“10 ways to boost your metabolism.” “9 foods that lift your mood.” ”15 supplements to boost your immune system.” People love lists. So do websites eager to grab eyeballs. Only one problem: Much of the advice isn’t based on solid science. Here are some examples.
Roughly 20 percent of women and 4 percent of men aged 50 or older have osteoporosis, or brittle bones. Another 50 percent of women and 30 percent of men 50 or older have osteopenia, or low bone mass. Here’s what you can do to protect your bones.
Getting enough vitamin D is essential for preventing osteoporosis (or brittle bones), but in recent years, scientists have tested whether it can prevent or treat other diseases. Here’s a roundup of some recent findings.
“Bone health,” says CVS brand vitamin D, which comes in five doses—400 IU, 1,000 IU, 2,000 IU, 5,000 IU, and 10,000 IU.
Whoa. The Recommended Dietary Allowance is only 600 IU a day up to age 70 and 800 IU over 70.
Do your bones need doses in the thousands?
The VITAL trial randomly assigned 25,871 people to take 2,000 IU of vitamin D or a placebo every day for five years. Roughly 770 of the participants had their bone mineral density tested when they entered the study and again after two years.
With science news laser-focused on the coronavirus pandemic, research on other topics has taken a back seat. Here are some recent study results that may come as a surprise.
How to strengthen your immunity during the coronavirus pandemic,” promised the CNN.com headline in March. ABC’s “Good Morning America” told viewers how to “supercharge your immune system.”
As the coronavirus swept the nation, one media outlet after another recommended stocking up on red bell peppers, broccoli, oranges, and other fresh fruits and vegetables. That’s good advice, but it may lead people to do the right thing for the wrong reason.
Can vitamin D, omega-3 fats, or other nutrients ward off depression, as many labels imply?
"Support" claims are rarely backed by good evidence.
“All kinds of supplements claim to boost your mood or prevent depression,” says Marjolein Visser, professor of nutrition and health at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam.
Her MooDFOOD trial tested a supplement with five nutrients: omega-3s (1,060 milligrams of EPA + 350 mg of DHA), selenium (30 micrograms), folic acid (400 mcg), and vitamin D (20 mcg) plus calcium (100 mg).
Visser and her team randomly assigned 1,025 overweight or obese adults to take either the supplement or a placebo every day. All had depressive symptoms but had not been diagnosed with full clinical depression.
