News
Low blood vitamin D concentrations may increase mortality risk
30 December 2011
A new review suggests that mortality risk decreases as the vitamin D serum level increases, with optimal concentrations of 75–87.5 nmol/L.
13 February 2012
New US research suggests that consuming sufficient amounts of vitamin D may protect against incident strokes and cognitive impairment.
In the ‘Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study’, 26,039 black and white participants aged 45 years and older were surveyed every 6 months for strokes and assessed for cognitive function annually for a mean of 5 years (1). In addition, vitamin D consumption was measured using a food-frequency questionnaire. The study results showed that vitamin D from both supplements and food was associated with a lower risk for stroke and cognitive decline: participants with higher levels of vitamin D had an associated 11% reduction in stroke and 24% reduction in cognitive impairment versus those with lower levels, after the researchers adjusted for age, race, income, education, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, history of cardiovascular disease and weight. Higher vitamin D intake was more common among white participants as compared with black participants, but did not differ by age or sex.
According to the researchers, one limitation of the study is that there had been no good measure of vitamin D from sun exposure. Blood levels of vitamin D may be a better marker to account for diet and sun exposure. The scientists recommended examining the role of vitamin D in preserving brain function and determining the optimum dose that to improve outcomes.
30 December 2011
A new review suggests that mortality risk decreases as the vitamin D serum level increases, with optimal concentrations of 75–87.5 nmol/L.
5 November 2012
Healthy young adults can improve their working memory by increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids, suggests a new US study.
30 January 2012
New US research shows that docosahexaenoic acid is essential to build a vital sperm-cell structure.