Four years ago I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Diet, vitamin supplementation, exercise, stress reduction and cognitive activity (also known as a brain-healthy lifestyle) have all been shown to significantly…
Mental health conditions are on the rise and the statistics speak for themselves: a record 70 million antidepressant prescriptions were handed out in 2018, and an estimated…
When in balance, stress can be helpful. It keeps us motivated, helps us get out of the bed in the morning, and can serve as a warning sign that…
The summer holidays can be a great time to get kids into the kitchen and kick-start long-term healthy eating habits. We’ve picked three easy recipes that you can have fun…
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought much disruption, fear and anxiety, and this is particularly true amongst children and teens who have been affected by school closures, physical distancing and new…
The brain is the most energy-hungry organ in the body. Despite weighing just 1.5kg, it steals roughly 25% of the body’s energy requirements. Much like a performance car, the brain…
Food for the Brain is crowdfunding to support the upgrade of its Cognitive Function Test, already taken by 360,000 people around the world. COG-NITION® is a personalised and interactive…
Today, the US FDA has licenced aducanumab, an amyloid protein drug developed for dementia treatment. It has already failed in clinical trials, adding to the 300 studies that have failed. In a…
A sample of 2,034 individuals (age >55) in Singapore were studied to explore the link between fish consumption and depression. The study was conducted as part of the Singapore Longitudinal…
This study looked at the correlation between nutritional status of older adults and health. Correlation was observed between quality of nutritional status and depressive symptoms. Elderly individuals who perceived…
The results of this review suggest that higher adherence to the Mediterranean, DASH, or MIND diets is associated with less cognitive decline and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s Disease…
The evidence for the relationship between alcohol, coffee and tea and cognitive deficits/benefitshas been confounding to date. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the current evidenceavailable in terms of the dose–response…
The study investigated B Vitamins and prevention of cognitive decline. Elevation of homocysteine (Hcy) levels is well-established as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, yet controversy…
This study was conducted to understand the psychotropic effect of vitamin D supplementation on schizophrenia symptoms. The study especially looked into sunlight exposure and symptoms of schizophrenia. 52 patients took…
This paper investigated iron deficiency and schizophrenia. Previous research finding that iron deficiency may alter dopaminergic transmission, this study was conducted to identify whether low blood iron levels could be…
This study investigated omega 3 and schizophrenia. Specifically, the study explored the effect of omega-3 supplementation in symptom severity in schizophrenic patients over a long period of time, as previous…
This study explored antipsychotics, omega 3 and schizophrenia. The review compiled previous studies surrounding treatment of schizophrenia using omega-3 and looked at what pathways in the brain are impacted by…
This study investigated omega 3 concentrations and well being. Researchers in New Zealand investigated if a relationship existed between the composition of fats in the blood and the mental and…
This study investigated omega 3 and anxiety. The study set out to determine if omega-3 fish oil supplementation could improve both anxiety levels and inflammation in a group of 68…
This study investigated micronutrients in childhood psychosis. Childhood psychosis is difficult to address effectively with conventional pharmaceuticals, many of which have adverse long-term health consequences. In contrast, there are promising…
Research has demonstrated that healthy food boosts school performance. The Nutrition and Health survey in Taiwan Elementary School Children, 2001-2002, analysed the diets and school performance of 2,222 primary school…
Research has investigated poor diet & mental health in teens. Three quarters of lifetime psychiatric disorders emerge in the teenage years or in early adulthood. In an Australian study involving…
Research has investigated schizophrenia & gluten free, low carb diets. The research relates the case of a schizophrenic woman whose symptoms improved when she was put on a low-carb, ketogenic…
Research has investigated the link between diabetes & schizophrenia. This study looked at 99 patients with schizophrenia. Their 2 h post prandial plasma glucose was tested prior to medication and…
The study investigated fish oil & psychosis. Individuals at extremely high risk of developing psychosis appear less likely to develop psychotic disorders following a 12-week course of fish oil capsules…
In a study of people with schizophrenia, measures were made of levels of essential fats in red blood cells. Essential fats were found to be lower in this sample, than…
This study investigated seafood in pregnancy. For a number of years pregnant women or those planning pregnancy have been warned by numerous government agencies and medical associations to keep seafood…
Research has investigated food additives, hyperactivity and children. Lead researcher Professor Jim Stevenson says this study on food additives and hyperactive behaviour in children, carried out at Southampton University, shows…
Research has suggested nutrition in infancy may be linked to adult earning power. The findings, published in The Lancet, were based on a three-decade study of Guatemalan males from birth...
