MULTIVITAMIN USE LOWERS PREECLAMPSIA RISK

High blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia) can result in serious complications for the mother and child. Results from a new study show that regular use of a multivitamin supplement in the months before and during pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia by as much as 71%. Lean women who used multivitamins before and during their pregnancies reduced the risk of preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy characterized by elevated blood pressure, swelling of the extremities and protein in the urine. If untreated, the condition can progress to eclampsia, which can lead to seizures, coma, and the death of the mother or child.

The study involved 1,835 pregnant women enrolled in the Pregnancy Exposures and Preeclampsia Prevention Study. All women were at less than 16 weeks' gestation and were asked whether they regularly used multivitamins or prenatal vitamins in the past six months. Women that reported using a multivitamin or prenatal during the previous six months had a 45 percent lower risk of preeclampsia than non-users. The reduction in risk was more significant among lean women. When lean women were analyzed separately, those who used multivitamins had a 71 percent lower risk of preeclampsia than nonusers.

These results suggest that regular use of a multivitamin supplement in the months before and during pregnancy may help to prevent preeclampsia, particularly among lean women.

Am J Epidemiol. 2006 Jun 13; [Epub ahead of print]


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VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENT MAY REDUCE THE RISK OF CERTAIN CANCERS

Researchers suggest that improving vitamin D status could reduce cancer incidence and mortality. Since it is difficult to get adequate vitamin D from foods alone, scientists suggest that a vitamin supplement may help raise vitamin D intakes to protective levels.

A recent published report concluded that vitamin D deficiency may account for several thousand premature cancer deaths annually.

The research team reviewed 63 studies on the relationship between vitamin D and certain types of cancer worldwide between 1966 and 2004. The majority of studies found a protective relationship between sufficient vitamin D status and lower risk of cancer, especially in cancers of the colon, breast, prostate and ovary.

Vitamin D is found in milk, as well as in some fortified orange juice, yogurt and cheeses, usually at around 100 international units (I.U.) a serving. Researchers suggested that people might want to consider a vitamin supplement to raise their overall intake to 1,000 I.U.s per day.

Taking more vitamin D could be especially important for people living in northern areas, which receive less vitamin D from sunshine.

American Journal of Public Health, Vol 96, No. 2 252-261 February (2006)

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