News
Low vitamin D levels linked to multiple sclerosis
3 December 2012
A new UK study suggests that a rare genetic variant causing reduced levels of vitamin D may be directly linked to multiple sclerosis.
07 January 2013
Low plasma concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in the elderly, says a new study from Finland.
To assess the potential antiarrhythmic benefits of carotenoids, this observational study measured plasma concentrations of carotenoids while documenting incidents of atrial fibrillation (AF) in 1,847 women and men aged from 61 to 82 over an average of 2.8 years (1). The study results showed that the AF risk was signifi-cantly higher in participants with the lowest blood concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin when compared to those with the highest levels. The association was borderline significant for beta-carotene.
The researchers concluded that the intake of food rich in carotenoids may be considered useful in preventing AF, the most commonly diagnosed cardiac arrhythmia. The risk of stroke, congestive heart failure and cogni-tive dysfunction is shown to be higher in patients with AF (2). Inflammation and oxidative stress that often exist simultaneously have been associated with AF. Micronutrients with antioxidant properties, such as caro-tenoids, are thought to be effective deactivators of electronically excited sensitizer molecules involved in the generation of radicals (3). In addition, their anti-inflammatory efficacy may positively affect the remodeling of atrial muscle cells and prevent development of arrhythmia.
3 December 2012
A new UK study suggests that a rare genetic variant causing reduced levels of vitamin D may be directly linked to multiple sclerosis.
24 September 2015
Recent studies of healthy children in the Indian subcontinent show that around 90% are vitamin D deficient (serum 25(OH)D below 50 nmol/l). Clinical indications of the deficiency seen as bone formation abnormalities were visible in around 10% of these children.
31 August 2011
A new study from the UK shows that increasing vitamin A in the diet of millions of children could lead to an increase in life expectancy in various countries around the world.