Magnesium supports hundreds of different enzyme processes that are involved in energy turnover, sugar metabolism, nerves, and several other basic functions. Unfortunately, magnesium deficiency is rather common and more and more studies suggest that this may be related to a host of metabolic disturbances such as overweight, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and chronic low-grade inflammation that is seen in connection with most chronic diseases. On the other and, it appears that high intake of magnesium from the diet or from supplements may help. In a new review article that is published in Nutrients, the authors look at magnesium deficiency and its role in the development of metabolic disorders. They also look at factors such as nutrient-depleted farmland, unhealthy diets, poor nutrient uptake, insulin resistance, the use of medicine, alcohol abuse, and stress that can potentially result in a magnesium deficiency.

Folic acid is of vital importance to fetal development which is why pregnant women have a much higher need for this nutrient. Although the Danish health authorities recommend that pregnant take folic acid supplements, some get started too late and others forget to take their supplements. In other countries, it is common practice to enrich flour with folic acid but apparently, the added quantity is insufficient. According to a new British study, many pregnant women still don’t get enough folic acid, which increases their risk of giving birth to a baby with neural tube defects that can lead to severe disabilities. Lack of folic acid can also affect the child’s mental development. The British researchers therefore recommend adding more folic acid to fluor as a way of preventing the birth defects. It’s simple and inexpensive and would also be relevant for Denmark.

Several studies have shown a direct link between depression and lack of vitamin D, both of which are common problems. Vitamin D has numerous functions in the brain and nervous system and it helps counteract local inflammation that is often seen in connection with depression. According to a new Finish meta-analysis, high-dosed vitamin D supplementation can even ameliorate symptoms of depression. The question is how to optimize blood levels of the nutrient in order to prevent the disease.

Air pollution is a serious health threat that affects the entire world. Previous studies show that it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, among other things. We need new strategies for protection, and a recent Chinese study conveniently reveals that supplementation with vitamin C can protect the cardiovascular system against oxidative stress and other harmful impacts from air pollution. What we need to find out is how much vitamin C it takes to obtain a therapeutic effect.

Lack of vitamin D is a global health problem that increases mortality rates. At this point, many studies have shown that having adequate amounts of vitamin D in the blood can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death. In a new review article that is published in Nutrients, the authors look closer at vitamin D supplementation to see if it can prevent stroke and speed up rehabilitation. It is essential that vitamin D supplements have good bioavailability so they can optimize blood levels of the nutrient.

Many people suffer from chronic inflammation, which sets the stage for a host of diseases such as asthma, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, depression, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases. The presence of chronic inflammation may also make infections such as coronavirus and influenza potentially life-threatening by derailing the immune defense. According to a new study from the University of South Australia that is published in International Journal of Epidemiology, it appears that vitamin D can inhibit inflammation by way of different mechanisms, thereby reducing the risk of a variety of diseases and even premature death. The need for vitamin D varies from person to person. Also, it is essential to make sure that blood levels of the nutrient are optimal and that vitamin D is properly activated in the body.

- and other types of organ damage

Vitamin K occurs naturally in different forms. The vitamin is primarily known for its role in blood coagulation, but a team of German scientists has found a new type of vitamin K. This form serves as a very particular type of antioxidant that counteracts cell death caused by a process called ferroptosis. Because ferroptosis is involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, acute organ damage, and other diseases, the researchers see a whole new potential for vitamin K in the prevention and mitigation of ferroptosis-related ailments. Earlier studies even suggest that selenium-containing antioxidants also protect against cell death caused by ferroptosis.

Chromium is primarily known for its role in insulin utilization and blood sugar control. However, chromium is also important for macronutrient metabolism and the circulatory system. Chromium’s role in health has been debated and a group of scientists have looked closer at the link between low blood levels of chromium and global health burdens such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression. How do we get enough chromium from the diet and what supplements have the highest bioavailability?

Zinc is involved in numerous enzyme processes and proteins that are of importance to fertility and pregnancy. The nutrient also plays a role in fetal brain development and the child’s health later in life, according to a review article that is published in the scientific journal, Nutrients. The authors address the fact that zinc deficiencies are rather common and account for around 20 per cent of infant deaths, typically around the time of birth. It is therefore important to get plenty of zinc throughout life – especially for women before, during, and after pregnancy and while they breastfeed.

Several studies have revealed that B vitamins strengthen the nervous system and reduce symptoms of stress. However, very few studies have looked at how the individual B vitamins work. A new placebo-controlled study that is published in the science journal, Human Psychopharmacology, appears to show that high-dosed vitamin B6 boosts the body’s formation of a certain neurotransmitter that blocks the exchange of undesirable impulses between brain cells, and this has a calming effect. In addition, vitamin B6 seems to reduce symptoms of depression.

Poor wound healing, a somewhat common and well-known problem, especially among hospital patients, is associated with huge health costs. Proper wound healing is contingent upon on the presence of different nutrients, and it appears that the ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is particularly important. This was demonstrated in a new study of rats, where higher intake of omega-3 at the expense of omega-6 turned out to have the best effect on the formation of new blood vessels, increased collagen synthesis, and faster wound healing. In the study, which is published in Nutrients, the authors look closer at the fact that modern diets typically contain too much omega-6 and too little omega-3, and this contributes to problems such as cardiovascular disease, overweight, diabetes, and other lifestyle diseases.