News
Many pregnant women take the wrong dose of micronutrients
14 February 2011
A German study has shown that many pregnant women and their doctors are unsure of reasonable intake of food supplements, despite existing recommendations.
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.
14 February 2011
A German study has shown that many pregnant women and their doctors are unsure of reasonable intake of food supplements, despite existing recommendations.
4 May 2009
Supplements of vitamin K1 may slow hardening of the arteries in people already suffering from the condition.
18 January 2014
According to a new Finnish study, high blood concentrations of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids may contribute to the prevention of type 2 diabetes.