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Omega-3 improves endothelial function in people with metabolic syndrome

January 31 2025. Findings from a study reported December 30, 2024, in the journal Medicina revealed improvement in measures of endothelial function among people with metabolic syndrome who were treated with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for three months.

Healthy endothelial function is the ability of the inner lining of the arteries to relax, which allows blood to easily flow. Endothelial dysfunction leads to narrowing of the arteries, including those that nourish the heart, which can precede atherosclerosis.

The study included 80 men and women with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of factors including high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, abdominal obesity, elevated LDL cholesterol and high triglycerides, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Forty participants received 800 milligrams omega-3 fatty acids three times daily and the remaining participants received a placebo for three months. Endothelial function was evaluated by measuring the augmentation index, which is an assessment of arterial stiffness, and reactive hyperemia index before and after the treatment period. Blood plasma levels of homocysteine, lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein B, and the beneficial enzyme glutathione peroxidase were also assessed at these time points.

At the end of the study, both measures of endothelial function improved among participants who received omega-3 compared with the beginning of the study while no changes occurred in the placebo group. Apolipoprotein B and homocysteine (which are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease) declined and glutathione peroxidase was higher in omega-3-treated subjects while no significant changes were observed in association with the placebo.

"These findings suggest that there is a potential beneficial use for omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in a comprehensive treatment of metabolic syndrome, especially since endothelial function represents the basic common denominator in the pathogenesis of all components of metabolic syndrome," the authors concluded.

—D Dye

Vitamin D, magnesium deficiencies common in people with type 2 diabetes

January 29 2025. A large systematic review and meta-analysis published January 29, 2025, in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health showed that 45.3% of people with type 2 diabetes are deficient in micronutrients, which include vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.

A lack of adequate micronutrient intake, referred to as "hidden hunger," is a worldwide concern, as is a growing incidence of type 2 diabetes. The meta-analysis included data from 132 studies reported from 1998 to 2023 that involved a total of 52,501 men and women. Micronutrient deficiency was revealed among 42.53% of men and 48.62% of women. A lack of adequate vitamin D was the most prevalent deficiency, which occurred in 60.45% of subjects. This was followed by magnesium deficiency among 41.95% of the studied population and iron deficiency among 27.81%. Vitamin B12 deficiency occurred among 28.72% of individuals who used the widely prescribed diabetes drug metformin, which was higher than the vitamin B12 deficiency found in the overall meta-analysis population at 23.78%.

"This systematic review exemplifies the double burden of malnutrition in action, whereby nutritional deficiencies and diet-related noncommunicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, co-exist," remarked Shane McAuliffe, of NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health that co-owns the journal in which the current findings were reported. "The treatment of type 2 diabetes often tends to focus on energy metabolism and macronutrients, but the identification of a higher prevalence of specific micronutrient deficiencies in those affected is a reminder that optimizing overall nutrition should always be a priority. The findings should help to focus research and policy initiatives aimed at furthering our understanding of the causes and effects of these deficiencies and the potential for targeted and tailored interventions."

—D Dye

Higher omega-3 levels associated with lower colorectal cancer risk

January 27 2025. A study reported in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention revealed a reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer among people who had higher levels of plasma omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).

The investigation included 234,598 men and women with information concerning fatty acid levels available from the United Kingdom Biobank, a database that enrolled over half a million adults from 2006–2010. Subjects included in the current study did not have cancer or history of invasive cancer at enrollment. Colorectal cancer diagnoses were reported for 2,602 participants through May 13, 2022.

Having a plasma omega-3 fatty acid level that was among the middle one-third of participants was associated with a 12% lower risk of colorectal cancer and a level among the top third was associated with a 9% lower risk compared with those whose levels were among the lowest third. Individuals whose plasma omega-3 levels were among the top two-thirds had a risk of developing proximal colon cancer that was 16% lower than the lowest third. When the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was examined, individuals whose levels were among the middle and highest one-third of participants had respective risks of colorectal cancer that were 11% and 9% lower. The protective effect for high omega-3 fatty acids and DHA was significant among men.

"This large, prospective study of colorectal cancer diagnosis, with linked plasma omega-3 PUFA data, has demonstrated that the inverse relationship between plasma omega-3 PUFA level (measured as total n-3 PUFA and DHA concentrations, as well as the percentage of total
plasma fatty acids) and colorectal cancer risk is: (i) nonlinear, with a plateau effect at highest omega-3 PUFA concentrations; (ii) more pronounced for proximal colon cancer compared with more distal tumors; and (iii) evident for men but not for women."

