News
Omega-3 fatty acids may protect against hearing loss
11 June 2010
Increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids from fish may reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss, suggests a new Australian study.
25 December 2013
A new research report from Iran suggests that the eightfold rise in the incidence of multiple sclerosis, mainly in women, over the last 20 years may be related to an insufficient vitamin D supply due to the requirement for women to wear a veil in public.
In the report, researchers speculated that there may be a link between the significant (8.3-fold) increase in the incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS), mainly in women, between 1989 and 2006, and the Iranian Revo- lution, which led to drastic cultural changes (1). For example, it became a government requirement for women to wear loose-fitting clothing and a veil in public. Previous research has shown that veiled women have lower vitamin D levels compared to unveiled women (2). Without direct sun exposure to the skin, the body is unable to make vitamin D, which can increase the risk of developing MS. Thus, women in Iran are getting much less vitamin D now than prior to the Iranian Revolution, which took place in 1979. Given that the average age of MS onset is 30 and that the incidence of MS in Iran is the highest ever recorded just over 30 years after the revolution, there is a likely association between the Iranian revolution and reduced sub- sequent vitamin D levels, particularly in pregnant women, according to the researchers. Lifestyle changes, such as urbanization and use of sunscreen, may have to some extent contributed to increased vitamin D deficiency. However, these changes are unlikely to contribute to the particularly high increase in MS inci- dence observed in Iran as they occurred across the developed world and there is no evidence to suggest that they were particularly great in Iran.
The researchers concluded that preventing vitamin D deficiency by sufficient vitamin D intakes is a critical public health issue for Iranians both within and outside of the country, and could help prevent an emerging MS epidemic in this population. A number of studies have shown that one crucial environmental factor for MS risk is the degree of sunlight exposure one receives, which is linked to the vitamin D supply (3). In low-sun- light conditions (i.e. countries of high latitudes), insufficient vitamin D is produced, providing a risk factor for MS development. Ultraviolet (UV) light intensity is greater at high altitudes, resulting in a greater synthesis of vitamin D, which explains the lower MS rates usually found in countries at higher altitudes. However, clothing styles that conceal skin from ultraviolet sun radiation contribute to vitamin D deficiency, especially in veiled females. Research continues to show a clear link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of MS. Some intervention studies also show that vitamin D supplementation may be able to help prevent or slow progression of MS (4).
11 June 2010
Increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids from fish may reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss, suggests a new Australian study.
5 September 2012
According to new research from the US, the risk of diseases, such as hip fractures, heart attacks and cancer, increases when the blood concentration of vitamin D falls below 20 ng/milliliter or 50 nmol/liter.
1 May 2014
The formation of cell membranes as well as many other physiological functions crucially depends on the availability of sufficient amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eico- sapentaenoic acid (EPA). Omega-3 fatty acids appear to have a key function in the formation, growth and regeneration of cells and in the transmission of cell signals throughout life. During pregnancy and breastfeed- ing the essential polyunsaturated fatty acids are already playing an important role in the development of the infant brain and eye cells. Studies found that omega-3 fatty acids could also improve sight and brain function in adults. Fatty acids are needed for the production of hormone-like substances (eicosanoids) which act in the body in multiple ways. Hence fatty acids appear to be involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism, blood pressure, immune system, inflammatory processes and psychological wellbeing. An adequate intake of ome- ga-3 fatty acids could therefore help in the prevention of many diseases.