23 September 2013
A new review from Germany reports that of almost 200 population-based studies worldwide more than 37% report that inadequate blood vitamin D levels are wide-spread.
The systematic review analyzed data on vitamin D supply from more than 168,000 people across 195 studies conducted in 44 countries (1). The analysis showed that 37.3% of the studies reviewed reported mean serum vitamin levels, measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D values, to be below 50 nmol/L, a value considered inade-quate by health authorities worldwide. The vitamin D values were higher in North America than in Europe or the Middle-East. Age-related differences were observed for the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, but not elsewhere. Sex-related differences were not observed in any region.
The researchers commented that although vitamin D deficiency is associated with osteoporosis and is thought to increase the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, data on vitamin D status at the population level and within key subgroups are limited. The substantial heterogeneity between the reviewed studies within each region precludes drawing conclusions on overall vitamin D status at the population level.
16 July 2014
A new US study reports that low concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in the central nervous system seem to be linked to reduced cognitive ability especially in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
1 June 2012
The globally rising need for and use of medicines continues unabated. In the context of an ever widening range of medicinal therapies and a constantly growing number of pharmaceutical substances, interactions between bioactive substances are very significant. In the past, interactions between drugs and micronutrients received little attention in pharmaceutical and medical practice, but now medication-induced disturbances of micronutrient status are leading to a number of undesirable pharmacological effects. More-over, concomitant food intake can reinforce or diminish the bioavailability and effect of a pharmaceutical substance. In some cases, synergistic effects can arise from interactions between pharmaceuticals and micronutrients: micronutrients may complement medicinal treatment and enhance its effectiveness or reduce potential side-effects.
12 October 2011
A new US study speculates that the frequent use of vitamin C and vitamin E in the period after breast cancer diagnosis may be associated with a decreased likelihood of recurrence, whereas frequent use of a combination of carotenoids may be associated with increased mortality. Experts warn against jumping to conclusions.
