News
Vitamin D deficiency may increase risk for coronary artery disease
11 April 2014
A new US study reports that low blood concentrations of vitamin D seem to be linked to an elevated risk of developing more severe coronary artery disease.
28 November 2011
Vitamin supplementation may improve alertness and reduce negative mood symptoms in healthy older men, suggests a new Australian study.
In this randomized controlled trial, fifty healthy men, aged 50–69 years, were given supplements for a period of 8 weeks with a multivitamin formulation that contained vitamins C, E and B vitamins plus minerals (at levels above recommended daily intakes) or a placebo (1). The participants completed a series of mood and stress questionnaires before and after the supplementation. The results showed that, compared with placebo, there was a significant reduction in the overall score on a depression anxiety and stress scale and an improvement in alertness and general daily functioning in the multivitamin group. There were no changes in the placebo group, signifying a real effect of multivitamin supplementation.
The researchers concluded that multivitamin supplementation may be beneficial in preventing negative mood symptoms. The present findings would be particularly relevant for older people who may be at risk of experiencing subclinical depressive symptoms. However, as the sample was relatively small, a larger study would be required to confirm the present findings.
In studies, depressive symptoms have been associated with deficiency of a number of key micronutrients such as vitamin B12 and folic acid deficits and lower levels of vitamin D and zinc (2). The results of studies examining the effects of multivitamin supplementation have been contentious. Although some studies have found no changes in mood after supplementation, others have suggested that B-complex vitamins or multivitamins can improve mood or reduce depressive symptoms (3, 4).
11 April 2014
A new US study reports that low blood concentrations of vitamin D seem to be linked to an elevated risk of developing more severe coronary artery disease.
1 December 2014
Optimizing vision throughout the lifespan is a public health priority worldwide, not only because of its central importance to quality of life, but also because of the health care costs associated with the loss of vision in an aging population. Oxidative stress is thought to be a key pathogenic mechanism of compromised vision, and the antioxidant properties of some nutrients show the capacity to modulate disease conditions linked to oxidative stress. Considerable evidence has accumulated showing that vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene and zinc help support vision and may be protective against the development or progression of some common – especially age-related – eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. In addition, increased intakes of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin and the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – all concentrated in the eye – have been associated consistently with lower likelihood of sight-threatening conditions. There has also been some promising research with B vitamins in age-related eye diseases and with vitamin A and DHA in the rare disease retinitis pigmentosa (see also Key nutrients for healthy vision).
20 June 2019
Dietary fiber is part of a balanced and healthy diet. It is found naturally in plant foods. Dietary fiber’s benefits come from not being absorbed: dietary fiber passes through our bodies largely intact, and this is what makes it so helpful. However, many people do not get enough! How can we get more fiber in our diets?