Vitamin D helps kids improve bone density

November 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Women treated for breast cancer are at higher risk of cancer recurrence if they have dense breasts, according to a new study. The study's results indicate that breast cancer patients with dense breasts may benefit from additional therapies following surgery, such as radiation.

November 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Lap band surgery has been found effective in improving the health of morbidly obese adolescents, say researchers. The study found that Lap band surgery or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding improved glucose metabolism, reducing the adolescents' risk of developing insulin resistance.

November 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Kids who have full-fat milk every day have a lower BMI than those who rarely drink milk, says a new study. However, that's not the case for children who often drink medium-fat or low-fat milk, the study added.

October 26th, 2009 more images more images1 in 5 kids get little vitamin D, study saysCHICAGO — At least one in five U.S. children aged 1 to 11 don't get enough vitamin D and could be at risk for a variety of health problems including weak bones, the most recent national analysis suggests.

October 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Higher intake of vitamin D in winters can help people get rid of extra soreness and aches in their backs, say researchers. The study showed that patients with chronic back pain usually had inadequate levels of vitamin D and when sufficient vitamin D supplementation was provided, the pain either vanished or was at least helped to a significant extent.

October 14th, 2009 FDA warns P&G for adding vitamin C to NyquilWASHINGTON — Federal drug regulators are scolding Procter & Gamble for adding Vitamin C to its Vicks cold formulas, a combination not allowed by federal regulations. The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to the consumer products company, saying medications like Vicks Nyquil and Dayquil have not been approved to contain vitamin C.

October 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Women with breast cancer are likely to have low levels of vitamin D, which could contribute to decreased bone mass and greater risk of fractures, according to scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center. In a study of 166 women undergoing treatment for breast cancer, nearly 70 percent had low levels of vitamin D in their blood, according to the study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Breast Cancer Symposium in San Francisco.

October 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Gluten-free diet can affect recovery of children with celiac disease (CD), an inherited intestinal disorder characterized by life-long intolerance to the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, says a new study. Although CD can be diagnosed at any age, it commonly occurs during early childhood (between 9 and 24 months).

October 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Excessive intake of Vitamin A can have a negative effect on the human body, a new study says. The research shows that Vitamin A plays a crucial role in energy production within cells but too much or too little of it can harm the system.

October 7th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Scientists from University of Western Australia claim to have identified new genes tied to loss of bone mineral density and osteoporosis. According to molecular geneticist and study author Associate Professor Scott Wilson of the University of Western Australia, low bone mineral density is the strongest predictor of osteoporotic fracture.

October 2nd, 2009 LONDON - A new study suggests that people above 65 years should take high dose of vitamin D to prevent falls. The research has found that a daily supplement of the vitamin at a dose of 700-1000 IU (an international unit of measurement for vitamins) reduces the risk of falling among older people by 19 percent, while a dose of less than that has no effect.

September 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Vitamin D deficiency in younger women is associated with increased risk of high blood pressure in mid-life, claims a new study. The research has been reported at the American Heart Association's 63rd High Blood Pressure Research Conference.

September 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - While vitamin D is known to offer many benefits, there is no consensus on what level of the nutrient is optimal for good health, according to the Mayo Clinic Health Letter. The report points out that recent findings suggest that vitamin D offers many benefits, especially for older adults, such as improved balance, reduction in the risk of bone fractures, and better thinking skills such as planning, organizing and abstract thinking.

September 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Green tea may help improve bone health, researchers in Hong Kong have reported. The boffins found that the tea contains a group of chemicals that can stimulate bone formation and help slow its breakdown.

September 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists looking for ways to reduce bone loss in astronauts claim to have found a novel way of improving the bone health of cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment. "Our studies indicate significant bone loss at the radiation levels astronauts will experience during long missions to the moon or Mars," said Ted Bateman, a member of NSBRI's Musculoskeletal Alterations Team.