After a meta-analysis of the results of 43 clinical trials involving 200,000 young children, British and Pakistani researchers are urging policymakers to provide vitamin A supplementation to children in low and middle income countries to prevent death and illness from conditions such as diarrhea and measles. Their analysis found vitamin A supplements reduced child mortality by 24 percent in low and middle income countries. These findings, they say, show that the benefits of vitamin A supplementation are conclusive, and further testing would be unethical. According to the authors, if the mortality risk for 190 million vitamin A deficient children were reduced by 24 percent, more than 600,000 lives would be saved each year.
"Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5: systematic review and meta-analysis", British Medical Journal, August 25, 2011
A study by Canadian researchers has found that people with high cholesterol who were advised to eat cholesterol-lowering foods for six months reduced their levels of bad cholesterol more than people who were advised to eat a low saturated fat diet. The 345 participants in the study received dietary advice on either a low saturated fat diet (control) or a cholesterol-lowering foods diet that included soy protein, nuts and plant sterols. The researchers found that low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in the control diet dropped three percent (8 mg/dL) over six months. In the cholesterol-lowering foods diet, LDL-C levels dropped anywhere from 13.1 percent (24 mg/dL) to 13.8 percent (26 mg/dL).
"Effect of a Dietary Portfolio of Cholesterol-Lowering Foods Given at 2 Levels of Intensity of Dietary Advice on Serum Lipids in Hyperlipidemia", JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, August 23, 2011
A study funded by the Dairy Farmers of Canada has found that milk is more effective than sports drinks or water at countering dehydration in active children during hot summer weather. The researchers at Canada’s McMaster University said that milk is better because it is a source of high-quality protein, carbohydrates, calcium and electrolytes. In addition, milk replaces sodium lost during sweating and helps the body retain fluid. The study involved children ages eight to ten who exercised in a climate chamber, then drank different beverages. They were then measured for hydration. The unpublished study will be presented at a future medical conference.
"Milk better than water to rehydrate kids", McMaster University, August 17, 2011
U.S. scientists who analyzed diet data on more than half a million Americans aged 50 to 71 found that, contrary to some suggestions, high intake of dietary or supplemental folate does not increase the risk of colorectal cancer. In fact, a higher total intake of folate was associated with a significantly lower risk of colorectal cancer. The study was launched to determine whether mandatory folic acid fortification of grain products might lead to adverse health consequences. It included more than eight years of follow-up data. However, the researchers suggested that because “the adenoma-carcinoma sequence” may take longer than ten years, more follow-up time is necessary.
"Pre- and postfortification intake of folate and risk of colorectal cancer in a large prospective cohort study in the United States", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August 03, 2011
A review of studies into alcohol consumption and weight gain found contradictions in results of large cross-sectional studies and cohort studies, while findings from short-term experimental trials did not indicate a clear trend. Heavy consumption of alcohol may cause body weight gain, but light-to-moderate alcohol intake may actually help protect from weight gain, according to the review. Researchers chose 31 publications based on relevance and quality of design and study methods.
"Alcohol consumption and body weight: a systematic review", Nutrition Reviews, July 26, 2011
After extensive testing of various fruits – including figs, dates, strawberries and raisins – U.S. researchers have found that dried plums (prunes) are particularly beneficial for bone health among older women. The researchers tested two groups of postmenopausal women for one year: one group ate 10 prunes (100 g) a day; the second control group ate 100 g of dried apples. All participants took 500 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D daily. The prune group had significantly higher bone mineral density in a forearm bone and spine. Dried plums apparently suppressed the rate of breakdown of bone, which exceeds the rate of new bone growth as people age.
"Comparative effects of dried plum and dried apple on bone in postmenopausal women", British Journal of Nutrition, May 31, 2011
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British Medical Journal (BMJ), August 29, 2011
The Journal of the American Medical Association, August 23, 2011
Nutrition Journal , August 10, 2011
European Journal of Nutrition, July 22, 2011
The Journal of Biological Chemistry, June 03, 2011
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