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There is a link between COVID-19 deaths and vitamin D deficiency in Europe

There is a link between COVID-19 deaths and vitamin D deficiency in EuropeIt is mainly older people and those with chronic illnesses that are vulnerable to COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Also, it’s a fact that lack of essential nutrients impairs your immune defense and may have serious health consequences, whether you are vaccinated or not. A large study of 19 European countries reveals that low blood levels of vitamin D increases the risk of complicated COVID-19 infections, hospitalization, and death. According to the scientists, it is necessary to discuss and optimize people’s vitamin D status to help them resist future pandemics.

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Overview of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids

 

Overview of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids

Vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and Q10 are nutrients that we need in certain quantities in order to support vital body functions.
Nutritional supplements containing vitamins and minerals must be labeled in accordance with the reference values.

This overview serves as general information about the different vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids and how they work.

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THE VITAMIN AND MINERAL GUIDE

the Vitamin and Mineral Guide

Coenzyme Q10 as a determining factor of muscle strength and ageing processes

Coenzyme Q10 as a determining factor of muscle strength and ageing processesAgeing processes are associated with loss of muscle mass and impaired physical performance, both of which tend to lower quality of life. It is commonly known that coenzyme Q10 plays a significant role in cellular energy turnover and protects against oxidative stress. Now, two independent cohort studies even show a relation between the body’s Q10 status and muscle strength. Earlier research even suggests that Q10 supplements may help older people develop more youthful muscle fibers. Individuals who take cholesterol-lowering statins are advised to take Q10 supplements.

Higher potassium intake may inhibit men’s loss of muscle mass

Higher potassium intake may inhibit men’s loss of muscle massLoss of muscle mass may be a result of a number of factors such as lack of exercise, too little protein, and ageing. Insulin resistance and acid accumulation are also related to loss of muscle mass, and it looks as if increased intake of vegetables with potassium, a base-forming mineral, is linked to decreased loss of muscle mass in men – but not in women.

How does Q10 affect athletic performance?

How does Q10 affect athletic performance?Q10 is involved in the energy turnover in all cells. The highest concentration of the compound is found in the heart, as this muscle needs to pump day and night and to supply muscle cells with more blood when we are physically active. The cellular energy turnover takes place inside some minute powerhouses called mitochondria. A Danish-Swedish study has shown that the mitochondria in the muscle cells of top-notch athletes have a different construction that makes them able to produce up to 25 per cent more energy. Earlier studies show that Q10 is able to improve athletic performance, and it all boils down to optimizing the energy turnover in the cells.

Levels of vitamin D in girls are often associated with their muscle strength

Levels of vitamin D in girls are often associated with their muscle strengthGirls with high blood levels of vitamin D are generally stronger, while the same relation is not seen in boys, according to a cohort study from Odense University Hospital in Denmark. The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Nonetheless, all humans need adequate levels of vitamin D, as the nutrient has a number of other important functions in the body.

Magnesium (Mg)

vitguidemagnesiumMagnesium is an essential mineral. An adult contains around 20-30 grams of magnesium. Approximately half of the body's magnesium supply is stored in the bones. The rest is distributed in the muscles, liver, nerve tissue and other soft tissues. Magnesium is mainly found inside the cells where it supports over 300 different enzymatic processes.

Preventing and treating sarcopenia and physical decline requires enough protein and essential nutrients

Preventing and treating sarcopenia and physical decline requires enough protein and essential nutrientsMost people thrive on the idea of staying physically active throughout life, but as we grow older, our skeletal muscle slowly vanishes and our figure changes. This is known as sarcopenia and is one of the main reasons why older people become more fragile and perhaps even disabled. Exercise and diet play a major role, and it seems that the official dietary guidelines are not optimal and should focus more on increased intake of protein as well as lysine, vitamin D, and omega-3 according to a new Canadian study. Earlier research shows that magnesium, selenium, and Q10 are also important for muscle mass and strength.

