Inositol and folic acid decrease glucose levels in overweight patients with type 1 diabetes

Summary This study, conducted by medical universities in Rome, Italy, and London, UK, aimed to evaluate whether inositol, a vitamin-like substance, plus folic acid, may improve glucose levels and reduce insulin resistance in overweight or obese type 1 diabetes patients. Insulin resistance is when cells in muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin…

The adverse impact of micronutrient deficiencies on diabetes and insulin resistance

Summary Vitamins and trace elements are essential for a well-functioning human body, and micronutrient deficiencies can lead to widespread health problems. This review, conducted by American research departments, discusses the consequences of micronutrient deficiencies in diabetes and insulin resistance. The level of micronutrients in the human body depends on many factors, like the origin and…

Micronutrient combination prevents migraine

Summary This French study investigated whether a micronutrient combination containing, among others, coenzyme Q10 and magnesium is effective in preventing migraine. Adult patients suffering from migraine were administered one tablet of this combination per day for 3 months during the study. Supplementation significantly reduced the number of days with migraine headaches. This decrease was progressive…

Vitamin B2 in migraine therapy

Summary This review, conducted by researchers from the Medical University of Tokyo, Japan, explored the effects of vitamin B2 on migraine. Inflammation of the nervous tissue and increased oxidative stress levels play an important role in migraine. Studies have shown that vitamin B2, also named riboflavin, has anti-inflammatory properties and can protect the body against…

A well-functioning metabolism for migraine prevention

Summary This review, conducted by the University of Birmingham, UK, summarizes the role of metabolism in the development of migraine and migraine susceptibility. Studies have shown that a well-functioning metabolism is essential in connection with this condition, which is caused by abnormal brain activity. Micronutrients such as magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and vitamin B2 are required…

Vitamin D reduces fatigue and improves quality of Life in MS patients

Summary Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. However, there is no effective medication for this symptom. Therefore, this Israelian study aimed to evaluate the effect of a specific vitamin D supplement (alfacalcidol) on MS-related fatigue. 158 patients with significant fatigue were included and received the supplement (1µg/day) or…

Multiple sclerosis: Specific micronutrients improve gait and ability to perform activities of daily living

Summary Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are characterized by problems to perform activities of daily living and walking difficulties, among others. To test whether micronutrient supplementation can improve these symptoms, 51 MS patients received either 20 ml of a dietary formula (containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin E) or 20 ml…

Vitamin D improves cognition in MS patients

Summary Multiple sclerosis is associated with vitamin D deficiency and cognitive impairment. This clinical trial, conducted by the University of Beirut, Lebanon, evaluated the cognitive performance in vitamin D-deficient MS patients and its potential improvement after 3 months of vitamin D3 intake. 88 MS patients were enrolled. The researchers found that vitamin D3 supplementation improved…

Vitamin D supplementation reduces inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis

Summary Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Anti-inflammatory drugs are among the medicines used to treat MS. In the present study, an Iranian research department evaluated the effect of high-dose vitamin D on a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine (protein), IL-10, in patients with multiple sclerosis. 94 MS patients were…

Migraine prevention with vitamin B2

Summary American researchers executed this study to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B2 in children and adolescents with migraine. 42 patients with migraine, aged between 6 and 18 years, were involved. Doses of vitamin B2 were based on weight and recommended for migraine prevention. Patients treated with vitamin B2 showed a significant reduction in headache…

Vitamin B2 in neurological disorders

Summary Researchers from Saudi Arabia studied the role of vitamin B2 in protecting different mechanisms within the nervous system. Studies have shown that vitamin B2 can significantly tackle the developing mechanisms of neurological disorders such as migraine. For instance, it was found that vitamin B2 ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation of the nervous tissue. Further…

Food supplements in headache prevention

Summary This trial, executed by two Italian research departments, aimed to evaluate and compare various food supplements to prevent headaches. Patients of all ages and with diverse types of headaches were involved. The participants received different combinations of micronutrients, including, among others, magnesium, various B-vitamins, vitamin D, and coenzyme Q10. The results showed that the…

