The Daily News – December 23, 2024

Today we’ll discuss how Vitamin D supplements may help improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and insulin. Next, an early indicator of Alzheimer’s that many of us overlook. And lastly, why being a weakened warrior might keep you just as healthy as working out every day. Welcome to the Daily News. First off, new research is putting the spotlight on the potential benefits of Vitamin D supplements for heart health and metabolic function. A new meta study has found that daily doses of approximately 3000 IUs of vitamin D may reduce blood pressure and cholesterol and improve blood sugar levels. This study stands out because it aims to clarify the research on Vitamin D’S health benefits. By reviewing nearly 100 trials from around the world, the researchers have distilled these mixed findings into a clearer picture of how vitamin D can support cardiometabolic health. The findings published in the journal engineering involved over 17,000 participants. Researchers found that vitamin D supplementation could reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lower total cholesterol, and improve markers related to diabetes like fasting, blood, glucose, and insulin levels. Interestingly, the benefits were more pronounced in certain groups, non westerners, people with lower vitamin D levels, individuals with a body mass index under 30 and people aged 50 and older. One of the authors of the study noted that these differences help explain the mixed results of earlier research. He said, achieving optimal levels of vitamin D for cardiometabolic health would require careful assessment of each person’s ethnocultural background and biological features to implement personalized intervention strategies. He added that such a personalized approach may help optimize the benefits of vitamin D for diverse populations. This study adds to growing evidence of vitamin D’s, potential cardiometabolic benefits. It also shows that the greatest effects are seen in certain groups such as individuals with lower vitamin D levels and those over 50. The study and the article suggests that personalized strategies may be key to getting the most out of vitamin D supplementation. Next, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, and early diagnosis is key. But spotting the early signs isn’t always easy, and it isn’t just about memory loss. Dementia experts are now warning of a surprising early indicator that many of us overlook. According to a report in the UK’s, the mirror, one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s could be changes in visual spatial ability. This is the skill we use to judge distances accurately. It may seem minor, but things like stumbling on stairs or having trouble parking a car could be early warning signs. The Alzheimer’s Society explains. A person with dementia may have visual spatial difficulties where the brain struggles to process information about 3D objects. This can affect a person’s spatial awareness or their ability to judge distances. Vision problems unrelated to memory are another possible early sign. One doctor says These signs may be subtle or more obvious depending on the individual, but it’s important to act fast if you notice them. He warns that difficulty with vision could be one of the earliest red flags for dementia. A recent study found that retinal scans could detect changes in blood vessels linked to Alzheimer’s symptoms to watch out for. Include trouble recognizing faces or places challenges with reading or writing, and even hallucinations. So if you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, experts say it’s crucial to see a doctor right away. For our final story. A new study shows that being a weekend warrior can be just as good for your health as working out throughout the week, researchers found that people who only exercise on weekends had similar benefits to those who spread their workouts over several days. This study published in circulation looked at the health of over 89,000 people. It found that weekend warriors had a reduced risk of more than 200 diseases, including diabetes and high blood pressure. For instance, weakened exercises had a 45% lower risk of obesity, while weekday exercises saw a slightly higher reduction at 56%. The lead author of the study said Associations were strongest for cardiometabolic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, where we saw 20 to 40% reductions in risk. But benefits span the full spectrum of human conditions. So whether you’re working out during the week or just on weekends, staying active is key. Experts say it’s about hitting that 150 minutes of exercise each week in whatever way works for you. Those were our top stories for today. Thank you very much for joining us on the Daily News.