Consuming probiotics in foods such as yogurt can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD), says a new a review and meta-analysis of previous studies.
Gluten and the prevention of coeliac disease
Re-emergence of rickets and vitamin D deficiency
Boosting defences with vitamin D
As the days shorten, it is time to consider vitamin D status in the Irish population, write Dr Mark Kilbane, Ms Myra O’Keane and Dr Malachi McKenna Vitamin D is the name given to a group of fat-soluble steroids, the two major physiologically-relevant forms of which are vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin [...]
Fish oil may reduce risk of psychotic disorders in high-risk individuals
Individuals at extremely high risk of developing psychosis appear less likely to develop psychotic disorders following a 12-week course of fish oil capsules containing long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, according to a new study. Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are a promising intervention in individuals with schizophrenia, who may have an underlying dysfunction in fatty [...]
Nutrition cannot be targeted in cutbacks
Aoife Connors speaks to Dr Mike Stroud on the importance of treating malnutrition properly and how nutrition should remain a priority, despite economic cutbacks Proper treatment of malnutrition reduces costs from hospital stays, GP consultations and long-term care needs of vulnerable groups such as the elderly – and during these recessionary times, nutritional budgets ‘should [...]
Chronic fatigue link to vitamin D deficiency
New evidence presented at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague last month has shown that vitamin D deficiency is closely associated with the chronic fatigue that often follows post-traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the European Union, the annual incidence of TBI hospitalisations and fatalities is estimated at 235 per 100,000 people. Around two-thirds of [...]
Extra vitamin D needed in Crohn’s
Clinical Update: Nutrition – Crohn’s disease is an incurable chronic disease that generally affects the small intestine where the absorption of vitamins and nutrients occurs. Patients with Crohn’s disease frequently have surgery that may involve the removal of the lower part of the small intestine, which is where vitamin D tends to be maximally absorbed. [...]
EPA preserves muscle mass post surgery
Clinical Update: Nutrition – The Annals of Surgery recently published a report on research involving patients undergoing surgery for oesophageal cancer, a procedure normally associated with significant weight-loss and quality-of-life issues . The lead investigators of the study were Prof John V. Reynolds, Professor of Surgery at Trinity College Dublin and Dr Aoife Ryan, Assistant [...]
Vitamin D and genes
Clinical Update: Nutrition – There is no disputing that if a person has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there are circumstances where the patient will need nutritional support because they are malnourished. However, basic science work and many animal studies have been done and it appears that there could also be a genetic element. Trinity College [...]