Reduced Testosterone Levels Associated with Greater Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Reduced Testosterone Levels Associated with Greater Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

A retrospective cohort study suggests that decreased testosterone levels in young males is associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.*

The investigators used two risk assessment tools to predict the 10-year cardiovascular risk of 1,253 men between the ages of 30 and 79.

In men aged 30-49, cardiovascular incidence was more pronounced, with a 16% and 20% increased risk of disease with low testosterone levels estimated by two risk assessment tools.

Editor’s Note: The association between increased cardiovascular risk and low testosterone was consistent in all participants.

* Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022 Apr 14;9:869251.

Improving Vitamin D Levels in Older Age is Linked to Lower Risk of All-Cause Mortality

The benefits of correcting and maintaining vitamin D deficiency accrue even in older age, according to the results of a study published in BMC Geriatrics.*

The participants included 1,362 individuals in the Chinese Longitudinal and Health Longevity Survey, aged 60 to 113 whose serum vitamin D levels were measured in 2012 and 2014. Mortality data were collected in 2018. Deficient vitamin D levels were detected among 67.5% of the participants in 2012 and 68.4% in 2014.

During follow-up, 420 deaths occurred. Individuals who were deficient in vitamin D in 2012 and 2014 had more than twice the mortality risk compared to those than those who maintained higher levels.

Among participants who maintained sufficient vitamin D or were deficient in 2012 and not deficient in 2014, the risk of dying was 30% and 53% lower, respectively, compared to participants who were deficient at both points in time.

This highlights the need to address vitamin D deficiency in older individuals to support longevity and healthy aging.

Editor’s Note: The greatest benefit associated with improved vitamin D status was found among women and those people who were 80 years of age or older, the “oldest old.”

* BMC Geriatr 22, 245 (2022).

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Could Improve Immunotherapy

Findings from a study done on mice, reported at the American Society for Investigative Pathology’s annual meeting, revealed a benefit for adding omega-3 fatty acids to cancer-fighting immunotherapy.*

The mice were fed either a standard diet, a diet enhanced with omega-3, or a diet high in omega-6, beginning 10 days before injecting them with tumor cells. One week after the injections, the animals were given either immunotherapy, an anti-inflammatory therapy, both therapies, or no therapy.

Compared to a standard diet, the addition of omega-3 fatty acids resulted in more robust response to the treatment compared to the animals that received immunotherapy or immunotherapy plus anti-inflammatory therapy alone.

Mice that received both cancer therapies and the high omega-3 diet had up to 67% less tumor growth than animals that received no cancer therapies and a standard diet.

An omega-6-enhanced diet was associated with significant acceleration of the growth of one tumor type. The typical American diet is loaded with omega-6 fats and deficient in omega-3s.

Editor’s Note: Immunotherapy involves harnessing the body’s immune system to combat cancer or other diseases. Supplementation with Omega-3 PUFA may enhance its effect. This combination is predicted to revolutionize cancer therapy.

Available at: https://www.eventscribe.net/2022/EB2022/index.asp?posterTarget=466274. Accessed November 4, 2022

Greater Intake of Vitamins A, C, and E Associated with Lower Glaucoma Risk

A study presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting found an association between higher intake of vitamins, A, C, and E, and a lower risk of glaucoma.*

A total of 18,669 participants completed questionnaires every other year, providing information about food and supplement intake, and other factors. During a 12-year average follow-up, 266 new cases of glaucoma occurred.

Those who consumed high amounts of vitamins A, C, and E during follow-up had an adjusted 27% lower risk of developing glaucoma in comparison with those who consumed low amounts.

Editor’s Note: The protective effect was observed only when higher amounts of all three vitamins were consumed in combination.

* Available at: https://www.aao.org/newsroom/news-releases/detail/combination-of-vitamins-may-help-prevent-glaucoma. Accessed Nov. 4, 2022.