In one of the first studies to examine the relationship between diet and brain lesions, researchers observed that elderly people who reported higher calcium and vitamin D intake were much more likely to have greater volumes of brain lesions -- regions of damage that can increase risk of cognitive impairment.

"Our finding of a relationship between brain lesions and consumption of both calcium and vitamin D raises the question about a possible down side to high intakes of these nutrients," Dr. Martha E. Payne of Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, told Reuters Health.

Higher intakes of calcium and vitamin D have been promoted in recent years as a way to prevent bone loss with aging. "We are concerned that some of this extra calcium may end up in the blood vessel walls rather than the bone. This may be a particular problem for individuals with renal disease since calcium excretion may be impaired," Payne said.

The research team assessed calcium and vitamin D intakes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans in 232 elderly men and women. All of the subjects displayed some brain lesions of varying sizes but those reporting the highest intakes of calcium and vitamin D were significantly more likely to have higher total volume of brain lesions as measured across several MRI scans.

These positive associations remained significant in two separate "multivariable models" controlling for age, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and depression. In one model containing both calcium and vitamin D, only vitamin D remained significantly positively associated with brain lesion volume.

"We cannot conclude that calcium or vitamin D caused the brain lesions that we found," Payne said. "However, we hypothesize that our findings may be due to vascular calcification, whereby calcium is taken up into the blood vessel walls."

"A longitudinal study," Payne concludes, "is urgently needed in order to determine if calcium and vitamin D lead to vascular calcification and brain lesions in the long term." She reported the study findings at a meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, part of Experimental Biology 2007 in Washington, DC.

The arrival of May means the official start of summer is just over a month away! As we creep closer and closer to the most anticipated season of the year, get yourself ready with our 10 suggestions for ways to enjoy the month of May.

Decorate with May flowers
Did you know that May's birth flower is the lily of the valley? These delicate beauties produce a rich and aromatic fragrance that'll add a pleasant hint of springtime freshness to your home.

Clean out the garage
Let's face it: cleaning out the garage isn't exactly a high priority on the endless list of household tasks. But it does need to be tackled at some point. Set aside a sunny Saturday afternoon and approach the job with relentless rigour. Don't let the garage continue to be the final resting place for items you no longer like, want or use. Have bags ready for items that are to be discarded and boxes (which you'll label, of course!) ready for items that need better storage. Be ruthless; decide what to keep and what to throw out or donate.

Fire up the grill
Kick off the month of May with a barbecue for friends and family. Invite the gang over and indulge in favourite summertime treats -- hot dogs, hamburgers, even some of your favourite vegetables can be grilled for fantastic flavour. Check out our recipe section for tasty and delicious meals.

Go for evening walks
The cold weather is finally behind us for another season, and it's time to come out of hibernation. Throw open your windows and let the fresh spring air dance through your home. Even better? Every evening, go for a brisk walk and inhale that fresh air. Try to take your walk as far away from high-traffic and highly polluted areas as possible. Seek out less congested areas, like parks or countryside. If you're lucky enough to live near an ocean coast, a lakeshore or the mountains, take advantage of the opportunity to stroll in these beautiful areas that tend to have purer air than in a city centre.