News
Saturated fats may not be linked to heart disease
12 February 2010
Dietary intakes of saturated fats are not linked to cardiovascular disease, suggests a new study.
30 April 2010
Attention-deficit and hyperactivity problems in children may be associated with low vitamin B9 (folate) levels during pregnancy, suggests a new UK study.
In the study, blood samples of 100 mothers in early pregnancy were taken to measure vitamin B9 (folate) levels (1). After a follow-up of an average of 8.75 years, the mothers reported on their children's behavior using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The results showed that low maternal levels of folate were associated with both higher childhood hyperactivity and peer problems scores.
These findings further support the hypothesis that maternal nutrition contributes to an individual’s development, with potential consequences for their behavior later in life, the researchers commented. The long-term effects of poor maternal nutrition may even branch out to the child’s ability to interact with peers or form social bonds.
The scientists speculate that the low folate levels may impair the development of the brain in the fetus. Early pregnancy is a critical time for brain development.
A Dutch study reported earlier that the children of mothers who took folic acid supplements during pregnancy were better at internalizing and externalizing problems, compared to the children of mothers who did not take supplements.
An overwhelming body of evidence links folate deficiency in early pregnancy to increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in infants.
12 February 2010
Dietary intakes of saturated fats are not linked to cardiovascular disease, suggests a new study.
29 September 2011
Insufficient blood vitamin D concentrations could be the reason why children with asthma experience worse lung function and more severe symptoms, a new UK study says.
1 December 2015
In 2000, the USA Institute of Medicine (IoM) noted that the amount of vitamin E necessary to maintain the correct metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in cell membranes is related to the intake of PUFAs. A recent review by Raederstorff et al. examines in detail the relationship between PUFA intake and vitamin E requirement. The basal metabolic requirement of 3 to 4 mg/day α-tocopherol needs to be increased to 12.5 to 20 mg/day, just to balance out typical intakes of PUFAs in the Western diet.