Articles tagged with Vitamin A
A new study found that folic acid works with the enzyme ALDH1L1 to produce retinoic acid, a critical developmental signal for the nervous system. Folic acid's protective effect is lost when ALDH1L1 is disrupted, supporting its role in preventing neural tube defects.
A recent review of bamboo consumption found promising health benefits, including improved metabolic health, reduced inflammation, and antioxidant activity. However, caution is advised due to potential risks associated with raw or improperly prepared bamboo.
The University of Texas at Arlington expert discusses the state's largest outbreak in 30 years, with fewer people getting vaccinated contributing to its spread. The MMR vaccine is 97% effective against measles and has been proven safe despite misconceptions about its safety.
US women between 20-44 years old have experienced declining vitamin A, C, and iron intake over the last two decades. This trend may have significant implications for maternal and fetal health. The study aims to identify these nutrient gaps and inform recommendations to improve intake.
Researchers have successfully multiplied beta-carotene levels in lettuce leaves by up to 30 times using biotechnological techniques and high light intensity. The discovery represents a significant advance for improving nutrition through biofortification of leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and chard.
A new study found significant intake inadequacies for nearly all evaluated micronutrients, with iodine and vitamin E deficiencies being the most prevalent. The researchers estimated inadequate intakes were higher for women than men in some countries, highlighting a need for targeted dietary interventions.
Research highlights the association between iron deficiency and obesity in children and adolescents, with potential links to inflammation and brain function. The study's findings underscore the importance of addressing micronutrient deficiencies in childhood growth and development.
A new study reveals that retinoic acid, the biologically active form of Vitamin A, is essential for stem cells to exit lineage plasticity and differentiate into hair or epidermal cells. The findings shed light on skin and hair disorders, as well as a potential path toward preventing tumor growth.
A genome study of over 600 carrot types finds that recessive genes controlling orange carotenoids are essential for the vegetable's orange color. The study also sheds light on carrot domestication in Western Asia and Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, respectively.
Researchers have highlighted the importance of stromal vitamin A pathway in regulating IL-6 expression in colorectal cancer-associated fibroblasts. The study found that disrupting retinol-mediated IL-6 expression could be a potential approach to target CAFs during CRC treatment.
Researchers found that consuming vitamin A or its analogs can help prevent painful pancreas inflammation in children and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during chemotherapy treatment. The study revealed that only 1.4% of patients developed pancreatitis when taking vitamin A, compared to 3.4% without it.
A systematic review found that higher vitamin D intake was associated with a 15% decreased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes. Inexpensive vitamin D supplementation could delay the development of diabetes in over 10 million people worldwide.
Scientists at ASHBi have successfully generated a 3D model that recapitulates the early stages of human body plan development, including somite formation and axial skeleton development. The study revealed the importance of retinoids in this process and demonstrated its potential for understanding congenital spine disease.
Researchers have developed a way to encapsulate vitamin A in a protective polymer, preventing its breakdown during cooking or storage. The technology has shown similar bioavailability when consumed as bread fortified with encapsulated vitamin A compared to eating vitamin A on its own.
A recent study led by Veronika Somoza found that egg powder is a valuable source of essential nutrients, including vitamins and indispensable amino acids. The researchers discovered that the drying process did not lead to contamination with heavy metals and that egg powder can provide up to 61% of a child's daily requirement for selenium.
In India, two out of five eligible children are missing out on preventive vitamin A supplementation, with wide variations in coverage among and within states. The analysis found large 'cold spots' in provision across the country, ranging from just under 13% to 94.5%, and distinct geographical hotspots and coldspots.
Researchers investigated how COVID-19 affected breastfeeding practices, finding some mothers experienced improved bonding with their babies during stay-at-home orders. Food insecurity was linked to higher diabetes distress among adults with pre-diabetes or diabetes. The studies also found that technology access was crucial for older ad...
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center has received a five-year, $1.87 million NIH grant to investigate the role of vitamin A depletion in Alzheimer's disease. The research aims to test the hypothesis that a lack of antioxidant all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) promotes reactive oxygen species toxicity.
