News
Elevated vitamin D levels may increase chances of success of IVF
29 July 2013
Women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) may improve their chances of getting pregnant by increasing their vitamin D supply, suggests a new study from Canada.
08 September 2015
A new study reports a low plasma vitamin E concentration in the first trimester of pregnancy may elevate the risk of early pregnancy loss.
The observational study measured the blood vitamin E concentrations of 1605 pregnant Bangladeshi women at an average of 10 weeks of gestational age and documented cases of miscarriage (1). The study results showed that women with low alpha-tocopherol (below 12.0 micromol/L) and gamma-tocopherol (below 0.81 micromol/L) levels had a significantly increased risk of miscarriage.
The researchers commented that vitamin E (tocopherols) seems to play a significant role in oxidative defense, including mechanisms that protect the maternoplacental fetal unit. Oxidative stress can arise through the enhanced production of reactive oxygen species or a deficiency of antioxidant defenses resulting from inadequate dietary antioxidant intake, decreased synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, or increased antioxidant use (2). Increased oxidative stress and resulting lipid peroxidation have been linked to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia (3) and early pregnancy loss (4). For example, elevated plasma lipid peroxide and lower vitamin E status were reported in patients with a recurrent abortion (5).
29 July 2013
Women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) may improve their chances of getting pregnant by increasing their vitamin D supply, suggests a new study from Canada.
28 April 2010
Supplements of omega-3 fatty acids may not improve brain function in the elderly, a new UK study indicates.
5 July 2013
The majority of people following a vegetarian or vegan diet develops vitamin B12 deficiency, a situation which could be prevented by a daily supplementation of at least 250 micrograms, suggests a new US review.