Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The October issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Living Healthy to Stay on Top of Your Game, Winning Game Plan and The First Group of Players on Your Team - Vitamins.
Click here for more information.

Living Healthy to Stay on Top of Your Game

Let's face it, being a teenager sometimes isn't easy. You've got to juggle school, homework, extra- curricular activities, family, friends, household chores, and maybe even a job. With all these responsibilities, it's essential to be in tiptop shape. Your body needs lots of support to stay fit and energized.

Our bodies are not self-sufficient. In order to lead a healthy, active life, we need a steady supply of nutrients and water every day. By eating a balance of nutritious whole foods (fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, good proteins, etc.) and drinking water, you'll get the nutritional support needed to juggle everyday living to help you stay on top of your game!

The Importance Of Strong Immunity

When the seasons change from summer to fall and children go back to school, the chances of getting a cold are increased. That's why it's important to do all we can to stay healthy and fit by bolstering the body's defenses.

The body's defenses are influenced by the strength of our immunity. The strength of our immune system determines our ability to resist infection and suppress the growth of abnormal cells. It's the key to fighting every kind of insult to the body; from those little scratches kids get on the playground to the massive amount of viruses that constantly try to invade us. Even the aging process may be related to deteriorating immunity.

Several factors reduce the strength of our immune system such as poor nutrition, stress, environmental pollutants, and overexposure to the intake of drugs and chemicals from processed foods. Click here for more information.

August 2008 Healthwatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The August issue of HealthWatch features the following articles:Keeping Kids Healthy, Eating Right, Get Moving, Fruit Intake During Childhood May Help Curb Cancer Later In Life, Bone Health Impacted by Fruits at any Age. Click here for more information.

Women's Health

Women's healthcare is unique. It spans a lifetime, not just during pregnancy and childbirth..And while women have many of the same health challenges as men, their symptoms may be completely different. Some serious medical issues, such as cardiac disease and heart attack, may be overlooked because many of the symptoms that women have are not always straightforward. Early research studies did not include women as participants, and because of this, study conclusions may not be valid for making proper healthcare decisions. At each and every stage of a woman's life, there are important health prevention steps - steps that constitute early detection of medical problems, or the prevention of them entirely. Basic prevention includes healthy eating and balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and prevention screenings. It's crucial for women to educate themselves about the various health phases they will go through in their lives, and to work closely with educated health care providers every step of the way for optimal well-being.

Nutrients and the Body's Defenses

In order for the immune system to function at its best it must have access to nutrients. For this reason, individuals who are malnourished develop more infections than individuals who are well-nourished. Some of the effects of malnutrition on the body's immune system are a thinning of the skin with less connective tissue, weakness, poor wound healing, and a lack of defense against disease. So, an important key to health and longevity is a nutritionally well balanced diet and supplementation when necessary.

Here is a smal sampling of nutrients and their relationship to a healthy functioning immune system:

Vitamin A helps support immunity by playing a role in the development of helper cells.
Vitamin A maintains healthy epithelial tissues to fight infection by preventing the invasion of bacteria and viruses.
Vitamin C strengthens our resistance to infection.
Vitamin E protects white and red blood cells, thus participating in the body's defenses against foreign material and disease.
Iron helps fight infection.
Magnesium supports normal functioning of the immune system.
Manganese is a facilitator, with enzymes, of many cell processes.

Source: Understanding Nutrition, 7th Edition

Obesity Rates Rise to Epidemic Proportions and the Consequences are Serious - What Can We Do?

Despite the flood of information available to Americans on the risks of being overweight, obesity has risen to epidemic proportions in the last 20 years. Obesity is defined as having a high amount of body fat with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. With the trend of obesity elevating to this extent, it threatens to overtake tobacco as the No. 1 preventable cause of death.

One of the main concerns surrounding obesity can be expressed by this fact: an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 deaths per year may be attributed to obesity. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, being even moderately overweight (10 to 20 pounds for a person of average height) increases the risk of death, particularly among adults between the ages of 30 to 64 years. People who fall into the obese category have a 50 to 100% increased risk of an early death from all causes, compared to people with a healthy weight.

