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Alcoholism relapse may be triggered by release of immunological protein in brain: Study

by Pragati Singh
written by Pragati Singh

According to a recent study by Scripps Research scientists, the anxiety that occurs during withdrawal from excessive alcohol consumption and contributes to relapse may be triggered in part by the release of an immune protein in the brain.
The study, published online in Molecular Psychiatry on June 6, 2022, sheds light on the molecular aspects of the brain’s reaction to alcohol withdrawal and implies that the immunological protein colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) might be a target of future therapies for alcohol consumption disorder (AUD).

“Alcohol withdrawal activates the stress system in the brain, which contributes to relapse, and in this study, we linked this stress response to CSF1, a neuroimmune mediator, opening up new opportunities for therapeutic intervention,” says study senior author Marisa Roberto, PhD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas at Austin.

“Alcohol withdrawal triggers the stress system in the brain, which leads to relapse,” explains research senior author Marisa Roberto, PhD, professor and Schimmel Family Chair in Scripps Research’s Department of Molecular Medicine.
Reesha R. Patel, PhD, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Roberto lab, is the study’s first author and performed several of the tests.

Alcohol is by far the most popular and misused recreational substance. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nine million men and more than five million women in the United States have an alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is defined as an inability to control alcohol use despite its negative impact on the user’s health, social life, and/or employment. There are drug therapies, talk therapy, and support group-based treatments available, but recurrence is prevalent, owing to a lack of understanding of the brain-circuit dysfunctions driving AUD.

Scientists know that relapse-promoting alcohol withdrawal symptoms include increased anxiety, which is generated, at least in part, by the production of stress molecules such as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) inside the brain.

CRF activates receptors on neurons in the prefrontal cortex as well as those in the limbic system, a group of more basic brain areas that process emotions. If scientists were able to thoroughly identify and define these CRF-sensitive neuronal groups, they would be able to better understand how anxiety develops during withdrawal and maybe develop effective therapies to alleviate it.

In the latest work, Roberto and her colleagues found a group of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of mice that are responsive to CRF because they express a CRF receptor known as CRF1. The researchers discovered that these neurons influence mood and behaviour during alcohol intake and withdrawal.

The team’s preliminary research demonstrated that removing these CRF-sensitive neurons reduces anxiety in mice, indicating that the neurons regularly influence anxiety-like behaviours.

The researchers discovered that when alcohol-dependent mice suffer alcohol withdrawal, these CRF-sensitive mPFC neurons become less excitable (less likely to fire messages to other neurons when stimulated). Nearby mPFC neurons lacking CRF receptors, on the other hand, become more excitable.

“These CRF-sensitive mPFC neurons appear to represent a distinct neuronal population that experiences dramatic neuroadaptations with persistent alcohol exposure,” explains study co-author and postdoctoral research fellow Pauravi Gandhi, PhD.

Surprisingly, the researchers discovered that, while alcohol withdrawal reduced the excitability of CRF-sensitive neurons, it simultaneously increased CSF1 gene expression inside these neurons. CSF1 is an immunological protein best recognised for its involvement in promoting the maturation of stem cells into giant white blood cells known as macrophages. CSF1 is expected to play a similar role in the brain in the maintenance of brain-resident immune cells known as microglia. Furthermore, previous study in mice suggests that under chronic stress, CSF1 synthesis increases in the mPFC, causing microglia to prune connections between neurons, resulting in anxiety and depression symptoms.

To investigate CSF1’s role in alcohol withdrawal further, Roberto and colleagues artificially increased CSF1 production in CRF-sensitive mPFC neurons in mice, and found that the animals displayed many of the same neuronal and behavioural changes seen in alcohol withdrawal, implying that elevated CSF1 levels in mPFC may be a key driver of alcohol-withdrawal signs and symptoms.

“Targeting CSF1 may therefore be a suitable method for treating AUD,” Patel adds, “and we’re now keen to test that in our preclinical models.”

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Coffee drinkers have lower risk of death as compared to non-coffee drinkers, Study finds

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

Individuals who drink 1.5 to 3.5 litres of coffee per day, with or without sugar, had a lower risk of death than adults who do not drink coffee at all, according to a recent research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Previous research on the health impacts of coffee has revealed that it is linked to a decreased risk of mortality, but did not differentiate between unsweetened coffee and coffee with sugar or artificial sweeteners. Researchers from Guangzhou’s Southern Medical University utilised data from the UK Biobank study’s health behaviour questionnaire to look at the links between sugar-sweetened, artificially sweetened, and unsweetened coffee intake and overall and cause-specific death.

