Expert opinion
Fifteen years of fortifying with folic acid
1 March 2012
Fifteen years of experience has shown that fortifying flour with folic acid is a reliable method for significantly reducing the incidence of neural tube defects.
05 June 2013
According to a new US review, regular intakes of fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids increase amounts of a hormone that is associated with lower risk of diabetes and heart disease.
The meta-analysis reviewed and analyzed results from 14 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1,323 participants who either took daily fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids or placebo (1). The analysis showed that participants supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids had increased blood levels of adiponectin, a hormone shown to have beneficial effects on metabolic processes like glucose regulation and the modulation of inflammation. The effect of fish oil on adiponectin differed substantially across the trials, suggesting that fish oil supplementation may have stronger influence on adiponectin in some populations and weaker effects in others.
The researchers commented that these results support potential benefits of fish oil consumption on glucose control and fat cell metabolism via adiponectin. Although earlier research linked higher blood levels of adiponectin to lower risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, it remains unclear whether fish oil influences glucose metabolism and development of type 2 diabetes. In addition, the results highlight the need for further investigation in populations that may particularly benefit from fish oil supplementation, they said.
1 March 2012
Fifteen years of experience has shown that fortifying flour with folic acid is a reliable method for significantly reducing the incidence of neural tube defects.
30 January 2013
According to a new study from Canada, the two factors most strongly associated with higher vitamin D levels in young children are taking a daily vitamin D supplement and drinking two cups of cow’s milk a day.
15 January 2012
In addition to its function as a component of thyroid hormones, elemental iodine plays an important role in the regulation of thyroid activity and protects against microbes in the secretions of mucous membranes.