Q10’s role in health and disease

Q10’s role in health and diseaseQ10 is a unique compound with a key role in cellular energy turnover. It also serves as a powerful antioxidant. The body is able to synthesize most of the Q10 that it needs but as we grow older, our endogenous synthesis decreases, making us vulnerable in different ways. Cholesterol-lowering medicine and certain types of disease are also associated with lower levels of Q10 in the body. In a new review article, a group of scientists have scrutinized hundreds of Q10 studies that have been published in the years 2010-2020. They are able to conclude that Q10 is of particular importance to the heart, circulatory system, fertility, muscles, eyes and vision, and the ageing process. Things like migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease are also addressed. The body has difficulty with absorbing Q10 from food and supplements so it is recommendable to always choose a pharmaceutical-grade Q10 preparation with documented bioavailability.

Too little vitamin D can impair your muscle function

Too little vitamin D can impair your muscle functionLack of vitamin D can impair your muscle function because it causes muscle cells to produce less energy, according to a study that is published in Journal of Endocrinology. The scientists use their study to argue that one can improve muscle function and reduce age-related loss of muscle strength in seniors by making sure they get enough vitamin D. If your muscles feel weaker during the winter period, you may want to consider taking a supplement.

Vitamin C helps maintain muscle mass later in life

Vitamin C helps maintain muscle mass later in lifeOlder people with a high intake of vitamin C appear to have healthier skeletal muscle than those with lower intakes, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia in England. This is an important discovery because our natural loss of muscle mass begins in our forties and starts to accelerate after we pass the age of 65 years. The phenomenon is known as sarcopenia and is one of the main reasons why older people become increasingly fragile and susceptible to disease. The authors behind the study believe that it is particularly important for middle-aged and older people to get plenty of vitamin C from their diets or by taking supplements. As a bonus effect, vitamin C also protects against infections and cardiovascular diseases, which also typically affect seniors.

Vitamin D (calciferol)

Vitamin D (calciferol)There are several kinds of vitamin D with the two most important being:

  • D2, ergocalciferol, that is found naturally in the plant kingdom.
  • Vitamin D3, cholecalciferol, that is found naturally in the animal kingdom.

Humans synthesise vitamin D (cholecalciferol) from sunlight (UV-B rays) and a cholesterol compound in the skin, which is converted to active vitamins by means of processes in the liver and kidneys. We humans are only able to synthesise vitamin D during the summer season when the sun is high in the sky. Excess amounts of the nutrient are stored in the liver for future use. Light skin produces substantially larger amounts of vitamin D than dark skin. In contrast, dark skin protects against vitamin D overproduction. As we grow older, our vitamin D production decreases. Vitamin D is also called a provitamin or hormone, simply because we are easily able to make it ourselves, and all cells in the body have vitamin D receptors.
Vitamin D is fat-soluble and is stored in the body's fat tissue when ingested in large amounts. Vitamin D is destroyed by light and heat from cooking.

Vitamin D deficiency is linked to poor muscle function after you enter your sixties

Vitamin D deficiency is linked to poor muscle function after you enter your sixtiesAs you grow older your skeletal muscle slowly dwindles, you lose muscle strength, and your figure changes. This phenomenon is known as sarcopenia and is one of the main reasons why older people gradually become frail and perhaps even invalid. Both diet and exercise play an important role and according to a new study from Trinity College Dublin, lack of vitamin D also plays a major contribution to the development of poor muscle control in people from 60 years of age and older. It doesn’t make things easier that we are only able to synthesize vitamin D in our skin during the summer period and the ability to do so decreases with age. For that reason, older people should pay careful attention to getting plenty of vitamin D all year round to maintain as much muscle mass as possible and ensure that their muscles function properly.

Vitamin D is important for your muscles – throughout life

Vitamin D is important for your muscles – throughout lifeVitamin D is essential for muscle function and normal muscle size, according to a new study that is carried out by scientists at Westmead Institute for Medical Research in Sidney. Lack of vitamin D may result in impaired muscle function, including such problems as poor physical fitness level, muscle tension and loss of muscle mass.

Chronic fatigue tied Alan to his bed but Q10 capsules saved him:

Chronic fatigue tied Alan to his bed but Q10 capsules saved him "After about one week of taking the Q10 supplement I could feel a huge difference," says 23-year old Alan Piccini, who has been suffering from extreme fatigue and muscle aches ever since he was a child.

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Cholesterol-lowering without side effects:

Cholesterol-lowering without side effects:“Taking capsules with co-enzyme Q10 has freed me of the severe side effects of my cholesterol lowering medicine,” Mrs Franken explains.
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