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Low levels of these nutrients may be linked to diabetes

People with diabetes are at greater risk of deficiencies in several essential vitamins and nutrients.

According to News55, it is important to be aware of any potential deficiencies and to consult a doctor before taking dietary supplements.

Magnesium is essential for the body

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Magnesium plays an important role in muscle function, nerve function, and blood sugar regulation.

People with diabetes are more likely to have low magnesium levels, particularly if their blood sugar has remained elevated for an extended period.

Signs of magnesium deficiency

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A magnesium deficiency may cause muscle cramps, fatigue, muscle weakness, heart palpitations, or irregular heart rhythms.

Vitamin B12 can be affected by medication

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Long-term treatment with metformin for type 2 diabetes can reduce the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 in the intestines, increasing the risk of deficiency.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

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A lack of vitamin B12 may lead to tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, poor balance, fatigue, and memory problems.

These symptoms can resemble the nerve damage that many people with diabetes already experience.

Vitamin D has several important functions

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Vitamin D is essential for bone health, immune function, and muscle strength.

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that vitamin D deficiency is more common among people with diabetes.

Vitamin D deficiency can be difficult to detect

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Vitamin D deficiency often causes no obvious symptoms, but over time it can increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

Supplements should only be taken after consulting a healthcare professional.

Potassium supports the heart and muscles

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Potassium plays a key role in maintaining fluid balance, regulating blood pressure, and supporting nerve and muscle function.

A deficiency may develop as a result of high blood sugar, certain medications, or kidney-related complications.

Signs of potassium deficiency

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Common symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, constipation, and irregular heart rhythms.

Fiber is an important part of the diet

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Although fiber is not a vitamin or mineral, it is an essential part of a healthy diet for people with diabetes.

It helps keep blood sugar levels more stable while also supporting gut health and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

Chromium plays a role in insulin function

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Chromium is a trace mineral that influences how the body uses insulin.

Researchers are still investigating the role it plays in blood sugar regulation in people with diabetes.

High doses of chromium are not recommended

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According to News55, high-dose chromium supplements should not be used without medical advice.

Omega-3 supports heart health

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People with diabetes face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Omega-3 fatty acids may support heart and circulatory health, reduce inflammation in the body, and improve certain risk factors associated with heart disease.

Talk to your doctor

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According to News55, you should always consult a doctor before taking vitamin or mineral supplements, as high doses should not be used without professional guidance.

New poll: Majority of Americans doubt White House transparency on Trump’s health

President Donald Trump’s health has once again become a topic of debate in American politics.

According to the Daily Beast, Democrats in Congress have requested additional information about his recent medical examinations.

At the same time, the White House has repeatedly rejected the criticism, insisting that the president is in good health.

More questions

The debate has been fueled in part by Trump being seen on several occasions with bruises on his hands and swollen ankles.

According to the White House, the bruises are the result of frequent handshakes and aspirin use, while the swollen ankles have been attributed to chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that is common among older adults.

The president’s physician has concluded that Trump is in good health.

However, according to the Daily Beast, the White House has not explained why 22 medical specialists participated in his latest health examination, compared with 14 the previous year.

The results of Trump’s cognitive test have also not been made public.

Majority are skeptical

The new Quinnipiac University poll, cited by the Daily Beast, shows that 59 percent of voters believe the White House is not being transparent about Trump’s health.

Only 34 percent believe the administration has been transparent.

The poll also shows that many voters have doubts about the president’s physical and mental health.

However, opinions largely reflect voters’ political affiliations.

Republican voters have significantly greater confidence in the White House than Democratic and independent voters.

It started with a rash: Days later, three-year-old Oscar was diagnosed with cancer

Most parents have experienced the worry that comes with a child developing a fever or an unexplained rash. In the vast majority of cases, the cause is harmless.

But as UNILAD reports, one British family hopes their experience will encourage others to seek further medical advice when symptoms do not seem to add up.

An unexpected diagnosis

Oscar Martin was just three years old when he developed a fever and a red rash in the spring of 2022. During his first visit to the doctor, his symptoms were believed to be caused by an infection, and he was prescribed antibiotics.

When new skin changes appeared a short time later, his parents sought medical help again. Further tests at hospital revealed signs of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, with the diagnosis later confirmed at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The news marked the beginning of a life-changing chapter for the family.

Two years of treatment

Over the next two years, Oscar underwent intensive chemotherapy while facing several hospital admissions caused by infections and treatment-related complications.

In July 2024, he completed his treatment and entered remission. Although his cancer is now under control, his family says the emotional impact has not disappeared.

According to PA Media, Oscar continues to experience anxiety and nightmares linked to his illness and treatment.

Hoping to help others

Oscar’s father, James Martin, now shares the family’s experience on social media in the hope of supporting other parents facing a childhood cancer diagnosis.

The family also hopes their story will raise awareness that persistent or unusual symptoms should not be ignored, even when they initially appear to be linked to common childhood illnesses.

These cancer symptoms are often mistaken for signs of aging or stress

Many people assume changes in their bodies are simply caused by aging or stress and therefore do not react straight away. An oncologist is urging people to pay close attention to symptoms that persist or gradually become worse, reports UNILAD.

