Vitamin D and it's Significant Role in the Body
Vitamin D has long been known to support bone health but new studies are revealing impacts such as increased muscle strength in preteen girls and improved cognitive function in the elderly. Vitamin D also has roles in the nervous and reproductive system and in muscle contraction. Given the significance of the role of Vitamin D, it is not surprising to see that experts are requesting a closer look at the current intakes and recommendations. Currently the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for Vitamin D ranges from 200-600 IU per day depending on the age and gender of the individual. The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) commented that the current daily recommended intakes (DRI's) are based on Vitamin D deficiency diseases such as rickets and osteomalacia and are outdated, especially in the light of new research findings about the role of Vitamin D in health.
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Women and Heart Health
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the single largest cause of mortality among US women. This underscores the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle for women of all ages. According to the American Heart Association, women can modify, treat or control most of the risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke. Here is a list of some of the risk factors than can be modified or controlled to avert the dangers of CVD. 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.
National Women's Health Week
The purpose of this yearly observance is to educate and empower women across the country to improve physical and mental health and prevent disease. For detailed information go to www.womenshealth.gov.
Healthful Bacteria Plus Vitamins and Minerals May Help Common Cold
Researchers recently conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate whether the consumption of a dietary supplement containing probiotic bacteria plus vitamins and minerals over a period of at least three months during winter and spring affects the length, frequency, and severity of symptoms of common cold infections as well as cellular immune parameters. The trial involved 477 healthy men and women who did not receive flu vaccines. The participants were randomly assigned to either the supplement group or a placebo group for three months. The final trial data showed that the intake of a dietary supplement containing probiotic bacteria plus vitamins and minerals during a period of at least three months during cold season may reduce the incidence and severity of common cold symptoms in otherwise healthy adults. For more information go to the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, July 2005.
Micronutrients Help Women's Health and Immune Function According to Review
In a 2001 review article appearing in the journal Nutrition, author Adrianne Bendich summarizes the role of a colleague who researched the impact of nutrition on women's health. Lawrence J. Machlin spent the bulk of his career elucidating the roles of nutrients in optimizing human health, including the support of research in the areas of women's health and immune function. His research found that several essential nutrients have been shown to affect women's health throughout the different stages of their life. One such nutrient is calcium. Calcium supplementation plays a role in significantly reducing physical and emotional issues relating to premenstrual syndrome. It also has a role in preventing osteoporosis. In addition, he found evidence that multivitamins and antioxidant micronutrients enhance many aspects of immune response such as lymphocyteproliferative responses. To learn more about the health findings of Lawrence J. Machlin go to the journal Nutrition, October 2001.