The number of specific diseases associated with being overweight and obese is vast. Being obese raises one’s chances of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, and elevated triglycerides (blood fat) while lowering HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).

In adults, a mere 11 to 18 pound increase in weight increases a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Also, type 2 diabetes, previously known as adult-onset diabetes, has dramatically increased in children because of the rising weight levels in our younger population. Other diseases that are impacted by weight are some types of cancer (such as endometrial, breast, prostate and colon), asthma, and arthritis.

The good news is that in most cases, diagnosing and combating being overweight and obese is simple and the rewards are great. It does not require extensive medical tests, repeated doctor visits, and strange treatment modalities. Even losing just 10% of your body weight can have a positive impact on your health.

References: U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

What is body mass index (BMI)?

Body mass index, or BMI, is a new term to most people. However, it is the measurement of choice for many physicians and researchers studying obesity. BMI uses a mathematical formula that takes into account both a person’s weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. (BMI+kg/m2).

How can one determine their own BMI?

Visit the Centers for Disease Control website to use their BMI calculator.

Research Says Americans Have Terrible Diets

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture dietary guidelines, Americans should consume at least two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables each day as a part of a healthy diet because adequate fruit and vegetable consumption may decrease the risk for chronic disease. Research scientists from Johns Hopkins University recently reported that despite the promotion of these guidelines a significant number of Americans are not meeting these minimum levels. The researchers arrived at their conclusion after reviewing the data from two national health surveys. The first survey included 15,000 U.S. adults from 1988 to 1994 and the second survey included 9,000 adults from 1999 to 2002. For details surrounding the Johns Hopkins review go to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 32, April 2007. Read More.

Children Residing in the North At Risk of Low Vitamin D Levels

According to a recent U.S. study, approximately 55 per cent of seemingly healthy adolescents may be vitamin D deficient and at an elevated risk of osteoporosis and other problems later in life. Vitamin D is known for its ability to promote calcium absorption and help maintain and build strong bones. The new research measured vitamin D levels in the blood of 382 healthy children between six years and 21 years of age residing in the northeastern United States. After measuring the intake of vitamin D from dietary and supplemental sources and evaluating blood levels of vitamin D, the researchers found that 55 percent of the youth had inadequate vitamin D blood levels, with the proportion rising to 68 percent in winter.

For more information go to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 86, July 2007. Read More.

Eating Veggies Linked to Cognitive Health

A study published in Neurology had concluded that high amounts of vegetable consumption may be associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline in older people. The Rush Institute on Healthy Aging reported that eating three portions of leafy green, yellow, and cruciferous vegetables can slow the loss of mental function as people age, possibly by as much as 40 percent. Fruits were a part of the study, but had little to no effect on cognitive decline. Researchers theorize that is due to vegetables having a higher vitamin E content than fruit. Read More.

Cola May Weaken Bones

Cola soft drinks are associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), according to a new study out of Boston. Cola drinks contain phosphoric acid, which may adversely affect bone; and caffeine is suspected to lower BMD as well. Other non-cola carbonated drinks did not show the same bond-damaging results. Researchers suggested more research is needed to confirm the findings. Read about the study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, October 2006, Volume 84, Number 4. Read More.

National Cancer Institute Encourages Eating Blue and Purple Fruits and Vegetables

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the national health authority that encourages all Americans to eat 5 to 9 servings of vegetables and fruit a day to promote health and reduce risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, is strongly urging all Americans to eat blue and purple fruits and vegetables. This is because fruits such as blueberries contain disease-fighting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics. NCI states that anthocyanins and phenolics are powerful antioxidants that help reduce the risk of such diseases as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. They may even help to slow the aging process. NCI also encourages eating a wide variety of other colorful foods in order to take advantage of other types of healthful phytonutrients they contain. For more information, go to www.5aday.gov or Read More Here.

Red Grape Juice Proves Beneficial In Human Study

In a recent study involving twenty-six patients receiving hemodialysis and 15 healthy subjects who drank 100 mL of red grape juice for 14 days, red grape juice proved to have a variety of healthful benefits. Researchers concluded that dietary supplementation with red grape juice improves the lipoprotein profile, reduces concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers and oxidized LDL, and may favor a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk. Additional studies would help to confirm these findings. For more information go to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 84, July 2006. Read More.

