21 April 2010
Increased intakes of vitamin K from dietary and supplementary sources may reduce the risk of cancer of the lymphatic system, according to a new US study.
In the study, 603 patients who were newly diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 1’007 healthy control subjects with no cancer were recruited for comparison (1). Using data obtained from food questionnaires, the researchers noted a clear trend supporting a lowering in the risk of lymphoma with increased vitamin K intakes from the diet: The risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma was approximately 45 percent lower in people with a vitamin K intake of at least 108 micrograms a day, compared with people with an intake of less than 39 micrograms per day.
Vitamin K from supplements also protected against non-Hodgkin lymphoma but reached a point where the highest intake offered no reduction in risk.
Vitamin K is thought to play a role in non-Hodgkin lymphoma by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines.
Whether the observed protective effect was due to vitamin K intake or other dietary or lifestyle factors, cannot be definitely assessed in this study, the researchers commented. As with all new findings, the results will need to be replicated in other studies. However, these findings add to a lot of other data supporting a diet that includes plenty of green leafy vegetables in order to prevent many cancers as well as other diseases.
9 August 2013
A new review from China reports that increased blood levels of antioxidant micronutrients such as vitamin E or lutein and zeaxanthin seem to be associated with a reduced risk of developing age-related cataract.
11 January 2013
Researchers raise the alarm that iodine intakes in the US are decreasing, which has the potential to negatively impact the mother and unborn child.
1 August 2014
Excessive intake of high-energy macronutrients and their potential consequences for people’s health are a problem in many industrial nations. In the case of micronutrients, however, epidemiological data suggests that over-supply is the exception rather than the rule across the globe. Many people are therefore concerned that their dietary habits are failing to provide them with a sufficient supply of essential nutrients such as vitamins and carotenoids. Given that intakes of some nutrients are below officially recommended levels, it might at first sight appear unnecessary to set upper intake levels for micronutrients. However excessive intake of food supplements and fortified foods in addition to normal diets could conceivably lead to intake levels which could potentially be considered harmful. It may be sensible to define an upper daily intake level at which the risk of adverse effects on health is unlikely, particularly in the case of fat-soluble vitamins which are stored in small quantities in the body.
