Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and much of it can be attributed to metabolic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and hardening of the arteries. A recent study has uncovered how vitamin D3 is able to repair heart damage caused by metabolic conditions.

For this study, researchers used nanosensors 200-300 millimeter in diameter with a detection limit of 1 nanometer in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The sensors detected nitric oxide and preoxynitrite concentrations in the endothelial cells of African American and Caucasian American donors.

The sensors allowed researchers to observe the balance and imbalance of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. Nitric oxide helps regulate blood flow and prevent clot formation and is considered a marker of a healthy cardiovascular system. Peroxynitrite is an element that is produced by nitric oxide that is toxic to living cells.

Vitamin D3 helps stimulate production of protective nitric oxide and decrease the amount of cytotoxic peroxynitrite. The researchers found that vitamin D significantly brought levels of the two compounds into balance in a dysfunctional endothelium, even more than is usually observed in a normal endothelium.

Researchers from Ohio University led the study. It was published on January 19, 2018, in the International Journal of Nanomedicine.

Consumption of vitamin D3 has been linked to reducing the risk of osteoporosis and high blood pressure in mature adults, improving kidney health, reducing the risk of skin cancer, improving cardiovascular health, combating diabetes, and improving age related eye degeneration.

Vitamin D can be found in milk, fortified cereals, fish, and eggs. Your body also processes vitamin D from the sun but it becomes harder for our bodies to process vitamin D as we age. This can be a particular problem for people living in the northern hemisphere, where sunlight is scarce for much of the year. A high quality vitamin D3 supplement is always a good option if you feel that you’re not getting enough through diet and sun.

Muscle damage that occurs as a result of exercise can make it difficult to continue with an exercise routine or even complete daily activities. A recent study suggests that taking a lemon verbena extract supplement may help reduce muscle damage caused by exhaustive exercise by moderately active people.

Participants in the study included 40 people between the ages of 22 and 50 who did not smoke, were moderately active, and had a BMI between 19 and 30 kg/m². They also ate five or fewer portions of fruits and vegetables per day.

Every morning for 15 days, the participants consumed either two capsules of 200 mg of lemon verbena extract or a maltodextrin placebo. They took the capsules for 10 days prior to an exhaustive exercise test, on the test day, and for four days after the test. The exhaustive exercise test included 200 counter-movement jumps with an additional load equivalent to 10% of the participant’s weight.

The researchers measured perceived muscle soreness by asking participants to sit in a chair, stand up again, and rate their pain. They also adminstered a seven-point questionnaire, which included evaluations of perceived pain during regular activities. The participants answered the questions immediately before the exercise test, and again 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after the test. The researchers also used biochemical analyses of biomarkers including kinase, glutathione peroxidase, and interleukin-6 to assess muscle damage and antioxidative capacity.

At the conclusion of the study, the researchers noted less muscle damage and faster and fuller recovery in the lemon verbena group, when compared with the placebo. They also noted less exercise-related loss of muscle strength, improved glutathione peroxidase activity, and less induced pain in the lemon verbena group.

Researchers from Vital Solutions GmbH led the study. It was published on January 23, 2018, in Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

Lemon verbena is a flowering plant that has been traditionally used in folk medicine as a diuretic, a gout remedy and to treat inflammation of the liver and spleen. Previous studies have found that it may be useful for digestive disorders, agitation, joint pain, insomnia, asthma, cold, fever, and skin conditions.

A recent study suggests that a high concentration of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the blood may be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in people with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Participants in the study included 460 Chinese in-patients who had either multiple cardiovascular risk factors or an established cardiovascular disease diagnosis. The researchers measured blood levels of omega-3 PUFAs, including DHA and EPA.

After examining the data, the researchers found that the patients who already had cardiovascular disease also had lower serum concentrations of omega-3 PUFAs compared to those who had cardiovascular risk factors but did not yet have cardiovascular disease. They also found that high levels of DHA were an independent protective factor against cardiovascular disease after adjusting for age, gender, and co-morbidity factors.

Additionally, an association was found between alcohol consumption and proton pump inhibitor usage and lower concentrations of blood levels of omega-3 PUFAs.

Researchers from Peking University First Hospital conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on January 18, 2018, in the journal Scientific Reports.

