Vitamin D Deficiency May Impair Muscle Function

AHA Publisher — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 07:00:35 +0000

Society for Endocrinology via EurekAlert – Vitamin D deficiency may impair muscle function due to a reduction in energy production in the muscles, according to a mouse study published in the Journal of Endocrinology. Vitamin D deficient mice were found to have impaired muscle mitochondrial function, which may have implications for muscle function, performance and recovery. This may suggest that preventing vitamin D deficiency in older adults could help maintain better muscle strength and function and reduce age related muscle deterioration, but further studies are needed to confirm this. Vitamin D is a hormone well known to be important for maintaining bone health and preventing rickets and osteoporosis. In recent years, vitamin D deficiency has been reported to be as prevalent as 40% in European populations and linked to increased risk for several conditions, including COVID-19, cancer and diabetes. Although these studies report association rather than causation, the benefits of vitamin D supplementation are now a major subject of health debate. Multiple studies have also linked low vitamin D levels to poor muscle strength, particularly in older people. Skeletal muscle enables us to move voluntarily and perform everyday activities. It is essential that they have enough energy to power these movements. Specialized organs in cells, called mitochondria, convert nutrients into energy to meet this demand. Previous studies indicate that impaired muscle strength in people with vitamin D deficiency may be linked to impaired muscle mitochondrial function. Determining the role of vitamin D in muscle performance of older people is also difficult, as they may suffer from a number of pre-existing health conditions that can also affect their vitamin D status. Therefore, previous studies have been unable to determine how vitamin D may directly affect muscle performance. Dr Andrew Philp and his team at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia, and collaborating universities, used a mouse model to determine the effects of diet-induced vitamin D deficiency on skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in young, male mice. Mice were either fed a diet with normal quantities of vitamin D, or with no vitamin D to induce deficiency, for a period of 3 months. A typical vitamin D level for humans is 40-50 nmol.L-1, and acute vitamin D deficiency is diagnosed when levels drop below 12 nmol.L-1. On average, the mice in this study had vitamin D levels of 30 nmol.L1, with diet-induced vitamin D deficiency leading to levels of just 3 nmol.L-1. Although this level was more extreme than typically observed in people, it is still within the clinically recognized range. Tissue and blood samples were collected monthly to quantify vitamin D and calcium concentrations and to assess markers of muscle mitochondrial function and number. After 3 months of diet-induced vitamin D deficiency skeletal muscle mitochondrial function was found to be impaired by up to 37%. This was not due to a reduced number of mitochondria or a reduction in muscle mass. “Our results show there is a clear link between vitamin D deficiency and oxidative capacity in skeletal muscle. They suggest that vitamin D deficiency decreases mitochondrial function, as opposed to reducing the number of mitochondria in skeletal muscle.” Dr Philp comments. “We are particularly interested to examine whether this reduction in mitochondrial function may be a cause of age-related loss in skeletal muscle mass and function.” These findings suggest that vitamin D deficiency may impair mitochondrial function and reduce the amount of energy produced in the muscles, which may lead to poor muscle function. Therefore, preventing vitamin D deficiency in older people may help maintain muscle performance and reduce the risk of muscle related diseases, such as sarcopenia. However, further studies that investigate the direct effect of vitamin D deficiency on muscle function and strength are necessary to confirm this. Whilst this study indicates that vitamin D deficiency can alter mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle, Dr Philp and his team were unable to determine precisely how this process occurred. Therefore, their future work aims to establish how vitamin D deficiency alters mitochondrial control and function in skeletal muscle. To read the original article click here.

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Can Magnesium Boost Cognition? Current Studies Suggest…

