Category: Nutrition

Around one-quarter of people could have a deficiency in vitamin B12.

Poor sleep can be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency, research suggests.

Deficiency in this vitamin, as well as other micronutrients, is linked to poor sleep quality and having to use medications to sleep by the study.

Researchers have found that deficiencies in niacin, magnesium, calcium and dietary fibre are all linked to short sleep.

More common signs, specifically of vitamin B12 deficiency, include pale or jaundiced skin.

This is a yellow tinge around the eyes and/or in the whites of the eyes.

Vitamin B12 deficiency has also been linked to nerve problems.

This may manifest as pins and needles or numbness, especially in the legs.

Other psychological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include problems concentrating, depression, confusion and even forgetfulness.

It can be difficult to trace these symptoms directly to vitamin B12 deficiency as they can be related to a variety of other causes.

Around one-quarter of people may have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Adults under 65 need around 1.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day.

Vitamin B12 is normally acquired by the body through diet.

Foods that contain vitamin B12 include dairy, liver, salmon and eggs.

Other good sources of vitamin B12 include poultry and low-fat milk.

Fortified breakfast cereals also contain vitamin B12.

The conclusions about diet and micronutrients come from a study that analysed data from the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey, which regularly surveys many thousands of people in the US.

The study’s authors explain the results:

“…short sleep was significantly associated with the greatest number of nutrients; showing an inverse association with magnesium, niacin, vitamin D, calcium, and dietary fiber intake.”

The study also linked lower levels of vitamin B12 with worse sleep.

The study was published in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition (Ikonte et al., 2019).

A variety of vitamin and mineral deficiencies have been linked to this problem.

Headaches and migraines can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency, research finds.

Having an unexplained headache once a week or more could be considered a problem.

A migraine, meanwhile, is a type of severe headache in which typically one half of the head feels as though it is pulsating.

It may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Some people also experience visual disturbances before the migraine begins.

A variety of vitamin and mineral deficiencies have been linked to migraines.

This study also found that deficiencies in riboflavin (vitamin B2) and coenzyme Q10 are linked to migraines.

The conclusions come from thousands of headache patients whose vitamin levels were measured.

Vitamin D deficiency was particularly high in young men with migraines, the researchers found.

Coenzyme Q10 deficiencies, however, were more likely in young women with migraines.

The study’s authors conclude:

“Neutraceuticals have been widely used in migraine prevention.

Deficiency in vitamins may be related to the underlying pathophysiology and supplementation may help with response to treatment.

This suggests that a high percentage of pediatric migraine patients in the general population may be deficient in riboflavin, coenzyme Q10, vitamin D, and folate and when identified as deficient, may benefit from supplementation of these vitamins.”

However, it is not yet clear if supplementation will help the headaches, said Dr Suzanne Hagler, the study’s first author:

“Further studies are needed to elucidate whether vitamin supplementation is effective in migraine patients in general, and whether patients with mild deficiency are more likely to benefit from supplementation.”

The study was presented at the 2016 annual meeting of the American Headache Society (Hagler et al., 2016).

Low levels of an omega-3 fatty acid can cause this problem.

Poor sleep can be a sign of omega-3 deficiency, research finds.

Poor sleep can also cause cognitive and behavioural problems and general poor health.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega‐3 fatty acids found in algae, fish and other seafoods and it is a major structural fat in the brain and retina of the eye.

Higher blood levels of DHA are associated with better sleep, fewer sleep disturbances and less parasomnias, including abnormal movements during sleep, nightmares and sleepwalking.

A study on a group of children with poor sleep shows that 16 weeks daily supplementation with 600 mg of DHA from algal sources had considerably restored their sleep.

It also lowered problems like sleep anxiety, resistance to bedtime, and continual waking through the night.

Children who were supplemented with omega-3 DHA had one hour more sleep and seven fewer wake episodes each night.

Low levels of DHA are associated with lower levels of melatonin, a hormone mainly produced in the brain, which regulates the sleep–wake cycle.

The sleep–wake cycle maintains sleep rhythm: leading to going to sleep regularly each night and waking up at a regular time every morning.

Professor Paul Montgomery, lead author of the study,said:

“To find clinical level sleep problems in four in ten of this general population sample is a cause for concern.

Various substances made within the body from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have long been known to play key roles in the regulation of sleep.

For example, lower ratios of DHA have been linked with lower levels of melatonin, and that would fit with our finding that sleep problems are greater in children with lower levels of DHA in their blood.”

The balance of omega-3 DHA and omega-6 fatty acid AA (arachidonic acid) in the pineal gland of our brain is important for the regulation of melatonin production.

Increased DHA to omega-6 fatty acid AA ratios increase the secretion of melatonin and so can reduce sleep problems.

