Research is increasingly showing the negative effects of environmental pollutants on human health but this week’s Nutrition News has uncovered a recent study that suggests selenium supplementation could mitigate against these harmful effects.
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Selenium’s potential against pollution’s effect on health
A groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Cordoba investigated the intricate synergy between metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, and drugs, such as diclofenac and flumequine, in amplifying damage to health.
The research demonstrates that exposure to combinations of harmful metals and drug residues heightens health risks but it also examined the beneficial impact of a selenium-enriched diet in minimising this harm.
The analysis, primarily focused on liver proteins, and uncovered a distressing outcome: the combined effect of these contaminants triggered a potent and deleterious impact on health, surpassing the individual damage caused by the substances when isolated.
Through advanced protein detection methods, the team pinpointed 275 affected proteins, unveiling a chain of disruptions within metabolic pathways and a relentless defence response that resulted in severe impairment. The research highlighted the persistent activation of the NRF2-mediated defence response, causing overwhelming oxidative stress that incapacitated numerous essential proteins.
However, amidst these alarming findings, there was some hope. Selenium, administered to a separate group of subjects, exhibited a remarkable ability to mitigate the molecular damage induced by these pollutants. Despite being an oxidant itself, selenium, when administered in controlled doses, triggered orchestrated responses, empowering the body's defences against the contaminants' assault.
This breakthrough not only expanded our comprehension of the perils of everyday environmental pollutants but also proposed a potential solution through selenium supplementation. The study’s insights, reported by Science Daily in the article “Selenium reduces mixtures of environmental pollutants' harmful effects on health”, made possible by Research Support (SCAI) and Experimental Animals (SAEX) services, offer a glimpse into a promising avenue for reducing the detrimental effects of such contaminants on human health.
High blood pressure in later life linked with dementia
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open and reported by Healthline in the article “Dementia Risk Linked to High Blood Pressure Variability in Later Years” revealed a significant correlation between high blood pressure variability (BPV) in later life and an increased risk of dementia among older individuals. What is interesting is that while high BPV later in life was associated with a higher lifetime risk for dementia and poor cognitive health, this link was not evident for individuals who had high BPV during midlife.
BPV, identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, has been linked to adverse outcomes related to high blood pressure itself. The study highlighted that BPV has been connected to organ damage in blood vessels, kidneys, and the heart.
The research, which followed 820 individuals without dementia aged 65 and older from 1994 to 2019, found that high BPV in later life was significantly correlated with a heightened lifetime risk of dementia. Specifically, a 35% increase in dementia risk was noted with year-by-year BPV calculated over the previous 10 years, particularly for individuals aged 90 years.
The medical researcher Dr. J. Wes Ulm suggested that BPV is a complex phenomenon tied to factors such as short-term stress, exercise-induced circadian rhythm effects, arterial hardening, and errors in blood pressure medication usage. High BPV, being associated with pathological developments like arterial stiffening and prolonged stressors, has also been considered a potential marker for increased risk of dementia.
Ulm explained that since dementia often stems from pathophysiological changes in the brain's neural circuitry, inadequate blood supply to the central nervous system can lead to cognitive impairments, particularly vascular dementia.
To mitigate these risks associated with BPV, health experts recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise to maintain normal heart health, a balanced diet low in salt and high in fruits and vegetables, moderate alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, stress management through mindfulness or yoga, and consistent adherence to prescribed medications for blood pressure control. This comprehensive approach may help in reducing the potential risks associated with high BPV and, subsequently, the development of dementia.
More fruit and vegetables for gut health
Recent studies, such as the one from Graz University of Technology reported in the article “Want a healthier gut microbiome? Eat more fruit and vegetables” by Medical News Today, reveal a significant relationship between a diverse gut microbiome and overall health. An optimal gut microbiome, comprised of a variety of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in supporting the digestive system, immune functions, and the gut-brain axis.
The study highlighted the simple yet effective practice of consuming more fruits and vegetables to promote a healthy gut. By analysing microbiome data from various produce, the researchers identified the microbial components present in different fruits and vegetables. Comparing this with gut microbiome data from two separate studies, they found evidence of these plant microflora in the gut.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Gabriele Berg, emphasised the impact of agricultural practices on the environmental microbiome, which, in turn, influences human and planetary health. Her work suggests a need to reconsider current agricultural practices to preserve the microbiome in fresh produce and during food storage and processing.
Additionally, the study revealed the significance of early nutrition in shaping the gut microbiome and its impact on the immune system during the first three years of life. Experts highlighted the importance of introducing diverse fruits and vegetables early on for long-term digestive and gut health.
Maintaining a diverse and healthy gut microbiome is essential for overall health. To achieve this, experts recommend incorporating a wide range of foods, particularly prebiotic and fermented foods, exercising regularly, managing stress, avoiding artificial sweeteners, and, when necessary, taking probiotics.
The key to maintaining a healthy gut lies in consuming fruits and vegetables rich in fibre, which promotes waste movement through the intestines, supports microbial growth, and aids in essential nutrient production. Vegetable families such as brassicas and alliums, along with fermented foods, bananas, figs, pears, berries, and others, are considered especially supportive for gut health due to their diverse nutrients and fibres.
In essence, prioritising a diet rich in a diverse array of fruits and vegetables supports the gut microbiome and overall health, laying the foundation for a healthy and well-functioning body.
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Alison is Director and Founder of Metabolics who writes about Metabolics updates, events and natural healthcare. Her experience and passion for natural supplements and healthcare comes from her years of experience as a practising osteopath, having founded Metabolics in her search for high quality, natural products in her own work. Alison has been a qualified and practising Osteopath since 1981 and regularly gives seminars on a range of healthcare subjects to the wider practitioner community helping share her knowledge and experience.