Omega-3s have been linked to a number of health benefits, including improved mood, improved joint mobility, reducing the risk of age related macular degeneration, and aiding your immune system.

Because omega-3 fatty-acids are not found naturally in the human body, it is especially important to make sure that they are a part of your daily diet. Oily, dark fish such as tuna and salmon are high in omega-3s. For people who don’t like fish, consider taking a daily high quality non-fish supplement that has been tested for purity and potency.

Irritable bowel syndrome I(BS )is a chronic condition characterized by bowel upset. The causes of IBS are unclear, however, a recent study suggests that taking vitamin D supplements may ease symptoms of IBS, including bloating, stomach cramps, and constipation.

For this review, researchers examined data from seven studies that looked at the role of vitamin D in relation to IBS. In the four observational studies included, researchers concluded that a large portion of people with IBS were also vitamin D deficient. The two intervention studies included found that there was an association between improvement in IBS symptom severity scores and quality of life and vitamin D supplementation.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on January 25, 2018, in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Previous studies have associated vitamin D with improved lipid profiles, help with certain allergies, skin protection, bone and blood sugar health and promoting cognitive function and eye health.

Vitamin D can be found in milk, fortified cereals, fish, and eggs. Your body also processes vitamin D from the sun but it becomes harder for our bodies to process it as we age. A high-quality vitamin D supplement is always a good option if you feel that you’re not getting enough through diet and sun.

Curcumin is the substance that gives curry its yellow color. Previous studies have linked curcumin to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Now a recent study suggests that curcumin may boost memory, attention, and mood in people with mild, age-related memory loss.

Participants in the study included 40 people between the ages of 50 and 90 who had mild memory problems. Over the course of 18 months, they were given either 90 mg of curcumin or placebo twice daily.

All of the participants underwent standardized cognitive assessments at the beginning of the study and at six-month intervals until the conclusion of the study. The researchers monitored curcumin levels in the participants’ blood at the beginning of the study and at the 18-month point. Additionally, 30 participants underwent positron emission tomograophy (PET) scans at the beginning and end of the study in order to measure amyloid and tau levels in their brains. Amyloid and tau are biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease.

At the conclusion of the study, the researchers noted a 28% improvement in memory and attention in the curcumin group, with no improvements in the placebo group. They also noted mild improvements in mood and significantly less amyloid and tau in the curcumin group, when compared with the placebo.

Researchers from UCLA conducted the study. it was published online ahead of print on January 19, 2018, in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Curcumin is present in turmeric but if you’re looking to get truly beneficial levels, it’s best to take it in supplement form.

Osteopenia, defined by a thinning of bone mass, is a precursor and serious risk factor for the development of osteoporosis. A recent study suggests that annatto-derived tocotrienols may help improve bone biomarkers in women with osteopenia.

Participants in the study included 87 postmenopausal women who were given either 300 mg or 600 mg per day of an annatto-derived tocotrienol or a placebo. All of the participants were also given 400IU vitamin D and 500 mg calcium daily.

The researchers examined the bone biomarkers bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP; bone formation), N-terminal telopeptide (NTX; bone resorption), soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (sRANKL; bone resorption), and osteoprotegerin (OPG; bone formation).

The researchers noted significant improvement in bone biomarkers after six weeks and even more at the end of the 12-week period. The ratio of BALP/NTX increased by approximately 40% at six weeks and approximately 100% at twelve weeks for both supplement groups. A higher ratio is a measure for bone remodeling.

They also noted a decrease in the RANKL/OPG ratio of approximately 7-13% at six weeks and 13-24% after 12 weeks. A higher ratio signifies bone resorption. In addition, there was a 49% decrease in urine 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an oxidative stress biomarker, in the tocotrienol groups.

Researchers from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on January 12, 2018, in the journal Osteoporosis International.

Previous studies have shown that tocotrienols may help improve cholesterol, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke and improve blood pressure levels.

Subclinical hypothyroidism is mild thyroid failure without obvious symptoms of thyroid deficiency that occurs in 3%-8% of the global population. A recent study suggests that ashwagandha root may help improve subclinical hypothyroidism.

Participants in the study included 50 people between the ages of 18 and 50 with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels of 4.5 to 10 mIU/L and serum levels of T3 and T4 (markers of thyroid function) in the normal range. Over the course of eight weeks, half of the group took 300 mg of ashwagandha, while the other half took a placebo.

