The April, 1999 issue of Nature contains an article about researchers at the University of Michigan, who have found that ultraviolet radiation from the sun blocks skin cells’ ability to recognize and respond to retinoic acid (skin cells make retinoicacid from retinal—a form of vitamin A). In essence, ultraviolet radiation causes a functional vitamin A

Supplementation with zinc plus vitamin A, may restore night vision. Zinc supplementation without the vitamin A does not have this effect. This, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition(May, 2001 issue). The study involved 202 pregnant women from Southern Nepal. The subjects had night blindness and were divided into six

PennState researchers have demonstrated on aspect of vitamin A’s role in the immune response. Research suggests that the vitamin’s active form may enhance the effectiveness of interferon. Many studies on animals have shown that vitamin A affects immune responses and inflammation. In autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, the immune system attacks the body.

Researchers reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association(August, 2004) that vitamin E supplements can help ward off colds and upper-respiratory infections in the elderly. In the study of 617 nursing home patients aged 65 or older, those who swallowed a vitamin E supplement daily had significantly fewer common colds and a 20% overall

The cause of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is unknown, but it is generally associated with previous fracture or other injury. Symptoms last well beyond a normal recovery phase and are usually severe and debilitating. The patient is suffers with severe, persistent aching pain, swelling and coldness in the affected limb. According to research published in

Preeclampsia is also known as toxemia of pregnancy; it is characterized by increasing blood pressure, headaches, protein in the urine, and edema (swelling). If left unchecked, it can lead to eclampsia, which can lead to convulsions and coma. It is one of the leading causes of maternal, fetal and neonatal disability and death. One feature

According to an observational study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Jun 1999; 281: 2289 – 2293), a low level of vitamin C in the blood is associated with high levels of lead. To quote the conclusion reach by the authors “Our data suggest that high serum levels of ascorbic acid are

A large study was performed at the University of California at San Francisco where blood levels of vitamin C was measured on more than 13,000 people. The study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (2000;160:931-936).It was found that women (but not men, interestingly enough) with low vitamin C levels are more likely to