Low zinc levels associated with reduced bone mineral density in men

Low zinc intakes and reduced blood zinc concentrations have been previously reported in women with osteoporosis. A new study published in the September 2004 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the association between dietary zinc and plasma zinc to bone mineral density (BMD) and bone loss in older men.

The current study included 396 men over the age of 45 who were followed for four years. The researchers found that dietary zinc intake and plasma zinc concentrations were lower in men with osteoporosis at the hip and spine than in men without osteoporosis at those locations. BMD at the hip, spine, and distal wrist were significantly lower in men with the lowest plasma zinc levels.

This is the first published study to illustrate that low dietary zinc intake and decreased plasma zinc levels are related to reduced bone mineral density in men.

We're Not Eating Our Fruits And Veggies

A new AC Nielsen poll indicates that at least 85 percent of us are not eating the recommended minimum servings fruits and vegetables a day. The current recommendations include two to four servings of fruit, and three to five servings of vegetables daily (a typical serving size is three-fourths cup of juice, a medium apple or a half-cup of chopped vegetables). Nearly half of those questioned ate just one or two servings of produce per day. Only 12 percent said they eat the suggested five or more servings, and three percent said they eat no produce at all.

Despite public service campaigns such as "5 A Day For Better Health", this survey also suggests that most people don't know how many fruits and veggies they are supposed to eat. Sixty percent thought eating one to four servings was enough for a healthy diet; twenty percent said one or two servings was enough. It is obvious most people are falling seriously short of the five to nine servings of varied produce recommended by nutrition experts and government agencies.

Soy Protein and Diabetes Complications

Soy protein has many potential health benefits. A recent study examined the effects of isolated soy protein on two of the biggest complications associated with type 2 diabetes: kidney disease and heart disease. Kidney disease, a major complication of diabetes, is often first detected when small amounts of protein are found in urine. The study included male type 2 diabetics with diabetes-related kidney disease. The men received pre-measured amounts of either isolated soy protein or casein in the form of a vanilla powder. Those who added the soy protein powder to their diets had a 9.5% reduction in protein found in their urine. No reduction in urinary protein was observed in those receiving the casein. In addition to improving kidney function, the soy protein supplement elevated "good" HDL cholesterol by over 4%. Low HDL cholesterol levels are a risk factor for heart disease. The findings indicate that soy protein may reduce the risk of common diabetes complications such as kidney and heart disease.

Vitamin E and Respiratory Tract Infections

Respiratory illnesses, including the common cold, are debilitating and lead to complications and death in the elderly. A study published in the August 18 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association has found vitamin E to be protective against upper respiratory infections.

Four hundred fifty-one individuals aged 65 and older at 33 long-term care facilities completed a course of 200 IU of vitamin E per day or a placebo from April 1998 to August 2001. In addition, all of the subjects received a multi- vitamin that provided 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance for essential vitamins and minerals. The incidence of lower respiratory infections, such as acute bronchitis and pneumonia, and upper respiratory tract infections, including cold, influenza, sore throat, middle ear infection and sinusitis, was documented over the course of the trial.

The subjects who received vitamin E acquired fewer respiratory tract infections than those who did not receive the vitamin. Participants who received the vitamin experienced a 20 percent decreased risk of acquiring the common cold, which accounted for 84 percent of the upper respiratory infections reported. In addition, those taking vitamin E had fewer colds per person. Although vitamin E showed no significant effect on lower respiratory tract infections, the protective effect of vitamin E supplementation on upper respiratory tract infections observed in this group merits further investigation and suggests important implications for the well-being of the elderly.

The Omega-3 Index and Heart Disease Risk

A recent study published in the July 2004 issue of Preventive Medicine investigated the usefulness of the Omega-3 Index for assessing deficiencies of Omega-3 fatty acids and coronary heart disease risk. Omega-3's are considered "essential" which means they are necessary for human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. Low levels of omega-3 oils are implicated in numerous diseases and considered a significant risk factor for heart disease. The investigators report that the requirements for omega-3 fatty acids, (typically obtained from fish or fish oil supplements) may vary from person to person, and they suggest that deficiencies are possible even in people who routinely consume fish or fish oil. These findings indicate that the Omega-3 Index is a useful tool in assessing risk and can assist healthcare practitioners in determining appropriate omega-3 intakes for reducing cardiovascular disease risk.

Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Insulin Resistance

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated the relationship between vitamin D levels and insulin sensitivity. The researchers administered oral glucose tolerance tests to 126 healthy volunteers who had no obvious symptoms of glucose intolerance. Blood glucose levels declined more slowly in test subjects with low vitamin D levels. These subjects were also more likely than their peers to show signs of metabolic syndrome including obesity, hypertension and insulin resistance. The results from this study suggest that people with low vitamin D levels have a higher risk of developing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.