Insights, Research and Trends
The power of Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a powerful antioxidant made naturally by the body but levels are known to decline as we age. Low levels of CoQ10 are linked to chronic illnesses from dementia to cardiovascular disease.
Deficiency in adults is linked with higher levels of chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer risk, diabetes, cardiovascular risk and dementia risk, says Chris Woollams of canceractive.com.
For example, in 2014 Yamagishi et al demonstrated that a lower serum CoQ10 level was associated with a greater risk of dementia in Japanese people, he states (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25463064).
"Low blood levels of CoQ10 have been found in people with metabolic diseases such as dementia, cardiovascular issues, chronic fatigue syndrome and diabetes," writes Woollams. "And in people with many cancers."
Heart failure is largely an energy-deprived condition so it's not surprising the Q-SYMBIO trial found that CoQ10 supplementation in patients with heart failure not only improved functional capacity, but also significantly reduced cardiovascular events and mortality.
It's also been found that topical application using CoQ10 can even benefit ageing skin while supplementation is thought to increase longevity.
It is recommended as a food supplement in conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, congestive heart failure (supported by randomised clinical trials), hypertension, angina, diabetes mellitus, muscular dystrophy and anti-ageing.
Ashwagandha highlighted in latest Alzheimer's review
An August 2024 review of medications for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) puts herbal remedies in focus compared with drug treatments.
"The intricate nature of AD, which involves multiple pathological mechanisms, indicates that drugs targeting a single pathway might be inadequate," say the authors Cyril Sajan et al in the review published in the Journal of Natural Remedies. "Herbal remedies, renowned for their diverse and multifunctional properties, present a promising alternative."
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is classified as a "Rasayana", indicating its rejuvenating qualities, and is recognised for its antioxidant, free radical-fighting and immune-enhancing abilities.
For those who understand the terminology, Ashwagandha root contains various compounds like alkaloids, withanolides, sitoindosides and flavonoids. The review authors say it "slows down progression by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor B, decreasing the production of Aβ peptides, preventing cell death or apoptosis, restoring normal functioning of synapses and boosting antioxidants by enhancing Nrf2 movement to the nucleus for increased antioxidant enzyme expression at the molecular level".
Ashwagandha root extracts support nerve cell growth, protect against damage from Aβ in neurons, and offer neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases. They reduce inflammation, prevent cell death, and decrease anxiety.
Ashwagandha can enter the brain and potentially reduce brain inflammation, showing promise for AD. Its alkaloid content calms the central nervous system, enhances memory and has the potential for reducing Alzheimer's-related deficits in animal models. Its varied benefits, especially its neuroprotection and memory enhancement, make it a promising herbal remedy for Alzheimer's.
An extensive list of other herbal remedies in the review includes turmeric, ginkgo biloba, liquorice, nutmeg, brahmi and ginseng.
doi.org/10.18311/jnr/2024/43485
Consumers lack understanding of dietary fibre
Very few consumers can identify what dietary fibre is, according to a survey of more than 1000 British adults aged 18 to 75.
A subsequent report entitled ‘Going against the grain' lays out the worrying health consequences of the great British fibre gap while providing simple tips to boost roughage in the diet.
"Brits need to plug the fibre gap if they want to live long and healthy lives," says Dr Gill Jenkins, a GP with a special interest in diabetes.
While two thirds (65%) of survey respondents thought that the nation was generally eating too little fibre, 45% thought they were falling short while almost four in 10 (38%) thought they were eating the right amount of fibre.
But national intake data shows that fewer than one in 10 (9%) reaches the recommended daily target of 30 grams.
Three-quarters (74%) of those surveyed claimed to know what dietary fibre is, but only a third (36%) were able to pick out the correct definition from a list, namely ‘a type of carbohydrate that humans can't digest'.
Dr Carrie Ruxton, a dietitian and advisor to the General Mills fibre campaign, which produced the report, says, "This means that nearly two thirds of Brits have no idea what fibre is."
She adds, "This hazy knowledge surrounding dietary fibre intake poses a real public health problem when you consider that poor diets are responsible for 11m deaths worldwide and more than 600,000 of these directly relate to low-fibre diets.
Fibre helps to manage blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels. It feeds good bacteria in the gut, it encourages pathogens and other toxins to move through the digestive system and out of the body, and it prevents overeating by helping us feel fuller after meals.
Particular areas of concern around lack of fibre include an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and bowel cancer. The survey indicated considerable ignorance of these risks.
What's in store for our high streets?
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) research paints a bleak picture for the future of UK high streets, but does this apply to the independent health store sector?
FSB research found:
- Plummeting consumer spending (70%), falling footfall (47%) and crime or anti-social behaviour (47%) are the biggest risks to high streets according to the small firms based on them.
- Over half of local businesses (57%) say a diverse range of independent businesses is one of the most important features for the long-term sustainability and future of their local high street.
- Good transport links are also key for the future of the high street, according to almost half (43%) of small businesses based on them.
- Around half (49%) of high street small businesses say parking facilities are managed poorly on their local high street.
- Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, most local businesses saw a range of closures on their local high street, including retail stores (72%), hospitality (69%), banks (58%), post offices (28%), and entertainment venues (20%).
We spoke to five independent health store owners across England to garner their views on current and future trading conditions. See what they told us here.
Healthy bounce
A report on the state of European grocery retail by global management consultancy McKinsey indicates that shoppers are increasing their spend on healthy, organic and sustainable options.
The report confirms that a focus on healthy eating is now a resilient trend and that the percentage of people prepared to pay more for healthier products has grown by 5% so far this year.
While organic was the sustainability category hit hardest in 2022 and 2023, it is experiencing a bounce-back in 2024 with consumers in all of the countries surveyed stating their intention was to buy more this year.
Failing the kids
Poor diet, food insecurity and poverty mean that UK children are shorter, fatter and sicker, according to an alarming report by the Food Foundation released in the summer.
It says the average height of five-year-olds is falling, obesity levels have increased by almost a third and the number of young people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has risen by more than a fifth.
Aggressive marketing of cheap ultra-processed food, diets lacking essential nutrients and high levels of poverty are to blame.
The report concluded that failure to reverse this trajectory will result in a generation burdened throughout their lives by diet-related illnesses and the mental health impact of living with disease, followed by an early death.