2008 round-up: This year’s top five science

Taking top spot for the year’s most read article was our coverage of the second arm of the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT II). Researchers, led by Allen Sawitzke from the University of Utah, School of Medicine in Salt Lake City reported in September that supplements of chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine, alone or in combination, may not positively affect joint health.

Almost 400 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee participated in the 24-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The findings were published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism​.

However, the study’s findings were dismissed by the industry as meaningless. Limitations admitted by the researchers included a smaller than expected number of participants, large variations in measurements, and slower decline in the knee joint.

To read our full coverage of GAIT II, please click here​. To read reaction to the study, please click here​.

Antioxidants questioned​

Another controversial study came in at number two of most read science articles for 2008. A meta-analysis of 67 randomised trials with antioxidant supplements has reported that vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene may increase mortality risk by up to 16 per cent.

The meta-analysis was published in the prestigious Cochrane Systematic Review​, and was essentially a republishing of results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association​ (2007, Vol. 297, pp. 842-857) last year.

The original study attracted criticism from both inside and outside of the dietary supplements industry.

"The findings of our review show that if anything, people in trial groups given the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E showed increased rates of mortality. There was no indication that vitamin C and selenium may have positive or negative effects. So regarding these antioxidants we need more data from randomised trials,"​ said lead author Goran Bjelakovic from the Copenhagen Trial Unit at the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark.

The meta-analysis was slammed for several reasons, most notably for excluding 405 clinical trails because they did not report any mortality in the study groups.

To read our full coverage of the antioxidant meta-analysis, please click here​.

Amazing omega-3​

The third most popular science article was “Science: Is omega-3 omnipotent?”​, which formed part of our omega-3 news focus. NutraIngredients.com reviewed the science behind the omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) from marine sources, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 n-3) from plants like flax.

The review also covered the main health areas with the strongest science, including cardiovascular health, cognitive performance and reducing the rate of age-related cognitive decline, improved mood and behaviour, reduced risks of certain cancers, improved eye health, and benefits to mother and child.

To read our full review, please click here​.

Shining the light on death​

Fourth on the top five list was taken by our coverage of how low levels of vitamin D may increase the risk of death. A study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, reported that low levels of the vitamin may increase the risk of death by 26 per cent.

Over 13,000 initially healthy men and women took part in the study.

“This is the first study, to our knowledge, to explore the association between 25(OH)D levels and mortality in the general population,”​ wrote the authors, led by Michal Melamed from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

“Further observational studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish the mechanisms underlying these observations. If confirmed, randomized clinical trials will be needed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation at higher doses could have any potential benefit in reducing future mortality risk in those with 25(OH)D deficiency,”​ they added.

To read our full coverage, please click here​.

Gut health and obesity​

Bringing the top five to a close, was the article “Gut microflora and obesity - Nestle expands the possibilities”​. Researchers from the Nestlé Research Center reported in May that modification of the population of bacteria in the gut may improve the regulation of glycemic control and reverse the insulin resistance that occurs with obesity.

An enhancement of oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity was observed in obese, diabetic animals following administration of antibiotics to modify the gut microflora, according to results published in the FASEB​ Journal​.

The results build on earlier reports from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, Missouri, and suggest a potential role for food-based approaches to modify gut microflora in obese people.

"The next questions for Nestlé Research to answer are: Is there a gut microbiota profile that lowers the risk of obesity and diabetes development? And can we modulate gut microbiota accordingly, with food-based interventions, to improve metabolic regulation and glucose control?"​ said Dr. Chieh Jason Chou from Nestlé Research.

To read our full coverage of the Nestlé study, please click here​.