Breast cancer continues to affect a growing number of women, and many experience recurrence after treatment. However, it appears that supplementing with 50 micrograms of vitamin D daily may boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy by as much as 79%, representing major potential for improving treatment outcomes. This is according to a Brazilian population study published in Nutrition and Cancer. According to the researchers, vitamin D plays a significant role in both the development and treatment of breast cancer. This is partly because vitamin D is important for immune function, the elimination of abnormal cells, and the regulation of chronic inflammation.

High blood pressure is a critical factor in cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and premature death. As more and more people develop high blood pressure, and diet plays a crucial role, greater emphasis should be placed on prevention and treatment. A higher selenium intake also appears to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and its harmful consequences when the diet contains too many unhealthy fats. This is shown in a Chinese study published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

Patients with multiple sclerosis have lower blood levels of vitamin D compared with healthy individuals. In addition, higher-dose vitamin D supplementation is associated with a reduced risk of relapses, which are new neurological symptoms or flare-ups of previous symptoms, according to a meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Immunology. Strong summer sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D, and multiple sclerosis is more common in Nordic countries and populations with limited sun exposure. There is also no guarantee that the official recommendations for vitamin D supplementation are sufficient to optimize blood levels.

- other cancers, and premature death

The incidence of breast cancer has been rising in recent years. Diet, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition all play a role. There is also evidence that the trace element selenium helps protect against cancer, including breast cancer, through several mechanisms. According to a Polish population study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, this appears to apply even among the many women with breast cancer who have high levels of the genotype HRG (histidine-rich glycoprotein).

Liver cirrhosis can lead to serious long-term complications. Common causes include nutrient deficiencies, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic liver inflammation. Many people also have the precursor condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), often without being aware of it.
A meta-analysis published in BMC Nutrition shows that zinc supplementation improves liver function across several parameters in patients with cirrhosis.

Pregnant women are advised to take folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin D to support fetal growth and neurological development. However, fish oil has received less attention, despite its content of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which play a crucial role in the development of the brain, vision, and numerous metabolic functions.
New evidence now suggests that supplementation with fish oil alongside the recommended prenatal vitamins may reduce the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. These findings come from a study published in Frontiers in Nutrition. In addition, fatty fish and fish oil supplements appear to offer other benefits for maternal mood and fetal health.

Patients with colorectal cancer often have vitamin D deficiency and chronic inflammation. These are factors that not only increase the risk of developing the disease but also worsen prognosis. However, higher-dose vitamin D supplementation appears to reduce a key inflammatory marker associated with disease progression and poor outcomes, according to a German randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Cholesterol-lowering statins, which are among the most widely used medications, not only reduce cholesterol levels but also decrease the body’s synthesis of Q10, a compound that is important for energy metabolism and serves as a key antioxidant. Reduced endogenous Q10 synthesis may lead to various side effects, including muscle pain. However, a Pakistani observational study published in Cureus suggests that Q10 supplementation may reduce muscle pain in patients taking cholesterol-lowering statins. Overall, it appears that Q10 supplementation may help reduce several side effects associated with statin use.

- and dangerous related disorders

Modern diets, soft drinks, candy, excessive alcohol intake, and obesity contribute to the fact that around one-third of the world’s population has developed fatty liver disease, often without realizing it. Over time, this increases their risk of liver inflammation, liver fibrosis (scar tissue), cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, and cardiovascular disease. It is well known that treating fatty liver disease requires dietary changes, although the results are often inadequate. According to a study published in Metabolism, vitamin B3 appears to have a therapeutic effect by influencing a genetic factor involved in the liver’s fat metabolism.

Vitamin D is essential for both mental and physical health, yet deficiencies are extremely common. Avoiding sun exposure, along with aging, dark skin, obesity, diabetes, and genetic variations can make it difficult to convert and activate vitamin D. The same applies to deficiencies in magnesium and zinc. Because active vitamin D is considered a steroid hormone, minor or major deficiencies may result in a wide range of symptoms and diseases.

Breast milk is packed with nutrients that are naturally designed to support a newborn’s growth and development. It is therefore recommended that newborns receive only breast milk during their first six months. However, preterm infants with low birth weight who are exclusively breastfed without additional multivitamin supplementation do not get enough B vitamins. According to a Norwegian study published in Nutrients, this can have a number of health consequences, especially ones that involve the central nervous system. The authors therefore recommend that mothers of preterm infants with low birth weight receive specific dietary guidance in order to optimize their children’s vitamin and mineral status.