News
High levels of vitamin D may reduce bladder cancer risk
9 November 2012
According to a new study from Spain, high blood vitamin D concentrations are associated with a lower risk of developing bladder cancer.
10 October 2012
Vitamin D deficiency among Australians is more prevalent and lasts longer than expected, says a new study.
To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Australia, the epidemiological study measured vitamin D concentrations in 24,819 blood samples between July 2008 and July 2010 (1). The study results showed that the participants were most deficient (less than 50 nanomoles vitamin D per liter serum) during fall and spring, especially in September (58% of total participants). Vitamin D levels were highest during the summer, peaking for women in January and men in February with a total of 36% people who were vitamin D deficient. The highest prevalence of deficiency occurred in female inpatients (42% in summer and 62% in spring). Additional factors associated with lower vitamin D included being an inpatient, female, aged 20–39 or over 79 years, being socioeconomically disadvantaged or from a major city.
The researchers concluded that the use of vitamin D supplements do not currently address the factor of seasonal variation. A modified approach would include commencement, or increase, of supplement use at the end of summer and be maintained until the end of spring, at which time the supplement use would either be stopped or reduced depending on an individual's exposure to sunlight. Thus, supplementation guidelines would need to be modified and strengthened.
9 November 2012
According to a new study from Spain, high blood vitamin D concentrations are associated with a lower risk of developing bladder cancer.
20 June 2014
A new UK study suggests that a supplementation with lycopene may significantly improve the widening of the blood vessels in patients with cardiovascular disease.
15 May 2013
Phytochemicals are biologically active compounds, found in plants in small amounts. At present, most interest in phytochemicals is focused on carotenoids and polyphenolic flavonoids, which seem to contribute to protection against degenerative diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.