Daily Archives: 6 September 2024

Millions around the globe lack essential micronutrients necessary for human health

According to a new study by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, UC Santa Barbara, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, over half of the global population fails to meet the recommended intake levels of several essential micronutrients, including calcium, iron, and vitamins C and E. This pioneering research, slated for publication in The Lancet Global Health on August 29, offers the first global estimates of deficient consumption for 15 critical micronutrients, thereby marking a significant advancement in our understanding of nutritional deficits worldwide.

Micronutrient deficiencies are among the most prevalent forms of malnutrition worldwide, each associated with severe health repercussions. These range from negative impacts on pregnancy outcomes to increased risks of blindness and heightened vulnerability to infectious diseases. Previous studies have quantified the availability and consumption of these nutrients but have yet to evaluate whether these intakes satisfy the health requirements, especially distinguishing between the needs of males and females throughout various stages of life.

Chris Free, co-lead author and research professor at UCSB emphasizes the importance of their study, noting its novelty in estimating the inadequacy of micronutrient intakes across 34 age-sex groups in almost every country globally. Moreover, the research team has made their methodologies and findings readily accessible to both the academic community and practitioners, thereby facilitating further research and intervention planning.

The study leveraged data from the Global Dietary Database, the World Bank, and dietary recall surveys from 31 countries, assessing the nutritional needs against actual intakes among populations spanning 185 countries. The analysis covered both genders across 17 age groups, from newborns to older adults over 80, and examined 15 essential vitamins and minerals.

The results revealed widespread deficiencies, with significant gaps in the intake of iodine (68% of the global population), vitamin E (67%), calcium (66%), and iron (65%). Other nutrients like riboflavin, folate, and vitamins C and B6 also showed high levels of inadequacy, while niacin and selenium were among the less deficient nutrients. Interestingly, the study found inadequate intakes were generally higher among women than men for certain nutrients like iodine, vitamin B12, iron, and selenium, which were within the same demographic and regional brackets. Conversely, deficiencies in nutrients such as calcium, niacin, thiamin, zinc, magnesium, and several vitamins were more prevalent among men.

Patterns of deficiency varied significantly with sex. However, age also played a crucial role, especially in the 10-30-year age bracket, which showed deficient calcium intake levels, notably in South and East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. North America, Europe, and Central Asia also recorded low levels of calcium intake.

Ty Beal, a senior technical specialist at GAIN, described the findings as alarming. They indicate that the scope of micronutrient deficiencies is even more extensive than previously recognized, affecting people across all geographic and economic categories. These deficiencies severely hinder health outcomes and limit human potential on a global scale.

Christopher Golden, senior author and associate professor of nutrition and planetary health at Harvard Chan School, underscored the enormity of the public health challenge posed by these findings. He emphasized the urgent need for health practitioners and policymakers to develop and implement targeted dietary interventions to address these deficiencies. The study also highlighted the limitations imposed by the lack of comprehensive data on individual dietary intakes globally, which could hinder the depth of future research and the effectiveness of interventions.

More information: Simone Passarelli et al, Global estimation of dietary micronutrient inadequacies: a modelling analysis, The Lancet Global Health. DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00276-6

Journal information: The Lancet Global Health Provided by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Age-Related Changes in Brain Function and Peripheral Vascular Health

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The journal Aging, referred to in MEDLINE/PubMed as “Aging (Albany NY)” and as “Aging-US” by Web of Science, recently published a review in Volume 16, Issue 10, under the title “Peripheral vascular dysfunction and the aging brain.”

Ageing stands as the predominant non-modifiable risk factor for numerous diseases, notably cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the principal cause of death globally. In this new review, researchers Devin Wahl and Zachary S. Clayton from Colorado State University and the University of Colorado highlight compelling evidence that CVD is a significant factor in diminishing brain health and increasing the incidence of all-cause dementia as age progresses.

The review elucidates that CVD is intricately connected with both peripheral and cerebral vascular dysfunction, which are significant factors in the onset and advancement of all forms of dementia. These dysfunctions are primarily propelled by heightened levels of oxidative stress, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS).

There is growing evidence that various fundamental ageing mechanisms, or the so-called “hallmarks” of ageing, which include chronic low-grade inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, and deregulated nutrient sensing, play a critical role in the excessive production of ROS. These mechanisms are prevalent in both peripheral and cerebral vascular dysfunction. Consequently, addressing these mechanisms to mitigate ROS-induced oxidative stress and enhance vascular function in the periphery and brain could be a practical approach to lower the risk of dementia associated with ageing. Explorations into how lifestyle modifications like aerobic exercise, dietary changes, and specific pharmacological interventions—both natural and synthetic—interact with these ageing hallmarks to bolster vascular health could offer a promising avenue for mitigating dementia risk in the elderly.

The principal aim of this review is to dissect the mechanistic relationships between peripheral vascular dysfunction, cerebral vascular dysfunction, and the decline in brain health associated with ageing. Providing insights into these connections and evaluating non-invasive methods to assess vascular health in ageing individuals may pave the way for novel strategies in evaluating dementia risk among older adults.

More information: Devin Wahl et al, Peripheral vascular dysfunction and the aging brain, Aging-US. DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03123-x

Journal information: Aging-US Provided by Impact Journals LLC

Evening Exercise Linked to Improved Sleep – Findings from Otago Study

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While vigorous exercise close to bedtime is traditionally advised against, recent research from the University of Otago suggests that light, brief activities can enhance sleep quality. This groundbreaking study, showcased in the BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine and backed by the Health Research Council, involved participants in two evening sessions. Each session lasted four hours, during which participants either sat continuously or had their sitting punctuated by three-minute activity breaks every half hour. The findings indicated a significant improvement in sleep duration—participants who engaged in these intermittent activity breaks slept an additional 30 minutes.

