News
Antioxidants linked to improved quality of sperm DNA
9 October 2012
A new US study suggests that an adequate intake of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc is strongly associated with less sperm DNA damage in older men.
14 December 2011
A new UK study suggests that supplementation with vitamin D or calcium may have no impact on the chances of dying from cancer or vascular disease among seniors with a high risk of bone fractures. The researchers concede, however, that the study has weaknesses.
In the randomized controlled trial, 5,292 people over the age of 70 who had already suffered a bone fracture were divided into four groups: the first group took 800 International Units (IU) of vitamin D daily, the second took 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day, the third group took both supplements, and the fourth group took a placebo for two to five years (1). After up to three years, there were no significant differences in deaths from cancer or heart disease in the four groups.
The researchers commented that the study does not provide the final answer on whether vitamin D can help prevent heart disease or cancer. The dose of vitamin D and the number of participants might not have been high enough, and the study time probably not long enough to show an effect. In addition, the participants often stopped taking their supplements.
Recent research links vitamin D to a wide variety of health benefits. One meta-analysis of observational studies suggested a link between an increased risk of colorectal cancer and low vitamin D status (2). Another meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials suggested that vitamin D supplementation, given mainly for fracture prevention, may reduce all-cause mortality (3). In a large study, low vitamin D status was associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (4). Other studies did not find conclusive evidence for such benefits (5, 6).
9 October 2012
A new US study suggests that an adequate intake of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc is strongly associated with less sperm DNA damage in older men.
1 December 2014
Optimizing vision throughout the lifespan is a public health priority worldwide, not only because of its central importance to quality of life, but also because of the health care costs associated with the loss of vision in an aging population. Oxidative stress is thought to be a key pathogenic mechanism of compromised vision, and the antioxidant properties of some nutrients show the capacity to modulate disease conditions linked to oxidative stress. Considerable evidence has accumulated showing that vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene and zinc help support vision and may be protective against the development or progression of some common – especially age-related – eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. In addition, increased intakes of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin and the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – all concentrated in the eye – have been associated consistently with lower likelihood of sight-threatening conditions. There has also been some promising research with B vitamins in age-related eye diseases and with vitamin A and DHA in the rare disease retinitis pigmentosa (see also Key nutrients for healthy vision).
1 May 2009
“Antioxidants, vitamins C and E in particular, are suspected of increasing the risk of diabetes in athletes” – this message is a reaction by the press to a study by Ristow et al.