31 August 2011
A new study from the UK shows that increasing vitamin A in the diet of millions of children could lead to an increase in life expectancy in various countries around the world.
The meta-analysis included 43 randomized trials involving a total of 215,633 children aged from 6 months to 5 years and compared rates of illness and death among those who received vitamin A supplements and those who did not (1). The study results showed that mortality was reduced by 24 percent if children were given vitamin A.
The researchers commented that vitamin A supplements could potentially reduce the rates of measles and diarrhea by boosting immune systems in children. Taking into consideration current trends, they estimated that if the 190 million children who are vitamin A deficient globally received adequate vitamin supplements, it could potentially save more than 600,000 lives each year.
Unfortunately, the vitamin supplement programs available are unable to reach all the children who would benefit from a vitamin supplement. According to the World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children of emerging countries and increases the risk of disease and death from severe infections.
15 December 2013
The beneficial effects of consuming omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on cardiovascular health have been studied extensively.
5 April 2009
A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C and E, and folate is the only dietary pattern associated with lower risk of heart disease, says a review.
10 November 2011
A new Japanese study suggests that vitamin supplement use in women might reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and elevate the risk of cancer. Experts doubt the conclusions.
