Vitamins Information Center

Take your vitamins before diving in

2007-02-08T02:47:00.000-08:00

A new study in the Journal of Physiology finds that divers can protect themselves from some of the blood vessel impacts of diving by taking vitamins C and E two hours before a dive. The vitamins seem to help because they are antioxidants, the study authors write. The oxygen tanks scuba divers use underwater expose their blood vessels to high levels of oxygen. When the divers return to the surface, this exposure can leave their blood vessels dilated and can impair the lining of their arteries for days afterward, they write. All it took was a single dose of vitamin C powder (2 grams) and a dose of vitamin E (400 international units) to mitigate the effects. What the vitamins didn't help, the authors report, was the decrease in lung function and heart output that can be caused by scuba diving.

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Divers could benefit from vitamins

2007-02-06T02:44:00.000-08:00

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Call 4 Action: Some Vitamins Cause More Harm Than Help

2007-02-02T02:42:00.000-08:00

The claim commonly made by many leading multivitamin makers is that by taking one a day, you'll lead a healthier life, but a new study reveals that in some cases, what you see on the label is not what you're really getting. In fact, some vitamins might do more harm than good. An independent laboratory called ConsumerLab.com recently tested 21 of the leading multivitamins and found that 11 of them, plus another vitamin for pets, failed to provide what's on the label. .

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Daily Vitamins Are a Good Way to Improve Health

2007-01-31T02:47:00.000-08:00

If you resolved to improve your health this year, taking a daily multivitamin is a good way to keep that promise, especially if you're a woman of childbearing age. January 8 through 14 is National Folic Acid Awareness Week and an ideal time to make this important and affordable health commitment. "By taking a daily multivitamin, women are giving Tennessee's babies the best possible start. I ask that all women of childbearing age take this simple step to improve health for life for our babies," said Governor Phil Bredesen. "Far too many babies don't live to see their first birthday in Tennessee, and simple steps like these are part of our plan to reduce infant mortality and improve birth outcomes in our state." The Tennessee Department of Health and other health organizations have long recommended that most women take a multivitamin along with eating a varied, healthy diet.

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Increasing Intake Of Vitamins C, E Can Reduce Kidney Cancer Risk

2007-01-29T02:45:00.000-08:00

Milan, Italy (AHN) - A recent study conducted by Italian researchers revealed that increased intake of the antioxidant vitamins C and E can reduce the risk of kidney cancer by 28 and 44 percent respectively. Researchers found that more than 80 percent of all kidney cancers are caused by renal cell carcinoma (RCC). They also revealed that an intake of more than 186 micrograms per day of vitamin C was associated with a 44 percent reduced risk of renal cell cancer, compared to those who took the average daily amount of 89.4 micrograms. "Vitamin E may represent an indirect indicator of a diet rich in vegetables, which are usually consumed with olive oil in this population, and have been related to a reduced risk of RCC," lead author Cristina Bosetti from Milan's Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche described.

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Toxic Vitamins

2007-01-23T02:55:00.000-08:00

If you're like millions of Americans.. You popped a vitamin this morning, assuming that it was a safe way to stay healthy. But a new study reported his morning says some vitamins may actually be harmful to your health Many people need a vitamin supplement to guarantee their daily nutritional needs are being met. Most people believe if it's on the label, it's in the pill, but new tests show that's not always true. ConsumerLab.com independently tested a variety of brands. It found that not all delivered what was promised, and one for children even contained a potentially harmful amount of vitamin. Vitamins and other dietary supplements don't go through the same testing as medicines, so it's buyer beware.

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Test Show Vitamins Labels Often Misleading

2007-01-21T02:50:00.000-08:00

In a recent test on 21 over-the-counter vitamins, only half were found to have the correct amounts of vitamins or minerals that are indicated on their labels. Results showed that some of the vitamins tested did not contain all of the ingredients promised on the labels. Others contained them in a dangerous amount. Cardiologist Dr. David Becker said, You really dont know what youre getting when you take many of these supplements. He described the results of the study as disturbing. Becker runs clinical trials but tests his supplements with ConsumerLab.com, the company that selected the vitamins in this study. He said that he often finds that companies do change their active ingredients without notice. Some of the products were found to be contaminated with lead.

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Vitamins: Too much of a good thing?

2007-01-17T03:01:00.000-08:00

By filling your body with too many vitamins you are putting your health at risk. The following supplements can have negative effects if taken in large quantities: Vitamin C Millions of Americans take vitamin C supplements at widely varying doses up to thousands of milligrams. The recommended daily doseis 60 mg. Two thousand milligrams taken daily can cause diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and headache. Routine megadoses may also create vitamin C dependency. When intake is suddenly reduced, signs of withdrawal can include a rebound deficiency -- bleeding gums, lingeringwounds, and skin problems. Vitamin E: This vitamin is being studies to reduce heart disease but too much of it can cause muscle weakenss, fatigue, nausea and diarrhea. Supplements can cause serious bleeding problems, especially among those who take anticoagulants.

