Struggling to fall asleep? A recent study suggests it could be due to a deficiency in a key vitamin that is keeping you up at night. Find out more and read about other recently published nutrition studies in this week’s Nutrition News here.
Study suggests folate offers sleep support
Recent research has aimed to investigate the relationship between serum total folic acid, or folate, levels and severe difficulty falling asleep among US adults. Utilising data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2008, the research suggests that folate may offer sleep support to those who currently struggle with sleeping. It focused on a cross-sectional analysis, dividing participants into groups based on the frequency of struggling to fall asleep. Serum folic acid concentrations were then analysed as both independent and dependent variables using multivariable logistic regression models.
The study, reported in the article “Low folic acid levels linked to severe sleeping difficulty” by NutraIngredients, involved 8,926 individuals, with 683 facing severe difficulty falling asleep. Findings revealed that higher serum folic acid levels were associated with lower odds of experiencing severe difficulty falling asleep. Participants in the highest quartile of folic acid concentration exhibited the lowest odds of struggling to fall asleep. Furthermore, subgroups based on gender, smoking history, and diabetes indicated a more significant negative correlation between folic acid levels and difficulty falling asleep, particularly among males, smokers, and individuals without diabetes.
Insomnia, including difficulty falling asleep, affects a significant portion of the global adult population and is linked to various health issues. Folic acid, a vital nutrient involved in neurotransmitter production and DNA synthesis, has been the subject of several studies regarding its connection to sleep patterns, although findings have been inconsistent.
The study's data was sourced from NHANES, a comprehensive health and nutrition survey, allowing for a detailed analysis of individuals aged 20 and above. By examining serum folic acid concentrations and sleep difficulties, the research highlighted a potential link between higher folic acid levels and reduced odds of severe difficulty falling asleep.
The study's strengths include a sizable and representative sample size, along with consideration of multiple factors that might influence the relationship between folic acid and sleep quality. However, limitations exist, such as unmeasured variables that could affect the results and the cross-sectional design's inability to establish causation. Therefore, further research is needed to prove a causal link although the study’s findings are promising.
Zinc could support cognitive health
Obesity has frequently been associated with cognitive decline and negative effects on brain health. While this suggests that weight management plays an important part in maintaining normal cognitive health, a recent study, reported in the article “Cognition may improve with zinc supplementation in overweight women”, has uncovered another element that may support cognitive function in those who are overweight. A recent study conducted a 12-week trial to evaluate the impact of zinc supplementation on inflammatory markers, cognitive function, and mood in overweight or obese women. Forty-two women aged between 40 and 60 were randomly divided into two groups: one receiving 30 mg/day of zinc and the other a placebo.
Researchers assessed various parameters including cognitive function using tests like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), verbal fluency, and others. Saliva samples were taken to evaluate inflammatory markers like IL-1β and IL-6, insulin, nitrite, and zinc levels.
Of the 32 participants included in the analyses, the zinc group showed higher cognitive scores on the MMSE and Stroop tests compared to the placebo group. Salivary IL-1β and zinc levels were higher in the zinc group as well. Interestingly, there was no significant change in mood scores between the zinc and placebo groups.
Despite no significant weight loss, zinc supplementation showed promising results in enhancing cognitive function in overweight or obese women. The findings suggest that maintaining optimal zinc levels might be an additional strategy to improve cognitive health in this demographic.
The study highlighted that zinc, a mineral vital for metabolic functions, could potentially mitigate cognitive decline in obese or overweight women.
However, the study encountered limitations due to the small sample size, potentially affecting the generalisability of the findings. Further studies with larger cohorts could provide more comprehensive evidence about zinc's effects on body weight and cognitive health in obese populations.
Antioxidants could improve fertility rates
The sixth edition of the 2021 World Health Organization guidelines, reported in the article “Antioxidant supplement improves sperm quality and pregnancy outcomes, research suggests”, has recognised the significance of evaluating sperm DNA integrity in understanding male fertility issues. With oxidative stress identified as a leading cause of genome decay and sperm damage, a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to assess the effects of antioxidants in improving fertility rates. This study involved contained L-carnitine and several micronutrients and was targeted at improving sperm parameters, DNA integrity, and outcomes of in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI).
The study enrolled 263 participants, divided randomly into two groups receiving either the antioxidant or a placebo. The participants underwent three months of treatment, during which various tests were conducted to assess sperm characteristics, DNA integrity, and fertility outcomes. The results revealed a significant decrease in the DNA fragmentation index and an increase in sperm motility after the antioxidant supplementation. Notably, the supplementation led to a significant improvement in clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.
Male infertility affects a substantial percentage of couples globally, with various factors influencing fertility, including lifestyle, environmental exposures, and oxidative stress. The vulnerability of the male reproductive system to oxidative stress is well-documented, leading to sperm damage and reduced fertility potential. Antioxidant formulas, particularly those containing components such as L-carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, and selenium, have shown promise in improving sperm quality and fertility outcomes in previous studies.
However, while numerous studies support the efficacy of antioxidants, further research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms and their impact on specific aspects of men’s health and fertility. The study underscores the potential benefits of antioxidants in supporting normal sperm quality, reducing DNA damage, and supporting normal pregnancy outcomes. Nonetheless, to gain a comprehensive understanding, future research should delve into the impact of antioxidants on oxidised sperm and embryo quality, both in vivo and in vitro.
In conclusion, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the role of antioxidants in supporting male fertility and highlights the importance of sperm DNA assessment. Further research will be crucial in understanding the full extent and mechanisms of the benefits of antioxidants, especially in the context of male infertility and assisted reproductive procedures.
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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.