Jennifer Gale, a PhD candidate at the Department of Human Nutrition and the study’s lead author, highlights the well-documented risks of prolonged sitting. These include heightened chances of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even premature death. Gale points out that many people’s typical evening routine involves extended periods of sitting, often exacerbated at home. Previous research by the team demonstrated that short bouts of exercise, lasting just two to three minutes every half hour, can notably decrease blood sugar and fat levels post-meal.

However, conventional sleep guidelines have consistently advised against engaging in prolonged or intense exercise before bedtime due to potential disruptions in sleep quality. The curiosity of the research team led by Gale and primary investigator Dr Meredith Peddie, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Human Nutrition, was piqued by what effects minimal yet repeated light exercises throughout the evening might have. The exercise regimen they tested included chair squats, calf raises, and standing knee raises with straight leg hip extensions—simple exercises that require no special equipment and can be performed in a small space without disrupting one’s evening leisure activities, like watching television.

Dr Peddie explains that these exercises were selected for their practicality and ease of integration into evening routines. The study suggests that even less structured physical activities, such as walking around the house, marching in place, or dancing, could yield similar benefits. The critical factor is regularly breaking up long periods of sitting with movement.

The significance of these findings extends beyond merely improving sleep duration. Insufficient sleep has been linked to adverse dietary habits and increased risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. While it is well-known that higher levels of daytime physical activity are associated with better sleep, current guidelines discourage strenuous exercise before bedtime as it can raise body temperature and heart rate, which may lead to poor sleep quality.

Dr Peddie advocates for reevaluating these guidelines based on their study’s results, suggesting that interrupting prolonged sitting with frequent, light-intensity exercise could be a viable public health strategy. This study challenges existing perceptions about evening physical activity and sleep and opens new avenues for enhancing health through manageable lifestyle adjustments.

More information: Jennifer T Gale et al, Evening regular activity breaks extend subsequent free-living sleep time in healthy adults: a randomised crossover trial, BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001774

Journal information: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine Provided by University of Otago

Diminished Senses May Affect Mental Well-being and Isolation in Older Adults

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Most individuals, including up to 94% of adults in the U.S., will experience some degree of sensory decline as they age, which often manifests as the need to strain one’s eyes at screens, a desire for more intensely flavoured foods, and frequent mishearing in conversations. Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine are delving into how these sensory deteriorations extend beyond mere annoyances, potentially exacerbating mental health issues among the elderly.

Dr Jayant Pinto, an expert in olfactory dysfunction at UChicago Medicine, explains the impact of sensory decline on experiencing the world. The inability to clearly hear friends during dinner or fully engage with one’s surroundings can compound cognitive burdens, which, over time, may lead to significant mental health challenges. In collaboration with Alexander Wang, a medical student, Dr. Pinto has led research focusing on the prevalence and effects of sensory impairments in older adults. Their findings indicate that sensory disabilities are linked to poorer mental health, with varying types of sensory impairments affecting different mental health aspects.

Their study utilised data from the National Social Life, Health & Aging Project, which followed nearly 4,000 older adults over a decade. The analysis showed that individuals with impairments in multiple senses felt lonelier and reported worse mental health overall. Those with impairments in all three studied senses—vision, hearing, and smell—were more prone to frequent depressive episodes. Notably, vision impairment was most strongly correlated with both loneliness and poor self-rated mental health.

Despite ongoing research into how all five senses affect individuals, the UChicago team has already identified direct ways sensory decline fosters loneliness, sadness, and boredom. Vision impairments can restrict people’s ability to leave their homes or recognise faces while hearing loss can render conversations difficult and unsatisfying. Similarly, a diminished sense of smell can lessen the joy found in familiar aromas, such as a favourite meal or a loved one’s perfume, and affect the perception of pheromones that influence social interactions.

Interestingly, the study highlighted that hearing and vision impairments were associated with more significant impacts on mental health compared to olfactory impairments, a fact that Wang attributes to the more substantial stigma surrounding hearing and vision loss. This reflection on social stigma’s role in mental health has led the researchers to stress the importance of mental health services access and increasing awareness of sensory loss’s mental distress connection.

As society ages, supporting older adults becomes a shared responsibility. Dr. Pinto points out that alleviating the day-to-day challenges faced by seniors can significantly improve their lives, productivity, and quality of life. This support can come from personal levels, such as family members adapting their communication methods and societal levels through public policies and community programs that enhance accessibility.

Moreover, numerous technologies and medical treatments are available to help mitigate sensory impairments. For hearing loss, options include cochlear implants and hearing aids, which may also slow cognitive decline. For vision loss, treatments range from eyeglasses and contact lenses to cataract and LASIK surgery, complemented by aids like text-to-speech software. Even for olfactory issues, interventions like reducing sinus inflammation or smell training exercises can be effective.

By choosing to use the term “disability” in their research, the UChicago team aims to emphasise the significant impact of sensory impairments on individuals’ lives and align with efforts to destigmatise these conditions. Wang hopes that framing the data in this manner will encourage healthcare providers to shift from a Medical Model of Disability, which views disability as a deficiency needing correction, to a Social Model, which sees disability as part of an identity shaped by societal accessibility and accommodations.

This research underscores the need for comprehensive, compassionate care that addresses medical, social, and environmental barriers, enhancing support for older adults to maintain their independence and mental health.

More information: Alexander Z. Wang et al, Types of sensory disability are differentially associated with mental health in older US adults over time, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. DOI: 10.1111/jgs.19056

Journal information: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Provided by University of Chicago Medical Center