Cancer symptoms are often overlooked

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According to the doctor, the early signs of cancer are frequently explained away as stress, aging, or other common health issues.

One woman waited two years for answers

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Lydia Southam experienced bloating, frequent urination, heavy periods, and lumps in her abdomen. After multiple medical appointments, she was eventually diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.

A skin change turned out to be cancer

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Jessica Zbinden Webster believed a change on her face was nothing more than a blocked pore. It was later diagnosed as skin cancer.

Many associate symptoms with aging

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Oncologist Dr. Jad Chahoud says that older adults often assume new health issues are simply part of getting older rather than a possible sign of disease.

Persistent changes should be examined

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The doctor stresses that symptoms which continue over time or gradually become more severe should not be ignored.

Fatigue can be a warning sign

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If exhaustion continues despite getting enough rest and there is no obvious explanation, it can in some cases be linked to cancer.

Unexplained weight loss

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According to Dr. Chahoud, losing at least five percent of your body weight over six to twelve months without a clear reason should be medically evaluated.

Pay attention to changes in bowel habits

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Changes in the appearance of your stool or your usual bowel habits can be a sign of colorectal cancer.

Urinary symptoms matter

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Frequent urination, especially during the night, or blood in the urine can be symptoms associated with prostate cancer.

Persistent pain should be taken seriously

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Long-lasting pain or back pain is often caused by conditions other than cancer, but in some cases it may be linked to cancer affecting the bones, kidneys, pancreas, or other organs.

The doctor’s advice

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Dr. Jad Chahoud recommends seeing a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen instead of assuming they are simply caused by aging or stress.

Early action can make a difference

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According to Dr. Chahoud, many patients realize after their diagnosis that the symptoms had been present for weeks or even months before they were taken seriously.

New research: Gut bacteria may influence your weight

Diet plays a major role in shaping the bacteria that live in the gut.

According to Healthline, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fermented foods are particularly beneficial.

Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and reducing stress can also help maintain a healthy gut.

On the other hand, a diet high in sugary drinks, ultra-processed foods, and processed meat can make it more difficult for beneficial gut bacteria to thrive, Healthline reports.

More than digestion

The many bacteria in the gut do more than just help digest food.

According to research published in journals such as the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and reviewed by Healthline, gut bacteria may also affect the body’s energy metabolism, blood sugar regulation, and inflammation.

Research published in Gut Microbes also suggests that the gut and the brain are constantly communicating with each other.

This may influence how hungry or full a person feels.

Only part of the picture

When the balance of gut bacteria is disrupted, it may become more difficult to regulate appetite and the body’s use of energy.

However, researchers emphasize that gut bacteria alone do not determine whether a person gains or loses weight.

According to Healthline, everyday habits such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing stress remain far more important for maintaining a healthy weight than gut bacteria alone.

Can a 10-second finger exercise reduce the risk of dementia? Expert weighs in

A finger exercise known as “pinky time” has gained widespread attention on social media.

Many posts claim that performing the exercise for just a few seconds each day can strengthen the brain and reduce the risk of dementia.

The growing interest reflects the fact that many people are looking for simple ways to protect their brain health as they age.

What does the research say?

Monika McAtarsney Kovacs, a cognitive neuropsychology researcher at Anglia Ruskin University, told The Conversation, as reported by The Sun, that the trend is partly based on established knowledge about the brain.

Learning new and challenging hand movements stimulates the brain.

Research has also shown that activities such as playing a musical instrument or knitting can benefit memory and improve the brain’s ability to learn.

Researchers also use finger exercises to study how the brain changes with age. However, these exercises are used solely as research tools.

The pinky finger exercise

According to Monika McAtarsney Kovacs, there is no research showing that this particular finger exercise can detect early signs of dementia or prevent the disease.

How well a person performs the exercise may depend on factors such as flexibility, previous injuries, and prior experience.

The exercise involves keeping the index and middle fingers together while touching the thumb with the ring finger. The little finger is then moved up and down for approximately 10 seconds.

Instead, Alzheimer’s Society and the NHS point to regular physical exercise, good-quality sleep, social interaction, and maintaining good vision and hearing as some of the measures most likely to help reduce the risk of dementia.

Hot weather can affect your medication – here’s how to store it

The hot summer has prompted experts to warn about the importance of storing medication correctly.

According to The Sun, the NHS and online pharmacy Chemist4U say this is particularly important for weight-loss medications, which are sensitive to high temperatures.

If the medication needs to be transported, it is recommended to use a cooler bag or a medical transport pouch with ice packs.

It should also be kept out of direct sunlight and, preferably, stored in its original packaging, according to Chemist4U.

Refrigeration requires care

The medication can be stored in a refrigerator, but the temperature must not become too low.

According to the NHS, the medication must not be frozen, as it can no longer be used if it has been.

It should therefore not be placed near the freezer compartment or at the back of the refrigerator, where temperatures are often the lowest.

At the same time, the NHS recommends drinking plenty of water during hot weather to reduce the risk of dehydration.

