A study by the University of Alberta finds that adverse reactions to natural health products are being under-reported, with only 1.5% of pharmacists reporting suspected events to Health Canada. The lack of data on interactions makes it difficult to provide useful advice for managing adverse reactions.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found little to no scientific evidence supporting the use of steroids or other therapies for treating sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The study suggests that systemic steroids may not be the gold standard of treatment due to severe limitations in existing studies.
Researchers found that consuming high amounts of vitamin B6, B12, and folate from food reduced the risk of pancreatic cancer by 59%, 73%, and 81% respectively. In contrast, multivitamin use was associated with a higher risk of developing the disease.
A large observational study found that taking vitamin supplements does not decrease the risk of lung cancer. The study involved 77,738 men and women aged 50-76 and found no statistically significant relationships between supplements and lung cancer.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that lipoic acid restores glutathione levels and boosts antioxidant defenses to combat cellular decline associated with aging. The compound also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, relevant to degenerative diseases.
A study found no association between regular multivitamin use and localized prostate cancer, but an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer among men who took high doses or had a family history. Men taking selenium, beta-carotene, or zinc supplements were also at higher risk.
A study found that higher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and fish consumption may reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration. Vitamin D levels were also inversely associated with early stages of the disease, suggesting a potential protective effect.
Research published in Thorax found that mothers who ate apples during pregnancy had children with a significantly reduced risk of developing asthma and childhood wheezing. Other healthy foods, such as fish, did not show the same protective effect. The study suggests an apple-specific effect due to its phytochemical content.
Researchers found that a combination of vitamins A, C, and E and magnesium effectively prevented permanent noise-induced hearing loss in guinea pigs. The study's lead author suggests that similar nutritional bars could provide adequate daily protection for people exposed to loud noises, such as soldiers or concertgoers.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard discover the final piece of vitamin B12's synthesis pathway, solving a decades-long mystery. The enzyme BluB catalyzes the formation of a key fragment, DMB, through an unusual cannibalization reaction.
Wernicke encephalopathy, a serious neurological condition, is increasingly reported after obesity surgery due to vitamin deficiency and vomiting. Patients should be alert for symptoms such as confusion, lack of coordination, and visual changes.
Researchers found that flavonoids are poorly absorbed by the body and rapidly metabolized, unlike vitamins C and E. However, they can influence cell signaling pathways and gene expression, potentially preventing cancer and heart disease. A moderate intake of flavonoids from fruits and vegetables may be sufficient.
Eating whole-grain breakfast cereals seven or more times per week was linked to a lower risk of heart failure in an analysis of the Physicians' Health Study. The study found that those who ate such cereals had a 28% lower risk of developing heart failure.
Research suggests that giving choline to infants after birth can improve their learning and behavior if they were exposed to alcohol during development. The study found that choline significantly reduced the severity of alcohol-related over-activity and spatial learning deficits in rats.
Researchers discovered that plant nectar contains secondary compounds, including nicotine, which repel pollinators and attract 'nectar thieves'. This finding suggests that plants may produce nectar to increase genetic diversity by attracting more visitors despite the potential risk of poisoning insects.
A study found that vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent among pregnant women, particularly in northern latitudes and darker-skinned individuals. Vitamin D stores are largely reliant on maternal vitamin D status, highlighting the need for improved public health measures.
A meta-analysis of 68 randomized trials found that antioxidant supplements beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E were associated with increased mortality risk. Vitamin C showed no significant association, while selenium use tended to reduce mortality risk.
Scientists have sequenced the genome of symbiotic bacteria in giant clams living near hydrothermal vents, revealing a unique chemosynthetic process that allows them to thrive in dark depths. The bacteria fix carbon and produce nutrients for the clam, similar to how chloroplasts work in photosynthesis.
Renowned nutrition expert Dr. Irwin Rosenberg emphasizes the need for more research on vitamins and minerals, highlighting the limitations of current evidence. He advocates for standardized regulations on multivitamin products to ensure customer safety and informed marketing.
A recent report by the National Dairy Council highlights the importance of dairy consumption among African Americans. The study found that African Americans in all age groups have lower average intakes of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and consume fewer servings of dairy foods compared to non-African Americans.
