News
Increased intakes of B vitamins may help reduce stroke risk
14 October 2013
According to a new review, a regular supplementation with B vitamins may reduce stroke events by up to 7%.
10 July 2015
Recent work by Ramsden et al (1) at the NIH in Bethesda, MD, USA has demonstrated that a dietary intervention rich in marine omega-3 fatty acids but low in omega-6 fatty acids can provide an effective, complementary approach for managing chronic pain and related conditions. The beneficial effects were found to be due to specific endocannabinoids derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Prior to the current study, Ramsden et al. had established that a diet rich in marine omega-3 fatty acids but low in omega-6 fatty acids when given to patients suffering from chronic daily headaches (CDH) resulted in reduction in intensity and frequency of headaches, reduced psychological stress and generally enhanced the quality of life (2, 3). The current study involved a cohort of 55 patients suffering CDH. An intervention diet rich in marine omega-3 fatty acids, but low in omega-6 fatty acids, was given for 12 weeks (1). Both the clinical and biochemical affects were assessed. All the participants had suffered chronic headaches for at least four hours a day and 15 days a month for a period of at least three months before the trial.
The intervention arm experienced considerable clinical improvements. The improvements were shown to be due to endocannabinoids directly derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Endocannabinioids from Arachidonic Acid (ARA) had no effect. Two relevant DHA-derived endocannabinoids were found, but which had different clinical effects. For each standard deviation, 2-DHG (2-docosahexaenoylglcyerol) provided a 10% reduction in the number of headaches per month and a 40% reduction in the number of severe headache hours a day. In addition there were improvements in the measures of psychological distress and mental health composite scores. For each standard deviation in DHA-EA (docosahexaenoylethanolamine) there was a 7% reduction in the number of headaches per month and a 30% reduction in the number of severe headache hours, but no other psychological effects. The levels of 2-DHG and DHA-EA had increased in plasma by 65% and 99% respectively over the 12 week intervention. This study provided the first known evidence that 2-DHG could be modified by diet. It was known that 2-DHG was found in relatively high concentrations in brain tissue.
The mechanism by which 2-DHG and DHA-EA achieve a reduction in headaches is unknown. 2-DHG, though very similar in structure to the ARA derived endocannabinoid 2-AG, has a low affinity for cannabinoid receptors. DHA-EA does have established anti-inflammatory and neurogenic properties. Ramsden et al conclude that a dietary intervention rich in DHA could “provide an effective, complementary approach for managing chronic pain and related conditions” (1).
14 October 2013
According to a new review, a regular supplementation with B vitamins may reduce stroke events by up to 7%.
1 October 2013
Inflammation is a normal reaction of the body intended to remove harmful internal or external irritants and create conditions conducive to repair processes. An inflammatory reaction is a complex process involving numerous elements of the immune system. An excessive immune response or an immune system that attacks the body’s own structures (e.g. certain cells or tissues) can lead to persistent (chronic) inflammation. In this case, the immune system not only attacks pathogenic factors but also damages healthy structures, thus forming the basis for many chronic diseases. In recent years the incidence of chronic inflammatory diseases has greatly increased, especially in industrialized countries. A major cause of this increase, apart from genetic factors, is an unhealthy lifestyle, in particular an unbalanced diet and lack of exercise. A diet with plenty of micronutrients, some of which possess anti-inflammatory properties, can help prevent the development of chronic inflammatory diseases.
21 September 2018
As they age, men have special health needs that are different than women’s. There are certain biological distinctions that make men more prone to certain conditions and diseases. Read on to learn more about men’s health in the later years.