News
Genes may play a role in vitamin D deficiency
10 June 2010
Gene variants may indicate a risk of having low levels of vitamin D, suggests a new study.
20 January 2014
New studies from Sweden report that low intakes and low serum concentrations of vitamin E seem to be associated with an increased rate of fracture in older women and men.
In two cohort studies, the vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) intakes and blood concentrations of 61,433 women and 1138 men were measured and cases of fractures were documented over a period of 19 years (1). The studies’ results showed that women and men with the lowest intakes and/or blood levels of vitamin E had a significantly higher risk for hip fractures, as well as any other fractures.
The researchers commented that a reduction in the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress might reduce the rate of bone loss and muscle wasting in the elderly. Because vitamin E has high levels of anti- oxidant activity, it may favorably influence bone and muscle mass (2, 3). However, there are few human studies on the effect of alpha-tocopherol in relation to bone health. Osteoporotic fractures constitute a large and growing problem worldwide in both women and men, which have a profound effect on quality of life and mortality. Fracture risk is influenced by both genetic constitution and by environmental factors. Lifestyle factors (e.g., diet and physical activity) also gain importance with increasing age.
10 June 2010
Gene variants may indicate a risk of having low levels of vitamin D, suggests a new study.
13 March 2013
A new study from Spain suggests that lutein/zeaxanthin plus docosahexaenoic acid supplementation can improve the retina protection of patients with early age macular degeneration.
3 October 2014
A new study from Turkey reports that preterm infants with higher vitamin D levels are less likely to develop respiratory distress syndrome – the number one cause of death for preterm infants – than those with low levels.