A study by Penn State researchers found a direct causal relationship between deforestation and reduced fruit and vegetable consumption in rural Tanzania. The study showed that household vitamin A adequacy decreased over time due to deforestation, exacerbating micronutrient deficiencies.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that LRP1 is the vehicle by which retinol enters myeloid cells, suggesting a potential target for treating inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease. The study also found that inhibiting this process could boost immune activity, making oral vaccines more effective.
Research suggests vitamin B6 may lower the odds of patients becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 by suppressing inflammation. Vitamin B6 has anti-thrombosis and anti-inflammation properties, which could help reduce cytokine storms and blood clots linked to the virus.
Scientists at the University of Würzburg have successfully applied optogenetic methods in tobacco plants, enabling non-invasive manipulation of intact plants or selected cells by light. This breakthrough allows researchers to study molecular mechanisms of plant growth processes in detail.
A recent study published in EMBO Molecular Medicine found that a vegan diet significantly alters the metabolism of young children, leading to lower levels of vitamins A and D, cholesterol forms, essential amino acids, and docosahexaenoic acid. However, folate levels were surprisingly high in these children.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that beta-carotene's full health benefits require an active enzyme to produce vitamin A. The active enzyme BCO1 converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which helps lower bad cholesterol and protect against atherosclerosis.
New research from the University of East Anglia found that households where mothers grow their own food have healthier children, with reduced stunting, wasting, and underweight. The study suggests home farming can complement Vitamin A supplementation programmes to control Vitamin A deficiency.
Researchers found that cold temperatures increase vitamin A levels, stimulating the conversion of white into brown adipose tissue and enhancing fat burning. This 'fat transformation' is a potential approach for novel obesity therapeutics.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have created microcapsule technology that fortifies bivalve shellfish with Vitamin A and D, providing a cheap and effective way to address global nutrient deficiencies. This breakthrough could help improve the health of millions while reducing environmental impact.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis reveals that many families at risk for Vitamin A deficiency can't grow Golden Rice, while commercial farmers won't plant it due to its breeding into existing lowland rice varieties.
Biologists at Texas A&M University have found a genetic link between circadian clock genes and the vitamin A pathway in the brain of Monarch butterflies, enabling them to sense day length changes and trigger seasonal responses.
Researchers find that opsin proteins and retinal enzymes have independent biological functions beyond vision, including hearing. This discovery challenges current understanding of eye evolution and highlights the importance of molecular components in multiple sensory pathways.
Researchers from Brown University found that people with high vitamin A intake had a 17% reduced risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, the second-most-common type of skin cancer. The majority of vitamin A came from diets rich in fruits and vegetables.
Researchers found a significant association between vitamin A intake and reduced risk of cutaneous squamous cell cancer. The study followed nearly 125,000 health professionals for over 26 years.
A recent analysis of clinical trials found that only a low-salt diet, omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and possibly folic acid supplements showed potential health benefits. The majority of supplements had no link to increased or decreased risk of death or heart health.
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe identifies a previously unknown bacteria-killing protein RELMα that requires dietary vitamin A to work. The researchers found that mice fed a diet deficient in vitamin A made no RELMα, and those missing the protein were more susceptible to infection.
Researchers found that a diet enriched with ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin A can normalize gut microbiome composition and hippocampal protein levels, leading to improved emotional and memory performance in stressed rats. The study also suggests long-term links between diet and cognitive function.
A new study reveals that the gut microbiome helps regulate the host's immune system by moderating vitamin A levels. The bacteria fine-tune the conversion of vitamin A to its active form, reducing an overactive immune response and promoting co-existence with the microbiome.
Consuming too much vitamin A may decrease bone thickness and increase fracture risk in humans. A recent study found that mice exposed to lower doses of vitamin A equivalent to 4.5-13 times the recommended daily allowance showed significant weakening of bones over a 10-week period.
T. Michael Redmond's work deduced the molecular biology of the retina and led to the development of Luxturna, a gene therapy approved by FDA for treating Leber congenital amaurosis, an inherited genetic disorder causing severe vision loss.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered how vitamin A supports the lung immune system in controlling tuberculosis (TB) by promoting autophagy and waste disposal. This finding has potential for developing more effective lung-targeted treatments using vitamin A to boost patient immunity.
A new genetic cause for canine congenital eye disease has been discovered, revealing an unprecedented mode of inheritance linked to maternal genes. The study found that a deletion mutation in the RBP4 gene leads to vitamin A deficiency and blindness in affected dogs.
