In the news: Vitamin D Levels Important in Osteoarthritis, Meditation or Medication for Anxiety? Tip of the Month

Here’s a look at some of the more interesting nutrition and health studies published this month…

Optimal Vitamin D Levels linked to Better Life Expectancy in Osteoarthritis Patients

A new analysis(1) involving information from 4,570 patients with osteoarthritis, revealed that patients with sufficient vitamin D have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death from any cause.

The study examined whether blood levels of vitamin D were associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers focused on people with osteoarthritis because most studies have looked at the relationship of vitamin D to mortality in the general population and in diabetic patients.

After placing participants into groups based on the concentration of vitamin D in their blood, they found a lower risk of dying from CVD or from any cause (except cancer) for those with vitamin D levels equal to or greater than 75 nmol/L, with the lowest risk at levels of about 84 nmol/L. The relationship of blood vitamin D levels and mortality risk were stronger for men than women.

The authors note that the population studied had a higher proportion of people with vitamin D deficiency (about 17%) and insufficient vitamin D levels (48%) compared to similar studies which did not find a relationship between vitamin D and mortality. In vitamin D deficiency, as the authors point out, the body takes calcium from where it’s stored in bones. That weakens those bones and may play a role in shortening the lifespan.

Meditation or Medication for Anxiety?

According to a new study(2) comparing a first-choice drug treatment for anxiety to mindfulness-based stress reduction, the mindfulness meditation was just as effective (“non-inferior”) for people diagnosed with anxiety disorder.

The study included 276 individuals with an anxiety disorder, mostly generalized anxiety, or social anxiety.

One group was assigned to receive the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, escitalopram, which is a first-choice drug treatment for generalized anxiety.

The other group completed daily 45-minute guided meditation sessions at home.

At the end of eight weeks, both groups saw about a 30% drop in symptom scores. Fewer people dropped out of the study in the mindfulness group vs. the drug group, likely because 78% of those in the drug group experienced at least one adverse event (e.g. sleep disturbances, fatigue, headache, nausea).

The researchers point out that not everyone is willing to invest the time and effort to complete mindfulness sessions and to practice regularly at home.

However, mindfulness-based stress reduction programs are available in all major US cities, don’t require finding a therapist, and can be found in places other than a mental health environment such as yoga centers and universities. Online classes may also be available in many areas.

Nutrition Tip of the Month

You’ve heard of quercetin? It’s one of the important plant bioflavonoids that acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and supports cellular health.

While quercetin is found in a wide variety of fruits and veggies, it is not readily absorbed. But the fiber pectin can enhance the bioavailability and blood levels of this bioflavonoid. One suggestion: Eat more apples. Not only are they a rich source of quercetin, but they are a great source of pectin as well.

References

1. Wang J, et al. Vitamin D status and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in osteoarthritis patients: Results from NHANES III and NHANES 2001-2018. Nutrients. 14:4629, 2022.
2. Hoge EA, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction vs escitalopram for the treatment of adults with anxiety disorders a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online November 9, 2022.