NUTRACEUTICAL SUPPLEMENTS NUTRITION HEALTH NEWS

New research shows that vitamin C could help over 50s retain muscle mass in later life. The study shows that older people who eat plenty of vitamin C -- commonly found in citrus fruits, berries and vegetables -- have the best skeletal muscle mass.

A higher intake of vitamin C is crucial for metabolic syndrome patients trying to halt a potentially deadly cycle of antioxidant disruption and health-related problems, a researcher says.

A Japanese research team bio-imaged vitamin C in mice. A probe chemical emitted red fluorescent light after reacting with vitamin C in the mice's bloodstream. When a dose of exogenous vitamin C was injected, it accumulated in vital organs. This is the first bioimaging of vitamin C in living tissue, showing high sensitivity and good selectivity, paving the way toward the use of this vitamin to treat cancer.

Researchers have measured the impact on cancer stem cell metabolism of three natural substances, three experimental pharmaceuticals and one clinical drug.

An engineer and an ophthalmologist are developing a portable sensor that can quickly and inexpensively determine whether an eye injury is mild or severe. The device, called OcuCheck, measures levels of vitamin C in the fluids that coat or leak from the eye. The sensor could speed efforts to determine the extent of eye injuries at accident sites or on the battlefield, the researchers said.

A research team is addressing the US fiber deficit by including citrus fiber in ground beef while retaining the quality and taste of the meat.

New evidence suggests that taking vitamin B supplements may help reduce the risk of stroke.

Despite previous studies touting its benefit in moderating gout risk, new research reveals that vitamin C, also known ascorbic acid, does not reduce uric acid (urate) levels to a clinically significant degree in patients with established gout. Vitamin C supplementation, alone or in combination with allopurinol, appears to have a weak effect on lowering uric acid levels in gout patients, according to the results of a new study.

Eating higher amounts of a compound in citrus fruits, especially oranges and grapefruit, may lower ischemic stroke risk. Women who ate high amounts of the compound had a 19 percent lower risk of ischemic stroke than women who consumed the least amount.

Anti-caking agents in powdered products may hasten degradation of vitamin C instead of doing what they are supposed to do: protect the nutrient from moisture.

In summer, more dishes like gazpacho –- a cold soup containing raw vegetables, bread, olive oil and vinegar –- are consumed. A new study has revealed that ingredients’ vitamin C content as well as other organic acids is lower in the resulting mixture, meaning that it should be eaten immediately after preparation.

High humidity present in bathrooms and kitchens could be degrading the vitamins and health supplements stored in those rooms, even if the lids are on tight, a new study shows. Crystalline substances are prone to a process called deliquescence, in which humidity causes a water-soluble solid to dissolve. Keeping vitamins and supplements away from warm, humid environments can help ensure their effectiveness.

Vitamin C is indispensible for life. We obtain all our vitamin C from out diet and several tightly regulated processes control our vitamin C levels. One protein involved in this is Slc23a1, but its in vivo importance has not been determined. However, researchers have now identified several crucial functions for Slc23a1 in mice: it is involved in absorption of vitamin C by the kidney and in perinatal survival.

A team of pharmacists from Spain has established that the levels of vitamin C in many fruit juices and soft drinks are far higher than those indicated on their labels by the manufacturers. This finding has been possible owing to a new technique developed by the researchers to determine the content of vitamin C in these kinds of drinks.

Serious flaws in a recent study, which concluded that high doses of vitamin C reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of cancer, are revealed in the current issue of Alternative and Complementary Therapies.

High-dose injections of vitamin C, also known as ascorbate or ascorbic acid, reduced tumor weight and growth rate by about 50 percent in mouse models of brain, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, researchers report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers traced ascorbate's anti-cancer effect to the formation of hydrogen peroxide in the extracellular fluid surrounding the tumors. Normal cells were unaffected.

To get more out of your next cup of tea, just add juice. Citrus juices enable more of green tea's unique antioxidants to remain after simulated digestion, making the pairing even healthier than previously thought.

Fat in the stomach may cause vitamin C to promote, rather than prevent, the formation of certain cancer causing chemicals, reveals new research. Fat remains in the proximal stomach for some time after a meal and also makes up a substantial amount of the cells lining the stomach, say the authors.

Unless you run marathons, you probably won't get much protection from common colds by taking a daily supplemental dose of vitamin C, according to an updated review of 30 studies.

A new study has found that supplements of vitamin C can largely stop the serious depletion of vitamin E that occurs in smokers, demonstrating for the first time in humans a remarkable interaction between these two antioxidants as they work together. The research also suggests a possible mechanism by which smoking can cause cancer.

Cooking tomatoes -- such as in spaghetti sauce -- makes the fruit heart-healthier and boosts its cancer-fighting ability. All this, despite a loss of vitamin C during the cooking process, say Cornell food scientists. The reason: cooking substantially raises the levels of beneficial compounds called phytochemicals.

Low levels of vitamin C in the blood are linked to a more severe form of peripheral artery disease, an often painful condition in which the leg blood vessels become blocked, according to a report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Time to adjust an old adage: It's the phytochemicals in the apple each day that keep the doctor away. A combination of plant chemicals, such as flavanoids and polyphenols -- collectively known as phytochemicals -- found both within the flesh of apple and particularly in the skin -- provide the fruit's anti-oxidant and anti-cancer benefits, say Cornell food scientists.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have found that cancer tumors consume large amounts of vitamin C. Their findings, which are reported in the September 15 issue of Cancer Research, may shed new light on the nutritional needs of tumors.

The recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for vitamin C should be officially doubled to a new level of 120 milligrams per day, researchers conclude in a new report, with potential benefits for everything from heart disease to cataracts and cancer.

An extensive review of research on potentially harmful effects of vitamin C supplementation has largely put to rest concerns that it may have damaging "pro-oxidant" effects in the human body, a question that had been raised by some laboratory studies in recent years.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have found that a class of proteins -- called growth factors -- which are known to control growth and production of immune cells also increase their ability to take up vitamin C.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have discovered how to get large amounts of vitamin C past the blood brain barrier so that it is transported and retained in the brains of laboratory mice. This finding may prove useful in efforts to slow the progression of certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's.

Many vitamins are produced in chemical factories, often synthetically, but researchers have succeeded in developing a natural and simple method for producing vitamin B2: by gently heating lactic acid bacteria. This could be a game-changer in developing countries, where many suffer from vitamin B2 deficiency, enabling fortification with B2 directly in local kitchens.

Using significantly higher doses of vitamin D than recommended for five years did not affect the incidence of type 2 diabetes in elderly men and women, according to a new study.

In June of 2024, the Endocrine Society, influenced by a substantial body of research conducted in recent years, published new clinical practice guidelines for the testing and supplementation of Vitamin D for the prevention of disease. These new recommendations included limiting vitamin D supplementation beyond the daily recommended intake to specific risk groups and advised against routine 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] testing in healthy individuals.

Effective immunity hinges on the ability to sense infection and cellular transformation. In humans, there is a specialized molecule on the surface of cells termed MR1. MR1 allows sensing of certain small molecule metabolites derived from cellular and microbial sources; however, the breadth of metabolite sensing is unclear. Researchers have identified a form of vitamin B6 bound to MR1 as a means of engaging tumor-reactive immune cells.

