Association of magnesium intake with sleep duration and sleep quality: findings from the CARDIA study

Relationship between dietary diversity and sleep quality: a Chinese community-based study

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine the association between dietary diversity and sleep quality among Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

METHODS

The Lifestyle and Healthy Aging of Chinese Square Dancer Study is a prospective, community-based cohort study that enrolled participants aged 45 years and above from 2020 to 2021. Using the semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire to investigate the diets of study participants, and using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality. Dietary diversity was assessed using two scoring methods covering ten food groups and 66 food items, respectively: the dietary diversity score (DDS) and the food variety score (FVS). The higher scores of DDS and FVS indicated greater dietary diversity and higher dietary quality. Logistic regression analysis explored the associations between these scores and sleep quality.

RESULTS

A total of 2409 individuals with completed information on PSQI and FFQ were included in this study, of whom 767 (31.8%) had poor sleep quality. Participants with higher DDS were associated with an 18% lower odds of poor sleep quality compared to those with low DDS (OR = 0.82, 95% CI, 0.68-0.98). Participants in the highest quartile of the FVS had a 32% lower odds of poor sleep quality than those in the lowest quartile (OR = 0.68, 95% CI, 0.52-0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a positive correlation between higher FVS and DDS with better sleep quality. Therefore, ensuring a diverse diet may be beneficial for maintaining good sleep quality among middle-aged and older adults.

The Association Between Essential Metal Element Mixture and Sleep Quality in Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Previous studies have related single essential metal elements (EMEs) to sleep quality among older adults, however, the association of the EME mixture with sleep quality remained poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between single EMEs and the EME mixture and sleep quality in older adults living in Chinese communities. This study consisted of 3957 older adults aged 60 years or over. Urinary concentrations of cobalt (Co), vanadium (V), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), strontium (Sr), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Sleep quality was evaluated using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The associations of single EMEs and EME mixture with sleep quality were assessed using logistic regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models, respectively. Adjusted single-element logistic regression models showed that Mo (OR = 0.927, 95%CI:0.867-0.990), Sr (OR = 0.927, 95%CI:0.864-0.994), and Mg (OR = 0.934, 95%CI:0.873-0.997) were negatively related to poor sleep quality. BKMR models exhibited similar results. Also, higher levels of the EME mixture in urine were inversely related to the odds of poor sleep quality after adjustment for covariates, and Mo had the largest conditional posterior inclusion probability (condPIP) value in the mixture. Mo, Sr, and Mg were negatively related to poor sleep quality, separately and as the mixture. The EME mixture in urine was associated with decreased odds of poor sleep quality in older adults, and Mo was the greatest contributor within the mixture. Additional cohort research is warranted to clarify the relationship of multiple EMEs with sleep quality.

Serum Calcium and Magnesium Levels, Not 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, Are Associated With Sleep Quality in Airline Pilots

INTRODUCTION

Despite the vulnerability of airline pilots (APs) to sleep disturbances, the biological underpinnings responsible for this phenomenon are still not entirely elucidated. However, there is an increasing amount of evidence indicating an association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D, Ca2+, and Mg2+ levels and sleep health. In this cross-sectional study, we sought to examine the potential associations between serum levels of these biomarkers and the occurrence of poor sleep among APs.

METHODS

 We examined a convenience sample of 100 male APs who underwent the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess their sleep quality. Those who scored 5 or higher on the PSQI were labeled as poor sleepers. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, Ca2+, and Mg2+ were quantified in all participants.

RESULTS

 Out of the 100 APs, 58 (58%) and 42 (42%) were classified as good and poor sleepers, respectively, based on the PSQI scores. We defined vitamin D deficiency as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 10 ng/mL and insufficiency as levels ranging from 10 to 30 ng/mL. The results revealed no significant differences in serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D between the two groups, and there was no evidence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. However, poor sleepers exhibited significantly lower levels of both Mg2+ (1.8 ± 0.1 mg/dL versus2.0 ± 0.1 mg/dL, respectively) and Ca2+ (8.5 ± 0.4 mg/dL versus9.1 ± 0.5 mg/dL, respectively) compared to good sleepers (P < 0.001 for both). Logistic regression analysis identified both Mg2+ and Ca2+ as independent biomarkers associated with poor sleep quality in APs (P < 0.001 for both).

CONCLUSION

Lower serum concentrations of Mg2+ and Ca2+, not 25-hydroxyvitamin D, may be associated with poor sleep in APs.

Changing trend of neonatal Ca/P/Mg status in a Chinese population

Background

Calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg) are essential elements for keeping the body homeostasis. We aimed to investigate the changing trend of serum levels of Ca/P/Mg in neonates.

