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.
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.
The observational study measured the blood vitamin D concentrations of 1,896 healthy children under 6 years of age who had been participating in a program since birth with the aim of preventing common nu-trition problems in early years and understanding their impact on health and disease later in life (1). The study results showed that dietary intakes of vitamin D through supplementation and cow's milk were the
two factors most strongly associated with maintaining sufficient vitamin D stores. Both of those factors
were better at predicting a child’s vitamin D stores than were skin color or measures of exposure to the
sun. At the time of the study, 57% of the children had been taking a regular vitamin D supplement.
The researchers noted that dietary records of Canadian infants show that, at 12 months, they are receiving only 11% of their recommended daily allowance of vitamin D through food such as oily fish, fortified dairy products and cereals. Since early childhood is a critical stage in human development, achieving and maintai-ning optimal vitamin D levels in early childhood may be important to health outcomes in later childhood and adulthood. Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for a number of illnesses, including asthma and allergies in children. Severe deficiency can cause rickets, a softening of bones.
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.
15 March 2012
High levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the bloodstream have been linked to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack.
20 April 2012
Regular supplementation with vitamin B12 may improve arterial function and reduce atherosclerosis risk for vegetarians, suggests a new Chinese study.