News
A poor vitamin D status may increase muscle mass loss
29 August 2014
A new study from China reports that lower blood vitamin D concentrations seem to be linked to greater age-related muscle mass loss independent of other risk factors.
29 January 2014
A new study from Amman, Jordan, reports that most newborns in the region are severely deficient in vitamin D.
The prospective cohort study measured the vitamin D concentrations in blood samples of 3731 newborns within 96 hours of birth (1). The study results showed that 94% of the newborns were vitamin D deficient (below 50 nmol/L) with a median vitamin D level of only 8.6 nmol/L. Lower gestational age, maternal smoke exposure, and birth during winter months were associated with lower infant vitamin D levels, while vitamin D supplementation and time spent outside during pregnancy were associated with higher vitamin D levels.
The researchers concluded that the prevalence of severely low vitamin D levels in newborn infants in Jordan is substantial, even in newborns born during the spring and summer months. They said vitamin D supple- mentation is needed in this population. Vitamin D deficiency is well recognized in many Middle Eastern countries.
29 August 2014
A new study from China reports that lower blood vitamin D concentrations seem to be linked to greater age-related muscle mass loss independent of other risk factors.
24 February 2011
Folic acid may be effective in the primary prevention of ischemic heart disease when aspirin is not taken routinely, a new UK study suggests.
1 July 2014
It has long been known that vitamin K, which is involved as a coenzyme in the production of coagulation factors, is essential to the regulation of blood coagulation. But vitamin K also fulfils an important role in the activation of certain enzymes which, together with vitamin D, regulate metabolism and can combat the hardening of soft tissues such as blood vessels and help slow bone demineralization. In recent years interest in this vitamin has grown considerably following the discovery of other potentially health-promoting properties. Attention centers on research into the function of vitamin-K-dependent enzymes (Gla proteins), which are found in bones and teeth as well as in blood vessel linings, the brain and other soft tissues, where they appear to regulate cell division and cell differentiation, among other things. Studies indicate that a sufficient intake of vitamin K could help prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, insulin resistance and inflammation of the joints, and above all could protect against the age-related loss of cognitive abilities.