The rate of prediabetes and diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions. Many people even have prediabetes without being aware of it. The condition is characterized by elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but according to a meta-analysis that is published in Frontiers in Nutrition, high-dosed vitamin D supplementation can lower levels of triglycerides in the blood. The meta-analysis supports earlier studies showing that vitamin D is important for the body’s metabolism of fat and carbohydrates. Around half the world’s population lacks this vitamin, and the need for vitamin D is increased in people with prediabetes and diabetes because they have difficulty with utilizing it.

Our risk of hearing loss increases as we grow older, and the nutrients in our diet appear to play a major role. According to a population study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, magnesium and calcium in the right amounts can lower the risk of age-related hearing loss. Apparently, different mechanisms and interactions between the two minerals can prevent impaired hearing.

Regular sport is good for you, whereas arduous training and high-performance sport can result in physical injuries, infections, chronic inflammation, and serious diseases due to oxidative stress. This phenomenon occurs as a result of the increased energy turnover, which produces an excess of free radicals that cause damage to cells and tissues. Oxidative stress is also associated with impaired performance, poor restitution, and faster ageing. Our only natural defense against free radicals is the presence of antioxidants, and it is especially things like vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, Q10, omega-3 fatty acids, and turmeric that protect against oxidative damage and improve recovery time. According to a review article published in Nutrients, supplements with the right doses of different nutrients can also help boost your physical and mental performance.

Kidney stones is a painful and quite common problem. The diet plays a major role and according to a large American population study published in Nutrients, selenium may help prevent the condition. The authors mention that selenium-containing proteins and antioxidants have preventative mechanisms and due to the widespread problems with selenium-depleted farmland, they say that selenium supplementation may be a good way to prevent and manage kidney stones and other pathological changes.

Anemia is global problem that is on the rise. It causes fatigue, heart palpitations, impaired immunity, and a number of other symptoms. Iron deficiency is a known cause but according to a large population study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, there is also a link between magnesium deficiency and anemia, especially among women and older people. Magnesium is important for our health in general and for the formation of red blood cells, and magnesium deficiencies are rather common.

Glioblastoma is a the most common type of brain tumor and is very aggressive. Existing therapies are not all that effective and most people die within a few years after being diagnosed with the disease. It is essential to have more focus on prevention, and diet plays a major role. According to a Chinese population study, vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B9 (folic acid) are associated with a reduced risk of developing glioblastoma. The scientists mention the different B vitamins and their role in brain health and cancer prevention and stress the importance of knowing about the factors that inhibit the body’s uptake and utilization of these vitamins.

Metabolic syndrome, which is an early stage of diabetes, is spreading like a bushfire. This condition is characterized by overweight, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and disrupted blood sugar metabolism. The diet plays a major role, and scientists have found a direct link between the intake and serum levels of vitamin B6, folic acid (vitamin B9), and vitamin B12, according to a large American population study that is published in JAMA Network Open. The authors also address how these B vitamins can help improve the glucose metabolism and prevent metabolic syndrome.

During pregnancy, vitamin D plays an important role in the bone development of the unborn child, in the brain, and in other functions. Maternal lack of vitamin D during pregnancy may therefore have serious consequences for the fetus and its development. This also goes for the development of neurons in the dopamine-producing area of the brain, which can most likely result in dysfunctions of the dopamine balance, a problem that is seen in young individuals and adults with schizophrenia. This was demonstrated in a new study that is published in Journal of Neurochemistry. The study supports an earlier review article where it was seen that early stages of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia are linked to severe deficiencies of vitamin D and other nutrients with vital importance to brain health, especially during pregnancy.

The number of older people is on the rise, and so is the number of people who suffer from dementia and die as a result of this condition. If you increase your dietary intake of magnesium, however, and get more than what is officially recommended, it helps keep your brain sharp and prevents dementia, according to a large population study that is published in European Journal of Nutrition. Many older people don’t eat enough and even take different kinds of medicine that block the body’s uptake and utilization of magnesium. So, how does magnesium affect the brain and nervous system? And how much do we need to stay mentally alert throughout life? Those are the questions.

It is both healthy and life-extending to get plenty of summer sun, which is our main source of vitamin D. Just make sure not to get a sunburn. According to a large population study from University of South Australia, too little vitamin D in the blood is linked to early death, especially because of an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases. This is very relevant because, apart from the lack of sunshine during winter, things like sun awareness campaigns, indoor living, being overweight, and having dark skin can contribute to the widespread lack of vitamin D. The official recommendations for vitamin D intake are also comparatively conservative. Therefore, people should strive to optimize their levels of the nutrient, as vitamin D is involved in regulating countless gene activities and other functions in the body.