News
Vitamin D3 is more potent than vitamin D2
6 January 2011
Given its greater potency and lower cost, vitamin D3 should be the preferred treatment option when correcting vitamin D deficiency, according to a new US study.
25 April 2011
Long-term supplementation with calcium may modestly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, suggests a new study.
The new meta-analysis included data from 28,072 participants of 13 randomized controlled trials evaluating the intake of calcium supplements alone or in combination with vitamin D (1g calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily) over a long time period in connection with the risk of cardiovascular events (1). The analysis results indicate that the increased intakes may modestly elevate the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, suggesting an unfavorable risk-to-benefit profile when comparing the benefits of calcium on fracture prevention with the risk of cardiovascular events: treating 1,000 patients with calcium or calcium plus
vitamin D for five years would cause an additional six myocardial infarctions or strokes and prevent only three fractures. The researchers speculate that increased serum calcium concentration due to long term treatment with supplements could increase the risk of vascular calcification.
Experts criticized that the meta-analysis’ methods, saying that they are flawed and point to many more studies touting the beneficial effects of calcium in bone health. As there is not enough evidence to confirm the association between calcium supplements and cardiovascular risk, further studies would need to be carried out to determine potential negative effects.
6 January 2011
Given its greater potency and lower cost, vitamin D3 should be the preferred treatment option when correcting vitamin D deficiency, according to a new US study.
1 December 2012
Beta-carotene is an important dietary source of vitamin A for humans. However, the bioavailability and vitamin A equivalency of beta-carotene are highly variable and can be affected by food- and diet-related factors as well as characteristics of the population, such as nutrient deficiencies and genetic variations associated with beta-carotene metabolism.
21 June 2013
As one new nutrition survey shows, only 15% of women and 7% of men in Germany consume the five daily servings of fruits and vegetables – which constitutes an important sources of vitamins, minerals and trace elements – recommended by the German Nutrition Society.