Meat and Dairy: Where Have the Minerals Gone?

We continue our series looking at the effect of modern farming on the quality of our food. In this magazine a year ago we highlighted the loss of essential minerals - calcium, magnesium, iron, etc. - from our fruit and vegetable supply. The figures made alarming reading. Read More.

Recommended Intakes of Vitamins and Essential Minerals

Vitamins are substances, that by definition, are essential to life itself, but are not made in the body - or not made in sufficient quantities to support life. Essential minerals are likewise substances required for the day-by-day, minute-to-minute functions of the body. Both must be obtained from foods. Read More.

1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes By Individuals

Selected results from the USDA's 10th nationwide food consumption survey provide facts about Americans' diets. The 1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, commonly called the What We Eat in America survey, provides dietary data on about 16,000 individuals nationwide. Data were obtained by 24-hour recall. The survey was conducted by USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Read More.

The Effects of a Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement on Micronutrient Status, Antioxidant Capacity and Cytokine Production in Healthy Older Adults Consuming a Fortified Diet

Inadequate micronutrient intake among older adults is common despite the increased prevalence of fortified/enriched foods in the American diet. Although many older adults take multivitamin supplements in an effort to compensate, studies examining the benefits of this behavior are absent. Read More.

Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults: Scientific Review

Context: Although vitamin deficiency is encountered infrequently in developed countries, inadequate intake of several vitamins is associated with chronic disease. Objective: To review the clinically important vitamins with regard to their biological effects, food sources, deficiency syndromes, potential for toxicity, and relationship to chronic disease. Read More.

Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults: Clinical Applications

Vitamin deficiency syndromes such as scurvy and beriberi are uncommon in Western societies. However, suboptimal intake of some vitamins, above levels causing classic vitamin deficiency, is a risk factor for chronic diseases and common in the general population, especially the elderly. Suboptimal folic acid levels, along with suboptimal levels of vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, neural tube defects, and colon and breast cancer; low levels of vitamin D contribute to osteopenia and fractures; and low levels of chronic diseases. Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. Pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomized trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements. Read More.

The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention

Vitamin D status differs by latitude and race, with residents of the northeastern United States and individuals with more skin pigmentation being at increased risk of deficiency. A PubMed database search yielded 63 observational studies of vitamin D status in relation to cancer risk, including 30 of colon, 13 of breast, 26 of prostate, and 7 of ovarian cancer, and several that assessed the association of vitamin D receptor genotype with cancer risk. The majority of studies found a protective relationship between sufficient vitamin D status and lower risk of cancer. The evidence suggests that efforts to improve vitamin D status, for example by vitamin D supplementation, could reduce cancer incidence and mortality at low cost, with few or no adverse effects. Read More.

Effect of Homocysteine-Lowering Therapy with Folic Acid, Vitamin B₁₂ and Vitamin B₆ on Clinical Outcome After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Plasma homocysteine level has been recognized as an important cardiovascular risk factor that predicts adverse cardiac events in patients with established coronary atherosclerosis and influences restenosis rate after percutaneous coronary intervention. Read More.

Vitamin Requirements for the Treatment of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Humans

We have previously shown that a modest vitamin supplement containing folic acid, vitamin B-12 and vitamin B-6 is effective in reducing elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations. The effect of supplementation of the individual vitamins on moderate hyperhomocysteinemia has now been investigated in a placebo-controlled study. One hundred men with hyperhomocysteinemia were randomly assigned to five groups and treated with a daily dose of placebo, folic acid (0.65 md), vitamin B-12 (0.4 mg), vitamin B-6 (10 mg) or a combination of the three vitamins for 6 weeks. Folic acid supplementation reduced plasma homocysteine concentrations by 41.7%, whereas the daily vitamin B-12 supplement lowered homocysteine concentrations by 14.8%. The daily pyridoxine dose did not reduce significantly plasma homocysteine concentrations. Read More.

