News
Zeaxanthin may improve visual function in AMD patients
18 November 2011
According to a new US study, supplementation with zeaxanthin can improve visual acuity in elderly patients with age-related macular degeneration independently of lutein.
11 March 2015
A new study from Australia suggests that a standardized nutrition protocol can be effective at raising vitamin D levels in preterm infants.
The observational study evaluated the effectiveness of a hospital’s vitamin D practices in meeting current supplementation recommendations by comparing the vitamin D levels of 28 infants at birth to their vitamin D levels at discharge (1). The infants received a standardized nutrition protocol including a vitamin D supplementation. The average vitamin D intake was reported at 643.6 IU daily. The study showed that the proportion of vitamin D-deficient infants decreased from at birth to discharge (32.1% versus 7.1%). Vitamin D levels increased from an average of 18.4 ng/ml to 29.2 ng/ml.
The researchers added that hospitals should recognize the importance of vitamin D in early development. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in ensuring the normal growth and development of an infant. According to the scientists, low vitamin D levels during infancy have been related to a higher risk of impaired language development, allergies, and respiratory distress syndrome, which is the number one cause of death for preterm infants. An earlier study found that 64% of preterm infants were vitamin D deficient at birth, and 35% of these infants remained vitamin D deficient upon being discharged from the hospital (2). These results suggest that vitamin D supplementation for preterm infants during their stay at the hospital was inadequate for the majority of the infants who were deficient.
18 November 2011
According to a new US study, supplementation with zeaxanthin can improve visual acuity in elderly patients with age-related macular degeneration independently of lutein.
1 January 2014
A new study from Germany reports that increased blood levels of B vitamins, carotenoids, vitamin E and zinc after supplementation are associated with an improved self-perception of general health status in elderly with mild cognitive impairment.
23 February 2016
Systolic hypertension is a major risk factor for the onset of strokes and cardiovascular disease. A new double-blinded, randomized controlled trial (1) has shown that a daily dose of fish oil containing 0.7 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) taken for eight weeks was able to reduce systolic blood pressure by a clinically significant 5 mmHg in adults with systolic hypertension.