A new study suggests that pre-dive intake of antioxidants Vitamin C and E can reduce alterations in cardiovascular function. This intervention showed a positive effect on vascular endothelial function, while other cardiac changes were unaffected.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that nanoparticles can stop thin polymer films from buckling and wrinkling, paving the way for new solutions to prevent wrinkles. The technology has potential applications in cosmetic procedures and medical treatments.
A study by the University of Bristol revealed that children's packed lunches are often lacking in essential nutrients like potassium and zinc. In contrast, school meals tend to provide higher intakes of protein, vitamins, and minerals, as well as lower sugar and saturated fat content.
A study found that individuals with higher folate levels through diet and supplements had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The research, published in Archives of Neurology, suggests that elevated homocysteine levels may increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Undernourished women taking prenatal multivitamins during pregnancy were less likely to have babies weighing less than 2,500 grams. The study found that these women's newborns also had lower morbidity rates in the first seven days of life.
A study found that teenagers who take daily multivitamin supplements have healthier diets and lifestyles compared to non-users. Vitamin users were more likely to engage in physical activity, eat a balanced diet, and watch less TV.
A new edible coating composed of apple puree and oregano oil has shown promise in killing deadly E. coli bacteria while providing flavor enhancement to food. The coating's effectiveness was demonstrated through laboratory studies, which found it to be more concentrated and longer-lasting than conventional produce washes.
Research by Oregon State University found that B-vitamins are essential for energy conversion and cell production. Athletes with marginal deficiencies may experience impaired repair and building of muscle, leading to decreased performance.
Researchers at Penn School of Medicine found that low-intensity laser treatment is ineffective in preventing complications of AMD or vision loss. Daily supplements of vitamins and minerals remain the only established way to decrease the risk of vision loss for people with large drusen.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 investigates nutrient-based factors influencing AMD progression. Dr. Yu-Guang He hopes the study will resolve the potential benefit of supplements for AMD, which affects nearly 7 million Americans.
A nationwide study aims to slow vision loss from AMD by testing a combination of vitamins, minerals, and fish oil. The study will examine whether the added nutrients can further reduce AMD progression, potentially saving over 300,000 people from vision loss.
A recent study found that women who take multivitamins early in pregnancy may reduce their child's risk of developing certain types of brain tumors. The protective effect was strongest when multivitamins were taken close to conception, with a weakly significant reduction in the risk of medulloblastoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors.
Researchers have characterized a gutless worm that relies on microbial specialists for energy production, waste handling, and transportation through marine sediments. The unique partnership involves the worm providing housing and nutrients to microbes in exchange for essential services.
A new UCLA/LSU study found that consuming salad and raw vegetables is associated with higher concentrations of essential nutrients like folic acid, vitamins C and E, and carotene in the bloodstream. The research suggests that including one serving of salad or raw vegetables per day can significantly boost nutrient intake.
Researchers found that drinking three or more servings of fruit and vegetable juices per week reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 76 percent. The benefit was particularly enhanced for subjects carrying a specific genetic marker linked to late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers are investigating antioxidants for preventing or treating rickettsia bacteria, a deadly tick-borne illness. The study, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, aims to identify novel therapeutic targets for rickettsial diseases.
Researchers investigated nutritional links between smoking and oral cancer, finding folate levels lower in smokers' blood and cheek cells. Smokers also had altered forms of folate distribution, while antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamin E showed similar trends. More studies are needed to clarify these findings.
A study by Daniel A. Hahn found that worker ants in desert carpenter ant colonies store more fat per unit lean mass than lighter ants, leading to a greater proportion of soldiers being stored. This difference in individual-level storage tactics contributes to between-species differences in behavioral development and motivation.
A review of 70 studies found insufficient evidence to support complementary and alternative therapies for menopause-related symptoms. The studies showed mixed results, with some individual treatments suggesting benefits but overall quality and quantity of data was not sufficient to recommend any treatment.