Importance of Both Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 in Reduction of Risk of Vascular Disease

Fortification of food with folic acid to prevent neural-tube defects in babies also lowers plasma total homocysteine, which is a risk factor for vascular disease. We investigated the effect of folate and vitamin B12 on homocysteine concentrations. 30 men and 23 women received sequential supplementation with increasing doses of folic acid. After supplementation, the usual dependency of homocysteine on folate diminished, and vitamin B12 became the main determinant of plasma homocysteine concentration. This finding suggests that a fortification policy based on folic acid and vitamin B12, rather than folic acid alone, is likely to be much more effective at lowering of homocysteine concentrations, with potential benefits for reduction of risk of vascular disease. Read More.

Can Dietary Supplements with Folic Acid or Vitamin B₆ Reduce Cardiovascular Risk? Design of Clinical Trials to Test the Homocysteine Hypothesis of Vascular Disease

Moderately elevated levels of blood total homocysteine have been identified as a potentially important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Many studies, conducted in various settings, have reported that patients with coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease, have higher homocysteine levels than controls. The initial studies were case-control (or 'retrospective') studies, which compared homocysteine levels in samples from cases, collected after the onset of disease, with those in controls. Weaker associations have reported in some prospective studies in which blood was taken some years before vascular disease was diagnosed, and no association was reported in others. Read More.

More Folic Acid for Everyone, Now

Research during the last five years has made it clear that people who do not take folic acid supplements are at increased risk for functional folate deficiency, which has been proven to cause spina bifida and anencephaly and also has been associated with an increased risk for occlusive cardiovascular disease. The overriding folate policy issue is how to increase dramatically the folate consumption of 75% of the population who are not now consuming 0.4 mg of folic acid in a supplement. The most expedious way to increase consumption is through fortification of a food staple. Public health programs are also needed to educate people about the vital importance of increased consumption of folic acid vitamin supplements and of foods rich in natural folates. Read More.

Effects of Folic Acid and Combinations of Folic Acid and Vitamin B-12 on Plasma Homocysteine Concentrations in Healthy, Young Women

Elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations are considered to be a risk factor for vascular disease and fetal malformations such as neural tube defects. Recent studies have shown that plasma homocysteine can be lowered by folic acid in amounts corresponding to 1-2 times the recommended dietary allowance. Preliminary evidence indicates that vitamin B-12 may be beneficial when included in supplements or in a food-fortification regimen together with folic acid. Read More.

Folate and Vitamin B₆ from Diet and Supplements in Relation to Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Among Women

Hyperhomocysteinemia is caused be genetic and lifestyle influences, including low intakes of folate and vitamin B₆. However, prospective data relating intake of these vitamins to risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) are not available. Read More.

Chronic Intake of Pharmacological Doses of Vitamin E Might Be Useful in Therapy of Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Thirty elderly nondiabetic, moderately obese patients with stable effort angina underwent an oral-glucose-tolerance test and a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp before and after vitamin E supplementation (900 mg/d for 4 months). The study was of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, and crossover design. Anthropometric indexes were stable throughout the study. Read More.

Risk of Angina Pectoris and Plasma Concentrations of Vitamins A, C, and E and Carotene

The relation between risk of angina pectoris and plasma concentrations of vitamins A, C, and E and carotene was examined in a population case-control study of 110 cases of angina, identified by the Chest Pain Questionnaire, and 394 controls selected from a sample of 6000 men aged 35-54. Plasma concentrations of vitamins C and E and carotene were significantly inversely related to the risk of angina. There was no significant relation with Vitamin A. Smoking was a confounding factor. The inverse relation between angina and low plasma was substantially reduced after adjustment for smoking. Vitamin E remained independently and inversely related to the risk of angina after adjustment for age, smoking habit, blood pressure, lipids, and relative weight. Read More.

Folic Acid Antagonists During Pregnancy and the Risk of Birth Defects

Multivitaminsupplementation in pregnant women may reduce the risks of cardiovascular defects, oral clefts, and urinary tract defects in their infants. We evaluated whether the folic acid component of multivitamins is responsible for the reduction in risk by examining the associations between maternal use of folic acid antagonists and these congenital malformations. Read More.

