Skip to main content

Pregnant women with elevated blood pressure may be low in zinc

Pregnant women with elevated blood pressure may be low in zincZinc is involved in numerous physiological functions, some of which are important for pregnancy and fetal development. However, zinc deficiencies are common, especially in developing countries. Vegans are also at increased risk because it is difficult for the body to absorb zinc from a plant-based diet. Zinc deficiency in connection with pregnancy appears to increase the expecting mother’s risk of developing hypertension, and the elevated blood pressure may result in low birth weight and a low Apgar score, which is a health assessment of the baby in the minutes right after delivery. This was shown in a study that is published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

Read more about why pregnant women with hypertension may lack zinc

  • Created on .

Canker sores may be related to a vitamin D deficiency

Canker sores may be related to a vitamin D deficiencyAround 25 percent of adults have had canker sores, also referred to as recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The condition is characterized by painful, superficial sores, and we don’t know all that much about what causes it or how to treat it. However, according to a meta-analysis that is published in Frontiers in Nutrition, a possible cause may be low blood levels of vitamin D, a nutrient with a key role in oral health and immune defense.

Read more about the link between mouth blisters and lack of vitamin D

  • Created on .

Q10’s protective effect against neurological diseases

Q10’s protective effect against neurological diseasesNeurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, migraine, and fibromyalgia are rather common. These conditions are a result of imbalances in the nervous system, and they are often insidious. In a new review article that is published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, researchers have studied Q10’s role in the different neurological disorders. The reason for this is that Q10 is important for cellular energy turnover and serves as an antioxidant that protects the circulatory system and the nerve cells against oxidative damage. As we grow older, our endogenous Q10 synthesis decreases, and certain diseases and medical drugs also impair the body’s Q10 synthesis.

Read more about how Q10 protects against neurological diseases

  • Created on .

There is an inverse relation between omega-3 fatty acids and ALS

There is an inverse relation between omega-3 fatty acids and ALSALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a potentially life-threatening disease that affects the spinal cord and the motor nerves of the brain. The disease is incurable but according to an American study that is published in Neurology, it progresses at a slower rate in patients with a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids from different dietary sources.

Read more about the link between omega-3 fatty acids and ALS

  • Created on .

Poor fertility and miscarriages may be a result of too little vitamin D

Poor fertility and miscarriages may be a result of too little vitamin DImpaired fertility and involuntary childlessness are common in the Nordic countries and there can be a number of reasons for these serious problems. However, according to a large Finnish study that is published in Nutrients, vitamin D deficiency, which is a widespread problem, may increase women’s risk of fertility problems and cause them to have a miscarriage.

Read more about why lack of vitamin D may cause impaired fertility and miscarriage

  • Created on .

Oily fish and fish oil supplements benefit the health of your lungs

Oily fish and fish oil supplements benefit the health of your lungsMost chronic pulmonary diseases – including asthma, bronchitis, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) – are characterized by chronic inflammation that makes both the symptoms and the prognosis worse. Fish and fish oil supplements contain specific omega-3 fatty acids that appear to have an anti-inflammatory effect and may therefore be useful as both prevention and therapy for chronic pulmonary diseases. This was demonstrated in a large American population study that also included Europeans. What the researchers also mention is that people who fail to meet the official guidelines for fish consumption are often at increased risk of developing chronic lung diseases.

Read more about how oily fish and fish oil supplements boost pulmonary health

  • Created on .

Stress leads to magnesium deficiency

- which lowers your stress threshold and threatens your health

Stress leads to magnesium deficiencyStress and magnesium deficiency are widespread problems in the general population. It’s a vicious cycle that increases the risk of fatigue, headaches, constipation, nervousness, insomnia, infections, depression, metabolic syndrome, and a number of physical and mental diseases. In a review article that is published in Nutrients, the authors look closer at magnesium’s key role in the body’s physiological stress response. They also address the fact that stress increases the need for magnesium. Moreover, nutrient-depleted soil, unhealthy diets, too much coffee, alcohol, and calcium plus certain types of medicine, intensive sport, menopause, and ageing increase the need for magnesium even more.