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Gain Valuable Information on the Vitamins and Dietary Supplements ...

2007-01-15T03:01:00.000-08:00

DUBLIN, Ireland-(Business Wire)-December 18, 2006 - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c47161) has announced the addition of Euromonitor International's new report: Vitamins and Dietary Supplements in Malaysia to their offering. The Vitamins and Dietary Supplements in Malaysia report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data (2000-2005), allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2010 illustrate how the market is set to change. Product coverage: vitamins, dietary supplements, tonics and bottled nutritive drinks, child-specific vitamins and dietary supplements Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares Why buy this report? — Get a detailed picture of the vitamins and dietary supplements industry — Pinpoint growth sectors and trends and identify factors driving change — Understand the competitive environment, the market's major players and leading brands — Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c47161 Source: Euromonitor International Send this news item to a friend.

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Taking prenatal vitamins prevents low birth weight

2007-01-13T02:46:00.000-08:00

Taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy reduces the risk of low birth weight in infants, shows a new study published in the January issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Infants with low birth weight or less than 2,500 grams (about 5.5 pounds) at birth are at higher risks of death during infancy, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes later in life. In the study, researchers from the University College of Medical Sciences in Delhi, India, and colleagues followed 200 women who were 24 to 32 weeks pregnant and lived in East Delhi, India. The women either were underweight with a body mass index less than 18.5 or had 7 to 9 grams of hemoglobin per deciliter, a sign that indicates malnourishment. The normal range of hemoglobin levels for pregnant women is 11 to 12 g/dL. The participants were divided into two groups with one group assigned daily a prenatal vitamin containing 29 nutrients and another a placebo as control.

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Mums-to-be advised to take multi-vitamins to prevent low-birth weight

2007-01-11T02:49:00.000-08:00

Slim-framed mums are being advised to take multi-vitamins in addition to the folic acid and fish oil supplements to ensure their baby's birth weight is above 2,500g, or 5lb5oz.Studies carried out by scientists at the University College of Medical Sciences in Delhi assessed 200 pregnant women and found that undernourished women who take vitamin and mineral supplements during pregnancy are less likely to give birth to babies which weigh under 2.5kg.Vitamin supplements were given to 101 of the women, with the remaining 99 being given a placebo. When the women gave birth, the rate of low birth weight was 43.1% in the placebo group against just 15.2% among those on the micronutrient supplements. "Infants who are small or disproportionate in size at birth also have an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, stroke and hypertension during adult life," said lead author Piyush Gupta.The authors were quick to establish that more research was needed across a larger demographic of expectant mums, but the study could go some way towards improving the chances of mums producing healthy, happy babies more often in the future.Discuss this news item in our forums .

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Plasma B vitamins and their relation to the severity of chronic ...

2007-01-09T03:17:00.000-08:00

Background: Total homocysteine (tHcy) has been linked to the severity of chronic heart failure (CHF). Elevated tHcy concentrations are mainly caused by folate and vitamin B-12 deficiencies. Objective: We hypothesized that folate and vitamin B-12 deficiencies can explain the relation between tHcy and the severity of CHF. Design: We investigated 987 CHF patients. All subjects underwent a physical examination and blood sampling. Cardiac catheterization was performed in 929 patients and echocardiography in 460 patients. Serum tHcy, folate, vitamin B-12, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic-peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured and renal and hepatic function were studied. Results: tHcy increased with increasing New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes of heart failure (P < 0.001) and correlated with the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF; r = –0.150, P < 0.001).

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Are You Getting The Most Out Of Your Supplements and Vitamins?

2007-01-07T02:56:00.000-08:00

The state of affairs is as such that even the American Medical Association is recommending that we all, at the very least, should be taking a multi-vitamin pill. Most of us truly care about our health, but are at a lost when it comes to purchasing health supplements. We feel that if we are going to spend money supplementing our diets, we want to make sure that we get the full benefits of the nutrients. However, price doesnt necessarily equal quality. So no matter how much you spend, if the supplement is not absorbable - you're just throwing away your money because your not receiving the full benefit of the product. Well, how should one gauge the effectiveness of health supplements? Tablets If your vitamins are in the form of a tablet, you're only getting about 10-15% absorption.