Dietary Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C, and Risk of Prostate Cancer: Results from the Western Electric Study

Dietary factors are likely candidates for important determinants of prostatic cancer risk. Among the most investigated nutritional factors have been antioxidants. We evaluated dietary beta-carotene and vitamin C in relation to subsequent risk of prostate cancer in a prospective study of 1,899 middle-aged men. We combined prostate cancer cases diagnosed in the first 24 years of follow-up with incident cases identified from the Health Care Financing Administration hospitalization and outpatient files during an additional 6-year follow-up period. We obtained death certificates for all decedents. During the 30-year follow-up, prostate cancer developed in 132 men. Read More.

Prevention of Neural-Tube Defects with Folic Acid in China

Periconceptional use of multivitamins containing folic acid can reduce a woman's risk of having a baby with a neural-tube defect. As a part of a public health campaign conducted from 1993 to 1995 in an area of China with high rates of neural-tube defects (the northern region) and one with low rates (the southern region), we evaluated the outcomes of pregnancy in women who were asked to take a pill containing 400 µg of folic acid alone daily from the time of their premarital examination until the end of their first trimester of pregnancy. Read More.

Dietary Strategies for Lowering Homocysteine Concentrations

Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHey) concentrations are associated with increased risk of vascular disease, and there is a strong inverse association between dietary and blood folate and blood tHcy concentrations. Increased folate consumption may lower the risk of tHcy-mediated cardiovascular disease. Read More.

Low-Dose Vitamin B-6 Effectively Lowers Fasting Plasma Homocysteine in Healthy Elderly Persons Who Are Folate and Riboflavin Replete

Current data suggest that physiologic doses of vitamin B-6 have no significant homocysteine-lowering effect. It is possible that an effect of vitamin B-6 was missed in previous trials because of a much greater effect of folic acid, vitamin B-12, or both. Read More.

Dietary Carotenoids and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Women

Numerous studies have shown that higher intakes of higher blood concentrations of carotenes are associated with a lower risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Given the null results in trials of ß-carotene supplementation, considerable attention has focused on the potential role of other dietary carotenoids in the prevention of CAD. Read More.

Chemoprevention of Gastric Dysplasia: Randomized Trial of Antioxidant Supplements and Anti-Helicobacter pylori Therapy

Previous research has identified a high risk of gastric carcinoma as well as a high prevalence of cancer precursor lesions in rural populations living in the province of Narino, Columbia, in the Andes Mountains. Methods: A randomized, controlled chemoprevention trial was conducted in subjects with confirmed histologic diagnoses of multifocal nonmetaplastic atrophy and/or intestinal metalasia, two precancerous lesions. Individuals were assigned to receive anti-Helicobacter pylori triple therapy and/or dietary supplementation with ascorbic acid, ß-carotene, or their corresponding placebos. Gastric biopsy specimens taken at baseline were compared with those taken at 72 months. Relative risks of progression, no change, and regression from multifocal nonmetaplastic atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were analyzed with multivariate polytomous logistic regression models to estimate treatment effects. Read More.

A Case Study of Nutrient Intervention of Oral Precancerous Lesions in India

Tobacco chewing and/or smoking are strongly related to several cancers, mainly of the upper aerodigestive tract. Several studies on diet and cancer links suggest that micronutrients, particularly antioxidant vitamins and minerals, are risk modifiers of cancers of epithelial origin. This study looks at the impact of micronutrients such as vitamin A, riboflavin, zinc and selenium as intervention agents in subjects with and without precancerous lesions in a high risk group (reverse smokers of cutta-rolled tobacco leaf). Reverse smokers from four villages were enrolled in the study. 150 subjects were supplemented with four nutrients, namely vitamin A, riboflavin, zinc and selenium in the form of a capsule twice a week for one year. 148 controls received a placebo capsule containing lactose for the same period. Clinical history and anthropometric data were collected from all subjects and a clinical photograph of the palate was taken. Micronutrients were estimated in random blood collected from a sub-sample before and after the study. Read More.

