The addition of zinc to standard antimicrobial treatment may accelerate recovery from pneumonia, say researchers in this week's issue of the Lancet. Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children less than five years old. Zinc is reported to...
Blog
Mind Mineral? Iron status as baby may influence mental abilities later
Teens who suffered iron deficiency as infants are likely to score lower on cognitive and motor tests, even if that iron deficiency was identified and treated in infancy, a new University of Michigan study shows. Researcher Betsy Lozoff, who has studied iron deficiency...
Menopause Memory Trial: Herbs to be put to the test
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago are investigating whether hormone therapy and two herbal products can lessen memory and other cognitive problems experienced by menopausal women. "Decline in mental skills and difficulty remembering things, finding...
Memory Test: Ginkgo trial will look at benefit for early dementia
UK Researchers at the Imperial College London and St Mary's Hospital are set to explore the effectiveness of gingko as a treatment for early dementia. The study of 250 patients aged over 55 will seek to find out whether GPs can help patients by prescribing the...
Making Cancer Treatment Better: Vitamin E found to reduce mouth sores
Most patients who undergo radiation therapy for head and neck cancers suffer from painful mucositis (mouth sores) which may lead to interruptions in radiation therapy and reduced tumour control. In a recent study, scientists looked at the effect of vitamin E on...
Lycopene: Antioxidant linked to lower heart disease in women
According to a study in this month's American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women with the highest plasma levels of the antioxidant lycopene had a 34% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), compared to women with lower plasma levels of the nutrient. The study...
Lower Heart Attack Risk: Low-fat, high-fibre diet and exercise are key
UCLA scientists report that a diet low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, augmented with daily exercise, significantly reduced C-reactive protein levels in study participants. High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood indicate...
Long Flight? Pycnogenol found to reduce deep vein thrombosis
Pycnogenol, a patented extract of French maritime pine bark, appears to protect against deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and conditions associated with long-haul flights, say researchers. DVT is caused by a blood clot that partially or completely blocks blood flow in a...
Nutrition Notes: The Magnesium Link
We know our dietary choices affect our health risks, but recent studies highlight a reason we probably wouldnโt think of: adequate amounts of magnesium could reduce the risk of diabetes by 10% to 34%. In a study of over 39,000 women, those who were getting the most...
Smokers can boost oral health
In a study at the University at Buffaloโs Periodontal Research Center, researchers showed that giving smokers a supplement containing the antioxidant vitamins C and E and grape seed extract improved the response to gum disease treatment. The researchers reported...