

Child Development - Nutrients predict cognitive development, reduce autism symptoms
Vitamin D in mothers improves child cognition Vitamin D plays a critical role in how embryonic cells develop and become specialized brain cells. In this study, doctors measured vitamin D levels in 1,503 healthy women during their second trimester, and followed up with IQ tests of their children at age four to six. Each increase in mothers’ vitamin D level of 10 nanograms per milliliter of blood was linked to a 1.17 higher Full Scale IQ point score; a 1.17 higher Verbal IQ poi


Gut Health - Nutrients promote regularity, reduce chances of disease
Pre- and probiotics improve regularity in cerebral palsy Those with cerebral palsy (CP) have weakened muscles and impaired movement. Chronic constipation manifests in three out of four. In this study, 37 children with CP and chronic constipation took a placebo, 100 million colony-forming units of lactobacillus reuteri alone, 4 grams of inulin alone, or these pro- and prebiotics together. After 28 days, with no change for placebo, both pre- and probiotic groups had better regu


Vision - Nutrients promote eye development, reduce disease symptoms
Lutein, zeaxanthin during pregnancy boost vision in offspring at age three The dark green and orange-colored fruits and vegetables contain the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, and mothers’ higher levels during pregnancy meant better eyesight in their offspring. In this study, doctors measured lutein and zeaxanthin levels during pregnancy, and at delivery, then followed up with the children at age three. Kids whose mothers had higher levels of either lutein or zeaxanthin dur


Cranberry for Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder is not a disease, but a non-infectious condition manifesting as the urge to urinate frequently day and night. In this study, 60 women with overactive bladder, at least age 18, took a placebo or 500 mg of dried cranberry powder per day. After 24 weeks, compared to placebo, the cranberry group had reduced daily urinary episodes by 16.4 percent, urgent episodes by 57.3 percent, and the subjective perception of the condition by 39.7 percent. The average urinary


Less Pain- Nutrients ease diabetic and arthritic pain
Nutrients reduce diabetic nerve pain Chronic high blood sugar in diabetes damages nerves throughout the body, causing pain. This study followed 85 men and women, average age 63, with long-term type 2 diabetes, taking metformin, and with nerve damage in the extremities, body organs, and systems. Participants took a placebo or a combination of 10 mg of superoxide dismutase, 570 mg of alpha-lipoic acid, 300 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine, and 250 mcg of vitamin B12 per day. After 12 m


Ahead of the Curve
Early-Stage Discoveries: Melatonin, Nicotinamide, Ginger Extract Good results in the lab can lead to larger human trials. Here are some of the most promising recent findings. Melatonin helped treat Covid-19 Doctors used artificial intelligence to determine functional similarities between a number of diseases and Covid-19, then identified 34 drugs that could be repurposed as treatments for the virus. To test further for this potential, doctors analyzed data from patients at th


Preserving Muscle - Vitamin C may maintain mature muscle mass
Men and women do not get enough “Vitamin C helps defend body cells and tissues from potentially harmful free radical substances which, unopposed, can contribute to destruction of muscle, speeding up age-related decline,” doctors said. Here, doctors calculated skeletal muscle mass and vitamin C levels in 13,000 people, aged 42 to 82. Half the women, and 60 percent of the men were not consuming enough vitamin C. In those with sufficient levels of vitamin C, fat-free mass as a p