News
Beta-Carotene, vitamins and minerals may reduce eczema risk in children
1 February 2010
Increased intakes of beta-carotene, vitamin B9 (folic acid), vitamin E and iron may reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis, suggests a new study.
23 July 2012
According to a new systematic review, milk and cereal products fortified with iron and a combination of other micronutrients, such as vitamin A and zinc, are more likely to help reduce iron-deficiency anemia in children than foods fortified with iron alone.
To assess the impact of micronutrient-fortified milk and cereal products on the health of infants and small children (aged 6 months to 5 years) compared to non-fortified foods, the meta-analysis evaluated data from 18 randomized controlled trials including 5468 participants (1). The analysis showed that foods fortified with iron plus other micronutrients were more effective in improving hemoglobin levels in the blood than foods fortified with iron alone. Compared to non-fortified foods, iron plus multi-micronutrient fortification increased hemoglobin levels by 0.87 g/dl and reduced the risk of anemia by 57%. Foods fortified with iron plus multi-micronutrients also resulted in increased serum levels of vitamin A but not of zinc when compared with non-fortified foods. The evidence relating to functional health outcomes (e.g. weight gain) and morbidity was inconclusive.
The researchers concluded that multi-micronutrient-fortified milk and cereal products can be an effective way of reducing anemia in children up to three years of age in developing countries. However, a limitation of this is that fortified foods of this kind may not reach the poorest of the poor. Thus, a combination of different delivery channels, as well as affordable prices, may be needed for a successful approach.
Micronutrient deficiency is a common public health problem in developing countries, especially for infants and children in the first two years of life. As this is an important time window for child development, it is recom-mended that mothers give their children complementary foods such as micronutrient-fortified milk or cereal products from 6 months of age, in combination with continued breastfeeding. The overall effects of this approach are as yet unknown.
1 February 2010
Increased intakes of beta-carotene, vitamin B9 (folic acid), vitamin E and iron may reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis, suggests a new study.
21 November 2018
A landmark Cochrane Review was recently published showing the correlation between long-chain omega-3 (DHA and EPA) intake during pregnancy and the baby’s length of gestation. As a “gold standard” of scientific evidence analysis, the authors of the Cochrane Review suggest 500 mg – 1,000 mg of long-chain omega-3s, which includes a minimum of 500 mg of DHA may lower the risk of premature birth, including early preterm birth (ePTB less than 34 weeks of gestation).
10 September 2014
According to a new review from the UK, vitamin D supplementation can increase upper and lower limb strength.