06 March 2013
A new US study suggests that diets high in beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce the risk of developing colorectal adenomas.
The long-term observational study involved 29,363 male health professionals who completed food frequency questionnaires every four years and had lower bowel endoscopies to identify potential colorectal adenomas (1). The study results showed that increased intakes of dietary beta-carotene and total beta-carotene (from diet and supplements) as well as lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin intakes were associated with a decreased colorectal adenoma risk. In comparison between the highest and lowest intakes, risk reduction was up to 28% for beta-carotene, 17% for lycopene and 14% for lutein/zeaxanthin. The association did not vary according to participants’ smoking status and alcohol consumption.
Adenomas of the colon (adenomatous polyps) are benign tumors that have the potential to cause serious health complications by compressing other structures and by producing large amounts of hormones in an unregulated, non-feedback-dependent manner. Colorectal adenomas are quite common and are found with colonoscopy. They are removed because of their tendency to become malignant and lead to colon cancer.
5 March 2013
The Norway Food Safety Authority (NFSA) has stated that the daily recommended intake (RDI) of vitamin D should be doubled from 10 to 20 micrograms per day for the entire population.
17 August 2015
784 Danish children aged 8 to 11 years were part of a crossover trial where the intervention was school dinners formulated with an increase in fish content of 48%. The intervention failed to provide a useful increase in circulating in vitamin D levels, with intake levels still less than a third of that recommended by the Danish authorities.
14 June 2009
Female soldiers given iron supplements improved scores for running tests and cognitive performance, according to US study.
