News
Vitamin D deficiency may increase death risk
2 July 2014
A new review suggests that low vitamin D levels may be associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality including mortality due to cardiovascular disease and cancer.
23 September 2011
Adequate intake of vitamin K1, but not K2, may reduce the risk of suffering a hip fracture, suggests a new study from Norway.
In the observational trial, the incidence of hospitalizations due to hip fractures was measured in 1569 men and 1238 women between the ages of 71–75 from 1997 to 2009 (1). In addition, vitamin K1 and K2 intake data were collected at the beginning of the study. The results showed that the participants with the lowest vitamin K1 intake, when compared to those with the highest K1 intake, had an increased risk of suffering a hip fracture. Vitamin K2 intake was not associated with hip fractures.
The researchers concluded that a low intake of vitamin K1, but not K2, may be associated with an increased risk of hip fractures. Intakes of vitamin K2 were mainly through consumption of milk, cheese and other dairy products (50%), meat (24%) and eggs (13%), while K1 intakes were through vegetables, fruits and berries (70%). This would suggest that a high consumption of vitamin K1 may represent a healthy lifestyle, while a diet high in vitamin K2 may not.
There is conflicting evidence on whether dietary or supplementary vitamin K has a preventive effect on osteoporosis and fracture risk. Some studies have suggested an association between low dietary vitamin K1 and fracture risk (2, 3), whereas others have not (4). Most studies in favor of vitamin K as treatment for osteoporosis and prevention of fractures have investigated vitamin K in pharmacological doses.
2 July 2014
A new review suggests that low vitamin D levels may be associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality including mortality due to cardiovascular disease and cancer.
15 May 2013
According to a new Australian study, regular long-term intake of high-dose vitamin A and beta-carotene supplements does not increase the risk of any fracture or osteoporotic fracture; beta-carotene may even have a preventive effect.
1 October 2012
Vegetarian diets have been practiced since ancient times. The popularity of vegetarian diets in recent years has been fuelled by ethical considerations, health concerns, environmental issues, and reli-gious factors. The reason a person chooses to be vegetarian influences the pattern of foods they consume, from only eating plant foods to permitting dairy and/or egg products in the diet. When a vegetarian diet is appropriately planned, it can be nutritionally adequate for individuals through all stages of the life cycle and can promote health and lower the risk of major chronic diseases. Avoiding nutrient-dense meat or animal-based diets means paying close attention to the diet in order to ensure balanced nutrition and an adequate micronutrient intake.