Effects of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Plasma Antioxidant Concentrations and Blood Pressure: a Randomised Controlled Trial

High dietary intakes of fruit and vegetables are associated with reduced risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Short-term intensive dietary interventions in selected populations increase fruit and vegetable intake, raise plasma antioxidant concentrations, and lower blood pressure, but long-term effects of interventions in the general population are not certain. We assessed the effect of an intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption on plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins, daily fruit and vegetable intake, and blood pressure. We undertook a 6-month, randomised, controlled trial of a brief negotiation method to encourage an increase in consumption of fruit and vegetables to at least five daily portions. We included 690 healthy participants aged 25-64 years recruited from a primary-care health centre. Read More.

High Doses of Multiple Antioxidant Vitamins: Essential Ingredients in Improving the Efficacy of Standard Cancer Therapy

Numerous articles and several reviews have been published on the role of antioxidants, and diet and lifestyle modifications in cancer prevention. However, the potential role of these factors in the management of human cancer have been largely ignored. Extensive in vitro studies limited to in vivo studies have revealed that individual antioxidants such as vitamin A (retinoids), vitamin E (primarily alpha-tocopheryl succinate), vitamin C (primarily sodium ascorbate) and carotenoids (primarily polar carotenoids) induce cell differentiation and growth inhibition to various degrees in rodent and human cancer cells by complex mechanisms. Read More.

Prevention of Esophageal Cancer: The Nutrition Intervention Trials in Linxian, China

In Linxian China, the esophageal/gastric cardia cancer mortality rates are among the highest in the world. There is suspicion that the population's chronic deficiencies of multiple micronutrients are etiologically involved. We conducted two randomized, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention trials to test the effects of vitamin and mineral supplements in lowering the rates of esophageal/gastric cancer. Read More.

Graying of the Immune System

It is recognized that nutrient intake should not only prevent the classic deficiency diseases, but also could reduce illness and improve health. The type of nutrients and the quantity required to achieve such a beneficial effect varied with the index being studied and whether more than one nutrient is being administered simultaneously. For some nutrients, the amounts proposed as being healthful apparently cannot be provided by a reasonable quantity and variety of natural foods. Thus, nutrient supplements may be important for health promotion and prevention of certain chronic diseases. Read More.

Multivitamin/Mineral Supplementation Improves Plasma B-Vitamin Status and Homocysteine Concentration in Healthy Older Adults Consuming Folate-Fortified Diet

Elevated homocysteine has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Although multivitamin use has been associated with low plasma homocysteine concentrations in several observational studies, no clinical trials have been conducted using multivitamin/mineral supplements to lower homocysteine. We determined whether a multivitamin/mineral supplement formulated at about 100% Daily Value will further lower homocysteine concentration and improve B-vitamin status in healthy older adults already consuming a diet fortified with folic acid. Read More.

Agriculture: The Real Nexus for Enhancing Bioavailable Micronutrients in Food Crops

Human existence requires that agriculture provide at least 50 nutrients (e.g. vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, essential fatty acid) in amounts needed to meet metabolic demands during all seasons. If national food systems do not meet these demands, mortality and morbidity rates increase, worker productivity declines, livelihoods are diminished and societies suffer. Today, many food systems within the developing world cannot meet the nutritional needs of the societies they support mostly due to farming systems that cannot produce enough micronutrients to meet human needs throughout the year. Read More.

Associations of Serum and Dietary Magnesium with Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes, Insulin, and Carotid Arterial Wall Thickness: The Aric Study

The objective of this study was to examine the relationships of serum and dietary magnesium (Mg) with prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, fasting insulin, and average carotid intimal-medial wall thickness measured by B-mode ultrasound. A cross-sectional design was used. The setting was the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study in four US communities. A total of 15,248 participants took part, male an female, black and white, aged 45-64 years. Read More.

Effects of Selenium and Zinc Supplementation on Nutritional Status in Patients with Cancer of Digestive Tract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of oral administration of selenium and zinc tablets in patients with cancer of the digestive tract during chemotherapy. Read More.

Potassium, Magnesium, and Fruit and Vegetable Intakes are Associated with Greater Bone Mineral Density in Elderly Men and Women

Osteoporosis and related fractures will be growing public health problems as the population ages. It is therefore of great importance to identify modifiable risk factors. We investigated associations between dietary components contributing to an alkaline environment (dietary potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetables) and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly subjects. Read More.

October 2008 Healthwatch