News
Vitamin D recommended to treat multiple sclerosis
2 April 2014
The Brazilian Academy of Neurology has released new guidelines and recommendations for neurologists to use vitamin D in multiple sclerosis patients.
25 January 2013
A combination of daily vitamin D3 plus calcium intakes and an energy-restricted diet may boost fat mass loss, says a new Chinese study.
In the randomized controlled trial, body fat mass was measured in 52 overweight and obese adults with very low calcium consumption (below 600 mg/day), following an energy-restricted diet (-500 kcal/d) and recei-ving daily calcium (600 mg) plus vitamin D (125 IU) or placebo for 12 weeks (1). The study results showed that participants who received supplements displayed a significantly greater decrease in fat loss, compared with the placebo group (-2.8 versus -1.8 kg, respectively). The supplement group also exhibited greater decrease in organ (visceral) fat mass. There were no differences between the groups for overall body weight loss.
The researchers commented that increased intakes of calcium and vitamin D may help obese on energy-restricted diet to lose more adipose tissue. Visceral fat is located between the organs and contributes to belly fat – compared with subcutaneous fat which is found beneath the epidermis. Visceral fat is composed of several adipose depots which may contribute insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension and coronary artery disease.
2 April 2014
The Brazilian Academy of Neurology has released new guidelines and recommendations for neurologists to use vitamin D in multiple sclerosis patients.
1 October 2014
As concentrated sources of micronutrients designed to supplement the normal diet, dietary supplements can be used to balance specific dietary deficits or to ensure adequate intakes. However, in some cases too high an intake of micronutrients can have adverse effects on health or cause undesirable side effects; for this reason it is necessary to define maximum intakes to guarantee the safety of their use in dietary supplements. Since the European legislative authority has not yet established uniform maximum intakes across the whole of Europe, manufacturers of dietary supplements and fortified foods are guided by recommended daily amounts and scientifically recognized upper limits for safe total daily intakes. This also applies to safe intakes for minerals present in the body, whether as macro-elements in concentrations of at least 50 mg per kg dry body weight, or as trace elements (micro-elements) in concentrations of under 50 mg per kg body weight (see also The safety of micronutrients – Part 1: fat-soluble vitamins and Part 2: water-soluble vitamins).
23 July 2013
A new study from Denmark suggests that high doses of resveratrol supplements may counteract cardiovascular benefits of exercise in older men.