Turns out that the sun can be good for your muscles. A new study from Newcastle University in the U.K. has linked vitamin D and muscle performance, finding that people with vitamin D deficiency are likely to suffer from physical fatigue.  Vitamin D supplements, too, were found to increase aerobic metabolism in muscles, meaning that muscles could function more efficiently.

The scientists tied their findings to the mitochondria in cells, which is where oxygen and glucose are used to create the energy cells need to function. Cells rely on phosphocreatine to create this energy – a substance called ATP – and muscles use it to perform.  The researchers found that the amount of time it takes for the body to replenish phosphocreatine can reflect more efficient mitochondrial function.

Okay, so what does that mean?  In patients with vitamin D deficiency, it took longer to restore levels of phosphocreatine, which led to muscle fatigue.  When given vitamin D supplements, these same patients suffered from less fatigue and showed greater mitochondrial efficiency.

Though this was a small study and requires further investigation, the scientists are hopeful that the results might be particularly helpful to athletes and the elderly.

NEXT: Unhealthy eating can make a bad mood worse

Sourced from: Science Daily, Vitamin D Replacement Improves Muscle Efficiency

If you aren’t feeling good about yourself, don’t reach for a pint of ice cream.  It could make you feel even worse.

In a study from Penn State University, college-aged women were asked questions about diet and self-image.  Study participants then had a bout of “disordered” eating, and their mood generally worsened after the binge-eating.  The study found little change in mood right before the unhealthy eating, but their negative feelings rose immediately afterwards.

The researchers gave 131 handheld computers to women who had high levels of unhealthy eating habits and concerns about body weight and shape, but did not have eating disorders.  The women were prompted several times a day with questions about mood and eating behavior.  After analyzing the data, the researchers determined that unhealthy eating was a factor in plummeting moods.

The scientists feel the findings are useful because the study focused on women who hadn’t been diagnosed with eating disorders.  They hope that more research can help more women avoid developing eating disorders.

NEXT: “Elephant Man” case presented

Sourced from: Science Daily, Unhealthy Eating Can Make a Bad Mood Worse

Keeping your heart healthy may not be one of the first things you consider when looking to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but the two, in fact, may be related.  A new study from the University of Texas Dallas Center for Vital Longevity discovered that hypertension and the presence of a common gene could increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life.

The study observed 147 participants, who were then split up depending on whether they had hypertension and were taking anti-hypertension medication or not.  The subjects were then divided again based on whether or not they had the APOE-e4 gene, which is present in roughly 20 percent of people.  This genetic variation is linked to dementia.

The results showed that hypertensive adults who were not taking medication and had the genetic variation had the most amyloid plaque in their brains, which can lead to Alzheimer’s.  Patients with hypertension but who took medication for it – even those who had the genetic risk - had no higher levels of plaque than those who had neither hypertension nor the APOE-e4 gene.

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Sourced from: Science Daily, Uncontrolled Hypertension Could Bring Increased Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease