2016
Increased levels of the protective macular pigment in the fovea of the eye are shown to be positively associated with increased blood serum of lutein, zeaxanthin and DHA in a new human study (1)
09 July 2013
A supplementation with vitamin D may support gaining muscle power and decreasing waist-to-hip ratio of overweight and obese people who perform resistance training, suggests a new US study.
In the randomized controlled trial, 23 overweight and obese people received either vitamin D (4,000 IU /day) or placebo for 12 weeks in combination in with resistance training (1). The study results showed that within four weeks the participants supplemented with vitamin D had greater muscular power than the placebo group. The elevated vitamin D status was associated with greater losses in terms of waist circumference, but with no additional benefits in lean mass accumulation, muscular strength or glucose tolerance during partici-pation in the 12 week resistance exercise training program.
The researchers commented that the greater decrease inwaist circumference associated with higher vitamin D intake may also represent a potential reduction in risks of type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, as well.
A new review concluded that there is strong evidence to support the important role that vitamin D may play in muscle cells as well as there being an association between increased blood vitamin D concentrations and improved muscle strength/function (2). Decreased outdoor activity, which contributes to increased body mass and decreased sun exposure, combined with inadequate nutrition can lead to low vitamin D status, which negatively affects musculoskeletal strength and function, both directly and indirectly. It has also been reported that people with higher levels of body fat require higher doses of vitamin D because 25(OH)D is sequestered by fat tissue.
1 July 2013
Micronutrient requirements differ according to the individual. They can vary according to stage of life, gender, health status, lifestyle habits, possible hereditary metabolic disorders and environmental influences. At certain stages of life, the importance of and need for individual micronutrients is particularly high, for example in pregnancy and when breastfeeding, for children and youths during the growth phase, and in old age. Micronutrient intakes that do not meet the needs of earlier stages of life in particular can increase chances of developing chronic illnesses later in life, such as osteoporosis or heart disease. It is therefore important to ensure an adequate intake of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, essential fatty acids and other nutrients from the very beginning.
22 August 2014
A new study from Iran suggests that inhaled corticosteroids in combination with vitamin D supplementation could improve airway functions in patients with mild to moderate persistent asthma.