Family Medicine - News & Articles

Vitamin D supplementation decreases systemic inflammation in T2DM

In a 12-week randomized, controlled trial, ingestion of a vitamin D-fortified yogurt (170 mg calcium + 500 IU vitamin D/250 mL; n=50) twice daily decreased markers of inflammation compared with placebo yogurt (170 mg calcium; n=50). Compared with baseline measures, the 25(OH)D levels were increased and the TNF-alpha, IL-6, hsCRP, SAA, and IL-10 levels were decreased in the group supplemented with vitamin D compared with the group that received placebo.

Mediterranean diet associated with decreased diabetes, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality

Researchers at the University of Palermo conducted a study involving 9109 subjects with a mean follow-up of 6.2 years which showed that the subjects who adhered to a Mediterranean diet had increased dietary fiber, decreased total dietary fat, and an increased intake of monosaturated-to-saturated fats. Further, the incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality was lower in the subjects who followed a Mediterranean diet.

Natalizumab superior to IFN-? 1a in MS patients

Based on a retrospective study conducted at the Federico II University (Naples), researchers have concluded that treatment of patients (n=84) with relapsing-remitting MS natalizumab for 12-24 months resulted in a greater reduction in disease activity (annualized relapse rate, .24 vs. .55, respectively) and disability progression than patients treated with INF-? 1a. The number of contrast-enhancing lesions was also less in the natalizumab-treated group.