News
Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce depressive symptoms in the elderly
20 October 2012
Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may alleviate symptoms of depression in elderly patients, says a new Italian study.
30 January 2012
New US research shows that docosahexaenoic acid is essential to build a vital sperm-cell structure.
In the study, mice that lack a gene essential to synthesize docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) showed to be infertile due to low sperm count and motility (1). When DHA was introduced into the mice’s diet, fertility was completely restored. The researchers showed that DHA is necessary for the building blocks of the sperm’s ‘acrosome’ to fuse. The acrosome is an arc-like structure that develops over half of the sperm cell’s head that houses and organizes a variety of enzymes which sperm use to penetrate an egg.
The scientists commented that in addition to create healthy sperm, DHA further has numerous health functions. Because DHA is abundant in specific tissues, including the brain and the retina, as well as the testes, the study results could also impact research relating to brain function and vision. DHA deficiencies could play a role, for example, in the development of dementia.
20 October 2012
Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may alleviate symptoms of depression in elderly patients, says a new Italian study.
27 April 2010
Increased intakes of vitamin K show no improvements in bone loss in women, suggests a new Norwegian study.
7 December 2011
Women who have a diet rich in vegetables and fruits may have fewer strokes regardless of a previous history of cardiovascular disease, a new Swedish study suggests.