27 January 2010
Higher blood levels of vitamin B9 (folate) may reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in men, says a new study.
In the study, vitamin B9 (folate) and homocysteine blood levels in 530 Japanese people were compared with depressive symptoms identified in over 36 percent of the male and female participants (1).
The results showed that depressive symptoms were less common in men with higher folate levels. Indeed, the highest levels were associated with a 50 percent reduction in the prevalence of depressive symptoms, compared to the lowest folate levels. On the other hand, a link between higher levels of the amino acid homocysteine and a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in men was observed. In women, neither folate nor homocysteine was associated with depressive symptoms.
The research adds to a growing body of research linking folate and folic acid intake to improved mood, and follows a review of 11 studies involving 15,315 participants that reported low folate levels were linked to increased depression (2).
In 2003, U.S. researchers reported that folic acid supplements may help reduce the prevalence of depressive symptoms (3).
The World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts that within 20 years more people will be affected by depression than any other health problem; it ranks depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, with around 120 million people affected.
5 July 2013
The majority of people following a vegetarian or vegan diet develops vitamin B12 deficiency, a situation which could be prevented by a daily supplementation of at least 250 micrograms, suggests a new US review.
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.
1 February 2011
The human brain monitors and regulates the body’s actions and reactions. It continuously receives sensory information, rapidly analyzes this data and then responds, controlling bodily actions and functions. While one part of the brain controls processes that are independent of conscious brain functions (e.g., breathing and heart rate), others are responsible for the coordination of movement or complex thinking processes such as learning and memory.
