Low levels of dietary folate may increase the risk of DNA damage in colon cells, and ultimately the risk of cancer, suggests a new Anglo-American study.
A clinical trial that concluded B vitamins do not reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events or death among patients with coronary heart disease has been criticised by industry for being poorly designed.
Fortifying bread with folic acid and low dose vitamin B12 is effective in improving vitamin B blood status in the elderly, according to a new study from Holland.
Increased intake of vitamin B6 from dietary and supplements may
reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by over 20 per cent, suggests
a large Scottish study.
Two scientific papers which have raised question marks over the
safety of fortifying flour with folic acid to prevent neural tube
defects in pregnancies provide no concern, UK doctors have said.
An iron fortification technique developed by LycoRed will help
beverage manufactures add the important mineral without interfering
with taste and colour, the company said.
Researchers at the UK Institute of Food Research have warned that
fortifying flour with folic acid may lead to a range of health
problems, a finding that calls into question the Food
Standard Agency's approval of the move earlier...
Supplements of folic acid may lower blood levels of arsenic in
individuals exposed to the toxin in contaminated drinking water,
researchers have suggested.
LycoRed has today said a range of its vitamin B complex will be
launched in a line of carbonated drinks - a task made challenging
through the vitamin's solubility issue.
High levels of vitamin B6 prior to falling pregnant may boost
conception rates and reduce the odds of losing the baby during
early pregnancy, suggests new research.
The board of the UK's Food Standards Agency yesterday gave the
go-ahead for the recommendation on mandatory folic acid
fortification be made to health ministers, but it remains unclear
whether the nutrient will be added to flour...
A UK food safety panel is recommending that the mandatory addition
of folic acid should be made at the milling stage rather than at
the manufacturing stage, shifting the cost burden to suppliers.
Folic acid does not decrease the risk of benign colorectal tumours
and may increase the likelihood of contracting some types
of tumours, say researchers - but the supplements industry urges
caution in light of documented benefits.
Fortitech Asia Pacific has been appointed to manufacture a vitamin
and mineral premix containing Akzo Nobel's Ferrazone iron for
Pakistan's National Wheat Fortification Program - a contract that
underscores confidence in...
Italian biotech Gnosis is undertaking a major drive for its
ingredients in UK and Ireland with a new distribution agreement
with S Black covering the high-potential markets.
Tomatoes, genetically engineered to contain high levels of folate,
could provide the recommended daily amount in one standard serving,
says new research.
Debate over fortification of certain foods with folic acid has been
initiated at EU-level, as various member states mull public health
strategies for reducing pregnancies affected by neural tube
defects.
Supplement makers are hearing the news about the benefits of
omega-3 during pregnancy, suggest data from Mintel, which lists
more pregnancy-specific product launches in 2006 than in previous
years.
The effects of increased folic acid intake amongst the elderly may
be a double-edged sword, with benefits and harm dependent on the
person's vitamin B12 levels, says a new study.
Older people taking folic acid supplementation had improved memory
and ability to process information, as well as a slower rate of
age-related cognitive decline, says a study from the Netherlands.
Supplements of folic acid may prevent age-related hearing loss in
older men and women, says a new double-blind, randomised,
placebo-controlled trial from the Netherlands.
A multivitamin and mineral supplement boosted the birth weight of
children born to undernourished women, says a trial from India,
results that could have lifelong implications for the offspring.
Folic acid supplements have no effect on cardiovascular disease
events amongst people with existing vascular disease, says a
meta-analysis of 12 randomised control trials.
The UK's Food Standards Agency has launched a final consultation
into mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid - an action
that coincides with publication of the SACN recommendation to press
ahead with the measure.
The UK's food standards agency has launched a consultation into the
addition of calcium-L-methylfolate and ferrous bisglycinate to the
positive list of vitamins and minerals.
When the idea of fortifying staple foods with vital nutrients is
raised, the battlecry goes up from industry groups and advocates of
consumer choice: "Why should we bear the costs?" "Educate, and
let people make their...
Despite some controversy in reports of the benefits of folate
consumption on cardiovascular disease risk, the evidence is now
enough to recommend the vitamin for heart health, British
scientists have reported.
Supplements of B-vitamins do not offer protection from
cardiovascular disease, say the results of the US-based Women's
Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study (WAFACS) - findings
that cannot be applied to the general...
A diet low in folate may increase the risk of developing colorectal
cancer, says an animal study from Canada, backing up previous
studies and highlighting potential additional benefits of folic
acid fortification.
Despite the introduction of mandatory folic acid fortification of
grains as much as a third of women of childbearing age are not
getting the recommended amounts, says a study from Canada.
A recommendation to introduce mandatory folic acid fortification
for Australia and New Zealand's bakers will come under further
review, said the country's ministers yesterday.
A low-dose daily supplement of folic acid improved levels
homocysteine in people with high levels of the amino acid and could
reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, suggests a small study
from Taiwan.
Folate intake in the US has not met the FDA's targets following the
mandated fortification of enriched grain products with the B
vitamin that began in 1998, according to a recent study.
A new study from Sweden suggests that low folate levels may exert a
protective effect against colorectal cancer, a finding that could
have some bearing on discussions over mandatory folic acid
fortification in Europe.
Supplements of a folic acid derivative result in higher blood
folate levels than straight folic acid, and could be an alternative
for the prevention of neural tube defects, says a study from
Germany.
A daily supplement of folic acid could reduce inflammatory markers
and therefore offer protection from heart disease for overweight
and obese people, suggests a short study from Italy.
Ireland's National Committee on Folic Acid Fortication today
recommended that most white, brown and wholemeal breads sold in the
country be fortificed with 120 micrograms of folic acid per 100g of
bread in a bid to reduce incidence...
Children with type-1 diabetes could benefit from high-dose folate
and vitamin B6 supplements to boost their cardiovascular health,
according to a new clinical trial.
The food regulator for Australia and New Zealand is calling for
public comment on a proposal that would require all bread-making
flour to be fortified with the B vitamin folic acid.
Daily supplements of B vitamins for people with high homocysteine
levels do not affect cognitive performance compared to placebo,
says a new study from New Zealand.