News
Vitamin D may decrease risk of an eye disease for women
14 April 2011
High blood concentrations of vitamin D may be linked to a reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration in postmenopausal women, according to a new US study.
03 October 2014
A new study from Turkey reports that preterm infants with higher vitamin D levels are less likely to develop respiratory distress syndrome – the number one cause of death for preterm infants – than those with low levels.
In the observational study, the vitamin D concentration in the cord blood of 81 preterm infants was measured and cases of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were documented (1). The study results showed that the prevalence of RDS was significantly higher among preterm infants with low vitamin D levels: 52 infants with low vitamin D status were diagnosed with RDS, whereas only three preterm infants with vitamin D greater than 15 ng/ml had RDS. Higher vitamin D levels showed a 40% decreased odds of having RDS.
The researchers commented that vitamin D seems to plays a role in the respiratory system: the fact that vitamin D receptors can be found in the immune system suggests that vitamin D can bind to immune cells and help them fight off the bacteria that causes respiratory infections. Respiratory disorders tend to be more frequent during winter months when vitamin D is hard to make from sun exposure.
RDS is the number one cause of death for preterm infants. Preterm infants are often born with underde-veloped lungs in which leads to the lack of sufficient surfactant – an important substance that helps the lungs keep open. Without adequate surfactant, the infant has a more difficult time breathing and may not be able to supply enough oxygen to the body.
14 April 2011
High blood concentrations of vitamin D may be linked to a reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration in postmenopausal women, according to a new US study.
7 March 2013
Regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acid rich fish oils could help to protect against skin cancer by blocking the sun’s ability to suppress immune responses, suggests a new UK study.
30 March 2016
In 2009, the French Research Centre for the Study and Monitoring of Living Standards (Centre de Recherche pour l’Étude et l’Observation des Conditions de Vie, CRÉDOC) conducted a survey assessing the nutrition habits of over 400 French consumers.