May still look normal

According to Chemist4U, the medication may appear completely normal even if it has been exposed to excessive heat.

It is therefore not possible to tell by looking at it whether it is still effective.

Mounjaro and Wegovy may lose their effectiveness if they are exposed to temperatures above 30°C (86°F).

For this reason, both the NHS and Chemist4U recommend storing the medication properly during periods of hot weather.

The silent bone condition affecting millions worldwide

A broken wrist after a minor fall or a hip fracture from what seemed like an ordinary accident is often dismissed as bad luck. In reality, experts say these injuries can sometimes reveal a problem that has been developing silently for years.

Reporting published by The Conversation, based on an article by Hasmik Jasmine Samvelyan, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Anglia Ruskin University, highlights growing concern over osteopenia, a condition that affects an estimated 40% of adults worldwide.

Unlike osteoporosis, it receives relatively little attention despite being an important warning sign for future bone health, reports ScienceDaily

Often missed

Researchers say osteopenia rarely causes noticeable symptoms, allowing bone density to decline without people realizing it. Many only learn they have the condition after a fracture or when a bone density scan is carried out because of age or other risk factors.

Age remains the biggest contributor to bone loss, but it is far from the only one. Menopause, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, long-term use of certain medications, poor nutrition, and conditions that interfere with nutrient absorption can all increase the likelihood of weakened bones.

Prevention matters

Although osteopenia increases the risk of osteoporosis, researchers stress that progression is not inevitable. Early identification creates an opportunity to protect bone strength before lasting damage occurs.

Simple lifestyle choices can make a meaningful difference:

  • Stay physically active with weight-bearing and strength-training exercise.
  • Get enough calcium and vitamin D.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Limit alcohol intake.
  • Maintain a healthy body weight.

Doctors may also use fracture-risk assessments to determine whether medication is appropriate, rather than prescribing treatment for everyone diagnosed with osteopenia.

A Long-Term Investment

The researchers argue that osteopenia should be viewed as a call to act rather than a diagnosis to fear. Evidence reviewed in The Conversation suggests that healthy habits adopted over many years can slow bone loss and may even improve bone density in some people.

Instead of focusing only on osteoporosis after it develops, experts believe greater attention should be paid to preserving bone health much earlier in life.

They say prevention, regular physical activity, and good nutrition remain the most effective tools for reducing the risk of fractures as people grow older.

How stress can affect your blood in just minutes

New research suggests that even short periods of psychological stress can trigger measurable changes in your blood within minutes. Scientists found that stress may make blood more likely to form clots, reports The Conversation.

Stress affects more than the mind

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Psychological stress is often seen as a mental challenge, but the body responds at the same time through a series of biochemical processes that can be measured in the blood.

Free radicals rise quickly

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Researchers found that levels of free radicals increased within minutes after participants were exposed to psychological stress.

Blood changes its properties

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Acute stress made the blood more prone to clotting because it altered the structure of forming blood clots.

Long term stress is a known risk

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Previous research has shown that chronic stress is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Oxidative stress may be the explanation

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The researchers believe that oxidative stress may be the mechanism responsible for triggering these changes in the blood.

Eight men took part in the study

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The study included eight healthy men between the ages of 18 and 30, who participated in two laboratory sessions.

Participants faced a stressful challenge

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They were asked to deliver a speech in front of a panel of judges before completing a demanding mental arithmetic task.

Blood samples were compared

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Researchers collected blood samples before and after both sessions to examine how stress affected the blood.

Blood clots became denser

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After the stress test, blood clots were larger and more tightly packed with fibrin fibres.

Blood thickness did not change

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The study found no evidence that stress made the blood more viscous or thicker.

More research is needed

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The researchers emphasize that larger studies involving more participants and different population groups are needed.

The findings may lead to new treatments

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Future research could investigate whether targeting the biochemical processes behind stress may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiologist’s advice: How to get through a heatwave

When the weather becomes very hot, the body has to work harder to maintain a normal temperature. This can lead to dehydration because you sweat more.

At the same time, the body loses essential salts. According to Diastyl, as cited by Dagens.dk, it may therefore be necessary to drink extra fluids and, in some cases, replenish electrolytes.

The risk is particularly high for people with cardiovascular disease, but healthy individuals can also be affected if they become overheated or dehydrated.

Small choices make a difference

According to Diastyl, cardiologist Aleš Linhart recommends avoiding strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

A walk early in the morning or later in the evening is a better option.

Alcohol can further dehydrate the body, while energy drinks high in caffeine may place additional strain on the body.

For this reason, the combination of alcohol and energy drinks is especially discouraged.

If you use air conditioning, the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperatures should not be too great.

Pay attention to the warning signs

People who take medication for high blood pressure or heart failure should be especially cautious during hot weather.

If treatment needs to be adjusted, it should always be be done in consultation with a doctor, Diastyl says.

If a person becomes dizzy, feels unwell, or appears confused in the heat, they should be moved to a cooler place and given fluids.

If severe symptoms develop or the person loses consciousness, emergency services should be called immediately.