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04.15.09, 08:00 PM EDT
But British team says findings don’t prove cause and effect

THURSDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) — People who don’t get enough of the antioxidant vitamins A and C in their diet may be at increased risk for asthma, British researchers say.

The pooled results of 40 studies conducted between 1980 and 2007 showed that people with asthma had a significantly lower dietary intake of vitamin A than those without the disease. The average intake among those with asthma was 182 micrograms a day, which is between a quarter and a third of recommended daily intake.

The review authors also found that people with severe asthma had a significantly lower intake of vitamin C (about half the recommended daily intake) than those with mild asthma. In addition, low circulating levels of vitamin C in the blood and lower dietary intake of foods containing vitamin C were associated with a 12 percent increased risk of asthma.

There was no association between vitamin E intake and asthma risk, but blood levels of vitamin E were much lower among people with severe asthma than in those with mild asthma. Those with severe asthma had an average vitamin E intake of 2 milligrams/day, which is 20 percent lower than the daily recommended amount, the review authors said.

These findings don’t prove cause and effect, but they do challenge a study published last year that found no association between antioxidants and asthma risk, said Dr. Jo Leonardi-Bee, of the division of epidemiology and public health at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, and colleagues.

“Overall, our findings from [the current] systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that low levels of vitamin C intake, and to a lesser extent vitamin A, are consistently associated with asthma risk to a degree that, if causal, would be sufficient to be clinically relevant,” they concluded.

Their findings for an association between dietary antioxidants and wheezing were less consistent. The report was published in the current issue of Thorax.

Regular doses help ward off heart disease, cancer, diabetes

By Donna Gray, For Neighbours

Two well-known, affordable, and accessible vitamins have long been touted as being the means to a healthier body and boosted immunity to colds.

Expanded research is also proving that regular doses of Vitamins C and D will also help treat and prevent diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis and even multiple sclerosis.

Last year, an American research project became the talk of the industry, revealing that 1,200 women who took a Vitamin D supplement regularly reduced their chances of cancer by 60 per cent than those who didn’t take the supplement.

Two years ago, a league of investigators with the National Institutes of Health in the U. S., found that (read more…)

By Katherine Preston, Absolute Fitness
Columns
Jan 28, 2009
Make sure vitamin C is part of your daily routine

Cough, sniffle, ah-ah-achooo! There’s no denying it- we’re in the midst of winter. And it’s not just the deep snow and cold temperatures that are the telltale indicators. Wherever you turn, there’s someone sneezing, coughing or fighting a nasal drip. For years, there’s been ongoing controversy regarding the effects of Vitamin C on the common cold. While some research strongly supports the belief that Vitamin C undeniably fights colds, other research is skeptical. Regardless of the varying arguments out there, our bodies do need this special vitamin for a variety of reasons.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) assists in the repair, maintenance and growth of all bodily tissue, right down to the cellular level. Without Vitamin C, we couldn’t manufacture a very important protein called collagen, which is needed to heal wounds, rejuvenate skin, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels and scar tissue. As well, this vitamin carries the task of maintaining/ repairing our bones, teeth, and cartilage.

Vitamin C also acts as an anti-oxidant by putting up a barrier against free radicals which could cause havoc inside us. (Note: free radicals can result as by-products when our food changes into useful energy.) As the amount of free radicals increases within us, numerous health issues such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, anemia, aging and degeneration may result. And the list goes on! Pollutants and chemical toxins add to the store of free radicals.

Our strongest defense?

Vitamin E – and vitamin C. With theses vitamins, our immune systems are greatly strengthened to help us ward off illness. In fact, they are some of the most effective anti-oxidants that our bodies need to win the fight against destructive free radicals. Unfortunately, we can’t produce our own supply of Vitamin C – it must come from external sources. We can’t store it either, because it’s water soluble and not fat soluble. (Any surplus is eliminated through urine.) Therefore, the supply of Vitamin C must be ongoing and part of our daily food regime.

Where can we find vitamin C?

Fruits and vegetables are great sources. However, be selective as some are higher than others. Good sources include: citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, mango, papaya, pineapple) and pure juices, berries (blue, red, cran, raspberries), kiwi, tomatoes, peppers (green, red, yellow), leafy green vegetables, potatoes, melon (cantaloupe, honey dew, water, etc.), broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, squash and brussels sprouts.

The daily recommended intake varies according to age and gender (especially for adolescents and adults.) Consult your doctor for your recommended daily intake, which may also be affected by your health status. And beware: smoking depletes your body’s daily amount of vitamin C; an extra 35 mg/day is needed if you smoke.

When planning your meals, include foods high in this valuable vitamin. And remember: like milk, Vitamin C is also one of the great choices you could consume after a workout. Not only will it help in the repair of tissue after exercise, its natural sugars will address any lows in your glycemic index, which can alter with increased energy demands. Vitamin C is found in good carbohydrates. Unlike proteins and fat, carbs begin breaking down with your saliva, thus providing the body with quick energy.

So next time you’re feeling fatigued, hungry or thirsty, reach for a refreshing citrus fruit, berries or glass of pure juice and enjoy the many benefits of this valuable vitamin.

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Contact Katherine Preston at absfit@cogeco.ca or http://home.cogeco.ca/~absfit