A randomized, phase 2 clinical trial shows that adding high-dose, intravenous (IV) vitamin C to chemotherapy doubles the overall survival of patients with late-stage metastatic pancreatic cancer from eight months to 16 months. The finding adds to mounting evidence of the benefits of high-dose, IV vitamin C in treating cancer.

Researchers have developed a non-invasive, low-cost tool for assessing the risk of vitamin D deficiency in young women called ViDDPreS (Vitamin D Deficiency Predicting Scoring).

Vitamin D supplements may lower blood pressure in older people with obesity, and taking more than the Institutes of Medicine's recommended daily dose does not provide additional health benefits, according to new research.

Children whose mothers took extra vitamin D during pregnancy continue to have stronger bones at age seven, according to research.

Researchers have found that germ cells, which develop into eggs and sperm, drive sex-dependent differences in lifespan in vertebrates. Female and male germ cells increase and reduce lifespan, respectively. These effects are controlled via estrogen and growth factor hormones in females and vitamin D in males. Vitamin D supplementation extends lifespan in both males and females. The results clarify the link between reproduction and aging and show that vitamin D may improve longevity in vertebrates.

Healthy adults under the age of 75 are unlikely to benefit from taking more than the daily intake of vitamin D recommended by the Institutes of Medicine (IOM) and do not require testing for vitamin D levels. For children, pregnant people, adults older than 75 years and adults with high-risk prediabetes, the guideline recommends vitamin D higher than the IOM recommended daily allowance.

A new study sheds light on the complexities of achieving optimal vitamin D status across diverse populations. Despite substantial research on the determinants of vitamin D, levels of vitamin D deficiency remain high. Researchers believe their findings have significant implications for the development of tailored recommendations for vitamin D supplementation.

Researchers have found that vitamin D encourages the growth of a type of gut bacteria in mice which improves immunity to cancer.

Rickets ran rife in children following the Industrial Revolution, but new research has found factory work and polluted cities aren't entirely to blame for the period's vitamin D deficiencies.

A major clinical trial has found that vitamin D supplements do not increase bone strength or prevent bone fractures in children with vitamin D deficiency. The findings challenge widely held perceptions relating to the effects of vitamin D on bone health.

According to a new study B-12 vitamins increase the presence of the micronutrient in mothers' breast milk, which is especially helpful in countries where it can be difficult to eat what is needed for the body to produce B-12 naturally.

A review of 15 years' worth of data found that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was linked to reduced rates of asthma and wheezing in children compared to standard prenatal multivitamin.

Taking higher-than-recommended doses of vitamin D for five years reduced the risk of atrial fibrillation in older men and women, according to a new study.

Neuroscientists have shown how vitamin D deficiency affects developing neurons in the brain's dopamine circuit, which may lead to the dopamine dysfunction seen in adults with schizophrenia.

Taking vitamin D supplements may help ward off dementia, according to a new, large-scale study. Researchers explored the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and dementia in more than 12,388 participants of the US National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center, who had a mean age of 71 and were dementia-free when they signed up. Of the group, 37 per cent (4,637) took vitamin D supplements.

Fewer cases of melanoma were observed among regular users of vitamin D supplements than among non-users, a new study finds. People taking vitamin D supplements regularly also had a considerably lower risk of skin cancer, according to estimates by experienced dermatologists. The study included nearly 500 people with an increased risk of skin cancer.

Millions of people across the globe regularly consume arsenic-contaminated water. Exposure to arsenic has previously been associated with the development of various cancers including skin cancer. Research on the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating arsenic-mediated carcinogenesis remains sparse. Using in vitro studies, researchers demonstrate how calcitriol, or activated vitamin D3, inhibits arsenic-mediated carcinogenesis in certain types of skin cells known as 'keratinocytes.'

Researchers have developed a new way to fortify foods with vitamin A, which they hope could help to improve the health of millions of people around the world. In a new study, they showed that encapsulating vitamin A in a protective polymer prevents the nutrient from being broken down during cooking or storage.

Research has revealed vitamin K1 can help reduce the risk of fractures in older populations -- especially hip fractures.

Some clinicians have recommended vitamin D supplements to ease the muscle aches of patients taking a statin, but a new study shows the vitamin appears to have no substantial impact.

New research gives strong evidence that vitamin D deficiency is associated with premature death, prompting calls for people to follow healthy vitamin D level guidelines.

Cystic fibrosis patients who supplement their diet with vitamin C can also derive greater benefit from another antioxidant, vitamin E, resulting in a reduction in damaging inflammation, a study suggests.

An extensive meta-analysis suggests that vitamin D supplementation may alleviate depressive symptoms in adults with depression. Conducted by an international team of researchers, the meta-analysis includes dozens of studies from around the world.

Genetic research shows a direct link between low levels of vitamin D and high levels of inflammation, providing an important biomarker to identify people at higher risk of or severity of chronic illnesses with an inflammatory component.

Researchers report on a novel function of vitamin K, which is generally known for its importance in blood clotting. The researchers discovered that the fully reduced form of vitamin K acts as an antioxidant efficiently inhibiting ferroptotic cell death.

Trial participants reported feeling less anxious or depressed after taking high doses of Vitamin B6 for a month. The trial provides evidence that the calming effect B6 has on the brain could make it effective in preventing or treating mood disorders.

Rickets and classic metaphyseal lesions (CMLs) exhibit distinct radiographic signs, and radiologists can reliably differentiate these two entities.

Taking Vitamin D supplements during pregnancy could substantially reduce the chances of babies up to a year old suffering from atopic eczema, according to a new study.

Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide, affecting thinking and behaviors as you age. But what if you could stop this degenerative disease in its tracks?

Scientists have shed new light on the role of the placenta in managing the relationships between maternal vitamin D and fetal development, according to a new study.

New research has found significant differences between the two types of vitamin D, with vitamin D2 having a questionable impact on human health. However, the study found that vitamin D3 could balance people's immune systems and help strengthen defences against viral infections such as Covid-19.

A meta-analysis of 26 studies that included more than 5,600 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has found that taking immune-boosting micronutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc do not lessen a patient's chance of dying from COVID-19.

In a new study, researchers show a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity and mortality. The study is among the first to analyze vitamin D levels prior to infection, which facilitates a more accurate assessment than during hospitalization, when levels may be lower secondary to the viral illness.

A trial found that taking a much higher dose of vitamin D than recommended for five years did not affect total mortality or the incidence of cardiovascular disease or cancer in older men and women.

Living in sunny locations and spending time outdoors may raise the risk for skin cancer, but a new study shows that in children and young adults, sun exposure may protect against multiple sclerosis. The study follows previous work by other researchers that has demonstrated an association between increased ultraviolet exposure in childhood and lower odds of adult MS.

Free from the sun, vitamin D delivers a natural source for one of the hormones essential to our bodies, especially the bones. But when you're down on this essential nutrient, it's not only your bones that could suffer, but also your cardio health, according to new research.

Worldwide, millions of people follow vegan and vegetarian diets for religious, ethical, environmental or economic reasons. While these diets have purported health benefits, they can also lack essential nutrients, such as vitamins B12 and D3, if not well-planned or supplemented correctly. Now, researchers have packed a strawberry-flavored gummy with these vitamins, formulating it without any animal products so vegans and vegetarians can reach their recommended daily allowances (RDA).

Previously published solar exposure guidelines for optimal vitamin D synthesis based on a study of skin samples may need to be revised.