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Delhi scientist proves vitamins can prevent low birth weight babies

2007-01-03T03:07:00.000-08:00

Washington, Jan 03: Undernourished women who take a vitamin and mineral supplement while pregnant may be less likely than women taking only iron and folic acid supplements to have babies weighing less than 2,500 grams, and their newborns may be less likely to have morbidity in the first seven days of life, according to a report in the JAMA. Low birth weight, or a weight of less than 2,500 grams, is a major predictor of death in infancy, according to background information in the article. It also increases the risk that the child will grow up to develop coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke or high blood pressure. In countries low on resources, a mother`s nutrition before and during pregnancy are known to affect the birth weight of her baby. Low-income women are often deficient in a number of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), including vitamins C and E, vitamin B complex and folate.

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Another $20 million to be distributed under class action vitamins suit

2006-12-30T02:55:00.000-08:00

TORONTO (CP) - An additional $20 million will be disbursed to universities and other organizations in connection with a class action lawsuit involving the price fixing of vitamins. In November 2005, four leading vitamin makers settled a lawsuit initiated by a Quebec consumers group, six years after being found guilty of hiking the price of vitamins. The $130 million settlement was ordered divided among non-profit organizations, universities and companies that bought the vitamins in bulk. The $20 million payout will be divided among nine universities, including $3.5 million for the University of British Columbia. The funds are part of the $132 million settlement approved by the courts of Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec in 2005.

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Vitamins And Dietary Supplements In Italy Report Offers A ...

2006-12-26T02:58:00.000-08:00

Our Vitamins and Dietary Supplements in Italy report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data (2000-2005), allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2010 illustrate how the market is set to change. Product coverage: vitamins, dietary supplements, tonics and bottled nutritive drinks, child-specific vitamins and dietary supplements Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares Why buy this report? - Get a detailed picture of the vitamins and dietary supplements industry - Pinpoint growth sectors and trends and identify factors driving change - Understand the competitive environment, the market's major players and leading brands - Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop With a network of over 600 analysts worldwide, we have the unique capability to develop reliable information resources to help drive informed strategic planning.

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Vitamins may help migraine sufferers

2006-12-17T02:56:00.000-08:00

Scientists are testing whether some migraine sufferers could find better relief from a bottle of vitamins than traditional heavy-duty painkillers. Clinical trials are underway to investigate if vitamin B and folate can ease pain sparked by the most severe form of migraine. These chronic headaches affect about 18 per cent of women and six per cent of men, and were traditionally believed to result from a malfunction in the brain's electrical activity. But research by Professor Lyn Griffiths, from Griffith University in Queensland, has proven that the underlying cause of migraine is inherited and relates to genes that regulate blood vessels, hormones and brain functioning. Prof Griffiths has mapped several genes linked to the painful ailment - some related to neuro-transmitters in the brain and other related to hormone fluctuations, explaining why women are more prone than men.

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Fortify Vitamins Announces Launch of Fortifeye Line of Eye Supplements

2006-12-15T02:52:00.000-08:00

TAMPA, Fla., Dec 04, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fortify Vitamins, Inc. ( http://www.fortifeye.com) today announced its new line of ocular supplements called "Fortifeye." The first products released are Fortifeye Complete(TM), Fortifeye Macular Defense(TM), and Fortifeye Dry Eye Therapy(TM). A key ingredient in these new supplements is resveratrol, which is naturally created by grapes, certain vines, pine trees, peanuts, and other plants. Dr. Michael Lange, Fortify's Chairman, has long understood the nutritional connection to healthy eyesight, but was frustrated with what he saw as options for consumers - "The products on the shelves that I saw were seemingly sold on hype or the basis of one ingredient. That's not how it really works. The body is far more complex than that. With Fortifeye, we developed the formulas by first asking what will work best - what's been proven scientifically and what's the best combination of ingredients? What happens if you don't compromise? The answer is that we created the Fortifeye line." Fortifeye Complete is designed as a whole body supplement with special nutrients proven to support ocular health.

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Health Vitamin Guide - Vitamins, Minerals and Deficiencies

2006-12-13T03:01:00.000-08:00

(PRLEAP.COM) HealthVitaminsGuide.com - A complete portal on vitamins, minerals, amino acids and natural nutrients is launched. It covers vitamins and minerals natural sources, daily requirements, benefits and deficiencies. Vitamins are essential to sustain life and everyone must get them from natural foods or dietary supplements. The nutrition they provide helps people feel better, more energetic, and assist the body with normal functions. Today's food no longer contains the vitamins and nutrients that are required for proper health and fitness. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for our growth, vitality and well being. Vitamins are used as therapies for various ailments and disease whereas minerals help accelerate the billions of chemical reactions occurring in your. It contains many new concepts and health information for everyone.

