News
Increased calcium intakes may promote colon health
8 October 2014
A new US review concludes that an increase of calcium intake may reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.
03 December 2009
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) supplements during pregnancy may not only reduce the risk of birth defects but also protect the children from congenital heart defects, a new study reports.
In the case-control study, data from over 3,000 mothers and infants were analyzed (1). Children of women who took at least 400 micrograms folic acid per day during pregnancy, defined as a daily single supplement or as a multivitamin containing folic acid, were about 20 percent less likely to develop congenital heart defects (CHDs), compared to children of women who did not take additional folic acid. In a subgroup analysis, additional folic acid was associated with a 38 percent reduction in isolated heart defects.
The results support the hypothesis that additional folic acid use during the period from before conception to early pregnancy (periconceptional) reduces CHD risk in infants, the researchers commented.
An overwhelming body of evidence links folate deficiency in early pregnancy to increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in infants. This connection led to the 1998 introduction of public health measures in the US and Canada, where all grain products are fortified with folic acid – the synthetic, bioavailable form of folate.
Preliminary evidence indicates that the measure is having an effect with a reported 15 to 50 percent reduction in NTD incidence. A total of 51 countries now have some degree of mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid.
8 October 2014
A new US review concludes that an increase of calcium intake may reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.
21 November 2019
Two recent articles that buttress each other hit Michael Roizen, M.D.’s reading stack this past month. These studies reinforce the notion that what is good for your brain, is also good for your heart. Read more about his analysis of these studies.
1 February 2013
According to new US research beta-carotene may lower the risk of type-2 diabetes in people with a common genetic variation, while vitamin E (gamma-tocopherol) may increase risk of developing the disease.