News
Many pregnant women take the wrong dose of micronutrients
14 February 2011
A German study has shown that many pregnant women and their doctors are unsure of reasonable intake of food supplements, despite existing recommendations.
19 January 2015
According to a new US study, an adequate supply of B vitamins in women seems to increase their chances of becoming and staying pregnant even when they have high blood concentrations of a common pesticide.
The observational study measured the blood concentrations of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, and the pesticide DDT of 291 Chinese women before conception and documented cases of pregnancy and early miscarriage over 2 years (1). The study results showed that, compared to women with adequate B vitamin and low DDT levels, incidence rates of pregnancy were reduced in women with B vitamin deficiency and high DDT concentrations. In women with a sufficient vitamin B12 supply, DDT was not associated with the incidence of pregnancy. In contrast, in women with a vitamin B12 deficiency, high DDT was associated with a lower incidence of pregnancy. The chance of early miscarriage decreased significantly in women with higher folate levels and high DDT concentrations.
The researchers concluded that sufficient blood concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate may help protect against adverse reproductive effects of DDT exposure. DDT is still used to kill mosquitoes in many countries where malaria remains a serious public health concern. The United States banned the pesticide in 1972. China, where the study was conducted, followed suit in 1984. However, DDT can remain in the body and environment for decades. Previous research has shown that high levels of DDT in the body can increase the risk of early miscarriage. Better nutrition in countries where DDT is still in wide use – including fortifying foods with B vitamins – could improve pregnancy outcomes, the scientists noted.
14 February 2011
A German study has shown that many pregnant women and their doctors are unsure of reasonable intake of food supplements, despite existing recommendations.
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 March 2011
An international group of leading researchers in the growing field of carotenoids met at Tufts University, Boston, USA, for an information-packed, two-day conference.