Oral Steroids Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency FRIDAY, Sept. 30 (HealthDay News) -- People taking oral steroids double their risk for severe vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to bone disease or muscle weakness, a new study indicates. [News Source]

Low vitamin B linked to cognition problems CHICAGO, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Older people with low levels of vitamin B12 in their blood may become more likely to lose brain cells and develop cognition problems, U.S. researchers suggest. [News Source]

Low vitamin D levels may damage lungs, promote severe asthma: Study Could boosting vitamin D improve lung function for asthmatic children? "This study clearly demonstrates that low levels of vitamin D are associated with poorer lung function, increased use of medication, worse symptoms and an increase in the mass of airway smooth muscle in children with STRA," said lead author Atul Gupta, MD, from the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) at Imperial College ... [News Source]

Chris Christie’s big problem. Gov. Chris Christie’s problem with weight ceased being a private matter when he stepped into the public arena. Obesity is a national epidemic whose costs are measured not just in dollars and cents but also in lives. [News Source]

Sugar is toxic and should be regulated. The obesity epidemic just gets worse and people are looking for answers. Diet and exercise don't work and the idea that obesity is about personal responsibility has come into question. Many people have said sugar is bad, but they didn't supply the biochemistry. I supplied that. [News Source]

Fetal attraction: bisphenol A buildup in the womb? A rodent study finds that bisphenol A (BPA) levels were higher in the fetus during earlier parts of pregnancy when compared to the mother and newborns. While BPA exposure is widespread, scientists continue to debate its toxicity and human health risks. [News Source]

Diet panel could seek to pin blame in Fukushima disaster. The Diet will set up a panel effectively authorized to clarify responsibility of key individuals in the Fukushima nuclear disaster, such as former Prime Minister Naoto Kan and executives of Tokyo Electric Power Co. [News Source]

As cantaloupe plague shows, can food always be safe?. Whether it's sprouts or spinach, turkey or hamburger; whether the government conducted double, triple or quadruple inspections, the truth is that no food will ever be completely free of risk. [News Source]

Eating your greens alters your genes. A landmark study suggests that Brussels sprouts - along with rice, broccoli and possibly all the plants you eat - changes the behaviour of your genes in ways that are new to science. [News Source]

Epigenetic clue to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Twin studies have shown that people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have changes in gene activity caused by their environment. The finding provides the strongest evidence yet that such gene changes might cause the conditions. [News Source]

Fetal attraction: bisphenol A buildup in the womb? A rodent study finds that bisphenol A (BPA) levels were higher in the fetus during earlier parts of pregnancy when compared to the mother and newborns.While BPA exposure is widespread, scientists continue to debate its toxicity and human health risks. [News Source]

S&P upgrades Vitamin Shoppe Standard & Poor's Ratings Services upgraded its rating on Vitamin Shoppe Inc. and said it expects the specialty retailer to continue its trend of rising profits and sales. [News Source]