Reduced Risk of Alzheimer Disease in Users of Antioxidant Vitamin Supplements
A study involving more than 4700 participants strongly suggests that the combination of vitamin C and E lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Lead investigator Dr. Peter P. Zandi said, "Because vitamins E and C are relatively non-toxic and are believed to have wide-ranging health benefits, they may offer a very attractive strategy for preventing Alzheimer's disease."
The findings come from the Cache County Study, which looked at the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in terms of genetic and environmental risk factors. As part of the study, people aged 65 and older were assessed for dementia between 1995 and 1997 and again between 1998 and 2000. The participants were categorized as "vitamin E users" if they took an individual vitamin E tablet or a multivitamin containing more than 400 international units of vitamin E every day. They were classified as "vitamin C users" if they took at least 500 milligrams per day of vitamin C as a stand-alone tablet or in a multivitamin. If they took multivitamins containing lower doses of these two vitamins, they were categorized as "multivitamin users."
Fish-oil Supplements May Reduce Anger in Substance Abusers A new clinical study of omega-3 essential fatty acid (EFA) supplementation in substance abusers suggests that a patented fish-oil supplement can reduce levels of anger, thereby potentially mitigating aggressive behavior. |
Supplements not a major danger for prescription usersAlthough the use of dietary supplements appears to be very common among patients who also take prescription medications, most potential drug—dietary supplement interactions found were not serious. |
Studies of Dietary Supplements Come Under Growing ScrutinyNew York Times article emphasizes the questionable science used by some dietary supplement manufacturers -- particulary for weight-loss products. Precisely because the industry is not regulated (in the U.S.), its research is sometimes less than strictly scientific, experts say. |
Daily vitamins could prevent vision loss for thousandsIf every American at risk for advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) took daily supplements of antioxidant vitamins and zinc, more than 300,000 people could avoid AMD-associated vision loss over the next five years, according to results of a new government study led in part by researchers at Johns Hopkins' Wilmer Eye Institute. |
Raw Animal Tissues and Dietary SupplementsChoosing a nutritional supplement requires research, and trust in the manufacturer is paramount, notes a medical doctor. Misleading labels and disguised ingredients could be covering up animal organs and other surprises. |
Adverse Cardiovascular and Central Nervous System Events Associated with Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra AlkaloidsA study financed by funds from the Food and Drug Administration and by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse has found ephedra, or ma huang, can lead to permanent injury or death. Ephedra is often used in dietary supplements to increase metabolism for body builders or dieters. |
Comparison of St John's wort and imipramine for treating depressionA study of 324 German outpatients in 40 clinics found no difference in effectiveness between St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) and the drug imipramine in treating mild to moderate depression. In fact, the patients showed fewer adverse effects using the natural hypericum extract. The study concluded that St. John's wort was a better choice for treatment. |
|