prevent this blinding disease. The exfoliation syndrome is an age- related disease in which abnormal fibrillar extracellular material is produced and accumulates in many ocular tissues. The syndrome has been recognized as the most common identifiable cause of glaucoma (2).
14 March 2012
Older adults with a higher body mass index have lower vitamin D levels, which needs to be taken into account when determining an adequate dietary vitamin D intake, a new UK study suggests.
1 February 2012
The spread of depression has reached the point where it is becoming a public health concern. Besides psychological symptoms like listlessness and feeling low, many people with depression suffer from physical complaints like cardiovascular symptoms and a lack of appetite. In consequence, many patients with depression find it difficult to meet their nutrient requirements. Hence, they are in danger of becoming malnourished, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Although this connection between nutrition and depression is unquestioned, there is a debate as to the degree to which specific dietary behaviors can positively influence the onset, course, and severity of this mental illness. Numerous studies indicate that in the long-term an inadequate supply of micronutrients can increase the risk for depression.
11 November 2011
A new Austrian study indicates that significant portions of the elderly population are at a high risk of lacking vitamins, especially D and K, and several B vitamins.