New research has examined the association between vitamin D and COVID-19, and found that ambient ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation (which is key for vitamin D production in the skin) at an individual's place of residence in the weeks before COVID-19 infection, was strongly protective against severe disease and death.

Consuming higher amounts of Vitamin D -- mainly from dietary sources -- may help protect against developing young-onset colorectal cancer or precancerous colon polyps, according to a new study.

Review of a landmark, 1944 study on adequate vitamin C levels leads researchers to challenge the WHO's recommended daily amounts.

New research has found that people who eat a diet rich in vitamin K have up to a 34 percent lower risk of atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease (conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels).

In a clinical trial of individuals at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, which is the leading cause of kidney disease, vitamin D supplementation did not have significant effects on kidney health. As participants were not selected according to baseline vitamin D levels, investigators cannot exclude a kidney benefit for individuals with vitamin D deficiency.

Patients with vitamin D deficiency who received vitamin D supplements had a reduced need for pain relief and lower levels of fatigue in palliative cancer treatment, a randomized and placebo-controlled study shows.

In a recent study of Black American women, low levels of vitamin D appeared to be related to increased incidence of COVID-19 infection.

Lab animals deficient in vitamin D crave and become dependent on opioids, which is curbed when normal levels of the vitamin are restored. Human health records indicate that people with low vitamin D are more likely to use and misuse opioids. Study results suggest a potential role for vitamin D supplementation in fighting opioid addiction.

Observational studies have suggested that increased vitamin D levels may protect against COVID-19. However, these studies were inconclusive and possibly subject to confounding. A new study suggests that genetic evidence does not support vitamin D as a protective measure against COVID-19.

Sunnier areas are associated with fewer deaths from COVID-19, an observational study suggests. Increased exposure to the sun's rays -- specifically UVA -- could act as a simple public health intervention if further research establishes it causes a reduction in mortality rates, experts say.

In a retrospective study of individuals tested for COVID-19, vitamin D levels above those traditionally considered sufficient were associated with a lower risk of COVID-19.

Patients with low vitamin D levels who are hospitalized for COVID-19 may have a lower risk of dying or requiring mechanical ventilation if they receive vitamin D supplementation of at least 1,000 units weekly, according to a new study.

Genetically determined vitamin D levels do not have a large effect on risk of type 1 diabetes in Europeans, according to a new study.

One day physicians may be able to look at an African American's skin color and, with the help of other determinants, know if prescribing vitamin D supplements would lower that person's risk of getting cancers of the prostate, colon, rectum or breast.

Scientists have now calculated: If all Germans over the age of 50 were to take vitamin D supplements, up to 30,000 cancer deaths per year could possibly be avoided and more than 300,000 years of life could be gained - in addition, health care costs could be saved.

Working outdoors over many years is linked to a lower risk of breast cancer in women after the age of 50, finds new research.

Bleeding of the gums on gentle probing, or gingival bleeding tendency, and also bleeding in the eye, or retinal hemorrhaging, were associated with low vitamin C levels in the bloodstream.

Researchers report a comprehensive pilot study on the metabolic effects of full vegan diet on young children. The study found vegan children to have remarkably altered metabolism and lower vitamin A and D status compared to children with no special diet.

Many vitamins are produced in chemical factories, often synthetically, but researchers have succeeded in developing a natural and simple method for producing vitamin B2: by gently heating lactic acid bacteria. This could be a game-changer in developing countries, where many suffer from vitamin B2 deficiency, enabling fortification with B2 directly in local kitchens.

A new study has found that folate may weaken the link between blood-lead levels in pregnant women and autistic-like behaviors in their children.

More than half of the global population consumes inadequate levels of several micronutrients essential to health, including calcium, iron, and vitamins C and E, according to a new study. It is the first study to provide global estimates of inadequate consumption of 15 micronutrients critical to human health.

A new study has identified why a diet rich in magnesium is so important for our health, reducing the risk of DNA damage and chronic degenerative disorders.

Scientists found that decreasing folate intake can support healthier metabolisms in aging animal models, challenging the conventional belief that high folate consumption universally benefits health.

A team of international researchers has demonstrated, for the first time in a field study, that using folic acid-fortified iodized table salt can prevent multiple severe birth defects.

A new study has found high rates of anemia among patients in the Irish health system, while screening for common causes was found to be low.

Pregnant women eating modern diets are missing key nutrients needed for them and their babies, and this could get worse with the move to plant-based foods. Scientists surveying more than 1,700 women found most were missing vitamins usually found in meat and dairy, including B12, B6 and D, folic acid and riboflavin which are essential for the development of fetuses in the womb.

Researchers assessed in an animal model the effect of folic acid supplementation on mutation rates and other genetic modifications.

A new study that looked at health data from the UK found people with a folic acid prescription were 1.5 times as likely to get COVID-19 and were more than 2.6 times as likely to die from COVID-19 compared to the control group.

The UK Government's current proposal to fortify one type of flour with folic acid is inadequate as it suggests a low dose that would fail to prevent hundreds of cases of severe birth defects each year, according to a new paper.

Scientists have found that elevated blood levels of an amino acid called homocysteine correlate strongly with the severity of an advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. They also found vitamin B12 and folic acid could be used to prevent and/or delay disease progression.

Trial participants reported feeling less anxious or depressed after taking high doses of Vitamin B6 for a month. The trial provides evidence that the calming effect B6 has on the brain could make it effective in preventing or treating mood disorders.

Researchers report a comprehensive pilot study on the metabolic effects of full vegan diet on young children. The study found vegan children to have remarkably altered metabolism and lower vitamin A and D status compared to children with no special diet.

A study of pregnant mice found high levels of folic acid were associated with significant changes in brain development of offspring.

Older adults who took a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement with zinc and high amounts of vitamin C in a 12-week study experienced sickness for shorter periods and with less severe symptoms than counterparts in a control group receiving a placebo.

Grain-based materials fermented with Propionibacterium freudenreichii have enough vitamin B12 to be nutritionally significant. With the help of Lactobacillus brevis in the fermentation process, vegans can also be guaranteed a sufficient and safe B12 intake directly from grain-based food, without pills.

A new study challenges claims from some international scientific circles, that having high blood levels of folate (folic acid) increases the risk of poor cognition in older adults, especially in those with low levels of vitamin B12. On the contrary the study found that having higher folate seemed to be associated with better cognitive function in these older adults.

Children born to women who have high blood levels of lead are more likely be overweight or obese, compared to those whose mothers have low levels of lead in their blood, according to a new study.

The dangers of ultraviolet radiation exposure, which most often comes from the sun, are well-known. Researchers discuss how broad its effects can be, from premature aging to cancer, and how this can be influenced by different skin tones and the use of sunscreen.

In a massive new analysis of findings from 277 clinical trials using 24 different interventions, researchers say they have found that almost all vitamin, mineral and other nutrient supplements or diets cannot be linked to longer life or protection from heart disease.

Micronutrient deficiencies, including vitamins B12 and D, as well as folate, iron, zinc and copper, are common in adults at the time of diagnosis with celiac disease. These deficiencies should be addressed at that time, according to a new study.

A new study explored the impact of increasing a person's intake of vitamins B12, B6, and folic acid [vitamin B9] after studies in people with schizophrenia revealed that increased intake of these vitamins could decrease patients' levels of an amino acid called homocysteine and improve their symptoms.