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Drinkable vitamins

2006-12-09T03:08:00.000-08:00

Key ingredients: Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, B12, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, chromium and a mineral blend, among other supplements. The pitch: Easy to swallow and absorbs into the bloodstream faster than tablets or capsules. How it works: Vitamins and minerals are already dissolved, increasing the absorption rate into the body. Pros: Liquid supplements contain nutrients in a more bioavailable form and are gentler to the stomach. For children and elderly patients, the liquid form is sometimes more suitable, particularly for iron, according to a 1998 review in the Journal of Medicinal Food. Because liquids allow greater concentration of ingredients, a single dose can pack more nutrients than multiple pills. Cons: Pills and capsules are best for exact dosage; they last longer than liquids and are often cheaper.

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Fortify Vitamins Announces Launch of Fortifeye Line of Eye ...

2006-12-07T03:03:00.000-08:00

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fortify Vitamins, Inc. (http://www.fortifeye.com) today announced its new line of ocular supplements called "Fortifeye." The first products released are Fortifeye Complete™, Fortifeye Macular Defense™, and Fortifeye Dry Eye Therapy™. A key ingredient in these new supplements is resveratrol, which is naturally created by grapes, certain vines, pine trees, peanuts, and other plants. Recent studies show that resveratrol has been shown to reduce the growth of tumors – key for patients with diabetes and macular degeneration. Dr. Michael Lange, Fortify's Chairman, has long understood the nutritional connection to healthy eyesight, but was frustrated with what he saw as options for consumers – "The products on the shelves that I saw were seemingly sold on hype or the basis of one ingredient.

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Fish oils, vitamins, herbs helpful for depression

2006-12-03T03:00:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Diet and nutrition may play a key role in helping people fight depression, Australian researchers report. A number of nutrients, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, St. John's Wort and several B vitamins, have the potential to influence mood by increasing the absorption of chemical messengers in the brain, Dr. Dianne Volker of the University of Sydney in Chippendale and Jade Ng of Goodman Fielder Commercian in North Ryde, New South Wales note in the journal Nutrition and Dietetics. There is a wealth of epidemiological, experimental and circumstantial evidence to suggest that fish and the oils they contain, in particular omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, are protective against depression, Volker and Ng write. They point out that the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 may also be important, given that the latter can prevent the body from absorbing the former.

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Vitamins can boost athletes’ performance

2006-11-25T03:02:00.000-08:00

In her research, she analysed the athletic performance of several elite and collegiate athletes as well as less competitive individuals. "Many athletes, especially young athletes involved in highly competitive sports, do not realize the impact their diets have on their performance," said Manore, who is also an Extension Service nutrition scientist. "By the time they reach adulthood they can have seriously jeopardized their abilities and their long-term health," she added. Manore thinks that US athletes who follow the current national B-vitamin recommendation for active individuals may be receiving lower amounts of nutrients than their bodies actually need. She says that athletes who restrict calories or limit food groups, such as dairy or meat, have an increased chance of deficiency.

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Thanksgiving Vitamins

2006-11-23T02:46:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a time known for gluttony often followed by the post-pig-out coma! But believe it or not, the feast is filled with disease fighting potential! For starters turkey is packed with protein. Slipped inside many thanksgiving side dishes a menu of health benefits. Check out this colorful spread created by whole foods chef Annliese Gresham.. "Roasted beets with apricots. roasted butternut squash with cinnamon. Green and almandine butternuts squash risotto Beets-bring antioxidants, an apricot glaze makes it a sweet treat. Green beans, vitamin k- good for the bones, squash is a good source of heart protecting-cancer fighting beta-carotene, as are sweet potatoes. "Wild rice salad with dried fruit, cranberry orange relish stuffed in acorn squash." Rice is full of fiber. Cranberries pack antioxidants and so does another fruit making a big splash this holiday season, the popular pomegranate.

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Vitamins Don't Slow Development of Cardiovascular Disease in High ...

2006-11-21T02:50:00.000-08:00

Antioxidant vitamins and folic acid didn't slow the development of cardiovascular disease among high-risk women in two long-running, randomized trials, researchers reported today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2006. Results of the Women's Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study (WAFACS) were presented today in a late-breaking clinical trials session. "Our study does not suggest that taking folic acid, B6 or B12 primarily to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) would be worthwhile. Women who are taking them solely for that purpose may want to discontinue," said Christine M. Albert, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study and director of the Center for Arrhythmia Prevention at Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston, Mass. Researchers found no adverse effects from the vitamins but said there are other important non-cardiac reasons to take them including during pregnancy, when a woman's nutritional needs are higher.

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