To determine coffee drinking patterns, more than 171,000 people in the UK without known heart disease or cancer were asked a series of dietary and health behaviour questionnaires. The researchers discovered that people who drank any amount of unsweetened coffee were 16 to 21% less likely to die over the 7-year follow-up period than those who did not.

Sweetened Coffee helps

They also discovered that those who consumed 1.5 to 3.5 cups of sugar-sweetened coffee were 29 to 31% less likely to die than those who did not drink coffee. Adults who drank sugar-sweetened coffee added just around 1 teaspoon of sugar per cup of coffee, according to the authors. Participants who drank coffee with artificial sweeteners had unclear results.

Any accompanying editorial by the editors of Annals of Internal Medicine notes that while coffee has qualities that could make health benefits possible, confounding variables including more difficult to measure differences in socioeconomic status, diet, and other lifestyle factors may impact findings. The authors add that the participant data is at least 10 years old and collected from a country where tea is a similarly popular beverage.

Also Read: Drinking coffee on daily basis may be beneficial to heart? Know how

They caution that the average amount of daily sugar per cup of coffee recorded in this analysis is much lower than specialty drinks at popular coffee chain restaurants, and many coffee consumers may drink it in place of other beverages that make comparisons to non-drinkers more difficult. Based on this data, clinicians can tell their patients that there is no need for most coffee drinkers to eliminate the beverage from their diet but to be cautious about higher calorie specialty coffees.

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All you need to know about your vitamins intake

by Pragati Singh
written by Pragati Singh

On my desk is a nearly mummified bottle of Centrum Women Multigummies. When my mother’s shrill voice blasts through my phone’s speaker, I remember to take the recommended two gummies. She believes that everyone should take at least a multivitamin.

I rarely consider my vitamin levels, and I suspect that many others do as well. So, when do our bodies require us to take vitamins? While research suggests that supplements are not strictly necessary for the average person, they can be beneficial for those who require them.

What exactly are vitamins? Why are they significant?
Our bodies require vitamins for proper development and functioning. The majority of the vitamins on which our bodies rely are obtained from our diet. That means that if the average American eats a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains, they won’t need to take vitamin supplements.

But this isn’t always the case. Vitamin and mineral supplements are sometimes required. Certain vitamins can be deficient due to dietary restrictions or natural deficiencies. Iron, vitamin D, B12, and calcium are among the most commonly deficient vitamins and minerals.

Unless you take an at-home test or have a blood analysis done by your doctor, you won’t know if you’re deficient in vitamins, making it difficult to know when to begin taking a supplement.
Common signs of vitamin and mineral deficiency
The term “vitamin deficiency” is a broad one. In many cases, you may be deficient in only one vitamin. The 13 essential vitamins are listed below, along with the most common deficiency symptoms for each.

Common signs of vitamin and mineral deficiency

The term “vitamin deficiency” is a broad one. In many cases, you may be deficient in only one vitamin. The 13 essential vitamins are listed below, along with the most common deficiency symptoms for each.

Vitamin A: Gastrointestinal diseases such as Celiac disease and liver cirrhosis can impair the body’s ability to absorb vitamin A as it should. The most common signs of vitamin A deficiency are frequent infections, skin irritation, night blindness, and hazy vision.

Vitamin C: Deficiency of vitamin C is uncommon in developed countries. It does, however, affect 7.1 percent of US adults. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production in our bodies; a lack of it has been linked to damaged skin and slow wound healing. One of the most common warning signs of this deficiency is easy bruising.

Vitamin D: Our bodies produce vitamin D from sunlight. It is essential for our immune health and has been linked to a lower risk of COVID-19 infection. A lack of vitamin D can lead to frequent illness, decreased bone metabolism, and muscle pain.

Vitamin E: As an antioxidant, vitamin E protects your cells from damage. While it is uncommon in healthy people, a lack of vitamin E contributes to nerve and muscle damage, which can result in vision impairments or loss of feeling in your arms or legs.

B Vitamins: Thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, biotin (B7), folate and folic acid, and vitamin B12 are the eight B vitamins. Vitamin B deficiencies are more common in older people and pregnant women. Anemia, fatigue, and weakness are examples of symptoms.

