News
Antioxidants may reduce breast cancer risk
2 September 2011
Increased intakes of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc may protect against breast cancer in postmenopausal women, suggests a new Canadian study.
22 October 2014
A new study from Australia reports that low blood concentrations of vitamin B1, B2, B12 and folate seem to play a role in the development of fat cells and childhood obesity.
The study analyzed data of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to investigate a potential association between serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations and intakes of B vitamins with body fat by in 1131 Mexican American children between 8 and 15 years of age (1). The data showed that participants with higher blood concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate as well as participants with increased intakes of thiamine, riboflavin and folate had a significantly lower risk of developing obesity.
The researchers commented that the findings for intakes suggest that some B vitamins may play a role in the development of fat cells (adipogenesis) through their important roles in energy homeostasis, thermoregulation, and bio-energy metabolism. B vitamins generally are required for metabolism of fats and carbohydrates and for improving lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Deficiencies in B vitamins may affect energy metabolism, leading to increased production of reactive oxidants and increased inflammatory responses, and may also promote fatty acid production (lipogenesis), leading to increased adiposity (2). A number of earlier studies already reported an association between adiposity and both serum concentrations of vitamin B and intake of B vitamins among children (3, 4). The new results, if further confirmed, could have important implications for the development of interventions that more effectively reduce childhood and adolescent obesity in populations such as Mexican American children who may be at a greater risk of obesity, the scientists concluded.
2 September 2011
Increased intakes of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc may protect against breast cancer in postmenopausal women, suggests a new Canadian study.
1 October 2013
Inflammation is a normal reaction of the body intended to remove harmful internal or external irritants and create conditions conducive to repair processes. An inflammatory reaction is a complex process involving numerous elements of the immune system. An excessive immune response or an immune system that attacks the body’s own structures (e.g. certain cells or tissues) can lead to persistent (chronic) inflammation. In this case, the immune system not only attacks pathogenic factors but also damages healthy structures, thus forming the basis for many chronic diseases. In recent years the incidence of chronic inflammatory diseases has greatly increased, especially in industrialized countries. A major cause of this increase, apart from genetic factors, is an unhealthy lifestyle, in particular an unbalanced diet and lack of exercise. A diet with plenty of micronutrients, some of which possess anti-inflammatory properties, can help prevent the development of chronic inflammatory diseases.
6 February 2012
Healthy brain development in adults seems to depend on having good iron levels in teenage years, a new US study suggests.