This month, we are sharing short summaries of some of the key research and news pieces that we have been paying attention to. Our focus spans intriguing questions about health and nutrition, from the potential risks of fish oil supplementation to the role of grip strength in aging. We also dive into the effectiveness of different protein sources, the temporary aging effects of pregnancy, and the controversial impact of multivitamins on longevity. These five topics shed light on emerging findings and the need for a nuanced understanding of nutrition and health. Join us as we explore these important insights!
Fish oil and CVD – Is there a connection?
Recent research published in the BMJ analyzed data from nearly half a million UK Biobank participants over 12 years and found a potential association between regular fish oil supplementation and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke. However, the study’s reliance on self-reported data without details on dosage, duration, or supplement quality limits the reliability of its conclusions. No biomarker data were collected to verify actual fish oil levels, which raises concerns about the accuracy of the findings. Previous studies from the same cohort suggested fish oil could reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, highlighting a discrepancy that calls for more rigorous research with accurate measurements. This study underscores the need for a critical approach to nutritional research, considering broader health contexts and individual dietary habits.
Link to video blog for longer discussion on this: HERE.
Link to article: HERE.
Grip strength – Does it matter for health and longevity?
Grip strength declines with age – this is an unwelcome change I’ve noticed even in myself, despite a good, consistent resistance training habit through adulthood. Jars that were completely uneventful for me, I need more effort to open, or resorting to using a jar-opening tool. This is in part, what makes me interested in grip strength.
Beyond that, grip strength is an easy surrogate marker for overall health and aging. All in, there is a LOT of research on grip strength associations. It’s simple to measure and track at home or in clinical settings. Read on to find out more including how to use grip strength in clinical practice and what we can realistically impact by working on improving grip strength.
Link to article: HERE.
Whey, pea, and collagen powder – Which one is best?
A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that adding 50g/d whey and pea protein supplements significantly enhance muscle protein synthesis (MPS) compared to simply consuming the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight from food. Notably, this increase in MPS occurred even without physical activity, which typically stimulates MPS. The study found that higher-quality isolated proteins like whey and pea improve MPS rates more effectively than the RDA. However, collagen protein did not boost MPS in older males, attributed to its lower leucine content and overall protein quality. The study suggests that current protein recommendations for older adults might be inadequate for maintaining muscle mass, highlighting the benefit of increasing protein intake to improve MPS. While plant-based proteins are effective in stimulating MPS when consumed in sufficient amounts, collagen protein falls short in providing essential amino acids and leucine needed for optimal MPS.
Link to article: HERE.
Is pregnancy pro-aging?
Yes, it appears that pregnancy accelerates biological aging, but this effect is only temporary, as biological age tends to return to baseline afterward. Research published in Cell Metabolism examined 119 women at various stages of pregnancy using five epigenetic clocks to measure DNA methylation. The study found that biological age increased by 1.19 to 2.52 years during pregnancy. However, this aging effect seemed to reverse within approximately three months postpartum. Women with higher BMI experienced a slower reversal, and exclusive breastfeeding was linked to a lower biological age according to two of the clocks (PCGrimAge and PACE). This raises intriguing questions about whether pregnancy’s impact on aging reflects inherent biological processes or is a temporary response to the demands of pregnancy.
Link to article: HERE.
Are multivitamins shortening your life?
A recent JAMA study of 320,124 generally healthy adults found no clear mortality benefit from daily multivitamin use. In fact, it surprisingly showed a slight increased risk of death. However, the study had significant flaws, including reliance on self-reported questionnaires completed years apart and assumptions that this data remained accurate until death. Additionally, the quality of multivitamins and their effectiveness with a poor diet were not considered. The study’s findings were complicated by issues with epidemiological data. Even if the data were flawless, the results showed only a slight change in mortality risk for multivitamin users, with one instance being non-significant, and hazard ratios close to 1.0 for various causes of death. The limitations of the study and the potential impact of multivitamin quality should be factored into interpreting these results. To explore this study further and understand the related issues, check out our video blog on the topic.
Link to video blog for longer discussion on this: HERE.
Link to article: HERE.