Alternative non-pharmaceutical treatments for migraine

Summary This review, conducted by a research department in New York, USA, evaluated the evidence for complementary and alternative therapies (e.g., vitamin and mineral supplements) to prevent migraine, including micronutrients such as magnesium, vitamin B2, and coenzyme Q10. The review shows that alternative non-pharmaceutical treatment options could be used as a replacement or supplementary therapy…

Micronutrient therapies effective against headaches

Summary Due to the common side effects and financial burden of current treatments, there has been increased research interest in new therapies for headaches. Potential alternative therapies include micronutrients like vitamin B2, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and vitamin D. An increasing number of high-quality studies on this subject shows that alternative treatments like nutritional supplements are…

The beneficial role of micronutrients in migraine headache

Summary Researchers from Iran aimed to assess the effects of micronutrients in reducing deficiencies of various micronutrients like B-vitamins, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and vitamin D, which are associated with migraine. This review indicates that supplementation with diverse micronutrients has prophylactic and therapeutic effects on migraine patients. More details can be found in the review. References…

Coenzyme Q10 prevents migraine headache

Summary Despite the high prevalence of migraine and its health, social, and economic burdens, few effective prophylactic medications have been available. This clinical trial, executed by Iranian research departments, aimed to assess the potential beneficial effects of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis. During this trial, 80 patients with migraine headaches received either only their current…

Micronutrients in the treatment of headaches

Summary Two reviews, conducted by researchers from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio, USA, summarize the role of various nutrients and specific diets in preventing migraine attacks and as their potential trigger. Part two of these reviews showed the beneficial effects of micronutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and folate. Diets containing a…

Vitamin D3 supplementation shows superior effects in migraine patients

Summary This Danish study investigated whether vitamin D supplementation could benefit adult patients with migraine. 24 out of 48 participants received a vitamin D3 supplement (100 µg/day), the other 24 participants received a placebo. Migraine attacks and related symptoms were assessed by self-reported diaries. After 24 weeks of treatment, a significantly reduced frequency of migraine…

Zinc protects against coronary artery disease

Summary Researchers from the University of Kathmandu, Nepal, investigated the causal effects of several micronutrients, including zinc, on coronary artery disease. Dietary intakes of 466 male participants were evaluated with a specific questionnaire. Several analyses were performed to determine the relationship between coronary artery disease and the intake of micronutrients. This study showed that zinc…

Vitamin B supplementation as an effective and safe treatment for coronary artery disease patients

Summary The present study was conducted by Chinese and Swedish research institutes and evaluated whether B vitamins improve various factors related to coronary artery disease. The participants received either a supplement containing B vitamins or a placebo for 12 weeks. Blood tests were performed before supplementation and at the end of the study. The study…

Vitamin D supplementation supports recovery of coronary artery disease patients

Summary Scientific evidence shows that a deficiency of different micronutrients, including vitamin D, is associated with coronary artery disease, which occurs when the heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries. Therefore, this Chinese study researched the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the severity of…

Amino acids in the prevention of diabetes

Summary High blood glucose levels are associated with the development of diabetes, which is a common disease in Western societies. Researchers from Sweden and Germany examined whether a specific nutritional supplement containing various amino acids improves blood glucose levels in non-diabetic adults. To this end, 60 overweight healthy participants were administered with the mentioned supplement…

Omega-3 fatty acids beneficially affect vascular function in patients with arterial disease

Summary This trial investigated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on vascular function and inflammation levels in patients with arterial diseases, which influence the risk of cardiovascular events. 70 patients received 4 grams of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo daily for 3 months. After treatment with omega-3 fatty acids, a significant improvement was observed…

Oral magnesium supplementation shows benefits in patients with irregular heartbeat

Summary Low magnesium levels may increase the risk of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). A trial, conducted by two American universities, therefore aimed to assess the effect of oral magnesium (400 mg magnesium oxide daily) on atrial fibrillation, an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm. A total of 59 participants received either 400 mg/day magnesium orally…