A giant toadstool that swallow up vitamins and nutrients in the intestines and kidneys. This is how the receptor, which e.g. absorbs B12 vitamin in the small intestine, looks. For the first time, researchers have an insight into an as yet unknown biology which has survived hundreds of millions of years during the evolution of life.

Patients with type-2 diabetes, taking metformin, should have their vitamin B12 levels assessed more regularly to avoid irreversible nerve damage, according to a new study. The study findings suggest that earlier detection of vitamin B12 deficiency through routine screening of all metformin-treated, type-2 diabetes patients could reduce their risk of developing irreversible, painful and potentially disabling nerve damage.

Nearly 15 percent of all chewing gum varieties sold promise to provide health-enhancing supplements to users, so researchers studied whether two vitamin-supplemented products were effective at delivering vitamins to the body. Their results validate the concept of gum as an effective delivery system for at least some vitamins.

The study suggests that voluntary food fortification is ineffective in preventing deficiency or low status of these vitamins among older people.

Among women planning to conceive after a pregnancy loss, those who had sufficient levels of vitamin D were more likely to become pregnant and have a live birth, compared to women with insufficient levels of the vitamin, according to a recent analysis.

The most commonly consumed vitamin and mineral supplements provide no consistent health benefit or harm, suggests a new study led by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto.

Scientists have made a significant discovery about how the vitamin content of some plants can be improved to make vegetarian and vegan diets more complete. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential dietary component but vegetarians are more prone to B12 deficiency as plants neither make nor require this nutrient. But now a team, led by Professor Martin Warren, has proved that common garden cress can take up cobalamin.

There is no need for an upper limit of folate intake, according to a study by Queen Mary University of London and the School of Advanced Study, University of London.

Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant may want to avoid diets that reduce or eliminate carbohydrates, as they could increase the risk of having babies with neural tube birth defects, according to a new study.

Taking folic acid in late pregnancy may increase the risk of allergies in offspring affected by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), new research indicates.

One in two persons aged 65 and above has suboptimal levels of vitamin D in the blood and one in four older adults has suboptimal vitamin B12 levels.

Lower meat consumption by women during pregnancy was linked with an increased risk of substance misuse by their children during adolescence.

Researchers have shown that mothers who take recommended amounts of folic acid around conception might reduce their children's pesticide-related autism risk.

Taking folic acid supplements throughout pregnancy may improve psychological development in children, new research suggests.

Small children with low levels of vitamin B12 had more difficulties solving cognitive tests, such as the ability to do puzzles, recognize letters and interpret other children’s feelings.

Babies born to mothers with cardiometabolic risk factors were less likely to develop high blood pressure if their mothers had higher levels of folate during pregnancy.

In the microbial world, vitamin B12 is a hot commodity. It turns out that vitamin B12, a substance produced by only a few organisms but needed by nearly all of them, wields great power in microbial communities – ubiquitous structures that affect energy and food production, the environment, and human health.

Pregnant women increase their chances of vitamin B12 deficiency if they don't consume enough meat, milk or eggs. This vitamin is found only in animal products. A deficiency of the vitamin during pregnancy could have dramatic consequences for the fetus.

Despite the mandatory addition of folic acid to enriched grain products in the United States, many women still do not consume adequate amounts of this important vitamin, according to a new editorial.

Prescription doses of folinic acid, which is a reduced form of a B vitamin known as folate, could help improve the language and communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These are the preliminary findings from a placebo-controlled trial in which children were randomized to receive either high-dose folinic acid or a placebo.

A world-first optical sensor has been developed that can detect vitamin B12 in diluted human blood – a first step towards a low-cost, portable, broadscale vitamin B12 deficiency test. Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

High folate (vitamin B9) consumption is associated with an increased risk for a nerve-damage disorder in older adults who have a common genetic variant linked to reduced cellular vitamin B12 availability, report researchers.

Food fortified with folic acid helped lower overall rates of congenital heart defects in Canada. The effect was evident in some types of congenital heart defects but not all.

Folates can stimulate stem cell proliferation independently of their role as vitamins, according to a new study that used an in vitro culture and animal model system in their findings. Folates, whether supplemental B vitamins or natural folates found in food, are essential for the proper functioning of all cells in the body and are critical to prevent birth defects.

Proper maternal folate levels during pregnancy may protect children from a future risk of obesity, especially those born to obese mothers, according to a new study.

A high percentage of children, teens and young adults with migraines appear to have mild deficiencies in vitamin D, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10 -- a vitamin-like substance found in every cell of the body that is used to produce energy for cell growth and maintenance.

If pregnant women take antiepileptic drugs, the child can develop autistic traits. The administration of folic acid preparations appears to be a suitable means of preventing this serious side-effect, suggest researchers.

There is less decline than expected in the rate of brain and spine defects after a folic acid fortification program, a new study has found. The new findings are likely to contribute to an ongoing debate about the future of the fortification program.

Women who plan on becoming pregnant are told they need enough of the nutrient folate to ensure proper neurodevelopment of their babies, but new research suggests there could be serious risks in having far too much of the same nutrient.

Vitamin A is important for heart development in embryos, but whether it has a role in maintaining heart health is unclear. A new study finds that the heart is able to respond to vitamin A and the amount of vitamin A present has an effect. However, whether the effects are beneficial or harmful is still a mystery.

Certain nutritional supplements can increase the effectiveness of antidepressants for people with clinical depression, an international evidence review has found. Omega 3 fish oils, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), methylfolate (bioactive form of folate) and Vitamin D, were all found to boost the effects of medication.

Vegans adhere to nutrition recommendations in varying degrees, according to a new Finnish study. Some vegans who participated in a new study followed a balanced diet, while others had dietary deficiencies. Typical deficiencies were an unbalanced use of protein sources, a low intake of berries, fruits and nuts, as well as failure to use nutrient fortified food products. The majority, however, used vitamin B12 and D supplements and calcium-fortified drinks as recommended.

A mechanism underlying a severe progressive children’s brain disease and adult’s muscle disease has been clarified by a new study. The results indicate for the first time that the energy-metabolic defect in a cell can shake its B-vitamin balance and lead to genetic changes.

A high proportion of older adults entering long-term care homes in Ontario are B12 deficient, with more developing deficiencies over the course of their first year in residence, according to research. There is a connection between B12 deficiency and several serious health conditions.

A study in aged mice shows that excess folic acid intake causes lowered immune function because important immune cells, called natural killer cells, are less effective. These results build upon the findings of a previous study in 2005 by the same lab that found that 78 percent of healthy postmenopausal women had unmetabolized folic acid in their blood plasma, which is indicative of excess folic acid intake.

Malnutrition is a known complication of weight loss surgery, but findings from a small study show many obese people may be malnourished before they undergo the procedure.

A new international study shows that 5,000 fetuses in Europe annually are affected by spina bifida and other severe defects on the central nervous system. Seventy percent of these pregnancies are terminated, while increased mortality and serious diseases affect the children who are born. At least half of the cases can be avoided by adding folic acid to staple foods as is already being done in 70 non-European countries.

The AREDS2 dietary supplement formula not only reduces risk of lung cancer due to beta-carotene, but is also more effective at reducing risk of AMD progression, compared to the original AREDS formula.

Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A. But to get the full health benefits of this superfood, you need an active enzyme to produce this vitamin.

