News
Antioxidant intake may influence semen quality
9 March 2012
According to a new Spanish study, increased intake of antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene could improve the number of motile sperm and semen volume in young men.
28 December 2012
According to a new US study increased vitamin D levels of mothers at a gestation of 26 weeks or less may be related to a higher birth weight and a larger head circumference.
In the observational study, blood vitamin D concentrations of 2,146 pregnant women were measured at 26 weeks of gestation or less (1). Birth weight, head circumference, and placental weight were measured within 24 hours of birth. The study results showed that mothers with 25(OH)D levels above 15 ng/ml gave birth to newborns who weighed a mean 46 grams heavier and with head circumferences 0.13 cm larger than infants born from mothers who had a vitamin D status below 15 ng/ml. Birth weight and head circumference rose with increasing 25(OH)D up to 15 ng/ml and then leveled off.
The researchers concluded that maternal vitamin D status seems to be independently associated with mar-kers of growth in term infants. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to test whether maternal vitamin D supplementation may improve fetal growth. Previous studies have shown inconsistent associations between maternal vitamin D status and fetal size.
9 March 2012
According to a new Spanish study, increased intake of antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene could improve the number of motile sperm and semen volume in young men.
9 November 2012
According to a new study from Spain, high blood vitamin D concentrations are associated with a lower risk of developing bladder cancer.
1 October 2012
Vegetarian diets have been practiced since ancient times. The popularity of vegetarian diets in recent years has been fuelled by ethical considerations, health concerns, environmental issues, and reli-gious factors. The reason a person chooses to be vegetarian influences the pattern of foods they consume, from only eating plant foods to permitting dairy and/or egg products in the diet. When a vegetarian diet is appropriately planned, it can be nutritionally adequate for individuals through all stages of the life cycle and can promote health and lower the risk of major chronic diseases. Avoiding nutrient-dense meat or animal-based diets means paying close attention to the diet in order to ensure balanced nutrition and an adequate micronutrient intake.