—D Dye

Curcumin supports exercise recovery in athletes

January 24 2025. A systematic review published December 2, 2024, in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition concluded that there is a significant potential for curcumin to relieve muscle-related symptoms caused by exercise.

"The aim of this study was to assess the scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of curcumin in mitigating exercise-induced muscle damage, such as injuries to muscle fibers, pain and reduced strength, and establish its ability to lower inflammatory markers, improve pain perception and speed up muscle recovery when consumed by trained participants," lead author Daniel Vasile Popescu-Radu stated.

Researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Spain reviewed 11 articles that reported the findings of randomized trials which compared athletes that did not receive curcumin with athletes who consumed curcumin before, during or after exercise. The team determined that curcumin showed an ability to reduce muscle-related pain, particularly delayed-onset muscle soreness, following eccentric exercise, which describes movements that lengthen the muscles. Curcumin may help prevent these symptoms by protecting against oxidative stress and supporting a healthy inflammatory response. In the absence of these protective mechanisms, muscle soreness occurs, which leads to diminished athletic performance. Popescu-Radu and colleagues suggested consuming curcumin before exercise to support a healthy inflammatory response and consuming it after exercise to promote recovery.

"The absorption and bioavailability of curcumin may be affected by the formulation used or the presence of other substances, such as piperine," Popescu-Radu noted.

"Curcumin could substantially enhance the well-being of individuals engaged in regular physical training," the authors concluded. "Moreover, curcumin may play a role in reducing biomarkers associated with inflammation and enhancing antioxidant capacity, suggesting broader health benefits."

—D Dye

Seaweed compound improves diabetes risk factors in trial

January 22 2025. The January 2025 issue of Biological Macromolecules reported findings from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a protective effect for fucoidan, a compound that occurs in brown seaweed, against factors that contribute to the development of diabetes among prediabetic individuals.

"Studies have increasingly suggested that individuals with prediabetes can prevent the progression and reduce the conversion rate to type 2 diabetes through intensive nutrition interventions and daily exercise," Yaping Liu and colleagues at Zhengzhou University wrote. "However, effective treatment options for prediabetes are currently scarce."

"Given the reversible metabolic state of prediabetes and its critical role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as the potential beneficial effects of fucoidan on anti-diabetes, this study raises the hypothesis that fucoidan may regulate the gut microbiota, thereby improving glycolipid metabolism and systemic inflammation in individuals with prediabetes."

The trial included 70 men and women with prediabetes. Thirty-five participants received 1 gram fucoidan and 35 received a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Glycated serum protein (a two-to-three-week indicator of blood glucose control), markers of inflammation and gut microbiota were evaluated before and after the study period.

At the end of the trial, participants who received fucoidan had a lower increase in glycated serum protein, reductions in the inflammation markers TNF-a, IL-6 and lipopolysaccharides, and an increase in beneficial HDL cholesterol. Fucoidan-treated individuals additionally experienced an increase in two varieties of gut microbes and a decrease in Klebsiella.

"To the best of our knowledge, no randomized controlled trial has been designed to investigate the effects of fucoidan on inflammatory markers and gut microbiota in prediabetic subjects," the authors announced. They concluded that fucoidan could be a potential nutritional option for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

—D Dye

Magnesium associated with lower 28-day mortality rate in people with heart failure

January 20 2025. A study reported January 14, 2025, in the Nature journal Scientific Reports found that heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction treated in an intensive care unit had a significantly lower 28-day risk of dying from all causes when given magnesium in comparison with individuals who did not receive the mineral.

"As a vital mineral integral to human physiology, magnesium is paramount for sustaining the functionality of the cardiovascular, muscular, and nervous systems," Lijun Song and colleagues wrote. "Nevertheless, the escalation in the consumption of deionized water and the cultivation of crops in soils deficient in magnesium has contributed to a significant reduction in dietary magnesium intake. Investigations have demonstrated that approximately 50% of individuals in the United States, particularly the elderly, ingest magnesium quantities that fall short of the recommended dietary allowances."

Song and associates evaluated information from a database of patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Nine hundred eighty-five patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction who received magnesium oxide and/or magnesium sulfate were matched for various factors with 985 patients with the condition who received no magnesium.

