Articles tagged with Vitamin A
Researchers have gained a better understanding of how bananas produce and store carotenoids, which are converted into vitamin A in the liver. The findings could lead to the development of banana varieties with enhanced health benefits to combat vitamin A deficiency., which causes blindness in millions of children worldwide.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new biodegradable material that can reduce scarring in blood vessels, potentially preventing deadly blockages. Early tests show the material can reduce cell migration by 57 percent.
Researchers found that vitamin A converts 'angry' immune cells into inflammation suppressors, reducing the severity of necrotizing enterocolitis in mice. This discovery adds to evidence of vitamin A's anti-inflammatory properties and could lead to new treatments for premature infants with severe bowel disease.
Chronic alcohol consumption lowers vitamin A levels in the liver while raising levels in other tissues, leading to reduced vitamin A function and its link to alcoholic liver disease. Novel treatments may focus on counteracting alcohol's impact on vitamin A levels in the liver.
Researchers developed vitamin A fortified sweet potato varieties to combat blindness in Africa and South-Eastern Asia. Impilo and Purple Sunset are the most promising varieties, offering high beta-carotene content and adaptability to different growing conditions.
A team of researchers found that retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A, is necessary for innate immune cells to find their proper place in the intestine. The study reveals the specific role vitamin A plays in the immune system and its influence on cell migration.
Research suggests that excessive vitamin A supplementation can shut down the body's trained immunity, rendering it less effective at fighting off past infections. This impaired immune response is due to vitamin A's inhibitory effects on histone methylation modifications in human monocytes.
A team of scientists has discovered a new enzyme that plays a critical role in the biosynthesis of vitamin A in plants and its unexpected dependence on heme iron. The findings could help increase the levels of provitamin A carotenoids in food crops, reducing global vitamin A deficiency.
A new study found that orange sweet potato reduced the prevalence and duration of diarrhea in young children in Mozambique. The OSP provided more vitamin A, which helped form a barrier against invading germs.
New studies reveal that a vitamin pill can reduce non-melanoma skin cancer risk and docetaxel chemotherapy extends the lives of men with advanced prostate cancers. Additionally, new therapies improve outcomes for children with rare kidney cancers and adults with relapsed multiple myeloma.
Researchers discovered a genetic basis for congenital eye malformations, caused by mutations in the RBP4 protein that transports vitamin A. The mutated proteins fail to transport retinol and block cell surface receptors, leading to severe retinol deficiency and birth defects.
Researchers identified a rare genetic mutation in the RBP4 protein that causes severe vitamin A deficiency and eye deformities. The mutation creates a functional 'double-whammy' by blocking both the transport of retinol to the developing embryo and the cell surface receptor for RBP4, leading to birth defects.
Researchers discovered that increased levels of retinoic acid reduce blood cell production, while lower levels increase it by 300%. This finding supports the need for pregnant women to limit their vitamin A intake. The study also contributes to the development of artificial blood stem cells for patients with blood disorders.
A large study in sub-Saharan Africa found that vitamin A supplementation reduced malaria risk in children by 54% if administered during the wet season and to older children. The researchers suspect vitamin A boosts immunity and helps clear out the malaria parasite more quickly.
A new study finds that pollinator declines could lead to severe nutritional deficiencies in some populations, particularly vitamin A deficiencies. The research examines the connection between crop-pollinating animals and human nutritional health, revealing alarming effects in certain countries.
Researchers at CWRU School of Medicine discovered the mechanism behind enzyme Lecithin: retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) storing vitamin A, essential for vision. The study reveals that modifying LRAT's enzymatic activity can be used to transport small molecule drugs to the eye, reducing systemic side effects.
Research warns that bariatric surgery patients who don't take their prescribed supplements, especially Vitamin A, are at risk of eye-related complications such as night blindness and dry eyes. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to severe consequences like total blindness if left undetected.
Newborn rats showed increased uptake of vitamin A in tissues beyond the liver after supplementation, providing insight into neonatal nutritional needs. This research could inform evidence-based dietary recommendations to reduce infant mortality in developing countries.
Researchers identified a set of genes that can be used to naturally boost the provitamin A content of corn kernels, enabling biofortified orange corn production. This could help combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries and macular degeneration in the elderly, with potential applications for farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that consuming a whole fresh avocado with tomato sauce or raw carrots significantly enhanced the absorption and conversion of provitamin A to an active form of vitamin A. This can help support reproductive health, skin health, immune function, and vision.