The benefits of vitamin D in promoting bone health are already well known. A new study suggests that vitamin D also may promote greater insulin sensitivity, thus lowering glucose levels and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Infants can develop an allergy to cow's milk that usually subsides by adulthood but may increase risk for developing other allergic diseases. The allergic reaction can, however, be prevented by two components of cow's milk interacting together, as researchers now describe. Loading of vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid to the important milk protein beta-lactoglobulin in cow's milk can prevent allergic reaction against the protein.

Researchers have discovered how uncontrolled vitamin A metabolism in the gut can cause harmful inflammation. The discovery links diet to inflammatory diseases, like Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel syndromes, and could inform nutritional interventions.

Biochemists have elucidated the structure of an enzyme that supplies carotenoid, investigators report. The lack of vitamin A in food is a major cause of health problems worldwide and can lead to blindness and even death. This is especially a problem in threshold or third-world countries, where children are likely to suffer from a lack of vitamin A or its precursor beta-carotene due to malnourishment.

There has been no known link between diabetes and vitamin A -- until now. A new study suggests that the vitamin improves the insulin producing ?-cell's function.

Biochemical reactions that cause Alzheimer's disease could begin in the womb or just after birth if the fetus or newborn does not get enough vitamin A, according to new research. These new findings, based on studies of genetically-engineered mice, also demonstrate that supplements given to newborns with low levels of vitamin A could be effective in slowing the degenerative brain disease.

Adding whole eggs to a colorful salad boosts the amount of Vitamin E the body absorbs from the vegetables, according to research.

Administration of 50 mg per day of vitamin E decreased the risk of pneumonia in elderly male smokers by 72% after they quit smoking, according to a new article.

Vitamin A is important for heart development in embryos, but whether it has a role in maintaining heart health is unclear. A new study finds that the heart is able to respond to vitamin A and the amount of vitamin A present has an effect. However, whether the effects are beneficial or harmful is still a mystery.

Vegans adhere to nutrition recommendations in varying degrees, according to a new Finnish study. Some vegans who participated in a new study followed a balanced diet, while others had dietary deficiencies. Typical deficiencies were an unbalanced use of protein sources, a low intake of berries, fruits and nuts, as well as failure to use nutrient fortified food products. The majority, however, used vitamin B12 and D supplements and calcium-fortified drinks as recommended.

Something as easy as adding more spinach, kale, collards and mustard greens to your diet could help slow cognitive decline, according to new research. The study also examined the nutrients responsible for the effect, linking vitamin K consumption to slower cognitive decline for the first time.

A previously unknown effect of vitamin A in human embryonic development has been identified by researchers, indicating that vitamin A affects the formation of blood cells.

More credence has been added to a growing awareness of the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in neuromuscular disease by newly presented research. Vitamin D supplementation has been suggested to improve function in frail elderly patients at risk for falls, as well as individuals with myasthenia gravis and Parkinson's. The impact of vitamin D deficiency and supplementation on function in other neurologic conditions has yet to be explored.

Research on vitamin D in diabetes should focus on patients with both low vitamin D and increased PTH. It is well known that, in response to low vitamin D levels, the body increases secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is its upstream regulator. Researchers show that glucose levels are perturbed only when low vitamin D is accompanied by increased PTH.

No significant connection between vitamin D levels and menopause symptoms has been made from the results of a research project on the topic. The authors analyzed the relationship between the blood levels of vitamin D and a number of menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, concentration, and forgetfulness in 530 women who participated in the calcium and vitamin D trial.

A derivative of vitamin A, known as retinoic acid, found abundantly in sweet potato and carrots, helps turn pre-cancer cells back to normal healthy breast cells, which may help explain why some clinical studies have been unable to see a benefit of vitamin A on cancer: the vitamin doesn’t appear to change the course of full-blown cancer, only pre-cancerous cells, and only works at a very narrow dose.

Long-term daily multivitamin supplement use may lower cataract risk in men, according to a study of nearly 15,000 male physicians. Half took a common daily multivitamin, as well as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene supplements. The other half took a placebo. The researchers followed the participants to identify how many participants in each group developed new cases of two common eye diseases: cataract and age-related macular degeneration. Results showed a 9 percent decrease in risk for those that took the supplements.

Long-term use of commonly prescribed heartburn and ulcer medications is linked to a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, according to a new study.

A large-scale study of age-related macular degeneration suggests fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids do not alter the progression of age-related macular degeneration, and that lutein and zeaxanthin may be safer than beta-carotene in reducing risk of disease progression.

In a ground-breaking study, researchers report a new technique that allows them to visualize the distribution of retinoic acid in a live zebrafish embryo, in real-time. This technique enabled them to observe two concentration gradients going in opposing directions along the head-to-tail axis of the embryo, thus providing long-awaited evidence that retinoic acid is a morphogen.

New research suggests that increased consumption of foods containing colorful carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lutein, may prevent or delay the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Researchers in Germany have discovered that the serum-concentration of the antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene are significantly lower in patients with mild dementia than in control persons. It might thus be possible to influence the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by a person's diet or dietary antioxidants.

A new study suggests that eating foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, chicken, salad dressing and nuts, may be associated with lower blood levels of a protein related to Alzheimer's disease and memory problems.

New research suggests that there could be health hazards associated with consuming excessive amounts of beta-carotene.

Children in low and middle income countries should be given vitamin A supplements to prevent death and illness, a new study concludes.

Advancing age is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and is associated with build- up of the peptide amyloid beta in the brain. New research shows that removal of amyloid beta from the brain depends on vitamin D and also on an age-related alteration in the production of transporter proteins which move amyloid beta in and out of the brain.

Although some evidence suggests that prevention of vitamin A deficiency among women in developing countries may improve maternal and infant survival, pregnant women in rural Bangladesh who received vitamin A or beta carotene supplementation in a randomized trial did not have a lower rate of all-cause maternal, fetal, or infant death, compared to women who received placebo, according to a new study.

A new study reveals that adult patients admitted to the hospital with pneumonia are more likely to die if they have vitamin D deficiency.

A nutrient found in carrots and sweet potatoes may prove key to fighting breast cancer at early stages, according to a new study.

A research team from Denmark examined the vitamin D status in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis compared to those with primary biliary cirrhosis. They found that vitamin D deficiency in cirrhosis relates to liver dysfunction rather than etiology, with lower levels of vitamin D in alcoholic cirrhosis than in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Depending on the level of smoking and leisure time exercise, vitamin E supplementation may decrease or increase, or may have no effect, on the risk of pneumonia, according to a study by researchers in Finland.

Depending on the level of smoking and dietary vitamin C intake, vitamin E supplementation may extend the life-span of restricted groups of men, according to a new study. Several large randomized trials of humans found that vitamin E supplementation does not reduce mortality. However, depending on the level of smoking and dietary vitamin C intake, vitamin E supplementation may extend the life-span of restricted groups of men.

Working with cell cultures and mouse models, researchers have tested a cocktail of three drugs that holds promise for treating so-called triple negative breast cancers.

Vitamin A supplements are still an effective way to reduce childhood death and disease. A new study strongly endorses the continuation of vitamin A supplementation programs, which reduce the incidence of measles and diarrhea and ultimately save lives.

High blood levels of the antioxidant alpha-carotene appear to be associated with a reduced risk of dying over a 14-year period, according to a new report.

African-American women had lower vitamin D levels than white women, and vitamin D deficiency was associated with a greater likelihood for aggressive breast cancer, according to new research.

