Lifestyle and nutritional factors influence the risk of dementia, particularly among people with prediabetes – a condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that are not high enough to be classified as diabetes. A recent study found that higher vitamin D levels may reduce the risk of developing dementia in older adults with prediabetes. Researchers drew on data collected from a large cohort of more than 34,000 older adults enrolled in the UK Biobank, all of whom had prediabetes but did not have dementia at the start of the study. They measured the participants' blood vitamin D level... vitamin d alzheimer's diabetes genetics dementia
Read moreProteins called Yamanaka factors can reprogram differentiated (mature) cells into pluripotent stem cells. However, scientists don’t fully understand the metabolic requirements underlying this process. A new study shows that vitamin B12 supports the metabolic processes involved in cellular reprogramming. First, researchers investigated how gut bacteria influence cellular reprogramming in mice. They induced gene expression to initiate reprogramming, and then they treated the mice with antibiotics to disrupt their gut microbiota. They found that reprogramming efficiency in the colon and stomach d... gut microbiome genetic engineering micronutrients vitamin b12
Read moreVitamin D is a steroid hormone that plays critical roles in many physiological processes, including blood pressure regulation, immune function, and cell growth. Findings from a new study suggest that vitamin D prevents dementia. People who took vitamin D were 40 percent less likely to develop dementia than those who didn't. The study involved more than 12,000 older adults who did not have dementia at enrollment. Researchers categorized the participants based on their vitamin D exposure: those exposed to vitamin D before dementia onset and those not exposed before dementia onset. They also exam... vitamin d brain aging dementia
Read moreVitamin D protects pancreatic beta cells in type 2 diabetes. Chronic inflammation is a principal driver of many of the pathological processes that accompany type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and subsequent pancreatic beta cell dysfunction. Findings from a recent study suggest that vitamin D blocks activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, preventing inflammation-driven impairment of pancreatic beta cells. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a large, intracellular complex that plays critical roles in immune function. Its activation triggers the relea... vitamin d insulin
Read moreAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral condition. Characterized by inattention and/or hyperactive or impulsive behavior that interferes with functioning, learning, or development, ADHD affects as many as 7 percent of children (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29033005/) and nearly 3 percent of adults (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31675080/) worldwide. Findings from a study published earlier this year suggest that vitamin D and magnesium co-supplementation improves behavior and mental health in children with ADHD. A growing body of evidence suggests that ... vitamin d adhd magnesium
Read moreThe human body responds to mental stress by releasing hormones called corticosteroids, triggering the body's fight or flight response. Chronic activation of these hormones can impair immune function, increasing susceptibility to infection and disease. Findings from an early study in mice demonstrate that vitamin C mitigates the body's stress response, thereby improving immunity. The authors of the study immobilized mice for an hour every day for three weeks to induce stress. They also fed the mice 200 milligrams of vitamin C daily – roughly equivalent to several grams per day in humans. A con... vitamin c stress cortisol weight loss
Read moreFrom the article: > "It's true that vitamin C does react with oxidized lipids to form potential genotoxins," said Balz Frei, professor and director of the Linus Pauling Institute, and co-author on this study. "But the process does not stop there. We found in human studies that the remaining vitamin C in the body continues to react with these toxins to form conjugates - different types of molecules with a covalent bond - that appear to be harmless." > In human tests, the OSU scientists found in blood plasma extraordinarily high levels of these conjugates, which show this protective effect... metabolism vitamin c dna damage fat
Read moreMechanical ventilation – a therapeutic measure used to assist or replace spontaneous breathing – is an important strategy used to treat people experiencing respiratory failure. A recent meta-analysis found that vitamin C treatment shortened the duration of mechanical ventilation among patients in the intensive care unit. The investigators looked at the findings from eight trials involving 685 patients. They found that vitamin C shortened the duration of mechanical ventilation an average of 14 percent. But the investigators noted major differences in the effect of vitamin C between the trials, ... vitamin c mortality
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