I
just posted on my homepage the top holistic health reads for March 2014.
For
my
Saratoga, NY readers, I’m highlighting four articles that made
headlines this
month on the topic of supplements and health. Specifically these studies
have demonstrated the beneficial effects of certain nutrients on
modulating eye health, circulation (stroke risk),
dementia prevention, and autism.
After
you get a taster on this subject, be sure to check my homepage for a full
overview of all the top news this month.
Happy
Spring!
Multivitamin
Controversy in the Eyes, This Time It’s a Bulls-Eye
A study published in the journal Ophthalmology showed a decreased risk of developing cataracts for men
taking a multivitamin. The study consisted of 14,641 U.S. male doctors. It compared
the half who took a multivitamin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene
supplements to those that took a placebo every day. The study was from 1997 to
2011.
According to the
Huffington Post:
Researchers
noted that the seemingly disparate findings between the new study and past
research — since the new study showed a statistically insignificant increased
risk of age-related macular degeneration, while the past research showed a
decreased risk of the condition with taking vitamins — are likely due to the
fact that the studies used different supplements with different dosing and
objectives.
Chan, A. Daily Multivitamin Use Linked With Lower
Cataract Risk For Men. Huffington Post. February 22, 2014.
Studies
Do Show Vitamin C and Iron Can Reduce Stroke Risk
According to Dr. Mercola’s report, 80% of stroke can be
prevented through diet and lifestyle changes. He reported the findings in
various research studies link vitamin C deficiency, iron deficiency (in those
with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia), and low vitamin D exposure from
sun to increased stroke risk.
Mercola, J. How Vitamin C and Iron Can Help Reduce Your
Risk of Stroke. mercola.com. February 24, 2014.
Vitamin
E May Help with Alzheimer’s Disease
Previous trials with Vitamin E haven’t been promising
for reducing severe Alzheimer’s. However, a new randomized, double-blind,
parallel-group, placebo controlled study aimed to look at the impact of vitamin
E on mild to moderate cognitive impairment. It compared 613 mostly male subjects
already on a cholinesterase inhibitor to those who took memantine, memantine
and vitamin E, or placebo. Of the 60% who completed the trial, only the vitamin
E group showed a significant slower decline, equaling about 6 months.
Josephson, SA. High-Dose Vitamin E Modestly Effective
for Alzheimer’s Disease. Medscape.com. AccessMedicine from McGraw-Hill.
Vitamin
D Levels and Autism
Dr. Amen discussed a new study that demonstrated the
role of the hormone, vitamin D, on brain health. In his early March blog, he
wrote:
This
new study shows that vitamin D, which is actually a hormone, activates a
genetic sequence that converts the essential amino acid tryptophan into
serotonin in the brain. The researchers
also saw evidence that vitamin D inhibits a separate genetic sequence that
halts the production of serotonin in the brain and gut.
Amen, D. Low Vitamin D May Slow Serotonin Production
and Encourage Autism, Study Finds. AmenClinics.com. March 6, 2014.
Original Source: Patrick RP1, Ames BN. Vitamin D
hormone regulates serotonin synthesis. Part 1: relevance for autism. FASEB J.
2014 Feb 20. PMID: 24558199