Read more about how stress leads to magnesium deficiency that lowers your stress threshold and threatens your health

  • Created on .

Vitamin D during pregnancy and overweight in boys

Vitamin D during pregnancy and overweight in boysDuring a woman’s pregnancy, vitamin D is important for the growth, development, and general health of the baby. Apparently, maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of boys developing more fat tissue during their first years of life, which makes them more prone to overweight in childhood and later in life. This was reported in a Spanish population study that is published in Nutrients. Because both overweight and vitamin D deficiency are so widespread, it is essential for pregnant women to make sure as a minimum to follow the official recommendations for vitamin D supplementation. Also, there is no read to avoid sun exposure because sunshine is our primary vitamin D source during the summer period. Just make sure not to get a sunburn.

Read more about vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and overweight in boys

  • Created on .

Fish oil supplements as a new strategy in heart failure

Fish oil supplements as a new strategy in heart failureHeart failure is a disease with a variety of different symptoms and a high mortality rate because the heart’s pumping function is impaired. Heart failure is also characterized by chronic inflammation that worsens the prognosis. Apparently, fish oil supplementation can reduce chronic inflammation, according to a meta-analysis that is published in Heart Failure Reviews. In fact, eating more omega-3 fatty acids from fish and different plant sources can improve survival in heart failure.

Read more about fish oil supplements as a new strategy in heart failure

  • Created on .

Dietary advice for overweight children

- with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Dietary advice for overweight children Weight-challenged children and teenagers have grown to become a global health threat, and the problem became even worse during the corona pandemic. Overweight is linked to a number of health problems, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that sets the stage for type 2 diabetes and other serious ailments. In a new review article that is published in Nutrients, researchers look closer at how a carbohydrate-restricted diet or the traditional Mediterranean diet can help to counteract the development of overweight and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Also, supplementation with vitamin E, vitamin D, fish oil, and probiotics can block the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver via different metabolic parameters.

Read more about dietary advice and supplements for overweight children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

  • Created on .

Antioxidants protect against several types of diabetes

Antioxidants protect against several types of diabetesAntioxidants such as vitamins C and E are known to be inversely related to type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease. In a new Swedish study that is published in Nutrients, scientists have found that vitamin E also protects against type 1,5 diabetes, which is similar to type 1 and type 2 diabetes because it involves both autoimmune reactions and insulin resistance. The scientists list different foods that are rich in vitamin E and also describe how vitamin E protects the pancreas against autoimmune attacks and oxidative stress.

Read more about antioxidants and how they protect against diabetes

  • Created on .

Hypothyroidism can be helped with selenium

Hypothyroidism can be helped with seleniumHashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common underlying cause of hypothyroidism. It is characterized by extreme fatigue, weight gain, and a number of other symptoms. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition where antibodies attack the thyroid gland. Many people who get treatment for their disease don’t improve, on the contrary. According to a meta-analysis published in Medicine, however, selenium supplementation appears to be able to reduce the autoimmune reactions and the body’s production of the different antibodies. Selenium helps control the thyroid function but also serves as an antioxidant that protects the thyroid gland against oxidative stress.

Read more about how to improve hypothyroidism with selenium supplements

  • Created on .

In insulin resistance, more magnesium and potassium can shrink fat deposits

In insulin resistance, more magnesium and potassium can shrink fat depositsDiabetes and its precursor, metabolic syndrome, are characterized by insulin resistance and overweight. According to a Chinese study that is published in Frontiers in Nutrition, increased intake of magnesium and potassium helps reduce the fat deposits. The authors mention that both nutrients help regulate unstable blood sugar and other metabolic disturbances that are seen with diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Read more about how more magnesium and potassium can reduce body fat in people with insulin resistance

  • Created on .