CAM

Making sense of conflicting advice on calcium intake
In recent years, studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding whether calcium supplements used to prevent fractures increase the risk of heart attack. Now, in an assessment of the scientific literature, reported as a perspective piece in the October 17, 2013 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, a UC San Francisco researcher says patients and health care practitioners should focus on getting calcium from the diet, rather than supplements, when possible. Eurekalert!

Vitamin D does not contribute to kidney stones, study asserts
Increased vitamin D levels may prevent a wide range of diseases, according to recent studies. However, some previous studies led to a concern that vitamin D supplementation could increase an individual's risk of developing kidney stones.

However, a study of 2,012 participants – published in the American Journal of Public Health –found no statistically relevant association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH)D) serum level in the range of 20 to 100 ng/mL and the incidence of kidney stones. MedicalXpress

Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplementation and Health Outcomes Five Years After Active Intervention Ended: The Women's Health Initiative
Throughout, there also was no difference in invasive breast cancer, CVD, and all-cause mortality between groups. In subgroup analyses, the invasive breast cancer effect varied by baseline vitamin D intake (p=0.03 for interaction). Women with vitamin D intakes >600 IU/d, had an increased risk of invasive breast cancer, HR=1.28 (95% CI; 1.03, 1.60). Over the entire study period, in post hoc analyses, the incidence of vertebral fractures, HR=0.87 (95% CI: 0.76, 0.98) and in situ breast cancers, HR=0.82 (95% CI: 0.68, 0.99) were lower among women randomized to supplementation. Conclusion: After an average of 11 years, calcium and vitamin D supplementation did not decrease hip fracture or colorectal cancer incidence. Exploratory analyses found lower vertebral fracture and in situ breast cancer incidence in the supplement users. There was no effect on CVD or all-cause mortality. Cauley JA, Chlebowski RT, Wactawski-Wende J, Robbins JA, Rodabough RJ, Chen Z, Johnson KC, O'Sullivan MJ, Jackson RD, Manson JE. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2013 Oct 16. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24131320

Study strengthens link between low dietary fiber intake and increased cardiovascular risk
A new study published in the December issue of The American Journal of Medicine shows a significant association between low dietary fiber intake and cardiometabolic risks including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular inflammation, and obesity. Surveillance data from 23,168 subjects in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2010 was used to examine the role dietary fiber plays in heart health. Eurekalert!

The benefits of bacteria for gut health
Scientists from the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, United States have shown that specific gut bacteria are beneficial for maintaining a healthy intestine in the fruit fly Drosophila and mice and also contribute to the overall health of these organisms. The researchers demonstrated that bacteria in the gut, particularly members of the genus Lactobacillus, promote the growth of host epithelial cells and that this is essential for maintaining homeostasis in the intestinal system. The findings, which are published today in The EMBO Journal, could have implications for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease as well as allergic, metabolic and infectious disorders. Eurekalert!