Vitamin C: a new look

Article Abstract:

A recent conference examined vitamin C and its importance to health. Vitamin C is necessary for the body to produce carnitine, which is used in energy production. Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant, which is a class of substances that may play an important role in preventing cancer, heart disease, and eye disease. Effective immune function requires vitamin C. Of 75 studies that were reviewed, which dealt with the relationship of vitamin C and cancer, 54 found that people with a higher dietary intake of vitamin C had a reduced risk of developing cancer. Vitamin C has been found to increase the effectiveness of some cancer therapies, and to reduce the toxic side effects of others. Clearly, vitamin C must be studied further to better determine its role in health and cancer prevention, and what dose is appropriate. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Physiological aspects, Nutritional aspects, Vitamin C, Vitamin C deficiency, Vitamin C in human nutrition, editorial

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Elevated methylmalonic acid and total homocysteine levels show high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency after gastric surgery

Article Abstract:

People who have had stomach surgery may be likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency, which should be diagnosed and treated rapidly to avoid circulatory and neurological complications. Researchers analyzed levels of folates, vitamin B12, and its metabolic products methylmalonic acid and homocysteine in 61 people who had stomach surgery and in 107 people who had not had surgery. Vitamin B12 deficiency occurred in 19 (31%) of the people with surgery and 2 (2%) of the those without surgery. In the 15 people who received treatment, elevated levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine decreased, confirming the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency. All people who have had stomach surgery should have their vitamin B12 levels regularly monitored and should receive vitamin therapy if those levels are below 221 picomoles per liter.

Demographic aspects, Surgery, Stomach, Vitamin B12 deficiency

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Correction of excessive anticoagulation with low-dose oral vitamin K(sub)1

Article Abstract:

Vitamin K can be used to correct excessive anticoagulation, which can increase the risk of bleeding if not corrected. An international normalized ratio (INR) greater than 5.0 is an indication of excessive anticoagulation. INR values were analyzed after 81 patients with INR's greater than 5.0 but no evidence of severe bleeding were treated with vitamin K during the cancellation of one to two warfarin treatments. Vitamin K treatment lowered the INR values from between 5.0 and 10.0 to below 5.0 in 96% of the patients.

Care and treatment, Blood clotting disorders, Blood coagulation disorders, Anticoagulants (Medicine), Anticoagulants, Vitamin K

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