Lots of controversy about the efficacy of vitamins lately, especially two I take, B-12 (I take Zantac – see below) and D-3:
Daily multivitamin won't help boost the average American's health
Three new studies find that a daily multivitamin won't help boost the average American's health.
The studies found that popping a daily multivitamin didn't ward off heart problems or memory loss, and wasn't tied to a longer life span.
The studies, published in the Dec. 17 issue of the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, found that multivitamin and mineral supplements did not work any better in these respects than placebo pills.
Most clinical studies on vitamins flawed by poor methodology
“More than 90 percent of U.S. adults don’t get the required amounts of vitamins D and E for basic health,” Frei said. “More than 40 percent don’t get enough vitamin C, and half aren’t getting enough vitamin A, calcium and magnesium… Even though such studies often significantly understate the value of vitamin supplements, the largest and longest clinical trial of multivitamin/mineral supplements found a total reduction of cancer and cataract incidence in male physicians over the age of 50. It suggested that if every adult in the U.S. took such supplements it could prevent up to 130,000 cases of cancer each year", Frei said.
Acid-Reflux Drugs Tied to Lower Levels of Vitamin B-12
People who take certain acid-reflux medications might have an increased risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to ease the symptoms of excess stomach acid for more than two years was linked to a 65 percent increase in the risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency. Commonly used PPI brands include Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid. Researchers also found that using acid-suppressing drugs called histamine-2 receptor antagonists -- also known as H2 blockers -- for two years was associated with a 25 percent increase in the risk of B-12 deficiency. Common brands include Tagamet, Pepcid and Zantac.
Low vitamin B12 levels increase the risk of fractures in older men
Vitamin D Supplements Won't Help Prevent Disease: Review
ow levels of vitamin D have been implicated as a potential cause of diseases ranging from cancer to diabetes. Now an extensive review suggests it's really the other way around: Low levels of the "sunshine vitamin" are more likely a consequence -- not a cause -- of illness.
In their review of almost 500 studies, the researchers found conflicting results. Observational studies, which looked back at what people ate or the kinds of supplements they took, showed a link between higher vitamin D levels in the body and better health.
But, in studies where vitamin D was given as an intervention (treatment) to help prevent a particular ailment, it had no effect. The one exception was a decreased death risk in older adults, particularly older women, who were given vitamin D supplements.
Vitamin D is known to play a key role in bone health. Low levels of vitamin D have been found in a number of conditions, including heart disease, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cancer and Parkinson's disease. These findings may explain why so many Americans are currently taking vitamin D supplements.
The observational studies showed a potential benefit from vitamin D. For example, vitamin D was associated with a 58 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular events, a 38 percent decreased risk of diabetes and a 34 percent decreased risk of colon cancer in these studies.
But, when the researchers looked to the randomized clinical trials that used vitamin D as a treatment, they failed to find any effect on disease occurrence or severity from raising vitamin D levels.
However, vitamin D did reduce the risk of dying from any cause in older people taking 800 international units a day, according to the review.
Low vitamin D causes damage to the brain">
My high school sports : 4 years of tennis, one of soccer, but I'm very active now, and have been for quite some time:
Seventy year olds who don’t frequently visit the doctor have something unexpected in common – most played high school sports. They were active on a team over 50 years ago and are more likely to be active into their late 70s.
Regular physical activity in later life boosts likelihood of 'healthy aging' up to sevenfold
Four years of sustained regular physical activity boosted the likelihood of healthy aging sevenfold compared with consistent inactivity, the findings show.
Those who had regularly indulged in moderate or vigorous physical activity at least once a week were three to four times more likely to be healthy agers than those who had remained inactive, after taking account of other influential factors.
Those who became physically active also reaped benefits, compared with those who did nothing. They were more than three times as likely to be healthy agers.
And those who sustained regular physical activity over the entire period were seven times as likely to be healthy agers as those who had consistently remained inactive.
Regular exercise in middle age protects against muscle weakness later in life">
Even small amounts of physical activity may decrease the risk of developing kidney stones, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The study also found that consuming too many calories may increase risk.
People who exercise regularly are better at creative thinking
Aerobic fitness improves memory
I'm glad I eat oatmeal for most breakfasts, often pretty slowly, but I can't say I'm not hungry again soon:
Oatmeal Beats Ready-To-Eat Breakfast Cereal at Improving Appetite Control
Slower-paced meal reduces hunger
Lots of other interesting reports, including:
Importance of Meat and Other Animal Products in Cancer Risk Highlighted
Fructose does not impact triglycerides, an important indicator for cardiovascular disease
Fiber-Rich Foods May Cut Your Risk of Heart Disease
Diet rich in tomatoes may lower breast cancer risk
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Debate continues on impact of artificial sweeteners
Moderate consumption of alcohol can improve immune response
High cholesterol fuels the growth and spread of breast cancer
If you find this report interesting, you will probably enjoy reading these:
Previous Reports
2013
1/5/13
1/29/13
2/23/13
3/20/13
4/13/13
5/4/13
5/24/13
7/6/13
8/3/13
8/27/13
9/21/13
10/14/13
11/8/13
11/23/13
2012
December 1
October 22
September 13
August 10
June 26
June 2
May 18
May 7
April 24
March 28
3/6/12
2/7/12
1/27/12
1/3/12
2011
12/7/11
11/12/11
October 29
October 7
September 19
August 26
August 11
July 22
June 25
June 4
May 21
May 7
April 13
March 29
March 2
No comments:
Post a Comment