Among those who received magnesium, 13.6% died during a 28-day period, in contrast with 20.3% of the group that did not receive the mineral. Adjustment for numerous factors resulted in a 32% lower risk of mortality associated with magnesium therapy. When evaluated by subgroup, older patients who were given magnesium had a 35% lower risk, women had a 45% lower risk, individuals without diabetes had a 46% lower risk and those with high blood pressure had a 38% lower risk of mortality compared with patients who were not treated with magnesium.

The authors concluded that magnesium represents a valuable treatment for people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

—D Dye

Nicotinamide riboside shows promise for COPD

January 17 2025. Findings from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, reported November 15, 2024, in Nature Aging suggest a benefit for nicotinamide riboside, a form of vitamin B3 that is a precursor of the coenzyme NAD+, in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung disease characterized by inflammation and includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It has been called a condition of accelerated lung aging.

Eighteen previous smokers with COPD and 35 healthy control participants completed the trial. Ten COPD patients and 16 control participants received nicotinamide riboside, and 8 COPD patients and 19 healthy participants were allocated to a placebo. Sputum, blood and nasal cell samples were collected at the beginning of the study, at the end of the six-week treatment period and at an 18-week follow-up visit. These were analyzed for sputum interleukin-8 (a cytokine that is marker of inflammation), blood plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6, another marker of inflammation), blood levels of NAD+ (a coenzyme for which nicotinamide riboside is a precursor), white blood cell markers of epigenetic age and gene expression in nasal epithelial cells.

In comparison with the placebo group, participants who received nicotinamide riboside had lower sputum levels of interleukin-8 at six weeks, which remained lower at the 18-week follow-up. Blood NAD+ levels increased, and pathways related to gene integrity in the airways and decreased epigenetic aging appeared to be upregulated in the nicotinamide riboside-treated group. Further investigation suggested that nicotinamide riboside decreased cellular senescence.

"Our study demonstrates that supplementation with nicotinamide riboside reduced airway inflammation and increased NAD+ levels in whole blood," Kristoffer L. Norheim and colleagues wrote. "Furthermore, nicotinamide riboside was demonstrated to be safe and well tolerated at 2 grams per day.

"Our findings suggest that NR could possibly be a viable treatment option for patients with COPD."

—D Dye

Greater antioxidant intake linked with less abdominal aortic calcification

January 15 2025. A study reported October 22, 2024, in Nutrition Journal uncovered an association between consuming a diet that was higher in antioxidant nutrients and reduced calcification of the abdominal aorta. The aorta is the body's main artery, which arises from the heart to deliver oxygenated blood to the body through branching arteries. Calcification of the aorta occurs in atherosclerosis, the cause of cardiovascular disease.

The study included 2,640 men and women aged 40 and older who enrolled in the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) scores, which were based on the intake of vitamins A, C, and E, carotenoids, selenium and zinc, were determined from questionnaire responses from NHANES participants, who were evaluated according to low, middle or high scores. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scores obtained during 2013–2014 quantified calcification of the abdominal aorta, with higher scores representing increased calcification.

Higher Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index scores were associated with reduced abdominal aortic calcification. There was also an association revealed between high Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index scores and a low risk of severe calcification (defined as DXA scores of 6 or higher out of a possible 24). Individuals with high Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index scores had a 64.8% lower adjusted risk of severe abdominal aortic calcification compared with those who were among the low scoring group.

"In a nationally representative study conducted among adults aged ≥40 years, a higher overall dietary antioxidant intake, measured by composite dietary antioxidant index, is associated with a lower risk of abdominal aortic calcification," Zhaoxiang Wang of Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University and colleagues concluded. "Additional longitudinal and intervention studies are essential."

—D Dye

Increased calcium intake linked with lower colorectal cancer risk

January 13 2025. In the largest study to date concerning what we eat and the risk of colon cancer, research conducted at the University of Oxford has revealed an association between higher intake of calcium and a lower risk of colorectal cancer in women. The findings were reported January 8, 2025, in Nature Communications.

The study included 542,778 participants in the Million Women Study, which enrolled 1.3 million women of an average age of 56 years between 1996 and 2001. Questionnaires completed by the participants approximately three years following recruitment and seven-day diet diaries provided information concerning food and beverage intake.

During an average of 16.6 years of follow-up, colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 12,251 women. Analysis of 97 foods and nutrients revealed 17 dietary factors associated with colorectal cancer risk, among which greater alcohol intake had the strongest association with increased risk. Women whose alcohol consumption was 11 units per week or more had a 17% higher risk of colorectal cancer than those who consumed no alcohol. Greater red meat and processed meat intake were also associated with an increase in colorectal cancer.