Vitamin A and beta-carotene supplements are unsafe for HIV-positive women who breastfeed because they may boost the excretion of HIV in breast milk -- thereby increasing the chances of transmitting the infection to the child, a pair of new studies suggest.

Biliopancreatic diversion surgery for morbid obesity is known to cause multiple vitamin deficiencies that may worsen during pregnancy. Clinicians now report a child who was born blind as a result of Vitamin A deficiency caused by his mother's obesity surgery.

Consuming more vitamin E through the diet appears to be associated with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

Researchers have discovered the mechanism responsible for the failure of the lungs to form as a result of vitamin A/retinoic acid (RA) deficiency. The study also shows that corrections to this network make it possible to prevent the lung defect in retinoic acid-deficient animals.

Vitamin A is critical to maternal health and child survival, yet in most developing countries Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of blindness and increased child mortality. Scientists recently discovered a link between offspring lung function and maternal vitamin A supplementation.

Decreasing or increasing the function of a newly discovered gene in corn may increase vitamin A content and have significant implications for reducing childhood blindness and mortality rates, according to a new study.

Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to a higher number of heart and stroke-related deaths among black Americans compared to whites, according to a new study.

Almost half of UK women could be suffering from a lack of vitamin A due to a previously undiscovered genetic variation, scientists have found.

Researchers have found that 50,000 International Units of vitamin D2, given weekly for eight weeks, effectively treats vitamin D deficiency.

New research from Denmark shows that guinea pigs subjected to vitamin C deficiency have 30 percent less hippocampal neurones and markedly worse memory than guinea-pigs given a normal diet. Like guinea pigs, humans are dependent on getting vitamin C through their diet, this leads to the speculation that vitamin C deficiency in pregnant women may also lead to impaired early brain development.

Antioxidant supplements do not appear to be associated with an increased risk of melanoma, according to a new report.

Embryologists have clarified the role that retinoic acid plays in limb development. A new study showed that retinoic acid controls the development (or budding) of forelimbs, but not hindlimbs, and that retinoic acid is not responsible for patterning (or differentiation of the parts) of limbs. This research corrects longstanding misconceptions about limb development and provides new insights into congenital limb defects.

The beta-carotene in so-called "golden rice" converts to vitamin A in humans, according to a new article.

The edible fungus Monascus purpureus imparts a distinct flavor and red color when added to fermented rice dishes such as those served in Asia. Now, with "a helping hand" from science, the fungus could offer a way to address a major public health concern: vitamin A deficiency.

Six-year vitamin E supplementation decreased mortality by 41% in elderly male smokers who had high dietary vitamin C intake, but increased mortality by 19% in middle-aged smokers who had high vitamin C intake.

Women who took beta carotene or vitamin C or E or a combination of the supplements had a similar risk of cancer as women who did not take the supplements, according to data from a randomized controlled trial.

A study of individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) found that nearly 40 percent of those likely to benefit from specific vitamin/mineral supplements were either not taking the supplements or not using the recommended dosage. The study also showed that some patients used high-dose supplements even in the absence of evidence that these would be effective for their levels of AMD or other eye conditions.

Vitamin D supplements in early childhood may ward off the development of type 1 diabetes in later life, reveals new research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, in which insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the body's own immune system, starting in early infancy. The disease is most common among people of European descent, with around 2 million Europeans and North Americans affected.

Researchers have unlocked some of the mysteries of how the developing embryo reacts to fluctuations in the amount of vitamin A present in the maternal blood stream. The developing mammalian embryo is entirely dependent on the maternal circulation for its supply of retinoids, the vitamin A metabolites produced in the body. These are essential nutrients and they control the formation of the embryo’s heart, central nervous system, eyes and other important organs and tissues. Malformations of the developing embryo can occur when too little, or too much, vitamin A is consumed by the mother.

Six-year vitamin E supplementation increased tuberculosis risk by in male smokers who had high dietary vitamin C intake, according to a new study. Previous studies had suggested that vitamin E might improve the immune system.

Prominent claims from observational studies of the cardiovascular benefits of vitamin E often continue to be supported in medical literature despite strong contradictory evidence from randomized trials, according to a study. Similar findings were found for claims regarding the protective effects of beta-carotene on cancer and estrogen on Alzheimer disease.

Human embryos that get too much or too little retinoic acid, a derivative of Vitamin A, can develop into babies with birth defects. New research shows for the first time how embryonic cells may regulate levels of retinoic acid, giving scientists insight into how it acts as a signal between cells to control development of the brain, limbs and many other tissues in embryos.

Researchers have studied placental genes to explore how Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) affects a child's development. Differences showed up between pregnancies from frozen and fresh embryo transfers in the placentas. Changes were also observed in the function of a gene associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

New research finds a pervasive low-quality diet among pregnant and postpartum individuals, reflecting 'an urgent need for widespread improvement.'

Higher calorie foods were preferred among individuals with and without obesity despite similar taste and texture, according to a new study.

Researchers found that vegetarians who consumed PBMAs had a 42% increased risk of depression compared to vegetarians who refrained from PBMAs.

Endocannabinoids in the brain play a key role in food intake and energy use. Modulating the action of these molecules could help fight obesity, say researchers.

A new study offers new evidence that dietary changes may help reduce cancer cell growth in patients undergoing active surveillance, a treatment approach that involves regular monitoring of the cancer without immediate intervention. Men on active surveillance who followed a low omega-6, high omega-3 diet with fish oil supplements had significantly lower levels of cancer cell proliferation after one year.

Is it possible to pass on the effects of malnutrition? A new animal study found that a protein-deficient diet in one generation created related health risks -- lower birth-weight, smaller kidneys -- in offspring that lasted four generations.

A new analysis of more than 3,000 studies from around the world reveals that globally, flooding increases preterm births by about 3%. Children who were in utero during a flood event are also more likely to have a low birth weight. Both these outcomes are risk factors for developing chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes later in life.

A new study suggests that ultra-processed foods and inflammatory seed oils used in packaged food products may contribute to chronic inflammation, fueling colorectal cancer. Its findings pave the way for a new therapy -- resolution medicine -- which uses natural products in lieu of synthetic drugs to help reverse inflammation and potentially reverse colorectal cancer.

New research shows that adopting a healthy diet can reduce the severity of chronic pain, presenting an easy and accessible way for sufferers to better manage their condition.

A simple dietary supplement may provide a new approach to boost CAR T cell function, according to a new study.

Experts have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to better understand the impact a gluten free diet has on people with celiac disease, which could be the first step towards finding new ways of treating the condition. Celiac disease is a chronic condition affecting around one person in every 100 in the general population. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, which is found in pasta and bread, their immune system produces an abnormal reaction that inflames and damages the gut tissue and causes symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating.

Scientists have unveiled a novel compound, HPH-15, with dual effects of reducing blood glucose levels and combating fat accumulation, marking a significant leap in diabetes treatment innovation.

Consuming dark, but not milk, chocolate may be associated with lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a new study.

A diet high in ultra-processed foods is associated with higher amounts of fat stored inside thigh muscles, regardless of the amount of calories consumed or level of physical activity, according to a new study. Higher amounts of intramuscular fat in the thigh could also increase the risk for knee osteoarthritis.

Malnutrition and poor dietary diversity remain significant challenges for children in Ethiopia, despite the country's large livestock population, a study highlights. The study reveals that only a small percentage of children under five regularly consume animal-sourced foods such as milk, eggs, or meat.

