A presentation at the American Academy of Neurology’s 66th Annual Meeting, held in Philadelphia from April 26 to May 3, 2014, revealed a protective effect for high plasma levels of vitamin C against the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke is characterized by bleeding in the brain and, although less common than ischemic stroke, is associated with a greater risk of mortality. “Scurvy is caused by vitamin C deficiency, specifically a plasma vitamin C concentration of less than 11 micromoles per liter, and may have hemorrhagic manifestations,” write authors Stéphane Vannier, MD, of Pontchaillou University Hospital in Rennes, France and colleagues. […]

There’s increasing evidence that caffeine can be good for you. A mild stimulant that works on the central nervous system, caffeine is something most of us use to “get going in the morning,” said Marcie Prachyl, a dietitian at Hendrick Medical Center. The popular substance — an estimated 90 percent of Americans consume it daily — has been linked to benefits such as potentially minimizing cognitive decline associated with aging, including the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Prachyl said. “It makes them more alert and improves their quality of life if they continue to drink it,” she said of older consumers […]

Two flawed studies, a rehashed review, and an editorial published in the December 17th issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine have attempted to discredit the value of multivitamin supplements. Both of the studies were plagued by grievous methodological flaws. In one of the studies, subjects were given low-quality, low-potency multivitamin supplements. Treatment adherence rates and drop-out rates were horrendous in the studies. Nevertheless, mainstream sources are using these reprehensible studies to undermine dietary supplements. The first study examined the cognitive effects of low-potency multivitamin supplementation in aging male participants.  Not surprisingly, the conclusions in the present analysis question the value of multivitamin benefits for cognition. In the other study, […]

The holidays aren’t always a happy time for everyone. People often remember loved ones who’ve passed away or left their lives, which can trigger feelings of sadness, nostalgia, and even emptiness. This is what’s typically referred to as the “holiday blues.” Sometimes, however, it can be a little more serious than that. Some people are actually affected by S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder), a real psychological disorder. These symptoms usually appear in the winter months and closely mimic the holiday blues. In this post, we’ll shed some light on S.A.D.’s key features and how to treat it. What is S.A.D.? S.A.D. […]