Showing Results for Balance
Clinical Updates (18)
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4/28/2017
Vitamin D for Muscle and Balance?
Why did a recent study show that both high and low-dose vitamin D didn't improve muscle strength or balance in women despite the fact that other studies have shown vitamin D to help? The likely answer has to do with the vitamin D status (i.e., blood levels) of the people chosen to participate in these studies. To find out what you should do to improve your balance and reduce your chance of falling, see the "Muscle, Balance and Falls" section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review >>
9/30/2012
Do Spreads Lower Heart Risk?
Buttery spreads like Smart Balance and Benecol claim to lower the risk of heart disease due to their phytosterols/stanols. These plant compounds can certainly help (by lowering cholesterol levels), but recent lawsuits challenge whether Smart Balance and Benecol provide enough sterols/stanols to claim a benefit. It turns out that one may, and one may not. Find out more and get our quality ratings of cholesterol-lowering supplements in the updated Cholesterol-Lowering Supplements Review >>
6/02/2018
Melatonin and Balance
If you take melatonin, be aware that it can potentially affect balance for a period of time, as demonstrated in a recent study. For details, see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.
7/24/2018
Vitamin D and Leg Muscle Strength
Giving a moderate amount of vitamin D to women deficient in vitamin D was shown to improve leg muscle strength. A much higher dose did not. Get the details, including dosage, and learn about vitamin D for strength and balance in the Muscle, Balance, and Falls section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks among vitamin D supplements.)
12/25/2018
Vitamin D for Muscle
Vitamin D increased muscle mass in older men and women with low levels of vitamin D in a recent study. Get the details in the Muscle, balance and falls section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.)
12/07/2019
Vitamin D & Muscle
If you are looking to increase muscle mass, make sure you're getting adequate vitamin D. Raising deficient levels has been shown to increase muscle in seniors, and more recently, in men and women in their 40s. For details see the Muscle, balance and falls section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.
11/26/2017
Signs of B12 Deficiency
B12 deficiency is not uncommon, most often affecting older people. Symptoms include anemia, fatigue, tingling in the arms and legs and loss of balance -- but a recent case report highlights a lesser-known sign of B12 deficiency. Find out more, plus how much B12 you should get in the "B12" section of the B Vitamins Review >> (Also see our Top Picks for vitamin B12 and other B vitamins.)
3/11/2012
Strength Improves with Vitamin D
A review of 13 studies found that vitamin D supplements may improve balance and muscle strength, but not gait, among older individuals. See the update to the Vitamin D Supplements Review for details, including dosage. More >>
9/02/2015
Vitamin D Increases Strength
A recently published review of clinical studies found that supplementing with vitamin D can improve muscle strength in young, healthy men and women. This has also been found in older individuals and may relate to the fact that vitamin D receptors occur in skeletal muscle. However, this benefit may be limited to vitamin D deficient individuals. Get the details in the "Muscle, balance and falls" section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review >>
6/23/2018
Vitamin D for Strength?
Muscles contain vitamin D receptors, but does giving high-dose vitamin D to women deficient in vitamin D improve their muscle strength? Get the answer in the recent update to the Muscle, balance and falls section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review.
12/09/2020
Too Much Vitamin D
A 2-year study suggests risks with vitamin D at daily doses of 1,000 IU and higher. Get the details in the Muscle, balance and falls section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.
6/15/2021
Vitamin D May Increase the Risk of Fractures from Falls
Taking doses of vitamin D above the RDA when not necessary may increase the risk of first-time falls with fractures, according to a recent analysis. Get the details in the Muscle, Balance and Falls section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for low, moderate and high-dose vitamin D supplements.
8/10/2021
Vitamin D & Risk of Falls
A recent study showed that high-dose vitamin D may increase the risk of falls for certain people. Get the details in the Muscle, Balance, and Falls section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review.
2/16/2019
Energy Drinks & Aggression
Are people who frequently consume energy drinks (like 5-hour Energy) more likely to be aggressive or have mental health problems? Learn what a new study found, and learn more about the pros and cons of energy drinks in the Energy Drinks section of the B Vitamin Supplements Review.
11/17/2014
Keep Energy Drinks Away from Kids
It was reported this week that 40% of calls to poison centers for "energy drink exposure" involved children under age 6, many of whom experienced serious side effects. For more about this and other concerns with energy drinks, as well as our test results for popular products, see the B Vitamins & Energy Drinks Review >>
11/18/2012
Caution with Energy Drinks
The FDA has released reports showing deaths and other serious adverse events associated with the use of energy drinks like 5-hour Energy. As ConsumerLab.com reported in September, these small "shot" drinks can pack more caffeine than 2 cups of regular coffee. While the caffeine can keep you alert, there are a number of concerns to bear in mind and suggestions on how to more safely use these drinks. Learn more in the update to our B Vitamins and Energy Drinks Review. More >>
10/08/2014
Energy Drinks: Athletic Performance & Side Effects
A recent study found that a caffeinated energy drink improved athletes' self-perceived muscle power, but also increased insomnia and nervousness. Get the details in the update to the B Vitamin Supplements and Energy Drinks Review >>
2/10/2021
Energy Drinks and Blood Pressure
Which people are more likely to have cardiovascular side effects from energy drinks? Find out what a new study showed in the Energy Drinks & Shots section of our B Vitamins Supplements Review.