Vitamin requirements vary by age group:
The vitamins our bodies require to grow and function change over time. Our bodies become less effective at absorbing or producing certain vitamins as we age. Nutritional requirements by age group are listed below.

Infants and children

Because baby formula is vitamin-fortified, there is no need for additional supplements if they consume more than 500 millilitres of formula per day. Breastfed babies do require an additional source of vitamin D. The Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that breastfed babies get 400 international units, or IU, of vitamin D every day. Vitamin D is not only necessary for bone development, but it also protects against rickets.

Childhood is a time of rapid physical development as well as rapid cognitive development. For children aged 6 months to 5 years, the US government recommends daily supplements containing vitamins A, C, and D.

Teenagers and adolescent
Adolescents and teens have higher nutritional needs due to increased growth and metabolism. For children aged 9 to 18, the daily recommendation is at least 1,300 mg of calcium, 1.8 to 2.4 micrograms of B vitamins, and 11 IU of vitamin E. A healthy diet can meet the needs of the average adolescent.

The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine provides guidelines for healthy children and adults. Keep in mind that these figures are based on averages. If you suspect that your adolescent is deficient in vitamins, consult with a doctor.

Adults
According to the National Institutes of Health, the average adult requires around 1,000 milligrammes of calcium per day to maintain bone density throughout adulthood. During the fall and winter months, when you can’t get enough vitamin D from the sun, a supplement may be necessary. It’s difficult to get enough vitamin D from food.

When compared to other groups, women and those who are breastfeeding are the most likely to have nutrient deficiencies. Women’s nutritional needs change during pregnancy, requiring more macronutrients and micronutrients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women take 400 micrograms of folic acid per day to help prevent potential congenital disabilities.

Breastfeeding mothers must produce enough nutrients to meet the nutritional needs of their children. As a result, the recommended vitamin A intake nearly doubles to around 1,300 milligrammes per day when breastfeeding.

Elders

Parts of the elderly population are vulnerable to vitamin deficiencies due to concerns about chewing difficulties or medical issues. Furthermore, as we age, our bodies absorb less vitamin B12 from the foods we eat. B12 deficiency affects up to 43% of the elderly. People over the age of 50 should take a vitamin B12 supplement or eat fortified foods. There are also concentrated B12 shots available.

Another nutrient that our gut absorbs less of as we age is calcium, which can lead to weak bones or frequent fractures. Adults over the age of 70 should consume 1,200 mg of calcium per day, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Vitamin deficiencies in the elderly can compound one another. A lack of calcium in the body is linked to vitamin D deficiency, which is more common in older adults because our bodies are less effective at producing it. To absorb calcium, our bodies require vitamin D.

 

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De-cluttering your metabolism

by Pragati Singh
written by Pragati Singh

Decluttering your diet is a method of cleaning out your diet and meal plans. It’s all about eating healthy. Eating “clean” entails attempting to consume food as nature provides it. It is the concept of removing all extra ingredients and food items from the diet in order to keep it as healthy and clean as possible.

Eliminating all fictitious and unwanted ingredients from the diet is a very simple way of decluttering the diet. When done correctly, this actually works quite well in benefiting the body and making it stronger and leaner.

The following are some suggestions for cleaning up your diet and decluttering it in order to reap the most health benefits:

  • Begin your day with essential health superfoods such as chia seeds, almonds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and flax seeds. You may choose one such food per day. Begin your day with a glass of lukewarm water, followed by your choice of healthy superfoods from the list above. Remember to keep it clean and avoid combining too many other ingredients with these foods. Keep it clean to reap the most health benefits.
  • Protein-rich foods should be included in your diet. A human must consume the same amount of protein in grammes as he does in kilogrammes. Consider healthy proteins such as legumes, pulses, lentils, paneer, tofu, lean meats, and seafood. Remember to thoroughly cook these proteins.
  • Include plenty of fibre. A high fibre diet will help to support your high protein diet. A person must be prepared to support their meal plans in a well-balanced manner. Fiber-rich foods such as leafy greens, vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and whole legumes are essential for meeting your body’s needs.
  • For a healthy, clean diet, healthy cooking oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil should be used. Essential fatty acid-rich foods must be included in the diet. To increase your healthy fat content, include fresh avocados, coconuts, flax seeds, and other foods in your diet.
  • Drink plenty of plain, room-temperature water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
  • Incorporate homemade or natural probiotic foods into your diet, such as curd, yoghurt, fermented beans, fermented vegetables, kombucha, kanji, and so on.

