Despite ongoing prevention efforts, type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders affect millions worldwide, but the strategic combination of two common lifestyle approaches may offer new potential for disease management. Researchers tested whether combining vitamin D supplementation with structured exercise improves blood sugar control, lipid levels, and vitamin D status more than either approach on its own. This work pooled 18 randomized controlled trials in adults, totaling 1,104 participants drawn from groups with varying health conditions. Interventions paired vitamin D supplementation,... cholesterol diabetes exercise insulin resistance metabolism vitamin d triglycerides
Read moreSubtle changes in diet can influence whether blood vessels remain flexible or become stiff—a condition known as atherosclerosis. One nutrient that may help prevent stiffening of the arteries is vitamin K1, found in leafy greens and plant oils. A recent study found that older women who consumed the most vitamin K1—approximately 120 micrograms daily—had a 29% lower risk of atherosclerotic disease-related events and a 43% lower risk of dying from these conditions compared to women who consumed the least. Researchers determined the vitamin K1 intake of more than 1,400 Australian women (average age... cardiovascular diet micronutrients vitamin k menopause
Read moreMilitary members often face unique mental and physical demands that require optimal performance under challenging conditions. A recent study demonstrated that exercise and a nutritional supplement providing components present in the Mediterranean diet optimize performance in a group of active duty military members. The Mediterranean dietary pattern is rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish, and poultry. Nutrients provided in the diet include phospholipids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids (lutein, folate, and polyphenols), and vitamins B, C, D, and E. Robust evidence indi... exercise micronutrients
Read moreFrom the article: > Lee and his colleagues tested 880 bioactive substances – including drugs and vitamins – approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to see if they stimulated the mouse stem cells to become heart muscle cells. The cells were genetically altered to give off a fluorescent bright green color when viewed under a microscrope if they had become heart muscle cells. > "We only got 1 out of the 880 to light up, and that was from ascorbic acid, the chemical commonly known as vitamin C," says Lee ... heart disease vitamin c stem cells
Read moreFrom the article: > Oral administration of vitamin C decreased the occurrence of post-operative AF by 73%, whereas intravenous administration decreased it by 36%. On the other hand, oral administration shortened the length of hospital stay by only 7% (0.4 days), whereas intravenous administration decreased it by 16% (1.5 days). Thus, the effect of intravenous vitamin C administration was greater for the length of hospital stay, but less for the occurrence of post-operative AF. Publication (http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12872-017-0478-5) ... heart disease vitamin c
Read moreFTA: > The importance of nutrition for maintaining mental health has been highlighted by recent research. The human brain needs an adequate intake of key nutrients, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3, essential amino acids, B-group vitamins (B12 and folate), vitamin D and minerals like zinc, magnesium and iron. A balanced and high-quality diet, such as the Mediterranean, provides all of these, the researchers note. ... vitamin d diet omega-3 depression mental health magnesium vitamin b12 zinc iron vitamin a
Read moreFTA: > A new study offers compelling evidence that inflammation may be the link between vitamin D and prostate cancer. Specifically, the study shows that the gene GDF-15, known to be upregulated by vitamin D, is notably absent in samples of human prostate cancer driven by inflammation. ... vitamin d cancer epigenetics inflammation vitamin a
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