News
Omega-3 fatty acids are safe at high doses
5 July 2011
According to a new Norwegian review, eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexanoic acid show no negative health effects up to a dosage of 6.9 g/day.
11 April 2014
A new US study reports that low blood concentrations of vitamin D seem to be linked to an elevated risk of developing more severe coronary artery disease.
The observational study evaluated blood vitamin D concentrations of 1,484 patients with coronary artery disease, whose extent and severity was measured by quantitative coronary angiography – a procedure that determines the degree of blockage in arteries (1). The study results showed that 70.4% of the patients were deficient in vitamin D (below 20ng/mL). Participants with values lower than 10 mg/dl had a near two-fold increased rate of coronary atherosclerosis as compared with those showing normal levels. Vitamin D defi- ciency was also related to a 20% higher frequency of severe coronary artery disease.
The researchers commented that although evidence of benefits with vitamin D supplementation in cardiovascular health are still lacking, strategies to raise the vitamin D level should probably be advised in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D is thought to act as a regulator on the function of the immune system as well as inflammatory processes that contribute to risk factors for heart disease. Present study results suggest vitamin D deficiency to be the cause rather than the consequence of atherosclerosis, the researchers said. Coronary artery disease occurs when there is a build-up of plaque in the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.
5 July 2011
According to a new Norwegian review, eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexanoic acid show no negative health effects up to a dosage of 6.9 g/day.
31 July 2012
Eating more foods rich in antioxidant nutrients like vitamins C and E and selenium may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by up to two thirds, suggests a new British study. It used data from the Norfolk arm of the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC) study.
11 May 2010
Extended physiotherapy and vitamin D supplementation may help to decrease the likelihood of falling and re-admission to hospital after acute hip fracture, says a new study.