Those whose calcium intake was among the top 20% of those in the current study had a 17% lower risk of colorectal cancer than women whose intake was among the lowest 20%. Protective foods included dairy products, breakfast cereal, fruit, whole grains and other dietary components.

"The probable protective role of calcium may relate to its ability to bind to bile acids and free fatty acids in the colonic lumen, thereby lowering their potentially carcinogenic effects," Kren Papier and colleagues suggested in their discussion of the findings.

"We conclude that dairy products help protect against colorectal cancer, and that this is driven largely or wholly by calcium," they concluded.

—D Dye

Lower levels of acetyl-L-carnitine, free carnitine in early-stage Alzheimer's disease

January 10 2025. An article published January 7, 2025, in the Nature journal Molecular Psychiatry reported lower blood plasma levels of the amino acid derivatives acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine in women with mild cognitive impairment that precedes Alzheimer's disease compared with healthy individuals. An association was also found between lower acetyl-L-carnitine levels and cognitive impairment in men.

Carnitine is involved in the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria, the cells' energy-producing organelles, to produce the energy molecule ATP.

"Our findings offer the strongest evidence to date that decreased blood levels of acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine could act as blood biomarkers for identifying those who have Alzheimer's disease, and potentially those who are at greater risk of developing early dementia," lead investigator Betty Bigio, PhD, of New York University Grossman School of Medicine stated. "The results also might explain the differences by sex in Alzheimer's disease, with more women than men having dementia."

The study compared 93 adults with cognitive impairment and 32 cognitively healthy individuals. The researchers observed lower levels of acetyl-L-carnitine in cognitively impaired men and women and lower free carnitine in women in comparison with the healthy group. Free carnitine, a byproduct of acetyl-L-carnitine, decreased in women in association with the severity of cognitive decline. Low acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine levels were found to be related to increased cerebrospinal fluid levels of beta-amyloid and tau protein tangles, which are markers of Alzheimer's disease severity.

"Because declines in acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine tracked closely with the severity of Alzheimer's disease, the molecular pathways involved in their production offer other possible therapeutic targets for getting at the root cause of the disease and potentially intervening before permanent brain damage occurs," senior investigator Carla Nasca, PhD, of New York University predicted.

—D Dye

Key vitamins lower in people with Alzheimer's disease

January 08 2025. Findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the February 2025 issue of the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics suggest that Alzheimer's disease patients may be low in six essential vitamins.

"Despite extensive research, the precise mechanism underlying Alzheimer's disease development remains elusive due to its multifaceted etiology," authors Sagar Marwaha of the University of Cambridge, England and colleagues wrote. "Vitamin deficiency has emerged as a notable contributor to Alzheimer's disease onset and progression, exerting a significant influence on brain function."

The research team reviewed 66 articles for their meta-analysis. The studies reported average blood levels of vitamins A, B12, C, D and/or vitamin E and folate in subjects with Alzheimer's disease and healthy controls who did not have the disease.

The meta-analysis revealed significantly lower levels of vitamin C, followed vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin A and vitamin B12 among Alzheimer's disease patients compared with the control groups.

In their discussion of the findings, Marwaha and colleagues remarked that an increase in oxidative stress, which contributes to neurodegeneration, is lowered by the intake of antioxidant vitamins which include vitamins A, C and E. They suggested intervention with antioxidants in the preliminary stages of Alzheimer's disease to delay cognitive decline.

Concerning vitamin D, they noted that low cognitive function test scores have been associated with reduced serum levels of the vitamin and that it has been shown to improve cognitive performance in human studies.

"Our comprehensive analysis highlights the potential significance of vitamin levels in understanding Alzheimer's disease pathology," Marwaha and associates concluded. "This underscores avenues for further research and potential therapeutic interventions targeting vitamin deficiencies in people with Alzheimer's disease, potentially offering new strategies for managing the disease."

—D Dye

New study supports benefits of moderate wine drinking

January 06 2025. A study published December 18, 2024, in European Heart Journal that used a urinary marker as a measure of wine intake added evidence to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in association with light-to-moderate wine drinking. Use of a biomarker may be a more precise measure of wine intake compared with the amounts reported by people who drink.

