Vitamins, Diet and Sports Nutrition

Americans by and large have lousy diets, pharmacist and supplement expert James LaValle, CEO of Integrative Health Resources, told DSN Collaborative Care recently. Over a lifetime, those nutrient-poor diets contribute to the development of such chronic disease states as obesity, hypertension and diabetes. The medicines prescribed to treat those conditions then further deplete essential vitamins and minerals.

MINNEAPOLIS — People with higher levels of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil also may have larger brain volumes in old age equivalent to preserving one to two years of brain health, according to a study published in the Jan. 22 online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. 

Shrinking brain volume is a sign of Alzheimer's disease as well as normal aging.

BOSTON — For patients in the early stages of multiple sclerosis, low levels of vitamin D were found to strongly predict disease severity and hasten its progression, according to a new study led by the Harvard School of Public Health investigators in collaboration with Bayer HealthCare. The findings suggest that patients in the early stages of MS could stave off disease symptoms by increasing their vitamin D intake.

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. —  A research study published this month in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics demonstrated the effectiveness of a sterol/stanol ester softgel capsule for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in individuals with high cholesterol levels. 

OUD-BEIJERLAND, The Netherlands — New research published in the American Journal of Geriatrics on Monday found that more than 25% of bladder infections (cystitis) can be reduced with the regular use of cranberry concentrate supplements in vulnerable older people in nursing homes at high risk of urinary tract infections. 

More than 20% of these high-risk elderly did not develop any UTI’s at all when taking the cranberry capsule.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Nordic Naturals earlier this year launched Omega Boost, featuring 525 mg of omega-3s per serving. Sugar-free and sweetened with xylitol, Omega Boost is made from purified fish oil from anchovies and sardines, and offers fast absorption of the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA. Each 6-oz. bottle contains 35 servings, and has a convenient flip cap for easy pouring. 

SAN DIEGO — Higher levels of melatonin, a hormone involved in the sleep-wake cycle, may decrease the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer, according to results presented here at the AACR-Prostate Cancer Foundation Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research, held Jan. 18-21.

PHILADELPHIA — Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome typically have widespread chronic pain and fatigue. For those with low vitamin D levels, vitamin D supplements can reduce pain and may be a cost-effective alternative or adjunct to other treatment, reported researchers in the current issue of Pain.