Vitamin D & Parkinson’s (2011)

This study investigated Vitamin D & Parkinson’s. Early, untreated Parkinson’s disease is linked to a deficiency in vitamin D, more so than in those without the disease. In this 5-year study of 157 participants, the majority had some level of deficiency at the start of the trial. However, at the end of the study, vitamin D levels had increased suggesting that levels do not necessarily decline with disease progression.

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Vitamin D deficiency linked to Parkinson’s  M Evatt et al., Arch Neurol. 2011;68(3):314-319

Vitamin D & Depression (2008)

Dutch researchers compared vitamin D levels with mood in a study of 1,282 elderly people. They found that vitamin D levels were 14% lower in those with depression. Measures of parathyroid hormone showed that this hormone was 5-33% higher in elderly individuals with depression. Depression severity was also observed to be associated with serum vitamin D levels and parathyroid hormone levels.

Vitamin D is known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because the primary source of it is from the action of the sun on your skin.

Hoogendijk W J G et al. ‘Depression Is Associated With Decreased 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Increased Parathyroid Hormone Levels in Older Adults.’ Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65(5):508-512

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Vitamin D linked with depression in elderly. W J G Hoogendijk et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65(5):508-512

Learning, memory & school children (2007)

This study investigated learning and memory in school children. In two parallel studies (randomised, double-blind), a total of 780 school aged Indonesian and Australian children were given either a combination of vitamins and minerals, a supplement of omega-3 essential fats EPA and DHA, or the vitamins and minerals with the omega-3 fats, or a placebo on 6 days a week for 12 months. At the start of the trial, the children were tested for blood levels of all of these nutrients, all of which significantly improved when they were retested after 12 months. The Australian children on the vitamins and minerals had significant improvement in tests of verbal learning and memory as did the Indonesian girls.

Osendarp SJ et al. ‘Effect of a 12-mo micronutrient intervention on learning and memory in well-nourished and marginally nourished school-aged children: 2 parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled studies in Australia and Indonesia’ Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Oct;86(4):1082-93

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Diet & behaviour (2007)

This study looked at the impact of diet on behaviour. A review of five well-designed studies found that elimination diets reduced hyperactivity-related symptoms. The picture was of children potentially responding to a wide range of food items although the pattern was individual to the child. Supplementation with essential fatty acids decreased violence although there was no evidence of an influence on hyperactivity. Three well-designed studies have reported that vitamin/mineral supplementation reduced anti-social behaviour. There are also findings of an association between a tendency to poor blood sugar balance and aggression. Many responses to diet were idiosyncratic and involved a wide range of foods interacting with individual differences in physiology.

D Benton, ‘The impact of diet on anti-social, violent and criminal behaviour’, Neurosci Biobehav Rev.;31(5):752-74, 2007

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Folic acid & Children (2010)

This study explored the impact of folic acid on children. Dutch researchers report that the children of mothers who took folic acid supplements during pregnancy were better at internalising and externalising problems, compared to the children of mothers who did not take supplements. The researchers also suggested that supplementation during pregnancy may reduce incidence of mental health conditions in children, although this area requires further research.

Roza, S. J., van Batenburg-Eddes, T., Steegers, E. A., Jaddoe, V. W., Mackenbach, J. P., Hofman, A., Verhulst, F. C., & Tiemeier, H. (2010). Maternal folic acid supplement use in early pregnancy and child behavioural problems: The Generation R Study. The British journal of nutrition, 103(3), 445–452.

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Behaviour, Cognition & Children (2007)

This study explored behaviour, cognition and children. In this preliminary study, researchers investigated the relationship between lead, zinc and iron levels and cognition and behaviour in school children within a lower income population. Forty-two children, aged between 3 and 5 participated in the study. Nutrient status was assessed using blood samples. Behaviour was assessed by teacher’s using the California Preschool Social Competency Scale, Howes’ Sociability subscale, and the Preschool Behaviour Questionnaire and cognition was tested using the McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities.

The findings from this study are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution, particularly as the sample size was small. However, associations were seen between low zinc levels and higher anxiety as well as lower verbal scores. High lead levels were associated with lower teacher ratings of sociability and classroom social competence in girls. Children with both low zinc and low iron had the lowers verbal scores, although this result did not reach significance. The study does, however, contribute to the literature showing that levels of essential vitamins and minerals and toxic metals can impact children’s cognition and behaviour.

Hubbs-Tait, L. et al., ‘Zinc, Iron, and Lead: Relations to Head Start Children’s Cognitive Scores and Teachers’ Ratings of Behavior’, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(1), 128-133, January 2007

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Omega 3, Depression & Bipolar (2007)

This study investigated omega 3, depression and bipolar. A meta-analysis (review of studies to date) by scientists in Taiwan suggests that omega-3 fatty acids have significant antidepressant effects in patients with depression and bipolar disorder. The researchers interpret the results cautiously, however, and recommend large-scale, well-controlled trials are conducted to determine who would benefit most from fish oils, what level of dose is required and specific composition of fish oils that should be used .

Lin PY and Su KP. ‘A meta-analytic review of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids’  J Clin Psychiatry, 2007 Jul;68(7):1056-61

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Beta Carotene & Memory (2007)

This study investigated beta carotene & memory. In an 18 year study of over four thousand middle-aged to elderly men, those who took 50mg of beta-carotene on alternate days scored much better in tests of general cognition and verbal memory than those who took a placebo.

Grodstein F et al.,  ‘A Randomized Trial of Beta Carotene Supplementation and Cognitive Function in Men: The Physicians’ Health Study II’. Arch Intern Med. 2007 Nov 12;167(20):2184-90.

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Breast Milk & Brain Health (2008)

This study investigated breast milk and brain health. In a study of 17,046 babies, followed for 6.5 years, those that were breastfed scored better on all measures of intelligence and academic skills of reading and writing than those who were not.

Kramer M S et al., Breastfeeding and Child Cognitive Development New Evidence From a Large Randomized Trial, Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65(5):578-584

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Omega 3 & Depression (2007)

The study investigated omega 3 & depression. In a small study, specific areas of the brains of deceased patients who had suffered from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) were compared with the brains of ‘age-matched normal controls’. The omega-3 fatty acid DHA was significantly different (-22%) in the brains of the individuals with depression, compared to the normal controls. Interestingly, there was a greater difference when comparing the female brains than when comparing the male brains. This study suggests that DHA deficiency may be a contributory factor in depressive disorders, particularly in females.

McNamara RK et al., Selective deficits in the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in the postmortem orbitofrontal cortex of patients with major depressive disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Jul 1;62(1):17-24.

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