04 June 2014
A new study from Italy reports that a supplementation with vitamin D may increase the ejection fraction of the heart in patients with severe heart failure and insufficient vitamin D levels.
The randomized controlled trial measured the ejection fraction of the heart and blood vitamin D concent- rations of 23 patients, mean age of 74 years, with severe heart failure and low vitamin D levels (below
30 ng/mL) who received 4000 IU vitamin D3 daily or placebo for six months (1). The study results show-
ed that participants who were treated with vitamin D had a significantly increased vitamin D level (from
16.2 ng/ml at the beginning of the study to 31.7 ng/ml after six months) and ejection fraction, compared
to the placebo group.
The researchers commented that the supplementation was capable of achieving the normal range of plasma vitamin D level (30 ng/mL), as established by the WHO (2). The Endocrine Society guidelines suggest a maintenance dose of 1500–2000 IU vitamin D daily to maintain a serum level concentration above 30 ng/mL (3). In addition, the study results confirm experimental data showing that the correction of vitamin D defi- ciency is able to reduce heart ventricle enlargement (hypertrophy) and most likely attenuates hypertension (4). Earlier clinical trials with patients with heart failure and infants with chronic congestive heart failure al- ready reported a significant improvement in heart functions such as ejection fraction after vitamin D supple- mentation (5, 6). According to the scientists, the main potential mechanism that could explain a direct pro- tective effect of vitamin D in heart failure includes effects on myocardial contractile function, regulation of blood pressure, heart remodeling and reduced left ventricular hypertrophy.
Heart failure is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively to all areas throughout the body. Ejection fraction, a measurement of how much blood the heart pumps out with each beat, is, therefore, an important parameter in recognizing and diagnosing heart failure. An EF of less than 40% is considered evidence of heart failure while a normal EF is considered in the range of 55% to 70%.
30 March 2016
Increasing evidence demonstrates that risk factors for chronic diseases are established during childhood and adolescence, but the relationship between the development of diseases and adolescent development is poorly understood. Adolescence is a crucial period in life and involves multiple physiological and psychological changes that affect nutritional needs and habits.
6 June 2013
A new Australian study suggests that increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce depressive symptoms for older people with mild cognitive impairment, and lower their risk of digressing to dementia. At the same time, a controversially discussed review found no benefits associated with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cognitive function in cognitively healthy older people.
1 December 2010
During the aging process, the body changes in many ways affecting its physical function. Some age-related physical changes such as wrinkles, graying hair and weight gain are obvious. Other changes, such as the gradual loss of bone tissue and the reduced resiliency of blood vessels, go unnoticed, even for decades. The rate of these processes can be very different from person to person and depend on a combination of both genetic and environmental factors.