A meta-analysis of 59 trials found little evidence that diet affects cancer survival or prognosis, while a study on garlic and vitamin supplements showed no benefit in reducing precancerous gastric lesions to cancer. Long-term use of vitamins and garlic supplements had no effect on gastric cancer incidence.
Recent study finds that screening levels of C-reactive protein and other compounds do not improve prediction of coronary heart disease risk. Major traditional risk factors, such as age, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, remain the most accurate predictors of CHD.
A new study reveals that Pycnogenol, a French maritime pine bark extract, significantly reduces hyperactivity and improves attention, concentration, and motor-visual coordination in children with ADHD. The study's findings suggest that Pycnogenol may serve as a safe and effective treatment for children diagnosed with ADHD.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the relationship between stress response and insulin regulation in flies. By boosting a molecular signal called JNK, they found that flies can live up to 85 days longer, opening up new avenues for understanding human diabetes and aging.
Researchers discovered that the glassy-winged sharpshooter insect has a surprising symbiosis with two bacteria, Baumannia cicadellinicola and Sulcia muelleri. The bacteria receive essential amino acids, while the insect receives vitamins and cofactors from them.
The NIH panel advocates for expanded regulation of vitamins and minerals, calling for changes in FDA's authority to ensure quality production and consumer reporting of adverse events. The panel also recommends rigorous randomized trials and new MVM databases to test efficacy and safety.
A large randomized clinical trial found no association between selenium supplementation and reduced risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, or cardiovascular deaths. The study of 1,004 participants in low-selenium areas showed no difference in endpoints based on baseline selenium levels.
A recent study found that low folate levels and a common mutation in the MTHFR gene may lower the risk of bowel cancer. People with blood levels of folate between the highest and lowest were almost twice as likely to develop the disease compared to those at either extreme.
A study found that adults and teens who eat beans have lower body weights, smaller waist sizes, and higher fiber intake than those who don't eat beans. Adult bean eaters also consume less total and saturated fat, reducing their risk of obesity by 22%.
A study found that vitamin C depletion is associated with lower body fat, but not with weight loss in a short-term low-fat diet. Participants who took a vitamin C supplement had increased blood levels of vitamin C and improved ability to oxidize fat.
Research using government data found that children consuming 100% juice had lower z-scores for body mass index than non-juice consumers. Total fruit intake was three times higher among juice consumers, supporting the nutritional benefits of whole fruits and juices.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued new quality standards for testing herbal products, focusing on the analysis of ephedra and potentially toxic heavy metals. These standards will aid in ensuring the accuracy of laboratory analyses and maintaining product safety.
A large trial found that vitamin C and E supplements did not reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women at high risk. However, they were associated with a higher risk of low birthweight babies and increased need for treatment.
Scientists have identified specific DNA fragments in tomatoes that influence their nutritional content and taste. By analyzing these fragments, researchers can develop targeted breeding strategies to create healthier and tastier tomatoes.
A recent study found that teens who use herbal remedies are four times more likely to have used inhalants and eight times more likely to have used heroin. The study suggests that parents and healthcare providers should ask about herbal product use to identify potential substance abuse issues.
Studies investigate homocysteine lowering and cardiovascular event rates, revealing high risks for patients with atherothrombosis. Researchers explore new treatment approaches, including bone marrow mobilization, to improve exercise capacity and prevent complications.
A study found that older adults in North Carolina predominantly use food home remedies and other home remedies for health management, often as a form of self-care. The study also revealed significant differences in CAM therapy use among ethnic groups, with African-Americans and Native Americans showing higher rates of use.
Trends in declining nutrient levels will be discussed along with research findings on organic apples and strawberries.
The study shows that vitamin C supplements can protect against the loss of vitamin E in smokers, reducing cancer risk. Smokers who took supplements had about the same level of antioxidant protection as non-smokers.
Researchers discovered that vitamin D significantly limits the ability of prostate cancer cells to invade healthy cells by reducing two key enzymes. Vitamin D also increases counterpart enzymes that inhibit these proteases, leading to reduced cancer progression.
Researchers found that watching comedy films increased brachial artery blood flow in 19 out of 20 participants, while sad movies reduced it. The impact was equivalent to a bout of aerobic exercise or starting statin treatment.