Dr Alex Richardson, study co-author, said:

“Previous studies we have published showed that blood levels of omega-3 DHA in this general population sample of 7-9 year olds were alarmingly low overall, and this could be directly related to the children’s behavior and learning.

Poor sleep could well help to explain some of those associations.”

The study was published in the Journal of Sleep Research (Montgomery et al., 2014).

B12 is involved in the production of red blood cells and in maintaining the health of the nervous system.

Uncomfortable, twitching muscles around the eyes can be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Twitching around the eye is scientifically called eye blepharospasm.

It can occur either around the eye or in the eye.

Similarly, pins and needles and burning sensations at the extremities can also be signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency.

That is because these areas are more sensitive to the touch.

B12 is involved in the production of red blood cells and in maintaining the health of the nervous system.

A prolonged lack of the vitamin can lead to a breakdown in the sheath that surrounds the nerves, which is what leads to twitches and strange sensations.

Other signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• weight loss,
• pale skin,
• fatigue,
• and a sore red tongue.

A sore tongue is known as ‘glossitis’ and appears as an inflammation of the tongue’s surface, which may be accompanied by mouth ulcers.

However, it is relatively uncommon that eye twitching is caused by vitamin D deficiency.

Levels of vitamin B12 can be particularly low in vegetarians and vegans as plants do not contain sufficient levels of the nutrient.

Vegetarians who eat dairy products, however, should obtain sufficient levels that way.

Older people are at greater risk of vitamin B12 deficiency as with age the body becomes less able to absorb it.

Treating vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 is naturally found in many foods including meat, fish, eggs and dairy.

Eating some or all of these foods will usually provide a sufficient quantity of the vitamin.

The usual alternative is to take vitamin B12 supplements.

For those who cannot absorb the supplements, it is possible to get a B12 injection.

Injections are usually given six times over 14 days.

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A high levels of triglycerides in your blood can cause atherosclerosis, heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

An omega-3 fish oil supplement can help prevent heart-related diseases by decreasing triglyceride levels, research finds.

Just 4 grams daily of omega-3 supplementation taken with food either as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or a combination of EPA + DHA can lower triglycerides up to 30 percent.

In addition, another study has found that vitamin D supplementation can significantly lower the number of deaths caused by different types of cancer.

Dr Ann Skulas-Ray, the first author the scientific review, said:

“From our review of the evidence from 17 randomized, controlled clinical trials on high triglyceride levels, we concluded that treatment with 4 grams daily of any of the available prescription choices is effective and can be used safely in conjunction with statin medicines that lower cholesterol.”

Triglycerides are fats that are found in the blood and elevated levels of this these fats causes a build up inside the arteries.

A level of 200 mg/dL or greater of triglycerides will cause narrowing of the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

If the level of triglycerides goes above 500 mg/dL, it can cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Fish is the main source of omega-3 fatty acids — the American Heart Association recommends eating at least 2 servings of oily fish (fatty fish) per week.

Salmon, trout, herring, pilchards, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, sprats and albacore tuna are all good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Supplementation with EPA in combination with a statin drug in people with high triglycerides has been shown to lower cardiovascular related incidents such as heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death by 25 percent.

However, the review found that omega-3 fatty acid medication can reduce triglyceride levels effectively whether or not people are taking statins.

Nearly 25 percent of US adults have borderline high triglycerides, a level above 150 mg/dL.

One in 5 Americans has high levels of triglycerides and due to obesity and diabetes the rate is increasing rapidly.

We obtain triglycerides from different foods and they are stored in the liver or in fat cells and they are broken down by the liver to supply energy.

Excess eating will increase the storage of triglycerides throughout the body, including the liver, leading to conditions such as fatty liver disease.

High-fat foods, processed foods, alcohol, sugary products and refined carbohydrates can all elevate triglyceride levels.

Chips, margarine, fried foods, popcorn, cookies, cakes, pastries, meat, sugary cereals, pizza, and pies are example of foods high in triglycerides.

Dr Skulas-Ray pointed out:

“Dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids are not regulated by the FDA.

They should not be used in place of prescription medication for the long-term management of high triglycerides.”

The study was published in Circulation (Skulas-Ray et al., 2019).

Vitamin B12 can easily be obtained from the diet or by supplementation.

Around one-quarter of people may be deficient in vitamin B12, research finds.

White spots appearing on the skin can be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency.

The spots are often found on the outside of the forearm, although they may be in other places as well.

Over time these can become flaky and expose raw spots of flesh.

The reason vitamin B12 can cause these spots is because it can lead to low melatonin.

When melatonin is absent in the area, the white spots are left.

Other, more common signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include feeling tired, experiencing muscle weakness and being constipated.