Researchers discovered that retinoic acid stimulates brown fat to increase basal energy metabolism, preventing obesity-related diabetes complications. The study suggests a potential therapeutic approach for treating type 2 diabetes through the use of retinoids.
The world's first human trial of pro-vitamin A-enriched bananas will start soon, with the goal of improving the health status of millions of Ugandans. The project, led by Professor James Dale, aims to increase the level of pro-vitamin A in bananas to 20 micrograms per gram dry weight.
Researchers argue that multivitamin/mineral supplements help cover micronutrient deficiencies, improving general health and potentially preventing chronic disease. The vast majority of Americans have inadequate nutrition, with critical needs for certain groups such as older adults and obese persons.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that vitamin A and a specific gene assist the immune system by reducing cholesterol levels in TB-infected cells, allowing lysosomes to kill bacteria effectively. This finding may lead to new treatment approaches for tuberculosis.
University of Washington researchers used new tools to measure and track B-12 vitamins in the ocean, finding that marine archaea can supply this essential vitamin. The results show that B-12 is present in small amounts in all water samples, with low concentrations indicating potential deficiency among tiny marine algae.
Researchers found that prenatal vitamin A deficiency leads to airway hyperresponsiveness in adult mice by causing abnormal smooth muscle development. The study suggests that structural and functional changes in the lungs due to vitamin A deficiency during development may be an important factor in asthma susceptibility.
High doses of vitamin B3 stimulate a specific gene to enhance white blood cells' ability to combat staph infections. The study found that vitamin B3 increased the body's immune system by up to 1,000 fold, killing staph bacteria in laboratory tests
A collaborative team of researchers identified a safe upper level for vitamin A consumption in puppies, highlighting that puppies can metabolize higher levels of vitamin A than previously thought. The study validated existing guidelines set by the FEDIAF and provides valuable insights into puppies' nutritional needs.
Scientists at Ohio State University found that excessive beta-carotene consumption can lead to the production of anti-vitamin A molecules, disrupting metabolism and immune function. This paradoxical effect may explain a decades-old clinical trial's unexpected outcome where beta-carotene supplementation increased lung cancer risk.
Researchers at University College Dublin have identified a genetic alteration causing anophthalmia, a condition where children are born without eyes. The STRA6 gene plays a crucial role in vitamin A transport, and alterations in this gene can lead to eye malformations.
A study found that Pyridorin, a vitamin B6 derivative, helps patients with mild diabetic kidney disease, but does not benefit those with more advanced kidney disease. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is expected to double by 2030, making new therapies like Pyridorin crucial in preventing kidney failure and saving lives.
A team of Johns Hopkins University students has engineered yeast cells to produce beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, using synthetic biology. Their project, VitaYeast, aims to provide a simple and affordable way to combat severe malnutrition in impoverished areas.
Researchers analyzed over 5,000 children in rural Nepal to assess the impact of early-life vitamin A supplements on asthma development. The study found no difference in asthma risk or lung function between children receiving supplements and those not receiving them.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a modified form of vitamin A that slows the formation of detrimental dimers, leading to improved vision and ocular health in mice with Stargardt's disease. The study provides hope for treating age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt's disease.
A large randomized trial in rural Bangladesh found that supplementation with vitamin A or beta carotene did not reduce all-cause maternal, fetal, or infant mortality. The study suggested that preventing vitamin A deficiency could improve maternal survival, but the benefits of supplementation were unclear.
Research reveals vitamin A's dual role in immune response, producing regulatory T cells to dampen inflammation while stimulating pro-inflammatory responses to combat infection. The study highlights the importance of nutritional status in regulating the immune system.
A recent study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry suggests that vitamin A plays a more direct role than previously believed in various physiological functions. The study found that vitamin A itself is active in activating nuclear receptor TR4, which plays roles in sperm cell production, lipid regulation, and central nervo...
A new study has identified interleukin 15 as a key trigger for the development of celiac disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Blocking this molecule could potentially prevent the disease, and its effects on inflammatory intestinal diseases may also offer new insights into treating conditions like acne and rheumatoid arthritis.
A study in rural Nepal found that prenatal iron and folic acid supplementation was positively associated with improved intellectual ability, executive function, and motor skills in children. The research suggests that antenatal micronutrient use can have long-lasting benefits for child development.
A new Cochrane review confirms vitamin A supplementation programmes in developing countries effectively reduce measles and diarrhoea incidence, saving thousands of lives. Researchers recommend continued use but emphasize the need for long-term solutions like fortification and dietary diversification.
