16 July 2009
Daily supplements with the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may improve both memory function and heart health in healthy older adults.
In a randomized controlled trial in 485 healthy people with memory complaints, individuals who took algal DHA capsules (900mg/day) for six months had almost double the reduction in errors on a test that measures learning and memory performance versus those who took a placebo (1). The benefit was roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills of someone three years younger.
Cognitive decline occurs naturally as we age, and precedes diseases such as Alzheimer's. However, according to another randomized controlled trial involving 402 people, the omega-3 fatty acid supplements (2 g/day for 18 months) did not benefit people already suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (2).
Researchers commented that these two studies raise the possibility that interventions for Alzheimer's must be given very early in the disease for them to be truly effective.
31 August 2010
Intake of a dietary supplement derived from fruits and vegetables may be associated with a reduction of moderate or severe common cold symptoms, a new German study suggests.
1 December 2015
Metabolic syndrome is a disorder of energy utilization and storage, diagnosed by the coincidence of overweight or obesity with disturbances of lipid and sugar metabolism and hypertension. Subclinical inflammation and a fatty liver are further components typically associated with this condition. Metabolic syndrome substantially increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Diets targeting weight loss by restricting either carbohydrate or fat intake are an effective approach to improve most conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, but the benefit is not successfully achieved over longer periods. Therefore, a balanced diet rich in nutrients improving metabolism may represent a successful strategy. The role of several related nutrients has been presented and discussed during the 12th European Nutrition Conference (FENS 2015) in Berlin.
22 August 2011
A new analysis suggests that increased intakes of folate following the introduction of fortification in the US were associated with a reduction in the incidence of colorectal cancer.