Methods

We enrolled 82 premature newborns, 173 neonatal sepsis, 50 neonatal hypoglycemia, 254 neonatal jaundice, 43 neonatal haemolytic disease, and 59 healthy controls in our retrospective study. Serum levels of Ca/P/Mg were collected and expressed in quarters. We analysed the association between neonatal disorders and Ca/P/Mg levels (fourth quarter vs. first quarter) using binary logistic regression analysis. Smooth curve analysis was performed to analyze the non-linear association between birthweight/procalcitonin (PCT) and Ca/P levels. Threshold effect analysis was also performed to yield the turning point of birthweight/PCT in their associations with Ca/P levels.

Results

Binary logistic regression analyses showed that neonatal haemolytic disease, hypoglycemia, sepsis, jaundice, and prematurity were all significantly associated with the fourth quarter of Ca level (P<10-4; P<10-4; P<10-4; P=0.001; and P<10-4, respectively). Neonatal hypoglycemia and prematurity were significantly associated with the fourth quarter of P level (P=0.004; and P=0.003, respectively). Neonatal haemolytic disease, hypoglycemia, sepsis, jaundice and prematurity were not associated with Mg level. Birthweight was significantly associated with Ca level before and after the turning point of 3,220 grams. PCT was significantly associated with Ca level before and after the turning point of 16.8 µg/L. Birthweight was significantly associated with P level before the turning point of 2,990 gram. PCT was significantly associated with P level before the turning points of 3.5 and 34.21 µg/L.

Conclusions

Neonatal disorders demonstrated a decreasing trend of serum Ca/P level. A significantly non-linear association was observed between birthweight/PCT and serum Ca/P levels.

Exploring the Role of Dairy Products In Sleep Quality: From Population Studies to Mechanistic Evaluations

Poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep affect a large portion of the population. This is concerning given increasing evidence that poor sleep health is a behavioral risk factor for the development of cardiometabolic diseases. A healthy diet is associated with a plethora of favorable health outcomes, and emerging research now highlights diet as a potential determinant of sleep health that could be leveraged to improve sleep quality. Dairy products are notably rich in tryptophan (Trp), a key substrate for serotonin and melatonin production, which are instrumental for initiating and maintaining sleep. Furthermore, dairy products provide a range of micronutrients that serve as cofactors in the synthesis of melatonin from Trp, which could contribute to sleep-promoting effects. In this review, we evaluate population studies and clinical trials to examine a possible link between dairy consumption and sleep. Available epidemiologic studies illustrate positive associations between dairy intake and sleep outcomes. Moreover, some intervention studies support a causal effect of dairy intake on sleep. Given these data, we discuss potential mechanisms, invite additional clinical research on this topic, and provide insights on how limitations of current studies can be addressed in future trials.

Low Magnesium in Conjunction with High Homocysteine and Less Sleep Accelerates Telomere Attrition in Healthy Elderly Australian

The relationship between sleep and micronutrients, including magnesium, is implicated in its regulation. The effects of low magnesium and other micronutrients on sleep disruption and telomere loss are not well understood. The present study was carried out in 172 healthy elderly subjects from South Australia. Plasma micronutrients including magnesium were measured. Each participant provided information about their sleep hours (<7 h or ≥7 h). Lymphocyte telomere length (TL) was measured by real-time qPCR assay. Plasma magnesium level was significantly low in subjects who sleep less than 7 h (p = 0.0002). TL was significantly shorter in people who are low in magnesium and sleep less than 7 h (p = 0.01). Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is negatively associated with magnesium (r = −0.299; p < 0.0001). There is a significant interaction effect of magnesium and Hcy on sleep duration (p = 0.04) and TL (p = 0.003). Our results suggest that inadequate magnesium levels have an adverse impact on sleep and telomere attrition rate in cognitively normal elderly people, and this may be exacerbated by low levels of vitamin B12 and folate that elevate Hcy concentration.

Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements

Melatonin has become a popular dietary supplement, most known as a chronobiotic, and for establishing healthy sleep. Research over the last decade into cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, fertility, PCOS, and many other conditions, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to greater awareness of melatonin because of its ability to act as a potent antioxidant, immune-active agent, and mitochondrial regulator. There are distinct similarities between melatonin and vitamin D in the depth and breadth of their impact on health. Both act as hormones, affect multiple systems through their immune-modulating, anti-inflammatory functions, are found in the skin, and are responsive to sunlight and darkness. In fact, there may be similarities between the widespread concern about vitamin D deficiency as a “sunlight deficiency” and reduced melatonin secretion as a result of “darkness deficiency” from overexposure to artificial blue light. The trend toward greater use of melatonin supplements has resulted in concern about its safety, especially higher doses, long-term use, and application in certain populations (e.g., children). This review aims to evaluate the recent data on melatonin’s mechanisms, its clinical uses beyond sleep, safety concerns, and a thorough summary of therapeutic considerations concerning dietary supplementation, including the different formats available (animal, synthetic, and phytomelatonin), dosing, timing, contraindications, and nutrient combinations.