Engineers designed a new type of gastric balloon that can be inflated and deflated as needed. It could offer an alternative for people who don't want to undergo more invasive treatments such as gastric bypass surgery, or people who don't respond well to weight-loss drugs.

The consumption of milk products, eggs and fish has a positive effect on childhood development in Africa. This has been demonstrated in a recent study. The researchers used representative data from five African countries with over 32,000 child observations. If the children had a diet containing animal products, they suffered less from malnutrition and related developmental deficiencies.

Researchers have linked a specific type of body fat to the abnormal proteins in the brain that are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease up to 20 years before the earliest symptoms of dementia appear, according to a new study. The researchers emphasized that lifestyle modifications targeted at reducing this fat could influence the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Against the backdrop of an alarming increase in the number of people under 50 being diagnosed with bowel cancer, researchers are urging people to bump up their fiber intake and improve their eating habits if they want to reduce their risk of deadly digestive cancers. Two recent studies expand on existing evidence that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes and dairy may protect against the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers -- including bowel -- and improve the outcomes of these diseases.

Eating a diet with a higher ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a new study. According to the researchers, these risk reductions are likely driven by the replacement of red and processed meats with plant proteins. The researchers also observed that a combination of consuming more plant protein and higher protein intake overall provided the most heart health benefits.

The food additive carrageenan (E 407) can be responsible for the development of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, and increased blood sugar levels in animals. Researchers have now investigated the effects of carrageenan on the human intestine and sugar metabolism. They found increased permeability of the small intestine, most likely due to intestinal inflammation.

Public health recommendations generally suggest drinking eight cups of water a day. And many people just assume it's healthy to drink plenty of water.

Tirzepatide, a new injectable weight-loss drug, reduced the risk of diabetes in patients with obesity and prediabetes by more than 90% over a three-year period, compared with placebo, according to the results of a new study.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, are fire-retardant chemicals that are found everywhere. A mouse study reports that probiotic supplementation can reduce the negative impacts of PBDEs on neurodevelopment, behavior, and metabolism.

A multicenter examination of data demonstrates that for patients with a body mass index at or above 70 kg/m2 metabolic and bariatric surgery is a potent intervention.

Taking anti-obesity drugs has led some U.S. adults to throw away more food than they tossed before starting the medications, a new study has found.

Weight-loss and diabetes drug tirzepatide can reduce the risk of death or worsening heart failure for patients with obesity and heart failure with preserved pump function, new research reveals.

Incidence of stroke and ischemic heart disease are declining around the world, except for in a handful of regions, according to a new study. Researchers find that in East and West Sub-Saharan Africa, East and Central Asia and Oceania, ischemic heart disease is increasing, which may be attributed to eight factors that include diet, high BMI, household air pollution and more.

Fiber is something that most of us get far too little of. To change that, we need to actually enjoy eating it. Food researchers have now invented a 'disguise' that solves the problem of the dry and gritty mouth feel of fibers.

New research reveals startling shortfalls in dietary nutrition during pregnancy.

As rates of obesity, as defined by body mass index (BMI), continue to climb in the United States, so have efforts to lose weight, including a new era of weight-loss drugs. Yet a new systematic review and meta-analysis found that cardiorespiratory fitness was a stronger predictor of both cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality than BMI.

Salk scientists have tracked the flow of trans fats using mouse models to describe the molecular mechanisms that cause trans fats to promote atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), explaining how industrially produced trans-unsaturated fatty acids in our food significantly promote ASCVD and encouraging lawmakers to impose regulations on the use of these fats in food. This new insight into the flow of fats through the body points to new therapeutic targets for mitigating diseases like ASCVD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and neurodegeneration.

Shifting our diets to be more sustainable can be a powerful way for each of us to address both climate change and global food insecurity, however making such adjustments at the large scales necessary to make a difference globally can be a delicate matter.

Researchers have discovered a mechanism behind the yo-yo effect: fat cells have a memory that is based on epigenetics.

Researchers have found a potential method to slow heart failure progression. They fed mice a diet high in soybean protein, which influenced gut bacteria and supported heart health. Analysis showed that this diet increased the production of the short-chain fatty acids in the gut that help to protect the heart.

Diarrhea claims the lives of 500,000 children each year in low- and middle-income countries. Now researchers have linked chronic diarrhea to a specific pattern of gut bacteria, a discovery that could pave the way for new treatments capable of saving lives.

Researchers have identified a new target to treat atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque clogs arteries and causes major cardiac issues, including stroke and heart attack.

Obesity causes insulin resistance by increasing activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of the stress hormone norepinephrine, according to a new study.

Researchers have been unable to explain why after giving birth, Black patients are two to three times as likely to retain or gain additional weight compared to their white counterparts, even when pre-pregnancy weight and gestational-weight trajectories are comparable. A first-of-its-kind study points to the stress of lived experiences with racism and gender-based discrimination as a possible explanation.

People who work the nightshift or odd hours and eat at irregular times are more prone to weight gain and diabetes, likely due to eating patterns not timed with natural daylight and when people typically eat. But is it possible to stave off the ill effects of eating at these 'unusual' times despite it not being biologically preferable? A study says 'yes', and sheds light on how the body knows when to eat. The study explains how researchers discovered a connection between the liver's internal clock and feeding centers in the brain.

Slightly overweight stroke survivors have a lower risk of sustaining disabilities. New research adds another aspect to the obesity paradox but also highlights the importance of considering the population's normal when recommending best practices.

Being a scientist has its challenges. Knowing how to communicate your scientific research in a socially responsible manner can be even more difficult. Thankfully, researchers have identified some of the trade-offs and communication strategies that environmental health scientists can use to communicate more effectively.

More children have overweight in regions with high rates of single parenthood, low education levels, low income and high child poverty. The pandemic may also have reinforced this trend.

Scientists have long suspected the keto diet might be able to calm an overactive immune system and help some people with diseases like multiple sclerosis. Now, they have reason to believe it could be true. Scientists have discovered that the diet makes the gut and its microbes produce two factors that attenuated symptoms of MS in mice.

New research has identified crucial links between dietary choices and the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). The study explored how enzymes called ceramide synthase 5 and 6 are responsible for the toxic effect of a palm oil-rich diet on neurons in the central nervous system, which causes a subsequent increase in the severity of MS symptoms.

Young people with severe obesity who underwent weight-loss surgery at age 19 or younger continued to see sustained weight loss and resolution of common obesity-related comorbidities 10 years later, according to results from a large clinical study.

Increasing ketones in the blood through a keto diet or supplements may help put irregular menstrual cycles back on schedule or even restart a period that appears to have stalled for good, new research suggests.

A recent article highlights the critical importance of skeletal muscle mass in the context of medically induced weight loss, particularly with the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications, celebrated for their effectiveness in treating obesity, have raised concerns regarding the potential for substantial muscle loss as part of the weight loss process.

A new study has examined a large sample of privately insured patients with obesity and found that use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) as anti-obesity medications more than doubled from 2022 to 2023.

Researchers say they have identified a gene pathway involving the mineral zinc in mice that may someday point the way to using zinc-based supplements to directly help people with a rare disorder called short bowel syndrome (SBS).

Obesity is a common cause of diabetes, heart disease and early death, but risk differs greatly from one person to the next. A pioneering clinical risk prediction algorithm has been developed that splits obesity into 5 separate diagnostic profiles each with contrasting health consequences and treatment requirements.