"To our knowledge, this is the first case-cohort study of cardiovascular disease assessing and quantifying the effects of wine consumption measured with an objective biomarker," Inés Domínguez-López and colleagues announced.

The study included 1,232 men and women at risk of cardiovascular events. Wine consumption was ascertained by responses to food frequency questionnaires. Tartaric acid was selected as a biomarker of wine intake since it is produced mainly in grapes and rarely by other plant species.

Reported wine consumption at the beginning of the study was shown to correspond with urinary tartaric acid levels. These levels were grouped into five categories that represented glasses of wine consumed. After adjustment for the intake of grapes and raisins, individuals whose tartaric levels reflected the intake of 12 to 35 glasses of wine per month had half the risk of experiencing heart attack, stroke, heart failure or death from cardiovascular disease during a median 9 years of extended follow-up compared with those whose intake was lowest at approximately one monthly glass of wine.

Red wine is a source of resveratrol and other polyphenols. The authors remarked that "The mechanisms underlying the potential beneficial effects of wine remain uncertain, whether they are attributed to its ethanol content or other nutritional components, such as polyphenols."

"Using an objective and reliable urinary biomarker, we found that light-to-moderate consumption of wine was associated with a lower rate of clinical cardiovascular events in a Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk," they concluded.

—D Dye

Fish oil, glucosamine could improve longevity of cancer patients with poor lifestyle

January 03 2025. A study reported October 17, 2024, in Nutrition Journal revealed a protective effect for glucosamine and fish oil among people with cancer who had poor Life Essential 8 scores, a measure lifestyle components that support cardiovascular health and other aspects of wellness.

A team from the Chinese University of Hong Kong evaluated data from 14,920 men and women diagnosed with cancer who participated in the UK Biobank, which enrolled approximately half a million individuals in the United Kingdom from 2006–2010. Questionnaire responses provided information concerning the use of fish oil and/or glucosamine, as well as factors used in the calculation of Life Essential 8 scores: smoking status, sleep, diet, exercise levels, blood pressure, lipids, glucose and body mass index (BMI). Mortality was ascertained from recruitment though March 23, 2021.

During the median 12-year follow-up period, there were 2,204 deaths from cancer, 590 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 2,708 deaths from all causes. Individuals who used glucosamine and fish oil had respective 17% and 11% lower adjusted risks of dying from cancer or all causes during follow-up. While fish oil use was associated with a 33% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, adjustment for age and sex reduced the significance of the finding. Further investigation determined that the reductions in mortality associated with glucosamine and fish oil occurred only among participants with low Life Essential 8 scores or those with poor cancer prognoses.

"This is the first study to examine the impact of Life Essential 8 scores and cancer prognosis on the associations between the use of fish oil and glucosamine and the risk of mortality in a cancer patient population," Chun Sing Lam and colleagues announced. They suggested that the findings be considered in future research involving nutrients and personalized integrative cancer care.

—D Dye

NAC associated with reduced disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients

January 01 2025. A systematic review and meta-analysis of four trials that evaluated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in men and women with rheumatoid arthritis concluded that NAC alleviated disease activity and reduced markers of inflammation. The findings were published in the November 2024 issue of the British Journal of Hospital Medicine.

"Over the past two decades, the introduction of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and targeted synthetic DMARDs has significantly improved rheumatoid arthritis management," Tingting He and colleagues at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine wrote. "However, a considerable number of rheumatoid arthritis patients still fail to achieve and sustain clinical remission, underscoring the urgent need for new treatment strategies."

The meta-analysis included four articles that reported the findings of randomized trials which included a total of 106 participants who received NAC and 98 participants who were given a placebo. Trial duration was a minimum of eight weeks.

Analysis of the participants' Disease Activity Score-28 for Rheumatoid Arthritis with ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), determined in three of the studies (which included a total of 162 participants), showed a reduction in disease activity among those who received NAC. Global health scores, number of tender joints, number of swollen joints, and markers of inflammation that included ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP) showed improvements among the groups who received NAC. Although NAC is a precursor of the antioxidant glutathione, no improvement in oxidative stress was determined in association with NAC in the current analysis.

"This study conducted according to a protocol pre-registered on the PROSPERO website, represents the first systematic review and meta-analysis assessing NAC therapy for rheumatoid arthritis," the authors announced. "In summary, the current evidence indicates that NAC can reduce inflammatory markers and improve joint tenderness and swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis," they concluded.

—D Dye

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