News
Increased carotenoid intakes may help to prevent colon cancer
6 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.
13 August 2014
A new review concludes that a supplementation with antioxidant vitamins C and E has a small protective effect on arterial stiffness, especially in people with low blood concentrations of these vitamins.
The systematic review and meta-analysis included results of 20 randomized controlled trials including a total of 1909 participants aged 22 to 63 years, which investigated a potential effect of supplementation with vitamin C (mean dose 2000 mg/day) and vitamin E (mean dose 360 IU/day) on preventing or improving arterial stiffness (1). The analysis showed that compared to the placebo group healthy participants who received the vitamins had a significantly reduced risk to develop arterial stiffening. Participants with existing arterial stiffness due to cardiovascular or metabolic diseases showed a trend for improved vascular health when taking vitamins. Antioxidant vitamin supplementation was more effective in participants with low baseline plasma concentrations of vitamins C and E.
The researchers noted that arterial stiffening is closely associated with many pathologic conditions, including atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, diabetes and chronic kidney diseases. It is a precursor of cardiovascular disease and is regarded as a marker for increased CVD risk and all-cause mortality (2). Structural and functional changes in the vessel wall, such as the replacement of elastin with collagen and smooth-muscle proliferation, contribute to the onset and progression of arterial stiffness (3). Oxidative stress and inflammation contribute significantly to this structural remodeling (4). The beneficial effects of antioxidant vitamins on vascular stiffness may be explained by the reduction of the damaging effects of free radicals on structural and functional components of the vessel walls (5). Antioxidant vitamins are thought to inactivate free radicals, reduce inflammation, increase the bioavailability of the vasodilator and anti-inflammatory molecule nitric oxide (NO) and therefore protect the integrity of the vascular wall (6).
6 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.
29 May 2013
A new study from Turkey states that vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency may be more common in premenopausal women than previously thought and may decrease their quality of life.
14 January 2013
Children who eat meals together with parents or older siblings, even if only once or twice a week, consume more fruit and vegetables, suggests a new UK study.