As distance from the equator increases, serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin (25-(OH)D), the storage form of vitamin D, fall during the winter months. Since fall and winter are peak seasons for colds and flu, it has been speculated that higher circulating levels of 25-(OH)D may increase resistance to infection and conversely, lower levels in the winter would increase vulnerability. The study was done to see if there was a link between circulating blood levels of 25-(OH)D and the incidence of acute viral respiratory tract infections.
A significant proportion of the general population report that they supplement their daily diet with one or more vitamins or minerals. Common reasons given for doing so are to combat stress, reduce fatigue and improve mental functioning. This study looked at the effect of supplementing a range of essential nutrients on mood and cognitive function in 215 healthy males aged 30 to 55 years, who were in full-time employment.
Swallowing vitamins as well as medications in pill form can be hard for some individuals. Children in particular often baulk at taking anything but liquid or chewable forms of vitamins, and even those may be rejected if the taste is not to their liking.
If you are taking vitamin D supplements does it matter how and when you take your pills or drops? Recent research suggests yes: Take them with the largest meal of the day. And for most of us, that’s dinner.
Researchers …
Long known as a celebratory drink or the party drink of the rich and famous, champagne is rarely a daily indulgence. So, unlike red wine, which in some Mediterranean countries is a regular part of diet, and which has been shown to positively impact heart health, champagne consumption has not up to now been studied to see if it too might have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD). A new study from the University of Reading in the UK, and researcher in Reims, France aims to change that.
Siri-Tarino PW, Sun Q, Hu FB, Krauss RM. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. March 2010;91(3):535-46
Why the study was done: A reduction in dietary saturated fat has generally been thought to improve cardiovascular health, and public health campaigns in most …
The study was done because the researchers thought that consumers were confused over the value of milk labelled conventional, bST-free or organically produced, and were concerned that “some consumers may perceive that this type of specialty labelling indicates differences in the quality, nutritional value, or safety of dairy foods.” They therefore examined 292 pasteurized homogenized milk samples of all three types. They focused their investigation only on the fatty acid composition of the milks.
More proof that there is no “one size fits all” dose of vitamin D that will work for everyone, and that different individuals achieve different blood levels of 25-hydroxy D on similar doses of supplements. 25-hydroxy D is a reliable marker of vitamin D status and higher blood levels help protect against numerous serious diseases, including many types of cancer, autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, heart disease and stroke.
Is scurvy, a symptom of serious vitamin C deficiency, common in Toronto? Apparently it’s not as uncommon as we have been led to believe, even in fit, young, non-smoking men and women. What is more, deficiency has observable negative health …