News
Omega-3 and vitamin E mix shows potential for autistic speech
10 August 2009
A combination of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E may lead to speech improvements in autistic children with verbal disorders.
24 December 2012
Over 50% of the Korean population above 49 years have low blood vitamin D concentrations increasing the risk of osteoporosis, says a new study from Korea.
In the observational study, the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) blood concentrations of 1,451 men and 1,870 women aged 49 years and above were analyzed (1). The study results showed that 8.7% of the men and 17.9% of the women had serum 25(OH)D values below 12.1 ng/mL (30nM) and 50.4% resp. 66.3% had values below 20.4 ng/mL (51nM)– vitamin D concentrations defined as insufficient. Furthermore, bone mineral density (BMD) of the participants’ femurs increased until 25(OH)D concentration dropped below
20.4 ng/mL; no significant changes were observed thereafter. Serum 25(OH)D values of 12.1 ng/mL and 20.4 ng/mL were associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, while a value of 30 ng/mL (75.0 nmol/L) was not. 25(OH)D concentrations varied in relation to the season of the year, being highest in summer and lowest in spring.
The researchers commented that these findings are in line with earlier studies that have found that the Korean population has the lowest absolute concentration of serum 25(OH)D (17.6 ng/mL) compared to populations in other countries from a wide variety of latitudes and that vitamin D inadequacy, defined as serum 25(OH)D concentrations below 30 ng/mL, was highest in Korea with 92% (2). Also in agreement with the new results are earlier observations (3) indicating that adequate serum 25(OH)D concentrations for bone health may be lower than previously suggested. Accordingly, concentrations of 20 ng/mL might be sufficient.
The WHO defines vitamin D insufficiency as a serum 25(OH)D concentration below 20 ng/mL, and concen-trations below 10 ng/mL are considered vitamin D deficient. However, many observational studies suggest that the optimal serum 25(OH)D concentration for bone health is greater than 30 ng/mL and that concen-trations between 30 and 20 ng/mL are considered vitamin D insufficient and those below 20 ng/mL represent deficiency.
10 August 2009
A combination of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E may lead to speech improvements in autistic children with verbal disorders.
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.
28 June 2013
Increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce heart rate reactivity to mental stress, a new US study suggests.