New research reveals that all-trans-retinoic acid regulates immune system responses in the mouse intestine by controlling expression of HIC1 protein in innate lymphoid cells. This finding could lead to new strategies to protect against infection and intestinal imbalance.
A recent study suggests that vitamin A in cattle fodder can prevent a reaction to cow's milk proteins. The study found that retinoic acid pockets the beta-lactoglobulin protein, transforming it into a tolerogen and potentially preventing an allergic immune response.
A new quick and portable test can detect iron and vitamin A deficiencies in under 15 minutes, providing a potential solution to the global health problem affecting over one-third of the world's population. The test has the potential to prevent blindness, anemia, and death among children and women.
A rapid diagnostic test has been developed to detect iron and vitamin A micronutrient deficiencies, providing results in under 15 minutes. The test achieved high sensitivity and specificity for both conditions, making it a valuable tool for healthcare professionals.
Scientists found that biofortified corn flour retained the highest percentage of carotenoids after boiling, while deep-fried cornmeal puffs lost most of the compounds. Cooking methods like microwaving, pan-frying, and hard-boiling eggs also preserved carotenoids, but scrambling caused some destruction.
A golden potato engineered to be more nutritious than white potatoes has the potential to prevent disease and death in developing countries. The yellow-orange tuber provides up to 42% of a child's recommended daily intake of vitamin A and 34% of vitamin E.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered a protein called ISX that helps balance vitamin A metabolism in the gut. Without this protein, mice develop severe inflammation and become immunocompromised, highlighting the link between diet and inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at QUT have developed a new, genetically modified banana rich in pro-vitamin A, a crucial nutrient for fighting vitamin A deficiency. The project aims to improve the nutritional content of bananas in Uganda, where they are a staple food and lack essential micronutrients.
A study suggests that vitamin A plays an important role in the development and function of beta-cells, leading to improved insulin secretion. Researchers found that partially blocking the vitamin A receptor impaired cell survival and insulin secretion, highlighting its potential as a new target for diabetes treatment.
Research found that individuals with low vitamin A levels are 10 times more likely to develop tuberculosis than those with high levels. Vitamin A supplementation may be an effective way to prevent TB in people at high risk of disease.
Research by the German Cancer Research Center found that vitamin A deficiency can lead to a loss of dormant stem cells in the bone marrow, impairing the immune system. The study suggests that understanding how vitamin A regulates these stem cells could lead to new cancer treatments.
Research suggests that vitamin A within a high-fat diet can negatively affect liver gene expression associated with glucose and fat metabolism. Rats fed with normal and deficient vitamin A levels showed significant differences in body mass, liver fat content, and insulin signaling pathways.
Research from the University of British Columbia found that a vitamin A deficiency in the womb or early infancy can increase production of amyloid beta and lead to cognitive impairments. Providing supplements after birth may help slow the degenerative brain disease.
Researchers found that consumers believe healthier foods are more expensive, leading to incorrect perceptions of health issues. For example, participants prioritized eye health when told about a new food ingredient, but not at lower prices.
A new study found that vitamin A-biofortified orange maize significantly improves visual functions in children, particularly in night vision. The study used a portable device to measure pupil response and showed improved adaptability to low-light conditions within six months.
Researchers discovered vitamins A and C enhance epigenetic memory erasure by increasing TET enzyme activity, a crucial step for regenerative medicine. The study provides insights into the mechanisms of vitamin A and C action, with potential implications for treating vitamin A-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Researchers capture images of smallest human protein, STRA6, responsible for transporting vitamin A into cells. The study reveals unusual features and potential protection mechanism against excessive vitamin A.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have captured images of the vitamin A transporter protein STRA6 using electron microscopy. The images revealed that STRA6 transports vitamin A through an intermediary protein, providing new insights into cellular function and potentially leading to the development of therapeutic targets.
Researchers found that adding small amounts of milk and meat to the diet dramatically improves nutrient levels, including protein, calcium, zinc, iron, and vitamins A and D. Plant-based supplemented diets can also improve nutrition, but with limitations.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis finds that genetically modified Golden Rice is still years away from field introduction due to scientific challenges. The research suggests that GMO opponents have not been the problem, but rather the rice's inability to yield well and meet its nutritional goals.