Melatonin and Anti-Aging

Could Melatonin Promote Healthy Ageing?

A new review published in the British Journal of Pharmacology suggests supplementation with Melatonin may lessen the decreases in the strength of the circadian system seen with ageing.  Melatonin is associated with helping people fall asleep more rapidly as well as helping to realign sleep cycles to a normal dark/light pattern in people who are…

Folic Acid and Autism Risk

Maternal Use of Folic Acid and Vitamins Linked to Reduced Autism Risk in Children

According to a study done in Israel, mothers who supplement with a Multivitamin and Folic Acid, both before and during their pregnancy, reduce their child’s risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Researchers studied Israeli children born between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2007.  Participants were followed up from birth to January 26, 2015…

Potassium and Sleep

Can Potassium Affect Your Body Clock?

According to a new study published in Nature Communications, human red blood cells (RBCs) circadian rhythms may be regulated by Potassium. Concentrations of Potassium in RBC increased during the day and declined at night.  These significant fluctuations in RBC Potassium levels followed the circadian rhythms. Pharmacological chemicals were used by researchers to either block or…

Lutein and Brain

Study Ties Nutrition to Brain Health and Intelligence in Older Adults

A new study has found that the pigment found in leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, lutein, may preserve “crystallized intelligence”, the ability to use the knowledge and skills acquired by a person over their lifetime, in older adults. 122 people ranging in age from 65 to 75 years of age participated in this study.  Participants…

Folic Acid and Postpartum Depression

Prenatal Folic Acid Supplementation Helps Lower Postpartum Depression Risk

Supplementing Folic Acid for at six months before giving birth could lower the risk of postpartum depression. Almost 1,600 women who had given birth six to 12 weeks earlier were recruited to participate in this study.  Data on prenatal folic acid supplementation, obstetric history, and lifestyle and socio-demographic characteristics was collected.  803 (50.4%) women participating…