Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, examined the effect of taking folic acid, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 on cognitive change in women with cardiovascular disease or risk factors cardiovascular disease. Continue reading B vitamins and the risk of dementia
Category Archives: Folic Acid
CAM options for treating depression
Emily Matthews, a reader of this blog, provides this overview of depression and complementary treatment options.
About 20 million Americans suffer from clinical depression. Low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, are thought to contribute to depression. Depression is also associated with diseases like diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, hypoglycemia, stress, impaired thyroid function, environmental toxins, and unhealthy lifestyles. Continue reading CAM options for treating depression
The effect of prenatal folic acid on language in children
An international group of researchers examined the association between mothers’ use of prenatal folic acid supplements and the risk of severe language delay in their children at age 3 years. Continue reading The effect of prenatal folic acid on language in children
Dietary supplements and the risk of death in older women
Dietary supplements are commonly taken to prevent chronic disease.
Researchers in Finland, Norway, and the Republic of Korea studied the long-term health consequences. Continue reading Dietary supplements and the risk of death in older women
Options to prevent colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is strongly associated with a Western lifestyle.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, present an overview of the evidence. Continue reading Options to prevent colorectal cancer
Adding tai chi improves antidepressant drug therapy
During the New Clinical Drug Evaluation Unit Meeting, researchers at David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, reported that adding tai chi to escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex, Seroplex) treatment further reduced the severity of depression. Continue reading Adding tai chi improves antidepressant drug therapy
The value of nutritional supplements in older adults
We commonly take them, but studies show mixed results regarding their health benefits, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center, in Durham, North Carolina. Continue reading The value of nutritional supplements in older adults
Supplements or food to prevent heart disease in women?
Researchers at the MedStar Research Institute, in Hyattsville, Maryland, reviewed studies of nutrition in women.
Those emphasizing gender differences in nutritional requirements were selected for this review. Continue reading Supplements or food to prevent heart disease in women?
CAM for major depressive therapy
The American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force on Complementary and Alternative Medicine reviewed the evidence and report their findings.
Here are their findings. Continue reading CAM for major depressive therapy
CAM (not St John’s wort) to treat depression
Researchers at Goulds Naturopathica, in Hobart TAS, Australia, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading CAM (not St John’s wort) to treat depression
Do B vitamins and folic acid affect cognitive function?
Researchers at the University of Western Australia, in Crawley, studied B6, B12, and folic acid. Continue reading Do B vitamins and folic acid affect cognitive function?
Folic acid and prostate cancer risk
The effects of folic acid-containing supplements may differ from natural sources of folate, according to the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Continue reading Folic acid and prostate cancer risk
Effects of US healthcare reform on CAM
Jane Hoback, writing in Natural Foods Merchandiser, has listed areas of interest to CAM practitioners. Continue reading Effects of US healthcare reform on CAM
The effect of diet on depression in older people
Claire Williamson, Nutrition Scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation in London, has reviewed the evidence. Continue reading The effect of diet on depression in older people
Vitamins to prevent macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe irreversible vision loss in older Americans.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School in Boston examined the combined effect of folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) on the risk of AMD. Continue reading Vitamins to prevent macular degeneration
Prenatal use of folic acid and child development
The benefits and risks of folic acid fortification of food – once thought to be clear — are being debated again.
In this study from researchers at the University of Iowa, the effects of prenatal use of folic acid (and other dietary supplements) on child development at 3 years of life were evaluated. This summary focuses on the folic acid results. Continue reading Prenatal use of folic acid and child development
Should we add CAM to Rx treatments?
 Researchers from the University of Queensland, in Australia evaluated the evidence for adding nutritional and herbal medicines to antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines. Continue reading Should we add CAM to Rx treatments?
Caution on folic acid food fortification
Folate depletion is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
But research from the University of Chile, in Santiago suggests, “A folate fortification program could be associated with an additional risk of colon cancer.” Continue reading Caution on folic acid food fortification
March was colorectal cancer month
Here’s a summary of what has been covered on this site about CAM and colorectal cancer. Continue reading March was colorectal cancer month
Benefits and risks of vegan diets
 Veganism is a diet and lifestyle that excludes using animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose.
Dr. Winston Craig from Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, Michigan reviews both, and makes recommendations. Continue reading Benefits and risks of vegan diets