Keep in mind that decluttering your meal plans is all about eating clean. And clean eating is all about eating in the way that nature intended.

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Green Mediterranean diet might be “win-win” for both health and environment

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

Climate experts feel that reducing people’s consumption of meat and dairy products is one of the most effective things they can do for the environment.

According to ResearchTrusted Source, global production of animal-based meals — including livestock feed — contributes for 57% of total greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, while plant-based foods account for only 29%.

Another research suggests that if everyone turned vegan, the quantity of land required by farmers to grow food would be reduced by 3.1 billion hectares, or 76 percent.

According to the authors, rewilding the freed-up area would remove about 8.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year for the next 100 years, in addition to reducing emissions from food production.

Of all, the thought that billions of people throughout the world would willingly forego their steaks, sausages, and cheeseburgers to combat climate change may sound far-fetched.

However, if they realised how much it would enhance their own health, they may reconsider.

Recent studies

According to Trusted Source, persons who consume little or no meat had a decreased risk of cancer, particularly colon cancer and prostate cancer in males.

Diets that combine a decrease in meat and dairy consumption with an increase in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats provide additional health advantages.

A number of scientific investigations currently indicate that eating a “green” Mediterranean diet, or green Med diet, may give extra advantages in addition to the conventional Mediterranean diet.

The diet, which includes more plant foods high in polyphenols and aspires to eliminate meat entirely, is also healthier for the environment.

“Eliminating meat consumption — beef, pork, lamb — is by far the most significant single approach to minimise the carbon footprint from food,” said Dr. Meir Stampfer, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston and one of the study’ authors.

In comparison to other foods, beef contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

Human health and biodiversity

The overall area required for meat production includes a significant amount of land for cultivating crops to feed cattle.

So, by lowering the quantity of land dedicated to meat production across the world, the green Med diet might play a significant role in biodiversity preservation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) presents a virtuous loop that connects diversified, plant-based diets, human health, biodiversity, and sustainability in its 2020 report “Biodiversity for Nutrition and Health Trusted Source.”

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Nutrition News

Vitamin C: Improving intake works wonders for health

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

Immunity is more important than ever during pandemics. Vitamin C, commonly known as ascorbic acid, is a vital vitamin that helps to increase immunity and protect against a variety of infections and chronic disorders. According to research, the vitamin can also aid patients with heart disease or high blood pressure by protecting end organ damage and improving vascular endothelial function, which helps control blood clotting.

Vitamin C serves a variety of tasks, including cell protection and the maintenance of healthy skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage. It also aids in wound healing.

“Vitamin C is an important component for boosting immunity.” Because of the significant oxidative stress found in these individuals, people with prevalent NCDs such as diabetes and hypertension may require more vitamin C than others. Individuals can increase their usual nutritional intake by taking vitamin C supplements in addition to eating a well-balanced diet rich in citrus fruits and tomatoes.

How much vitamin C we require; what happens if we consume too much of it

According to the NHS, adults aged 19 to 64 require 40 mg of vitamin C each day (National Health Service, UK). Because it cannot be stored in the body, it must be consumed on a daily basis. However, excessive vitamin C use should be avoided to avoid adverse effects such as stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, or gas.

How to Determine if You Have a Vitamin C Deficiency

This vital vitamin is inadequate in an estimated 74% of individuals in North India and 46% of adults in both North and South India. People with noncommunicable illnesses are more deficient in vitamin C than others, and as a result, their immune levels are lower.

Common signs of vitamin C insufficiency include bleeding gums, muscular and joint aches, anaemia, and poor wound healing. A vitamin C-rich diet, along with supplementation, can help improve levels and sustain optimal health.

Vitamin C insufficiency is frequent among the elderly. Pollution or pollutant exposure, as well as heavy cigarette use, can all contribute to deficiency.

Changes in lifestyle that might boost vitamin C levels in the body

A nutritious, well-balanced diet rich in citrus fruits and tomatoes is required for adequate vitamin C consumption.
Vitamin C is an important component for boosting immunity. A nutritious, well-balanced diet rich in citrus fruits and tomatoes is required for adequate vitamin C consumption. In addition to healthy nutrition and diet, boosting micronutrient consumption with vitamin C supplementation can improve health outcomes and promote immunity.

