Selenium deficiency is widespread in Europe and many other parts of the world, negatively impacting public health. On the other hand, adequate selenium intake through diet and supplements can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, metabolic disorders, cancer, and early death. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition suggests that older individuals have an increased need for selenium.

Type 2 diabetes, a lifestyle disease that is spreading like wildfire, comes with a huge socio-economic price tag. At the same time, there has been a growing need for more effective and natural treatments for disrupted blood sugar levels, which cause a range of other metabolic disturbances. In addition to weight loss and dietary changes, it now appears that zinc supplementation can significantly improve various biomarkers related to disrupted blood sugar. This is outlined in a study published in Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome.

Prostate cancer is widespread in the Western world. However, according to an American study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, dietary changes with more omega-3 fatty acids and fewer omega-6 fatty acids can reduce the development of prostate cancer cells after one year.

When cells convert the calories from food into energy, a variety of B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, zinc, and Q10 are needed. This also means that a deficiency in one or more of these substances can result in mental and physical fatigue to a greater or lesser extent. The impaired energy metabolism of the cells also increases the risk of mood swings, concentration difficulty, infections, and other diseases. Modern lifestyle, ageing processes, medications, and other factors cause serious deficiencies, but these deficiencies can be corrected with help from dietary changes and relevant supplements.

Ageing, overweight, and respiratory infections can impair your sense of smell. However, a sufficiently high zinc intake from dietary sources or supplements can support or even improve the sense of smell – especially in older people and those who are overweight. This was shown in a study that is published in Rhinology. Unfortunately, zinc deficiencies are common due to poor diets and the use of various medical drugs that impair the body’s utilization of zinc.

The widespread selenium deficiency in Europe increases the risk of infections, inflammatory bowel disorders, and abnormal cell development. In a new review article published in Nutrients, the authors look at selenium’s role in the highly developed immune defense. This includes the immune defense’s communication, which is vital for our ability to fight off viruses and germs swiftly and directly, and for avoiding unwanted inflammation that can become potentially life-threatening. Selenium also serves as a very effective antioxidant that protects cells and their DNA against oxidative damage. In addition, selenium has a number of anti-cancer mechanisms.

The condition of our skin means a lot to our appearance and health, and being deficient in one or several nutrients can cause premature skin ageing. Also, things like poor wound healing, acne, herpes infections, yeast infections, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin disorders may occur. In a review article published in Medicina, scientists have looked at the role of vitamins A, C, E, D, and biotin plus omega-3 fatty acids in skin health. Studies suggest that selenium and zinc may also be important for healthy skin and anti-ageing. If you don’t get enough of these nutrients or if you simply have an increased need for them, you may consider taking a supplement.

Active vitamin protects us against virus infections in a number of different ways. Vitamin D also controls the inflammatory processes and prevents them from becoming complicated. In a review article published in World Journal of Virology, scientists have pored over multiple meta-analyses and placebo-controlled studies that show a clear relation between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza. Being vitamin D-deficient can also increase the risk of these infections turning into SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) that can result in potentially life-threatening circulatory failure and organ failure. Apparently, vitamin D plays an important and overlooked role in the prevention of virus infections.

Lack of vitamin D is a global health problem. The same is the case with overweight and hypertension, a combination that results in millions of deaths. Apparently, supplementing with vitamin D can lower blood pressure in people who are overweight, according to a study that is published in Journal of Endrocrine Society. It is important to be aware of the interactions between vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium.

Vitamin D is important for the hormone system and our sleep, but certain environmental toxins like phthalates, bisphenol A, and triclosan can disrupt our hormone balance and sleep quality. Lack of vitamin D can even exacerbate the harmful effect of the hormone disruptors and, according to a study published in Nutrients, this may have a negative impact on our sleep.