Vitamin B12 can either be obtained from the diet or by supplementation.

Foods that contain high levels of vitamin B12 include dairy, liver, salmon and eggs.

For the study, 1,079 adults in Germany had their vitamin B12 levels measured.

More than one-quarter were deficient in vitamin B12, the results showed.

More than half were also deficient in vitamin D.

Ms Romy Conzade, the study’s first author, said:

“The results are very clear.

Fifty-two percent of the examined older adults had vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L and thus had a suboptimal vitamin D status.”

The body uses vitamin B12 to make red blood cells and to keep the nervous system healthy.

Dr. Barbara Thorand, study co-author, said:

“Our study also shows that regular intake of vitamin-containing supplements goes along with improved levels of the respective vitamins.

However, vitamin-containing supplements are not a universal remedy, and particularly older people should watch out for maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet.”

The study was published in the journal Nutrients (Conzade et al., 2017).

Around one-in-eight people over 50 are low in vitamin B12.

Low mood and depression can be signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, research suggests.

Deficiency in the B vitamin has also been linked to problems with concentration and memory.

Typical symptoms of depression include decreased pleasure and energy loss.

In the long-term, supplementation with vitamin B12 may help reduce depressive symptoms, a review of the research finds.

Both vitamin B12 and folate are vital to the production of critical neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and noradrenaline.

Depression is often linked to low levels of serotonin in the brain.

Good sources of vitamin B12 include fish, poultry, eggs and low-fat milk.

Fortified breakfast cereals also contain vitamin B12.

People who may have difficulty getting enough vitamin B12 include vegetarians, older people and those with some digestive disorders, such as Crohn’s disease.

The conclusions come from a review of 11 separate studies on the link between vitamin B12 and folates on depressive symptoms.

While there were only a relatively small number of trials, some were positive, the study’s authors write:

“One trial found that the prolonged use of folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 increased response to antidepressant treatment over one year, and decreased the risk of relapse of
symptoms amongst those who had recovered after three months.”

Overall, vitamin supplements over the long-term could be beneficial, the study’s authors conclude:

“Taken together, the results of these meta-analyses suggest that the short-term use of vitamins (days to a few weeks) does
not contribute to improve depressive symptoms, but more prolonged consumption (several weeks to years) may reduce the severity and the onset of clinically significant symptoms of depression in special populations.”

Around one-in-eight people over 50 are low in vitamin B12, recent research finds.

The study was published in the journal International Psychogeriatrics (Almeida et al., 2015).

Vitamin D deficiency is still common around the world.

Depression, tiredness and weak muscles can all be signs of vitamin D deficiency, research finds.

The vitamin is also thought to play a role in regulating serotonin, a neurotransmitter important for mood.

One study has linked vitamin D deficiency to a 75 percent higher risk of depression.

Other signs of vitamin D deficiency include headaches and poor sleep.

Vitamin D deficiency is still common around the world.

The main function of vitamin D in the body is to help it absorb calcium.

Vitamin D deficiency is linked to rickets in children.

Rickets is a disease that affects bone development, causing them to be painful and soft.

In adults, vitamin D deficiency can contribute to the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis.

Elderly people, in particular, may benefit from vitamin D and calcium supplementation to reduce the risk of fracture.

The current guidelines for the amount of vitamin D required in the body vary.

Professor Sylvia Christakos, the study’s first author, said:

“Recommendations based on earlier studies using a number of different tests for vitamin D levels persist and, not surprisingly, current guidelines vary.

For example, it is not clear that the most optimal levels for vitamin D are the same for Caucasians, blacks or Asians alike.

More laboratories are now implementing improved tests and efforts are being made to standardize results from different laboratories.”

The current recommendations by the National Academy of Medicine are 600 IU per day for adults.

Foods that are rich in vitamin D include oily fish and eggs, but most people get their vitamin D from the action of sunlight on the skin.

That is why levels are typically lower in the body through the winter months in more northern climes.

The study was published in the journal Metabolism (Christakos et al., 2019).

The study sheds light on the critical link between sodium levels and aging, with potentially life-altering implications.

Drinking plenty of water slows down the aging process, improves sleep, and lowers the odds of having lung and heart disease, a study finds.

Those who do not get enough fluids were found to have high levels of sodium and consequently were more likely to age quicker, develop various conditions, and die earlier.

The study analysed health data from 11,255 participants in their 50s with a 25-year follow-up period.

The results revealed a strong connection between sodium levels and the aging process.

The team found that those with blood sodium levels higher than the normal range (135–146 mmol/l) aged faster and were at higher risk of developing health issues such as dementia, diabetes, lung disease, blood circulation disorder, heart failure, and stroke.