Vitamin C sources to include in a summer diet

Oranges are well recognised for being a good source of vitamin C. Aside from that, foods high in vitamin C include kiwis, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, and red peppers.

 

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5 foods for better sleep!

by Pragati Singh
written by Pragati Singh

People who sleep well are less likely to become ill than those who do not sleep well. A good night’s sleep reduces your chances of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, as well as relieving stress. It improves your ability to think clearly and make better judgments at home and at work. While we may not be aware of it, what we eat has a significant impact on the quality of our sleep.

Poor eating habits, such as dining late or eating high-calorie meals at night, can disrupt your natural sleep mechanism, leaving you restless and unable to sleep. On the other side, there are some meals that might help you relax and sleep better. In this post, we’ll go through the greatest foods for sleeping so you may stay healthy, happy, and stress-free every day.
“Some sleep-friendly foods that can improve sleep quality include chamomile tea, almonds, walnuts, passion fruit tea, fatty fish, kiwi, and many more,” explains Asma Alam, Nutritionist and Dietitian.

According to Sahiba Bhardwaj, Nutritionist & Nutrition Educator with a Masters in Nutrition Science & Research Policy, TUFTS, including these five items in your diet will help you sleep better.

Prunes

Prunes, which are dried plums, are helpful for sleeping. They are high in vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium, and they aid in the generation of melatonin, the sleep-regulating hormone. Eat them 30 minutes before sleep, as part of your meal, or as part of your trail mix, with a glass of warm milk.

Milk

According to Ayurveda, a calming cup of warm milk might help you sleep better. Organic A2 cow’s milk, goat milk, or almond milk can all be used. Warm it up with a sprinkle of nutmeg or raw turmeric (company it with some black pepper) or Ashwagandha powder (avoid it if you have thyroid issues) and drink it before bed.

Banana

Banana is a nice fruit to consume at night, according to Ayurveda. Its magnesium and potassium content helps to relax our muscles, while vitamin B6 aids in the conversion of tryptophan into serotonin, allowing the user to relax and de-stress.

Almonds

A handful of almonds is all you need to fall asleep quickly. It includes magnesium and tryptophan, which aid in muscle relaxation and neurological function. For extra advantages, combine almond butter or peanut butter (no more than 34 tbsp) with a banana.

Herbal teas

Herbal drinks without caffeine, particularly chamomile tea, can help relax the nerves, lessen bodily tension, and aid in better sleep. It’s also hydrating and gentle on the stomach.

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Is Your Favorite Spicy Food Causing Stomach Problems?

by Pragati Singh
written by Pragati Singh

Spice can transform an ordinary meal into something far more memorable. However, the signature heat that it produces can have an impact on more than just your taste buds.

Spicy foods were once blamed for causing peptic ulcers, which are sores in the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) that cause dull or burning pain. Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin, bacterial infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), or, in rare cases, tumours are now known to be the root causes of these ulcers.

Similarly, spicy foods do not cause gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which is a chronic condition in which the contents of the stomach wash back into the oesophagus due to a weak or malfunctioning muscle valve between the two. The stomach acids can then irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn, which feels like a burning sensation in the chest, behind the breastbone, and/or in the throat.

“All foods lead to the reflux of acid,” says Andrew Ippoliti, MD, a gastroenterologist at Keck Medicine of USC and professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

The stomach secretes acid during meals, and food can buffer the acid while it’s in the stomach. Once the food is digested and empties from the stomach, however, acid secretion continues without any food to neutralize it.

“This is the time when reflux occurs, and regardless of whether you’ve eaten spicy or bland food, the same process takes place.”

The one exception is coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated), because it stimulates acid secretion and has no capacity to buffer the acid.

On the other hand, intolerances or sensitivities to certain foods, including spicy foods, may be behind irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a gastrointestinal condition that comes with symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or bloating. One study found that people who consumed certain spices more than 10 times a week — chili pepper, curry, ginger, cinnamon and turmeric — were more likely to have IBS than people who never consumed them. If spicy foods trigger IBS symptoms for you, your doctor will probably suggest you take them off your menu.

Less conclusive at the moment is whether spicy food increases the risk for cancer. A recent meta-analysis looked at almost 40 studies and found that eating large amounts of spicy food was associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer. But more research needs to be conducted before there’s conclusive evidence that spicy food is a definitive risk factor for gastric cancer.

