19 December 2012
Women with higher blood concentrations of carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin may be at reduced risk of breast cancer, says a new data analysis from the US.
To investigate a potential association between carotenoids and breast cancer risk, the study analyzed data from eight cohort studies involving a total of 7011 participants (1). The analysis showed that women with higher levels of individual and total carotenoids had a significantly lower risk for breast cancer risk, with a stronger finding in estrogen receptor–negative (ER-) breast cancers.
The researchers concluded that a diet high in carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables offers many health bene-fits, including a possible reduced risk of breast cancer. The potential preventive effect on ER-tumours could mean that carotenoid intake is one of the first modifiable risk factors for this poor prognosis tumour type. There is some evidence from experimental studies that carotenoids block tumour progression and reduce proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers as well, but it is possible that this effect is hidden by hormone related associations, which overpower other risk factors, the scientists commented.
They said, it is too early to recommend the use of specific high-dose carotenoid supplements for breast can-cer prevention. Earlier this month, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that exposure to beta-carotene from food additives and food supplements at a level below 15 mg/day does not give rise to concerns about adverse health effects in the general population, including for heavy smokers (2).
1 August 2014
A new US study reports that the regular intake of fish oil supplements may produce beneficial structural changes in the brain, countering age-related brain shrinkage.
1 February 2015
An increasing number of studies indicate that nutrition may play a role in the onset and treatment of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Further, more recent evidence on brain metabolism suggests that nutritional habits or deficiencies of certain micronutrients can influence the development and progression of mental illnesses. A targeted intake of individual micronutrients appears to have prophylactic or therapeutic effects on certain mental illnesses. Conversely, mental illnesses such as ADHS, alcohol dependency, and eating disorders can lead to a deficiency of certain vitamins and micronutrients. Even if the evidence for dietary supplements in the treatment of mental illnesses is not sufficient to issue general recommendations, data from observational and randomized controlled studies suggest that their use appears to be practical given certain indicators.
15 February 2013
A growing body of research suggests that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life – i.e. the nine months spent in the womb and the first two years after birth – are vital to their long-term health.