A recent report by the Nutrilite Health Institute found that Americans who don't meet their daily fruit and vegetable recommendations tend to have lower intakes of vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients are essential for a healthy immune system. The report suggests that incorporating more colorful plant-based foods i...
A new Iowa State University study found that corn bred to contain increased levels of beta-carotene is a good source of vitamin A. The discovery validates the promise of biofortified corn being developed as an effective tool to combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.
New studies suggest that vitamin A and beta-carotene supplements may increase the amount of HIV in breast milk, potentially leading to mother-to-child transmission. The research found that these nutrients can raise the risk of developing subclinical mastitis, an inflammatory condition that causes viral particles to leak into the milk.
A 24-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency due to poor diet and intestinal absorption issues. Following vitamin A supplementation, her vision returned to normal, highlighting the importance of proper nutrition and diagnosis for potentially curable forms of blindness.
A gene network controlling lung development has been identified as responsible for the failure of lungs to form due to vitamin A/retinoic acid deficiency. This network, which balances two opposing pathways, can be corrected, potentially preventing lung defects in animals.
A large population-based study found that individuals treated with vitamin A analogues do not have an increased risk of fractures. The research, published in Archives of Dermatology, analyzed data from two nationwide registers and found no association between retinoid use and fracture risk at any skeletal site.
Vitamin A supplementation before, during, and after pregnancy significantly improved lung function in preadolescent children. Children whose mothers received vitamin A had a greater forced expiratory volume and vital capacity compared to those who received beta-carotene or placebo.
A recent trial in Ghana found that vitamin A supplementation did not reduce maternal mortality, contradicting previous findings from a Nepalese trial. The study showed similar rates of pregnancy-related and all-cause female mortality between the intervention and control groups.
A new approach to boosting vitamin A levels in corn has been developed by US scientists, with potential to reduce child blindness and mortality in developing regions. The research identified genetic sequences linked to higher beta-carotene levels in corn and demonstrated an inexpensive method to identify and breed high-yielding varieties.
The ObaapaVitA study in Ghana found that vitamin A supplementation had no significant impact on pregnancy-related mortality or female mortality rates. This result contradicts the earlier Nepal trial which showed a 44% decrease in maternal mortality with vitamin A supplementation.
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to obesity, heart disease, depression, diabetes, and fibromyalgia. Dr. Michael F. Holick's book outlines a 3-step strategy to attain optimal Vitamin D levels.
A new gene discovery in orange corn has significant implications for addressing vitamin A deficiency-related blindness and child mortality. Increasing beta-carotene levels in cereal grains can be an economical approach to tackling these deficiencies, especially in developing countries.
A new study reveals that nearly half of UK women have a genetic variation reducing their ability to produce sufficient vitamin A. Vitamin A plays a vital role in immune system strengthening and preventing infections. The study found that younger women are at particular risk, highlighting the importance of adequate diet for this nutrient.
New research shows vitamin A is crucial for mitochondrial energy production, while excessive use can cause cell growth and death issues. Vitamin A plays a key role in regulating energy production, but its overuse or deficiency can have devastating consequences.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Tufts University found that four units of beta-carotene from Golden Rice convert to one unit of vitamin A in humans. This could help address vitamin A deficiency, a common problem worldwide where rice is a staple food, leading to vision problems or blindness.
Researchers discovered benfotiamene, a fat-soluble form of vitamin B1, strongly suppresses uveitis by shutting down NF-kappa B activation. This treatment has great potential due to its low cost and rapid absorption, with existing clinical trials showing improved diabetic polyneuropathy outcomes.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified a proteinase called MMP7 that activates an allergic response in the lung. A form of vitamin A made in the lung also plays a critical role in dampening inflammation, and suppressing its production restores asthmatic symptoms.
Scientists have discovered a compound called zymosan that can respond to two different receptors in dendritic cells, sending both stimulatory and calming messages. This finding could guide the development of vaccines against infectious agents and potentially boost the immune system's ability to fight chronic infections.
A study found that vitamin B and folic acid supplements decreased the risk of age-related macular degeneration in women, with a 34% lower risk of any AMD and a 41% lower risk of visually significant AMD. The beneficial effect began to emerge after two years of follow-up.
A study found that vitamin A's carrier protein, retinol-binding protein (RBP), was significantly lower in obese subjects than nonobese subjects. This suggests a potential link between RBP and insulin resistance in obesity. Further research is needed to determine the role of apo-RBP, an unbound form of RBP, in mediating insulin signaling.