06 November 2013
A new study from China reports that meeting the recommended intakes of magnesium may significantly decrease the chance of developing type 2 diabetes in risk groups.
In the observational study, the magnesium intakes of 234 participants with the above-mentioned metabolic syndrome were assessed and insulin resistance was estimated based on measurements of metabolic bio- markers in blood samples taken over the course of 12 months (1). The study results showed that higher dietary magnesium intakes were significantly associated with lower blood concentrations of biomarkers indicating insulin resistance. For participants who met the recommended dietary intake (RDA) for magnesium (only 30% of participants), the risk of having elevated biomarker levels over time was decreased by 63%.
The researchers commented that meeting the RDA for magnesium is a simple message that can have im- portant clinical meaning, as it may offer a potential protective effect on insulin resistance. Surveys have shown that the majority of the US population does not meet the recommended magnesium intake (2). The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that magnesium is required for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including helping to maintain normal muscle and nerve function, controlling heart rhythm, supporting the immune system, and keeping bones strong. In addition, the mineral is thought to contribute to blood sugar and blood pressure regulation. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued positive opinions on the important role of magnesium in the maintenance of normal bone, teeth, and protein synthesis as well as the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, electrolyte balance, normal energy-yielding metabolism, neurotransmission and muscle contraction.
The metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by central obesity, hypertension, disturbed glucose and in- sulin metabolism, has been linked to increased risks of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that some 75 million Americans suffer from the metabolic syndrome.
15 August 2013
There are many variables involved in how long someone lives. Biological strategies to decrease aging and prolong lifespan typically include fostering cell survival and preservation against factors that promote the aging process.
6 April 2012
Regular intake of supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids may support the function of blood vessels in cardiovascular patients, suggests a new Chinese meta-analysis.
1 September 2013
Skin possesses the lifelong ability to renew itself, but as we age this process takes longer. Between the ages of 20 and 50 the rate of skin cell renewal gradually slows, and after the age of 50 it slows ever faster. The surface layer of the skin, the epidermis, becomes thinner and can store less water. In the dermis, or true skin, production of the collagen that supports and firms the skin declines. Menopause in women, during which the body reduces estrogen production, causes a further loss of firmness and elasticity. Environmental factors like UV radiation have a major impact, accelerating the decomposition of collagen and encouraging the formation of aggressive oxygen compounds that can damage skin cells from the membrane to the DNA. The subcutaneous layer of fat and loose connective tissue becomes thinner. At the same time, the supply of nutrients and energy to the skin deteriorates. It is therefore important to support the health of aging skin with a sufficient supply of micronutrients.
