One of the largest health studies to date, the Women's Health Study enrolled over 30,000 women to study various relationships between dietary and nutrient factors and disease. A cohort study within the Women's Health Study examined the relationship (if any) between essential fatty acids and dry eye syndrome. The results of the study were published in the October issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005).

The cohort study involved 32,470 women from the Women's Health Study. Out of these 4.7% had dry eye syndrome diagnosed by self report and clinical symptoms. Fatty acid intake was assessed using food frequency questionnaires. Relative intakes of omega three and omega six fatty acids were analyzed and compared to incidence of dry eye syndrome.

The study found that a higher ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids increases the risk of developing dry eye syndrome. A high intake of omega 3 fatty acids was associated with a lower risk, and specifically intake of tuna was inversely associated with dry eye syndrome.

The results of this study supports the previously held belief that omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and may modulate autoimmune disease. There is still some question about the overlap between autoimmune disease and inflammation. Foods higher in omega 3 fatty acids such as fish, flax, and seeds may decrease ones risk for developing dry eye syndrome. This can also be balanced by eating foods high in omega 6 fatty acids less often, namely animal meats.

Organophosphate pesticides are used on conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. Previous studies suggests that organophosphate pesticides may be linked to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Now research reports that children's ADHD risk may be associated with pesticide exposure before birth. This suggests that pesticides may affect a fetus' developing nervous system. 

The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, examined the association between pesticide exposure during pregnancy and ADHD in children. Researchers at University of California Berkeley's Center for Children's Environmental Health analyzed data of 348 Mexican-American pregnant women and their children living in California Salinas Valley agricultural community. Urine samples were obtained from the pregnant women and tested for pesticide residue. ADHD questionnaires and tests were obtained from the children born to the pregnant women at ages 3 1/2 and 5.

The researchers found the highest association between pesticides and ADHD among the 5 year olds. Furthermore, ADHD risk increased with the highest levels of pesticide residue in women's urine. The risk of ADHD increased 5 times in children for every 10 time increase in women's pesticide residue. 

"In utero DAPs [dialkyl phosphate] were associated adversely with attention in young children as assessed by maternal report, psychometrician observation, and direct assessment," the study authors write. "These associations were more robust at 5 than 3½ years and stronger in boys."

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Researchers in Poland published a study in June 2005 that measured the in vitro effects of lactobacillus against activity of Candida species. The study was aimed at determining the relationship between the two organisms as well as proving the effectiveness of lactobacillus to prevent vaginal candidiasis. The mechanism of action was also investigated.

Investigators measured the cell adhesion properties of lactobacillus. Production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by lactobacillus was also measured. (Candida species are sensitive to H202.)

The study showed that several strains of lactobacillus had high cell adhesion properties and prohibited the growth of Candida albicans, but not Candida pseudotropicalis. Candida ablican is the most common organism responsible for yeast infections. The mechanism of action in these lactobacillus strains was due in part to H2O2 production, but an alternative mechanism was suggested for two reasons. First, catalase, which inhibits H2O2 production, did not decrease effectiveness. And second, Candida strains were tested for resistance to H2O2 and found very resistant.

The investigators conclude that lactobacillus is effective at limiting growth of Candida. It may be a possible treatment alternative as well as prophylaxis. The mechanism is due in part to H202, but some other role is in effect. Further in vivo studies are needed to determine the true efficacy for treatment of vaginal Candida.

Natural decline in bone mineral density is thought to be affected by oxidative stress. Antioxidant minerals and vitamins such as selenium, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C can reduce the amount of oxidative stress in the body. Researchers investigated a possible association between bone mineral density and antioxidant and mineral status in the Women's Health Initiative Study.

The results were published this September in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A total of 11, 068 women participated in the study that measured bone mineral density, dietary intake of antioxidants (A, C, E, selenium, and beta carotene), antioxidant supplement use. A smaller subset of women had serum concentrations of carotenoids, retinoids, and tocopherols measured and used in analysis.

They found that antioxidant intake was not independently related to bone mineral density. Increased or decreased intake of Vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, or selenium was not associated with any changes in bone mineral density. One interaction, statistically significant, was found in women who used hormone replacement. The analysis showed that Vitamin C intake and hormone therapy was associated with a greater bone mineral density in the femoral neck, total body, and spine.

The authors conclude that antioxidant vitamin and mineral intake is not an independent therapeutic marker for bone mineral density. However, a significant relationship was found between Vitamin C and bone mineral density in a subset of women who were taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The authors state that this relationship needs to be explored further in order to offer therapeutic recommendations.

Previous research has shown that calcium supplementation alone, and with Vitamin D, can improve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in July investigated the effect, if any, of Vitamin D3 supplementation in African American postmenopausal women who are receiving adequate calcium.

