Choline

Choline,-An Underused, Essential Nutrient

Choline is an essential vitamin-like nutrient that is useful for helping the body to maintain optimal health.  Only recently has this vital nutrient gained attention for its role in supporting healthy liver function, prenatal development, brain and heart health and athletic performance and recovery.  As a matter of fact Choline is the most recent nutrient…

Folic Acid and Cognitive Impairment

Folic Acid and Dementia: Supplementation Benefits Elderly People with Mild Cognitive Decline

Elderly people with mild cognitive impairment saw significant improvements in both cognitive performance and reduced inflammation when supplementing with 400 mcg of Folic Acid daily for a period of 12 months. Over 150 seniors with mild cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to two groups.  One group received daily Folic Acid supplementation (400 mcg) and the…

Omega 3 and Alzheimer's Disease

Omega-3 Could Aid Alzheimer’s Prevention

New research finds individuals with high Omega-3 intakes have an increase in blood flow in the brain suggesting a link might exist between Omega-3 and Alzheimer’s Disease. Over 160 randomly selected people participated in this trial.  These participants were taken from clinics and their brain function was studied using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). …

Prenatal Folic Acid

Prenatal Folic Acid Could Benefit Children’s Psychological Development

A new study finds that supplementation with Folic Acid has beneficial effects on the psychological development of children if taken during the first trimester and beyond. 39 women participated in this randomized controlled trial.  22 of the participating mothers supplemented with folic acid throughout their pregnancy while the remaining 17 only supplemented with folic acid…

Lutein and Cognitive Function

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Levels Linked to Better Cognitive Function

A new study has found that higher blood levels of Lutein and Zeaxanthin may be associated with improved memory, cognition and executive function.  Data from this study found higher Zeaxanthin levels were associated with increased processing speeds and higher levels of both Zeaxanthin and Lutein were associated with enriched scores for many cognitive measures. Data…

Cognitive Function

Vitamin A Status At Birth Linked to Long-Term Risk of Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s

A new study has found elderly individuals with low Vitamin A levels may be more at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease along with lower brain functioning.  Additionally the study found the even a marginal Vitamin A deficiency at birth might affect long-term risk factors. This new study was made up of findings from mouse models…

Infant Cognition

Micronutrient Supplementation For Mothers Boosts Infant Cognitive Health

A major follow up study has determined pregnant women should take more micronutrients besides iron and folic acid to increase the long-term cognitive development of their children. The Supplementation with Multiple Micronutrients Intervention Trial (SUMMIT) lasted from 2001 – 2004.  Over 31,000 pregnant women participated in this study.  The study goals were to determine if…

Omega-3 and Cognition

Omega-3’s Linked to Better Cognitive Function in Mildly Impaired Older People

A new study finds daily supplementation with Omega-3 essential fatty acids may improve measures of cognitive function like perceptual speed and memory. 86 people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were randomly assigned to receive a placebo (olive oil) or an Omega-3 supplement (EPA 720 mg DHA 480 mg) daily for 6 months.  The average mean…

Cognitive Decline

Vitamin C and E Supplements May Protect Against Age-Related Brain Declines

Data from a recent study shows daily supplementation with Vitamin C and Vitamin E could reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Data from over 5,000 seniors collected over a period of time (from 1991-2002) was analyzed.  Participants were all over 65 years of age.  Seniors who were supplementing with Vitamin E and/or Vitamin C had…