Why was this study done? Keshan disease, a selenium deficiency disease, occurs sporadically around the world primarily in areas where the soil is lacking selenium. This study was designed to investigate seasonal changes in selenium status in people living in a low selenium area. What did the study find? This study did find that living…
Why was this study done? Selenium is considered an important mineral for health maintenance and possibly for the prevention of certain cancers. There are geographic areas of the world where this mineral is deficient and the necessity of supplementation becomes important. This study was designed to assess differing forms of selenium (sodium selenite versus selenomethionine)…
Why was this study done? Determining the effectiveness of supplemental forms of nutrients is of upmost importance for the manufacture of quality supplements. This study was designed to test the effectiveness of an algae-derived beta-carotene compared to food-based (carrots). What did the study find? This study found that supplemental carotenes (in an oily base derived…
Why was this study done? Athletes need optimal nutrition in order to perform at their best. This study analyzed the diets of current elite male and female Nordic skiers. What did the study find? The study found that this group of elite athletes were consuming enough calories, but not enough carbohydrates, and too much fat…
Why was this article written? While we now know that bone loss progresses with age (especially in women following menopause) that link has not always been well understood. This article summarizes the knowledge base of the time, the relationship between age and bone mass, and attempts to aid in the understanding of calcium need in…
Why was this article written? While there is now a well-established link between bone building and calcium supplementation, at the time this article was written the connection was less sure. This article summarizes the relationship between supplementing with calcium and its incorporation into skeletal bone. Albanese AA, et al. Calcium Nutrition and Skeletal and Alveolar…
Why was this study done? Discovering tools for inducing satiety is an important part of the weight management puzzle. This study was designed to investigate the role of fiber in managing hunger. The study used differing types (water soluble, water insoluble) and differing amounts of fiber. What did the study find? The study discovered that…
Why was this study done? Constipation is a condition that many people suffer from. This study was designed to investigate the role of hard wheat fiber on transit time (time it takes food to travel from mouth to anus) and increasing fiber’s effects on fecal weight, mineral, and steroid excretion. The study used three different…
Why was this study done? This study was designed to investigate the assessment of vitamin A status in humans. What did the study find? The study determined that fasting is the best state to determine vitamin A status as many blood changes occur following a carotene-rich meal. Acute Effects of Dietary Carotenes on Serum Alpha…
Why was this study done? Iron depletion is common female athletes and may be common in male athletes. Reasons for lowered iron status in athletes are unknown, but hypothesized to be a result of red blood cell destruction, or increased iron uptake by myoglobin and other enzyme systems. This study was designed to see the…