Expert opinion
The role of antioxidants in menopause
1 November 2014
Menopause, a form of reproductive aging, is defined as the permanent cessation of ovarian follicular activity and eventually, the menstrual cycle.
13 March 2015
A new study from Spain reports that people who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have diabetes, regardless of how much they weigh.
The observational study compared blood vitamin D concentrations of 148 participants at a wide range of weights (from lean to morbidly obese subjects), with diabetes, prediabetes or no glycemic disorders (1). The study results showed that obese participants who did not have glucose metabolism disorders had higher levels of vitamin D than diabetic subjects. Likewise, lean subjects with diabetes or another glucose metabolism disorder were more likely to have low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D levels were directly correlated with glucose levels, but not with body-mass index (BMI).
The researchers concluded that vitamin D supply is associated more closely with glucose metabolism than obesity. Vitamin D deficiency and obesity may interact synergistically to heighten the risk of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. The average person may be able to reduce their diabetes risk by maintaining an adequate vitamin D supply.
1 November 2014
Menopause, a form of reproductive aging, is defined as the permanent cessation of ovarian follicular activity and eventually, the menstrual cycle.
1 February 2012
The spread of depression has reached the point where it is becoming a public health concern. Besides psychological symptoms like listlessness and feeling low, many people with depression suffer from physical complaints like cardiovascular symptoms and a lack of appetite. In consequence, many patients with depression find it difficult to meet their nutrient requirements. Hence, they are in danger of becoming malnourished, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Although this connection between nutrition and depression is unquestioned, there is a debate as to the degree to which specific dietary behaviors can positively influence the onset, course, and severity of this mental illness. Numerous studies indicate that in the long-term an inadequate supply of micronutrients can increase the risk for depression.
14 March 2016
Professor Oleg Shadyro of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Belarus has shown that coenzyme Q10 and vitamins are able to down-regulate the cellular production of phosphatidic acid (PA) in low cellular oxygen conditions which would otherwise inhibit normal cell apoptosis. Hence supplementation with these substances could improve the efficacy of radiotherapy or chemotherapy.