They suggest a serum sodium level of 142 mmol/l should be used as the starting point in clinics to identify individuals at risk.

Staying hydrated

When we don’t drink enough or are dehydrated (losing more fluid than take in), it leads to higher amounts of sodium in the blood which can cause serious damage to the cells.

On the other hand, staying hydrated will have an anti-aging effect and will reduce the risk of long-term diseases.

Dr Natalia Dmitrieva, the study’s first author, said:

“The results suggest that proper hydration may slow down aging and prolong a disease-free life.”

Previous studies have shown that elevated serum sodium levels can increase heart disease risk.

This study went further and examined how high sodium intake can affect biological aging.

They looked at 15 risk factors such as cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure and how well participants’ respiratory,  immune system, heart, kidney, and metabolism were doing.

They found that those with serum sodium levels above 142 mmol/l had a 15 percent greater risk of being biologically older than their actual age.

The odds were increased to 50 percent for adults with levels above 144 mmol/l and they had a 21 percent elevated risk of dying at a younger age.

Moreover, those with levels above 142 mmol/l were 64 percent more likely to develop serious conditions such as dementia, lung disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

However, increasing daily water intake would lower sodium concentration and help those with levels above 142 mmol/l.

Recommended intake of water

The National Academies of Medicine recommends a daily fluid intake of 1.5-2.2 litres equivalent to 6-9 cups for women and 2-3 litres or 8-12 cups for men.

Some people, though, due to their health conditions might need specific medical guidance.

Dr Manfred Boehm, study co-author, said:

“The goal is to ensure patients are taking in enough fluids, while assessing factors, like medications, that may lead to fluid loss.

Doctors may also need to defer to a patient’s current treatment plan, such as limiting fluid intake for heart failure.”

The researchers hinted that half of the world population’s daily fluids intake is less than the recommended amount.

Dr Dmitrieva said:

“On the global level, this can have a big impact.

Decreased body water content is the most common factor that increases serum sodium, which is why the results suggest that staying well hydrated may slow down the aging process and prevent or delay chronic disease.”

The study was published in the journal eBioMedicine (Dmitrieva et al., 2023).

The correct type and ratio of essential fatty acids in the diet can prevent this common condition.

Dry eye syndrome can be an outcome of omega-3 fatty acids deficiency, a study has found.

The condition causes symptoms such as irritation, pain, dryness and a sandy or gritty sensation in the eye.

Untreated dry eye syndrome can result in scarring of the cornea and eventually loss of vision.

The disease affects millions of people’s quality of life, but a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids might be able to treat it.

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats considered to be essential as our body cannot produce them.

These type of fats are mostly found in oily fish and have many health benefits, therefore they are known as “good” fats.

The three type of omega-3 fatty acids are EPA and DHA, found in certain fish, and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) which is mainly found in plant oils.

Salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, oysters, sea bass, herring, trout, cod, tuna and algae are all sources of EPA and DHA.

Seeds and nuts such as chia seed, walnuts, hemp seeds, cashews and almonds are good sources of ALA.

Researchers suggest that the imbalance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in American’s dietary habits is linked to the onset of this eye disease.

The Western diet can elevate the risk of dry eye syndrome since it is low in omega-3 but in contrast contains a very high amount of omega-6.

Cooking oils (sunflower, corn, soybean), salad dressing, mayonnaise and meats are high in omega-6.

Dr Biljana Miljanovic, the study’s first author, said:

“Dry eye syndrome impacts quality of life, productivity and safety for millions of people.

Unfortunately, there is little advice clinicians can offer about its prevention.

Our study set out to examine how changing dietary habits in America, primarily a shift in the balance of essential fatty acids we are consuming, may be associated with onset of this eye disease.

We found that a high intake of omega 3 fatty acids, often referred to as a ‘good’ fat, commonly found in fish and walnuts, is associated with a protective effect.

Conversely, a higher ratio of omega 6, a fat found in many cooking and salad oils and animal meats, compared to omega 3 in the diet, may increase the risk of dry eye syndrome.”

The study found that the risk of dry eye syndrome was reduced by 20 percent in participants who had omega-3 in their diet.

Currently, Western diets consists of 15:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, which is linked to a 2.5-fold greater risk of dry eye syndrome.

In this study, participants who ate five servings (113 gram per serving) of tuna a week were at 68 percent lower risk of dry eye disease in contrast to those who had only one serving a week.

Dry eyes can result in serious problems related to visual activities.

The discomfort and pain is more prominent during driving, reading, using a computer, watching TV, or focusing on a task.

One of the problems associated with dry eye syndrome is reduction in the quantity and quality of tears.

Without moisture the eyes become inflamed and this can lead to different types of disorders.

The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Miljanovic et al., 2005).