News
New breath test to detect vitamin B12 deficiency
28 June 2011
US research team has developed a simple, non-invasive, low-cost breath test which can more accurately measure vitamin B12 status.
09 November 2009
Low blood levels of vitamin D have again been linked to lower survival in the elderly, a new study reports.
The new study used data from 614 people participating in a prospective population-based study with men and women with an average age of 69.8 (1). Blood levels of 25(OH)D were measured at the start of the study. After an average of six years of follow-up, people with the lowest average vitamin D levels (30.6 nanomoles per liter) were found to be at a 124 and 378 percent increased risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality, respectively.
The researchers said that the results provide a rationale for future studies to test whether vitamin D supplementation reduces mortality and/or cardiovascular diseases in persons with vitamin D deficiency. Apart from the maintenance of muscular and skeletal health, vitamin D may also protect against cancer, infections, autoimmune and vascular diseases, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency might contribute to a reduced life expectancy.
The research follows similar findings in 714 community-dwelling women, aged between 70 and 79 years, participating in the Women's Health and Aging Studies I and II (2). The scientists noted that several biologic mechanisms could explain a causal relationship between vitamin D deficiency and mortality, with the vitamin’s active form (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) linked to a range of effects including control of inflammatory compounds, regulating immune health and blood pressure, or reducing arterial hardening.
28 June 2011
US research team has developed a simple, non-invasive, low-cost breath test which can more accurately measure vitamin B12 status.
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.
3 September 2010
A reexamination of a controversial meta-analysis suggesting an antioxidant-mortality link leads to different conclusions.