News
Adequate vitamin D intake may improve cognitive function
1 February 2011
A new French study suggests that regular dietary intake of vitamin D may be associated with an increased cognitive performance among older adults.
09 September 2011
About 80% of European adolescents may have suboptimal vitamin D blood levels, which potentially increases the risk of chronic diseases, says a new study.
In the observational trial, vitamin D concentrations in blood samples from 1006 adolescents from nine European countries with an age range of 12.5–17.5 years were analyzed (1). The study results showed that around 80% of the participants had suboptimal vitamin D (25-hydroxycholecalciferol) levels i.e., 39% were insufficient (50–75 nmol/l), 27% were deficient (27.5–49.99 nmol/l) and 15% were severely deficient (< 27.5 nmol/l). Vitamin D concentrations increased with age and tended to decrease according to Body Mass Index.
The researchers concluded that vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent condition in European adolescents. Due to its important role in cell growth, skeletal structure and development, having an adequate vitamin D status is essential during childhood and adolescence. Vitamin D reduces the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, infections and autoimmune disease and therefore should be a matter of concern for public health authorities.
Adolescents are considered as a risk group for insufficient micronutrient intakes because of their increasing needs of nutrients and energy for adequate growth and development that vary with age (2). However, micronutrient status is not routinely screened in this population group. The main sources of vitamin D are food intake and under-the-skin synthesis from UV light (290–315 nm) exposure. Due to the geographical situation of Europe, vitamin D synthesis may not compensate for a low nutritional intake (3).
1 February 2011
A new French study suggests that regular dietary intake of vitamin D may be associated with an increased cognitive performance among older adults.
1 June 2010
“As part of a randomized, placebo-controlled study, B-vitamins (25 mg vitamin B6, 2.5 mg vitamin B9 plus 1 mg vitamin B12 daily) were administered to 238 diabetics to explore whether these vitamins slow the progression of damage to the kidneys caused by diabetes (diabetic nephropathy) and prevent cardiovascular diseases (1).
6 December 2013
A new review from France suggests that existing study data indicating that increased blood vitamin D concentrations are associated with a reduction in the risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular events, diabetes and related mortality, does not prove that vitamin D supplementation can prevent those diseases. Experts commented that, although evidence in non-bone-health-related chronic disease prevention is missing, there is good reason to ensure that the vitamin D supply is adequate.