AHA Publisher — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 07:00:25 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Do you consider magnesium an important part of your diet and/or supplementation protocol? Although often overlooked, magnesium deficiency seems to be a growing problem in the modern diet. In fact, studies show that it’s a vital mineral for many parts of human health. But can magnesium boost cognition? Here are a few current studies in which researchers try to answer this question, and how you may want to adjust your diet for whole-body health. Magnesium and Health Magnesium is an incredibly important nutrient in the human body. In fact, magnesium is a mineral involved in energy production, blood sugar regulation, bone health, sleep cycles, immune system, and more (1). And, while it largely goes undiagnosed, many individuals are at risk of deficient magnesium in the modern world. Why? Possibly: Overuse of magnesium-depleting medications including diuretics and proton pump inhibitors Eating processed and refined foods (which are often very low in magnesium), Depleted soils result in lower magnesium in crops (2) Magnesium losses in sweat that are not replaced Unfortunately, some serious health issues can result from magnesium deficiency. These include diabetes, poor absorption, chronic diarrhea, celiac disease, and bone issues. People with alcoholism, or who follow a strict diet that eliminates high-magnesium foods are at an increased risk (3). And now, we’re learning more about magnesium and cognition. Too much magnesium can be harmful, and too little may increase the risk of decline. Here’s what a few current studies show and how to get the balance right. Can Magnesium Boost Cognition? The Studies There have been several studies that show cognitive benefits with supplemental magnesium. These include: 1. Magnesium-Calcium Ratio Cognition Study One study researched the cognitive effects of changing the ratio of calcium to magnesium consumed by participants. It involved 240 healthy participants over 65 years old and found that cognitive tests improved by 9.1% over 12 weeks when magnesium was increased to a ratio of 2.3 to 1, calcium to magnesium. The daily dose of magnesium ranged from 77.25 mg to 389.55 mg (average 216.5), with the goal of a 2.3 to 1 ratio (4). The researchers believe magnesium supplementation affects activity in a gene that plays a role in calcium signaling in nerve cells and may be associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (at a gene (APOE)). It’s the effects on this gene that are associated with improvements in cognitive function. Of note, magnesium did not have effects on people younger than 65 years of age. Also, while aiming for better calcium to magnesium supplementation ratio, it’s important to avoid high levels of magnesium and a ratio lower than 1.7 to 1. High magnesium supplementation may actually have negative effects on cognition. High amounts of magnesium can also cause diarrhea and loose stools. (5). 2. Magnesium and Cognitive Decline A large U.S. study that included 6,473 women found that participants who consumed between 257 mg and 317 mg of magnesium per day from foods and supplements had a 37% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment compared to those who consumed less than 197 mg per day (6). This study followed the intakes of women for approximately 20 years, beginning around age 70 years old. A similar study from the Netherlands of more than 9,500 adults found that those with the lowest or highest blood levels of magnesium (respectively, 0.79 mmol/L or less and 0.9 mmol/L or greater) were approximately 30% more likely to develop dementia (predominately Alzheimer’s disease) over the course of the study compared to those with mid-range levels (0.84 to 0.85 mmol/L). These results were stated after adjusting for factors such as age and other diseases (7). The adults’ intakes were tracked for about 8 years. Magnesium is also often used in laxatives. One study from Taiwan of more than 6000 men found that those who were prescribed oral magnesium oxide as a laxative for an average of 5 months were 48% less likely to develop dementia over the next 10 years than those who were not. Again, the results were considered after adjusting for factors such as age, gender, and other medical conditions (8). What’s more, those who took the laxatives for more than a year were 59% less likely to develop dementia. Unfortunately, total magnesium from diet and other supplements was not tracked. None of these studies show cause and effect, but they do establish associations between magnesium intake and/or blood levels, and cognitive decline. 3. Magnesium and Memory Magnesium is also thought to support memory. One animal study found that rats given a magnesium supplement (magnesium-L-threonat) performed significantly better on long and short memory testes. Incredibly, magnesium-L-threonate also improved signaling of a specific part of brain receptors associated with the ability to store information. Other forms of magnesium tested, including magnesium chloride, magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, and magnesium gluconate, but did not provide as significant results. They were not as efficient at raising magnesium levels in the central nervous system (as measured by levels in cerebrospinal fluid) (9). How to Get Enough Magnesium Current recommendations are to aim for about 300-400 mg magnesium per day via foods and supplements. You may get enough through foods, but if not, consider supplementation. Also, consider your calcium intake, and aim for a 2-2.5 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium in supplements. For example, if taking 500 mg calcium, your supplement should contain about 250-300 mg magnesium. Many supplements are formulated with a 2:1 ratio. Keto Food Sources of Magnesium Importantly, there are some good food sources of magnesium. These include: Raw Cacao (106 mg per 2.5 Tbsp) Hemp Heart Seeds* (197 mg per 3 Tbsp) Pumpkin Seeds* (300 mg per 1/4 cup) Ground Flaxseeds* (110 mg per 1/4 cup) Spinach (78 mg per 1/2 cup) Almonds, Cashews, and Peanuts (60-80 mg per 1/4 cup) Avocado (44 mg per cup) Plain Yogurt (42 mg per 8 ounces) *Nuts, seeds, and grains contain phytic acid. Phytic acids bind magnesium and make it more difficult to absorb, rendering some foods as low bioavailability for magnesium even though they contain the mineral. Bottom Line Magnesium is a very important mineral in human health. And while more research is warranted, there are current studies that support its role in brain health. Check your intake and make sure you’re getting the magnesium you need each day. To read the original article click here.

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Vitamin D Deficiency May Impair Muscle Function

Can Magnesium Boost Cognition? Current Studies Suggest…