Insufficient blood levels of vitamin D may be associated with the accumulation of fat in muscle tissue, leading to lower muscle strength, says a new study.

A study with 90 young women aged between 16 and 22 found that almost 60 per cent were vitamin D insufficient, and that muscle fat levels were higher in these women, compared with women with normal vitamin D levels, according to findings published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

The findings are said to be the first to show a clear link between Vitamin D levels and the accumulation of fat in muscle tissue, and add to an ever growing body of science supporting the benefits of maintaining healthy vitamin D levels.

In adults, it is said vitamin D deficiency may precipitate or exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, fractures, common cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases. There is also some evidence that the vitamin may reduce the incidence of several types of cancer and type-1 diabetes.

“Obviously this subject requires more study,” said lead researcher, Dr Richard Kremer from McGill University in Canada. “We don’t yet know whether Vitamin D supplementation would actually result in less accumulation of fat in the muscles or increase muscle strength. We need more research before we can recommend interventions. We need to take things one step at a time.”

From : http://www.nutraingredients.com

Scientists find why “sunshine” vitamin D is crucial

“The researchers found that immune systems‘ killer cells, known as T cells, rely on vitamin D to become active and remain dormant and unaware of the possibility of threat from an infection or pathogen if vitamin D
is lacking in the blood.

“When a T cell is exposed to a foreign pathogen, it extends a signaling device or ‘antenna’ known as a vitamin D receptor, with which it searches for vitamin D,” said Carsten Geisler of Copenhagen University’s department of international health, immunology and microbiology, who led the study.

“This means the T cell must have vitamin D or activation of the cell will cease. If the T cells cannot find enough vitamin D in the blood, they won’t even begin to mobilize.”

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Published online ahead of print, doi:doi:10.1210/jc.2009-2309
“Vitamin D Status and Its Relation to Muscle Mass and Muscle Fat in Young Women”
Authors: V. Gilsanz, A. Kremer, A.O. Mo, T.A.L. Wren, R. Kremer

also

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Consumption of antioxidant-rich berries may double levels of polyphenols in the blood, says a new study from Finland that supports the fruit as a source of bioavailable compounds.

Middle-aged volunteers who ate a combination of bilberries, lingonberries, black currants, and chokeberries for eight weeks showed a significant increase in blood levels of polyphenols, with compounds like quercetin increasing by up to 80 per cent, according to findings published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

The subject of bioavailability is a hot topic in nutrition circles, particularly for antioxidants. Many tests of antioxidant activity do not provide any data on the subsequent bioavailability, a point highlighted by Professor Jeffrey Blumberg from Tufts University in a recent interview with NutraIngredients.

“We shouldn’t throw out [the antioxidant assays like] ORAC, FRAP, and similar tests,” said Prof Blumberg, “but these simple assays equate isocyanides, carotenoids, tocopherols, and stilbenes, for example, as somehow equivalent. It doesn’t tell us anything about bioavailability, antagonism, and synergies.”

In background information in the new JAFC paper, the health benefits of polyphenols are predominantly determined by their bioavailability, but this “is still poorly known”, said Raika Koli and her co-workers from the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare.

Source : Berries antioxidants pass bioavailability test

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1021/jf9024823
“Bioavailability of Various Polyphenols from a Diet Containing Moderate Amounts of Berries”
Authors: R. Koli, I. Erlund, A. Jula, J. Marniemi, P. Mattila, G. Alfthan

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A cocktail of vitamins, minerals and herbals may delay the major aspects of the ageing process and extend lifespan by 10 per cent, according to a mouse study from Canada.

Mice fed a supplement containing 30 dietary ingredients did not experience a 50 per cent loss in daily movement like other non-supplemented animals, according to findings published in the current issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine.

“For ageing humans maintaining zestful living into later years may provide greater social and economic benefits than simply extending years of likely decrepitude,” said Rollo.

“This study obtained a truly remarkable extension of physical function in old mice, far greater than the respectable extension of longevity that we previous documented. This holds great promise for extending the quality of life of ‘health span’ of humans,” he added.

“Dosages were derived from recommended human doses adjusted for body size and the 10-fold higher metabolic rate of mice,” explained the researchers.

Results showed maintenance of youthful levels of locomotor activity into old age in the supplemented animals, whereas old non-supplemented mice showed a 50 per cent loss in daily movement, said the researchers. This was accompanied by a loss of mitochondria activity, and declines in brain signalling chemicals relevant to locomotion, such as striatal neuropeptide Y. This chemical is associated with a range of functions, including maintaining energy balance, as well as effects in memory and learning.

“Although identifying the role of specific ingredients and interactions remains outstanding, results provide proof of principle that complex dietary cocktails can powerfully ameliorate biomarkers of aging and modulate mechanisms considered ultimate goals for aging interventions,” stated Rollo and his co-workers.

The supplement was composed of vitamins B1, B3 (niacin), B6, B12, C, D, E, folic acid, beta-carotene, CoQ10, rutin, bioflavonoids, ginko biloba, ginseng, green tea extract, ginger root extract, garlic, L-Glutathione, magnesium, selenium, potassium, manganese, chromium picolinate, acetyl L-carnitine, melatonin, alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine, acetylsalicylic acid, cod liver oil, and flax seed oil.

The study was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Experimental Biology and Medicine
2010, Vol. 235, Pages 66-76, doi:10.1258/ebm.2009.009219
“Dietary amelioration of locomotor, neurotransmitter and mitochondrial aging”
Authors: V. Aksenov, J. Long, S. Lokuge, J.A. Foster, J. Liu, C.D. Rollo
The full journal paper is available free to access here .

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Snacking study shows kids eat nearly constantly

By Caroline Scott-Thomas,

American children are moving toward ‘constant eating’ with three snacks a day as well as three regular meals, according to a paper published in the journal Health Affairs.

The study comes just weeks after Michelle Obama announced her Let’s Move campaign, designed to encourage parents and children toward healthier choices for kids, including better dietary decisions as well as more physical activity. She said the program aims to end childhood obesity within a generation.

Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past 30 years, with about one in three American children currently overweight or obese, according to government figures.

Snacks now account for about 27 percent of the calories consumed by children, and total daily calorie intake has risen by an average of 113 calories from 1977 to 2006, Barry Popkin and Carmen Piernas of the University of North Carolina reported.

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