Building a better brain.
A new UK study found that older people with higher levels of vitamin B12 were six times less likely to experience brain volume loss, leading the researchers to suggest that the vitamin may protect against brain shrinkage, which is linked to reduced cognitive function. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a recognized public health problem, particularly among older people, so increasing B12 intake could help to reduce the problem.
Institute for Progressive Medicine carries a sublingual B12 in the highly absorbable methylcobalamin form. Each sublingual tablet provides 5000mcg of methylcobalamin.
An editorial entitled Oral Cobalamin for Pernicious Anemia, Medicines Best Kept Secret, appeared in the Jan. 2, 1991, edition of JAMA. This states that oral therapy produces reliable and effective treatment, even in severe cases of pernicious anemia in patients without intrinsic factor. 64 patients with pernicious anemia and other B12 deficiency symptoms were treated with 1000 mcg of oral B12 daily. In all patients studied over a 3 year period, the researchers observed complete normalization of serum levels and liver stores for Vitamin B12 as well as full clinical remission.
Sources:
Vitamin B12 status and rate of brain volume loss in community-dwelling elderly.
Berlin H BR, and Brante G. Oral treatment of pernicious anemia with high doses of vitamin B12 without intrinisic factor. Acta Med Scand. 1968; 184:247-248.
and how about improving the brain power of our newborns.
Both higher fish consumption and longer breastfeeding are linked to better physical and cognitive development in infants, according to a study of mothers and infants from Denmark. Maternal fish consumption and longer breastfeeding were independently beneficial. The children whose mothers ate the most fish during pregnancy were more likely to have better motor and cognitive skills. Longer duration of breastfeeding was also associated with better infant development, especially at 18 months. Breast milk also contains omega-3 fatty acids. The benefit of fish consumption was similar among infants breast fed for shorter or longer durations.
Note: In the US, pregnant women are told not to eat fish during pregnancy to avoid consumption of PCBs (mercury being a problem too of course). Fish oil supplements are a reliable alternative since they are cleaned and screened.
The Institute for Progressive Medicine carries several high potency, pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplements. Our Mega Omega contains 720mg of EPA/DHA per capsule and Mega Omega Pearls are chewable gel-caps with a mild orange/berry flavor made especially for children.
Breast cancer rates and family history A recent study shows that a family history of breast cancer does not give a useful indication of the likelihood that a woman will develop it herself at an early age. According to Geertruida H. de Bock, a lead researcher for the study, “Due to the low prevalence of early breast cancer in the population, the predictive value of a family history of breast cancer was 13% before the age of 70, 11% before the age of 50, and 1% before the age of 30.”
These numbers are much lower than most women would probably expect. As the authors explain, “Applying family history related criteria results in the screening of many women who will not develop breast cancer at an early age.” Given the psychological harm that screening visits can cause, more stringent criteria should be applied to early screening. The researchers recommend that these results be used to reassure a large number of women regarding their personal breast cancer risk.”
We may have another reason to supplement with fish oils instead of eating fish.
Farm-raised tilapia, one of the most highly consumed fish in America, has very low levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and, perhaps worse, very high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, according to new research. Researchers say they have revealed that farm-raised tilapia, as well as farmed catfish, “have several fatty acid characteristics that would generally be considered by the scientific community as detrimental.” Tilapia has higher levels of potentially detrimental long-chain omega-6 fatty acids than 80-percent-lean hamburger, doughnuts and even pork bacon, the article says.
The study goes on to say that the recommendation by the medical community for people to eat more fish has resulted in consumption of increasing quantities of fish such as tilapia that may do more harm than good, because they contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, also called n-6 PUFAs, such as arachidonic acid.
The Institute for Progressive Medicine recommends supplementing a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables with a medical grade fish oil such as our Mega Omega.
All vitamin Ks are not the same.
The vitamin K2 form of vitamin K has been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing coronary calcification more effectively than vitamin K1.
The Institute for Progressive Medicine carries a liquid vitamin K2 suppelment, making it easy to reach higher doses often prescribed by integrative physicians.
Source: High dietary menaquinone intake is associated with reduced coronary calcification.
To order supplements from the Institute for Progressive Medicine, please call us at 949-600-5100.