The study enrolled 208 healthy postmenopausal women of African American background. They were between the ages of 50 and 75 years old. They were ensured a total calcium intake between 1200 and 1500mg/day. The women were randomized to two groups; the treatment group received 20mcg/day (800 IU) of Vitamin D3, versus placebo. After 2 years the amount of D3 was increased to 50mcg/day. Bone mineral density was measured at 6 month intervals. Other outcome measures included concentration of Vitamin d metabolites, parathyroid hormone, and markers of bone mineral turnover in the blood.

At completion of the study (3 years later) bone mineral density was compared between the two groups. There were no statistical differences throughout the study. The researcher also found no relationship between the rate of bone turnover and the levels of Vitamin D. There was no difference in bone turnover markers, parathyroid hormone between the groups as well. NO adverse effects were observed due to Vitamin D supplementation.

In conclusion, the addition of Vitamin D to the treatment regimen of postmenopausal African American women receiving adequate nutrition provided no additional health benefit. No effect was observed on bone mineral density or markers of bone turnover. Further studies are needed to determine if these results can be applied to women of other ethic backgrounds. As a race, African American women tend to be less at risk for osteoporosis. Caucasian and Asian women are at greater risk for developing the disease.

A common problem that can occur with preterm delivery and hospital stay is insufficient production of milk by the mother. In that case the current recommendation is supplementation of mother's milk with preterm formula. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics in August compared the outcomes of preterm infants given mothers milk to those given donor milk or preterm formula.

The study enrolled infants born at less than 30 weeks gestation. A total of 243 infants were enrolled, 70 received only mother's milk. The remaining infants were randomized to receive either pasteurized donors milk or preterm formula. A total of 81 infants did the donors milk and 92 received preterm formulas. The study was conducted from delivery to 90 days or hospital discharge, which ever is the lesser. Outcome measures included rates of infection, hospital stay, growth, LOS, NEC, meningitis, urinary tract infection, and skin to skin contact.

The study showed that there were no differences between LOS, NEC, hospital stay, growth and rates of infection between the groups given donor's milk or preterm formula, however infants given only mother's milk had lower rates of LOS, NEC and infection. The group receiving donor's milk had a lower rate of growth, even though they received more food and nutritional supplementation on an average.

The authors concluded that for preterm infants born before 30 weeks gestation donor milk offered little advantage over preterm formula with mothers milk could not be the sole source of nutrition. Mother's milk is still the superior food source for preterm infants to insure proper growth and decreased rates of infection.

For years researchers have been working to create an "invisible condom" for women to prevent HIV infection. Now research reports a scientific breakthrough with a vaginal gel that helps prevent HIV and herpes infections in women. The vaginal microbicide gel contains 1% tenofovir, an antiretroviral drug used in HIV treatment. Researchers estimate that the gel can reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 40 percent, preventing millions of new HIV infections worldwide.

The  double-blind placebo-controlled study, presented at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria, examined the effectiveness of tenofovir vaginal gel on women at high risk for HIV infection. Researchers at the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), administered tenofovir gel or a placebo to 889 sexually active and HIV-negative women (ages 18 to 40) living in urban and rural sites in South Africa. All of the women were counseled on application of the vaginal gel, safe sex and condom use.

 The researchers found that the tenofovir group had a 39 percent decreased risk of HIV infection, compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, the tenofovir group had a 51 percent decreased risk of genital herpes infection. However, there was some evidence that the gel may become less effective over time. A larger study is currently underway.

"Tenofovir gel could fill an important HIV prevention gap by empowering women who are unable to successfully negotiate mutual faithfulness or condom use with their male partners," says researcher Dr. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Associate Director of CAPRISA and Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University, in a news release. "This new technology has the potential to alter the course of the HIV epidemic, especially in southern Africa where young women bear the brunt of this devastating disease."

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Although there is no cure for AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), natural nutrients can promote immune health and nutritional support for AIDS and HIV infection.

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Early puberty may be associated with obesity or exposure to artificial chemicals in food and plastic products that interfere with sexual development. Previous research suggests that early puberty may increase the risk of cancer and heart disease in adulthood. Now research reports that early puberty may be linked to more meat in children's diets. Worldwide, more girls have been reaching puberty before the age of 10.

The study, published in Public Health Nutrition, investigated the association between diet and age of menarche (menstruation onset). Researchers at the University of Brighton, UK analyzed data of 3298 girls at ages three and seven years, enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Food frequency questionnaires and food diaries were obtained from the participants. 

The researchers found 49 percent of girls eating meat more than 12 times per week at 7 years old had started their periods by age 12 1/2, compared with 35 percent of those eating meat less than four times a week. Furthermore, girls with the highest meat consumption at 3 and 7 years old were more likely to reach puberty by age 12.

"These data suggest that higher intakes of protein and meat in early to mid-childhood may lead to earlier menarche," the study authors write. "This may have implications for the lifetime risk of breast cancer and osteoporosis." 

Progressive Health's Balance Point for Women is a comprehensive multivitamin and nutrient formula specially designed to support women's health. It features 40 nutrients including vitamins, minerals, hormone helpers, antioxidant protectors, bone protectors, skin, hair and nail builders, and vision helpers.

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