Chronic fatigue is quite common, and it is not simply a matter of too little sleep and too much work. Japanese researchers have found that low levels of vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9) may contribute to increasing fatigue and lack of motivation in otherwise healthy individuals. The Japanese study was published in the journal Nutrients.

- 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.

The body’s metabolism encompasses all processes that convert food into energy, as well as those that maintain stable blood sugar levels, normal lipid balance, and normal blood pressure. Metabolic health is therefore crucial in the prevention and management of a range of lifestyle-related diseases. Selenium plays a key role through various enzymatic processes and as a protective antioxidant. Since selenium deficiency is widespread, a team of researchers has reviewed a number of studies examining how selenium supplementation may be relevant in metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Selenium supplementation may also be relevant in connection with various thyroid disorders.

Zinc is involved in several hundred enzymatic processes that are important for cellular signaling, overall health, and the body’s primary antioxidant defenses. Zinc also plays multiple roles in the brain and nervous system. A deficiency of zinc, as well as disturbances in its metabolism, may therefore contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, there is evidence that zinc supplementation has therapeutic potential, including the protection of nerve cells and the regeneration of damaged neurons. This is highlighted in a review article published in Molecular Neurobiology.