A meta-analysis analyzing pooled data from 21 published studies, adds to the overall body of science supporting the link between increased dietary Lignan intake and protection/reduced risk of a wide range of conditions including most notably protection from breast cancer, prostate cancer, and reduced hair loss were cited as the mos. In fact increased intake of lignans may reduce a postmenopausal woman’s risk of breast cancer by about 15 per cent, says the new meta-analysis. Plant lignans, from sources such as flax seed are metabolised in the colon by microflora (healthy digestive bacteria) into enterodiol and enterolactone.

     Researchers from the Medicine Faculty Physiology Institute in Strasbourg, France tested the effects of the amino acid L-Arginine on heart transplant recipients. This is because the transplant patients have poor endurance due too poor blood flow and exercise capacity decreases after transplant. The poor blood flow is caused, at least in part, by dysfunction of the cells lining blood vessel walls.

Long-term, regular use of vitamin E in women 45 years of age and older may help decrease the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by about 10 per cent in both smokers and non-smokers, according to a US study. The researchers, based at Cornell University and Brigham and Women's Hospital, presented their findings at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in New Orleans this week and they say their results show that vitamin E could be used as part of a new preventive strategy for COPD in women. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus (the slimy substance), wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms, with cigarette smoking being the leading cause.

    According to the November 2007 issue of the journal Clinical Calcium Vitamin K2 has gained status in treating or preventing osteoporosis according to the 2006 version of the guideline for prophylaxis and treatment of osteoporosis. According to the guidelines Vitamin K2 may be used currently with other drugs in the treatment of osteoporosis. The vitamin obtained grade B status for preventing both hip and spine fractures and for improving bone mineral density.