The ashwagandha group had a 12.5% reduction in TSH levels at the four-week mark and a 17.4% reduction at the end of the study. The researchers also noted a 9.4% increase in T4 levels at the four-week mark and a 19.6% increase at the eight-week mark in the ashwagandha group. Additionally, T3 levels increased 18.6% at four week and 41.5% at eight weeks.

In comparison, the placebo group did not show changes in TSH or T4 levels and their serum T3 levels decreased.

Researchers from Sudbhawana Hospital in India conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on August 22, 2017, in the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine.

Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 4,000 years. Previous studies suggest that Ashwagandha may help improve memory, cognitive function and brain health, increase strength, and help with sexual dysfunctions. The best way to consume Ashwagandha is by taking a high quality supplement.

Both constipation and diarrhea are uncomfortable digestive issues that can have negative effects on a person’s daily life. A recent study suggests that taking a daily dose of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE111 may help improve constipation and/or diarrhea in healthy adults.

Participants in the study included 50 people with occasional constipation and/or diarrhea who were given either 1 billion CFU of Bacillus subtilis DE111 or a placebo daily for 105 days. The researchers scored participants’ stools based on the Bristol Stool Chart index and assessed supplement safety via blood markers.

At the end of the supplementation period, the researchers found that the Bacillus subtilis DE111 group improved on the Bristol Stool Chart index, while the placebo group did not show any changes. They also found that Bacillus subtilis DE111 was associated with a reduction in alternating constipation and diarrhea, when compared with the placebo.

The proportion of normal stools increased from 54% to 64% in the Bacillus subtilis DE111 group, while the proportion of normal stools decreased from 56% to 48% in the placebo group. In addition, male participants had an increased proportion of normal stools from 57% to 80%.

Researchers from Deerland Enzymes conducted the study. It was published on November 10, 2017, in the Journal of Probiotics & Health.

Bacillus subtilis DE111 is a strain of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis, which previous research suggests may help with supporting the normal immune reaction of intestinal cells, crowding out bacterial pathogens, and maintaining health gut flora. It can be taken in supplement form.

Research has suggested that iron deficiency is associated with depression in the general population. Now a recent study suggests that iron-deficient pregnant women may have higher levels of perinatal depression than women who have sufficient iron levels.

Participants in the study included 142 women who were between the ages of 18 and 25. All of them were patients at the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic in Hamilton, Ontario, between 2009 and 2016. All of the women had blood drawn for analysis of serum ferritin, which is a biological marker of iron storage, and they all filled out the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire on the same day they had blood drawn.

The researchers found that 31% of the women were iron deficient and that, on average, the iron deficient women had a significantly higher score on the EPDS questionnaire, when compared with women who had adequate levels of iron.

Researchers from the University of Toronto led the study. It was published online ahead of print on January 4, 2018, in Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada.

Iron is essential for healthy blood and affects many other things including muscle function, brain function, and regulation of body temperature. If you’re looking to add more iron to your daily diet, try to eat more lean, low-fat red meats. If you’re a vegetarian or just prefer not to consume too much meat, legumes, lentils, soybeans, whole grains and green leafy vegetables are great dietary sources of iron.

Omega-3s are usually linked with brain and heart health, but these essential nutrients may be important for other health reasons as well. A recent study suggests that consuming more fish and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may help lower the risk of hip fracture.

For their analysis and review, researchers examined data from 19 studies in total, 9 in the meta-analysis and 10 in the systematic review. The studies included a total of 292,657 participants, all of whom were 20 years or older.

After examining the data, the researchers found a significant inverse association between eating fish and the risk of hip fracture. That continued to be true in studies with a sample size of more than 10,000. They also found that dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs was inversely associated with a risk of hip fracture.

Researchers from Tehran University of Medical Sciences conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on December 15, 2017, in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.

Omega-3s have been linked to a number of health benefits, including improved mood, improved joint mobility, reducing the risk of age related macular degeneration, and aiding your immune system.

Because omega-3 fatty-acids are not found naturally in the human body, it is especially important to make sure that they are a part of your daily diet. Oily, dark fish such as tuna and salmon are high in omega-3s. For people who don’t like fish, consider taking a daily high quality non-fish supplement that has been tested for purity and potency.