When it comes to spicy food and gastrointestinal issues like heartburn, bloating and diarrhea, however, the bottom line is this: “There’s no need to avoid spicy foods unless they regularly lead to symptoms.

 

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Nutrition News

Vitamin D3 Bolsters Immune System Better Than Vitamin D2: Researchers

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

Vitamin D is an important component for bone and immune system health, but recent study reveals that not all versions of the vitamin are created equal.

Scientists from the Universities of Surrey and Brighton in the United Kingdom looked at two types of vitamin D supplements — those containing vitamin D2 and those containing vitamin D3 — and found that only vitamin D3 had an effect on the body that might help the immune system.

“We have shown that vitamin D3 appears to stimulate the type I interferon signaling system in the body — a key part of the immune system that provides a first line of defense against bacteria and viruses,” Colin Smith, PhD, a professor of functional genomics at Brighton and a lead study author, said in a press release. “Thus, a healthy vitamin D3 status may help prevent viruses and bacteria from gaining a foothold in the body.”

This is significant, because previous research indicated both forms of vitamin D were equally effective, while this latest study suggests foods fortified with vitamin D should prioritize D3 over D2.

“The lack of impact we found when looking at vitamin D2 means that a larger study is urgently required to clarify the differences in the effects,” said Susan Lanham-New, PhD, a professor and head of the department of nutritional sciences at Brighton and a study co-author.

Vitamin D is different than other vitamins in that it’s naturally synthesized by the cholesterol cells in the body when your skin is exposed to sunlight.

But most people don’t get enough sunshine or eat enough vitamin D-rich foods to get an adequate supply. More than 4 in 10 Americans get insufficient levels of vitamin D, studies show.

Hence, many foods are fortified with vitamin D to help increase daily intake — milk being one of the most common.

Besides spending more time in the sunshine — you only need about 10 to 30 minutes’ worth a few times per week — certain foods are going to be your best source of vitamin D.

This story has been published from a syndicate feed with some modifications to the text.

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Changing your diet could add up to a decade to life expectancy, study finds

by Pragati Singh
written by Pragati Singh

A young adult in the U.S. could add more than a decade to their life expectancy by changing their diet from a typical Western diet to an optimized diet that includes more legumes, whole grains and nuts, and less red and processed meat, according to a new study publishing Feb. 8 in PLOS Medicine by Lars Fadnes of the University of Bergen, Norway, and colleagues. For older people, the anticipated gains to life expectancy from such dietary changes would be smaller but still substantial.

Food is fundamental for health and, globally, dietary risk factors are estimated to lead to 11 million deaths and 255 million disability-adjusted life-years annually. In the new study, researchers used existing meta-analyses and data from the Global Burden of Diseases study to build a model that enables the instant estimation of the effect on life expectancy (LE) of a range of dietary changes. The model is also now available as a publicly available online tool called the Food4HealthyLife calculator (https://food4healthylife.org/).

For young adults in the United States, the model estimates that a sustained change from a typical Western diet to the optimal diet beginning at age 20 would increase LE by more than a decade for women (10.7 [uncertainty interval 5.9-14.1] years) and men (13.0 [6.9-17.3] years). The largest gains in years of LE would be made by eating more legumes (females: 2.2 [1.0-3.4]; males: 2.5 [1.1-3.9]), more whole grains (females: 2.0 [0.7-3.3]; males: 2.3 [0.8-3.8]), and more nuts (females: 1.7 [0.8-2.7]; males: 2.0 [1.0-3.0]), less red meat (females: 1.6 [0.7-2.5]; males: 1.9 [0.8-3.0]) and less processed meat (females: 1.6 [0.7-2.5]; males: 1.9 [0.8-3.0]). Changing from a typical diet to the optimized diet at age 60 years could still increase LE by 8.0 (4.8-11.2) years for women and 8.8 (5.2-12.5) years for men, and 80-year-olds could gain 3.4 years (females: 2.1-4.7 and males: 2.1-4.8) from such dietary changes.

“Understanding the relative health potential of different food groups could enable people to make feasible and significant health gains,” the authors say. “The Food4HealthyLife calculator could be a useful tool for clinicians, policy makers, and lay-people to understand the health impact of dietary choices.”

Fadnes adds, “Research until now have shown health benefits associated with separate food group or specific diet patterns but given limited information on the health impact of other diet changes. Our modeling methodology has bridged this gap.”

Source: PLOS

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