Researchers have found that semaglutide may lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

In middle-aged people, having risk factors like blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol that are not well-controlled combined with not following certain healthy habits including exercise, diet and sleep, are linked to a higher risk of stroke, dementia or depression later in life, according to a new study. These results do not prove that not having healthy habits increases the risk of these conditions, they only show an association.

Planning policies to restrict the number of new fast-food outlets leads to fewer overweight and obese children according to research. Researchers examined the impact of policy in the North East of England where Gateshead Council prevented any existing non-fast-food commercial property from being converted into a hot fast-food takeaway. In sub-group analysis by area level deprivation, they found that those quintiles of deprivation within Gateshead with the highest proportion of fast-food outlets had a statistically significant reduction of 4.80% in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in comparison to comparable neighborhoods in the North East.

Manipulating a newly identified neural circuit can curb appetite -- or spur massive overeating.

Expanding access to new, highly effective weight-loss medications could prevent more than 40,000 deaths a year in the United States, according to a study. The findings highlight the critical need to remove existing barriers that are hindering people's access to effective weight loss treatments and impeding public health efforts to address the national obesity crisis, the researchers said. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 74% of Americans are considered overweight, with about 43% of those individuals considered obese.

Cutting off cancer cells' access to fat may help a specific type of cancer treatment work more effectively, reports a new study. The findings lay the groundwork for developing tailored dietary strategies to help anti-cancer medications better kill malignant cells.

Adults with type 2 diabetes on a low-carbohydrate diet may see benefits to their beta-cell function allowing them to better manage their disease and possibly discontinue medication, according to new research.

An international study has found that genetic variations in human carbohydrate-active enzymes may affect how people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) respond to a carbohydrate-reduced diet.

As 2024 comes to an end, Vitamin Retailer (VR) once again rounded up its top 10 stories of the year. While the top items feature a mix of topics, several stories covered the industry’s responses to serious allegations.  Two of the top headlines were written by James Gormley, a former VR editor/writer who died on ...

The post Vitamin Retailer’s Top 10 Stories of 2024 appeared first on Vitamin Retailer Magazine.

   This podcast is focused on the science in the supplement industry. Please join our host Gene Bruno, the Vitamin Professor, as he explores all aspects of the supplement space with leading industry professionals. Please subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart and/or your preferred podcast platforms to get the latest episodes. Also, please ...

The post [The Vitamin Professor Podcast] Lesson 12: Q-actin, a Low-Dose Cucumber Extract for Joint Pain appeared first on Vitamin Retailer Magazine.

The Organic & Natural Health Association (O&N) will host its 10th annual conference at the B Ocean Resort in Fort Lauderdale, FL from Jan. 21-23, 2025. The conference theme is “Collaborate, Innovate and Regenerate.” This year’s event will feature industry leaders and expert panelists who will explore global sustainability and innovation. They will address critical ...

The post O&N’s Annual Conference Explores Sustainability From an International Perspective appeared first on Vitamin Retailer Magazine.

  On Dec. 9, the BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended California-based GuruNanda discontinue its “natural teeth whitening” and “dazzle from first application” claims for its oil pulling and teeth whitening products. The challenge was filed by The Procter & Gamble Company. GuruNanda will appeal the NAD decision on the “natural teeth whitening ...

The post GuruNanda to Appeal NAD Decision on Teeth Whitening Claims appeared first on Vitamin Retailer Magazine.

   This podcast is focused on the science in the supplement industry. Please join our host Gene Bruno, the Vitamin Professor, as he explores all aspects of the supplement space with leading industry professionals. Please subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart and/or your preferred podcast platforms to get the latest episodes. Also, please ...

The post [The Vitamin Professor Podcast] Lesson 11: BergaCyn for Cardiometabolic Health & More appeared first on Vitamin Retailer Magazine.

On Nov. 26, 2024, Representative Dr. Suleman Lalani (D-TX) filed House Bill 1474 (HB 1474), which would prohibit the sale of weight loss and muscle building dietary supplements to minors. The bill was submitted for the 2025 legislative session, which begins on Jan. 14. “A person may not sell, offer to sell, or give away, ...

The post Texas Becomes Latest State to Introduce Age Restriction Bill appeared first on Vitamin Retailer Magazine.

On Dec. 2, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (Lakewood, CO) unveiled its Top Trends for 2025. “At Natural Grocers, we’re always eager to see how evolving trends inspire healthier, more sustainable lifestyles. Each year we sift through evolving shopping habits and cutting-edge research to pinpoint the trends that will shape the way we live, eat, and ...

The post Natural Grocers Unveils Must-Know Trends for 2025 appeared first on Vitamin Retailer Magazine.

On Nov. 22, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Dr. Marty Makary as commissioner for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He would succeed outgoing FDA Commissioner Robert Califf. Makary is a surgical oncologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He is also a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, a researcher, an ...

The post Industry Responds to Dr. Marty Makary’s Nomination as FDA Commissioner appeared first on Vitamin Retailer Magazine.

On Nov. 7, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed removing oral phenylephrine from over the counter (OTC) medications due to “effectiveness concerns.” According to FDA, oral phenylephrine is widely used as an active ingredient in nasal decongestants. The agency conducted a comprehensive review of all available data on the safety and efficacy of ...

The post FDA Releases New Guidance on Oral Phenylephrine, Xlear Responds appeared first on Vitamin Retailer Magazine.

On Nov. 3, Franchise Group Inc. (FRG, Delaware, OH), the holding company for retail brands American Freight, Buddy’s Home Furnishings, The Vitamin Shoppe and Pet Supplies Plus, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As per the bankruptcy filing, FRG is currently undergoing a restructuring plan, but will continue operating Buddy’s Home Furnishings, The Vitamin Shoppe and ...

The post The Vitamin Shoppe’s Parent Company Files for Bankruptcy, Business Remains Strong appeared first on Vitamin Retailer Magazine.

Updated Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 00:00:00 EDT

A list of other fraudulent products in which FDA testing found active drug ingredients not listed on the product labels.

FDA is notifying consumers of certain products promoted for arthritis and pain management that have been found to contain hidden ingredients and may pose a significant health risk.

ITCHA XS may be harmful due to hidden drug ingredients

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Body Shape Weight Loss System, a product promoted for weight loss. This product was identified during an examination of imported goods.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use AK Forte, a product promoted and sold for joint pain and arthritis on various websites, including www.suprimoimports.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

FDA is advising consumers not to purchase or use Schwinnng, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use TO THE MOON, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Ram It, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Govvi WOW!, a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various websites, including www.ebay.com and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Arize, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites, including www.getarize.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Sustain®, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Wild Bull, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Seraphim Z, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use ENDUREA, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use ForeverMen, a product promoted and sold as an energy booster on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.
FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that ForeverMen contains sildenafil, the

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use T XTRA Strength Test Booster, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement and as an energy booster on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use BIG GUYS Male Energy Supplement, a product promoted and sold as an energy booster on the website www.amazon.com and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use The Rock, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites, and possibly in some retail stores. This product was distributed by Noah’s Wholesale, LLC.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Thumbs Up 7 Red 70K, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites, including Amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Vital Sex, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement. This product was identified during an examination of international mail shipments. FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that Vital Sex contains sildenafil, the