News
Carotenoids may protect against age-related vision loss
8 February 2012
A new literature analysis suggests that an increased intake of lutein and zeaxanthin may protect against late age-related macular degeneration.
06 October 2014
Scientists warn that particularly in patients who suffer from alcoholism, anorexia or AIDS, brain damaging thiamine deficiency is missed on clinical examination in up to 80% of cases.
According to the US neurologists vitamin B1 deficiency can cause a potentially fatal brain disorder called Wernicke encephalopathy (1). Symptoms can include confusion, hallucinations, coma, loss of muscle coordination and vision problems such as double vision and involuntary eye movements. Acute encephalo-pathy, caused by metabolic disorders and toxic substances, has a rapid onset of between hours and days. Untreated, Wernicke encephalopathy can lead to Korsakoff syndrome, characterized by profound memory loss and inability to form memories. As permanent brain damage may occur, an organized approach is needed to make an accurate and rapid diagnosis.
Thiamine deficiency is likely to be underdiagnosed. Although clinical studies find a rate of 0.13% or less, autopsy studies show a prevalence as high as 2.8%. Particularly in those who suffer from alcoholism, anorexia or AIDS, the diagnosis is missed on clinical examination in 75 to 80% of cases, the neurologists note. Wernicke encephalopathy is a medical emergency that requires immediate (intravenous) thiamine treatment. In the absence of treatment, deficiency can lead to irreversible brain damage and death with an estimated mortality of 20%.
8 February 2012
A new literature analysis suggests that an increased intake of lutein and zeaxanthin may protect against late age-related macular degeneration.
25 February 2010
Intakes of calcium above the recommended daily levels may reduce the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer by 25 percent, says a new study.
14 January 2013
Children who eat meals together with parents or older siblings, even if only once or twice a week, consume more fruit and vegetables, suggests a new UK study.