The study investigated homocysteine, dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. A total of 1092 subjects without dementia (667 women and 425 men; average age, 76 years) were followed for an average of…
This study investigated homocysteine and schizophrenia. Elevated plasma levels of the amino acid homocysteine have been associated with schizophrenia, particularly in young male patients. Among other factors, low folic acid…
This study investigated sleep deprivation & adolescence. Later parent-set bedtimes and correspondingly shorter sleep duration appears to be related to the development of depression in adolescence, a cross-sectional analysis showed.
This study assessed tryptophan & emotional processing. It explored whether tryptophan (TRP) induces cognitive changes opposite to the negative biases found in depression and characteristic of those induced by serotonergic…
This study investigated school children & healthy diets. A Canadian survey of 5,000 11 year olds and their families found that children who ate more fruits and vegetables and fewer…
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.
This research explored vitamin D & depression. Dutch researchers compared vitamin D levels with mood in a study of 1,282 elderly people and found that vitamin D levels were 14%…
Vitamins and minerals improve learning and memory in 'normal' school children, Osendarp SJ et al., Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Oct;86(4):1082-93…
Diet has positive impact on anti-social, violent and criminal behaviour – a review. DBenton, Neurosci Biobehav Rev., 31(5):752-74, 2007…
Folic acid may boost baby's behaviour. Roza et al. (2010) British journal of Nutrition, 103, 445-452.
Iron, zinc, and lead are associated with behaviour and cognition in preschool children. Hubbs-Tait, L. et al., Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(1), 128-133, January 2007…
Omega 3 fish oil good for depression and bipolar. Lin PY and Su KP. J Clin Psychiatry, 2007 Jul;68(7):1056-61OMEGA-3 FISH OIL GOOD FOR DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR…
Omega-3 fatty acid EPA improves depression in people with bipolar alongside their existing medication. Frangou, Br J Psychiatry. 188:46-50, 2006…
Beta carotene helps brain function and memory. Grodstein F et al., Arch Intern Med. 2007 Nov 12;167(20):2184-90. …
Breast feeding is best food for your child's brain. M S Kramer et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65(5):578-584…
Depressed brain deficient in Omega-3 fatty acid DHA. McNamara RK et al., Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Jul 1;62(1):17-24.
Dietary choline, cognitive performance and brain volume. Poly et al, Am J Clin Nutr. 94(6):1584-91, 2011.
Fish consumption associated with better brain volume and memory. Raji et al, meeting of Radiological Society of North America, 2011.
Fish oil supplementation supports mood and brain function in the elderly. Sinn et al, Br J Nutr. Sep 20:1-12. [Epub ahead of print], 2011.
Homocysteine associated with brain atrophy in the healthy elderly. Sachdev, Neurology, 58(10):1539-41, 2002…
Omega 3 good for cognitive performance in older adults, Dullemeijer C et al., Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1479-85…
Omega-3 in pregnancy boosts baby's brain development. J L Jacobson et al., J Pediatr. 2008 Mar;152(3):356-64…
Use it or lose it - Cognitive activity throughout life supports a healthy brain. Landau et al, Arch Neurol. Jan 23. [Epub ahead of print], 2012.
Fish-eating mothers’ milk highest in DHA. High DHA in breast milk may improve infants vision. M H Jorgenson et al, J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.32(3):293-6, 2001…
Chromium improves atypical depression. Davidson et al, Biol Psychiatry, 53(3):261-4, 2003…
Update on chromium for depression. Docharty et al. (2005). J. Psychiatr Pract., 11(5); 302-314, Davidson et al. (2003). Biol. Psychiatry, 1;53(3); 261-264, Piotrowska et al. (2008). Pharmacol. Rep. 60(6); 991-995.
Cognitive performance among the elderly and dietary fish intake: the Hordaland Health Study, Nurk E et al., Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1470-8…
Elderly people with the highest blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had the least decline in verbal fluency. M.A. Beydoun, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(4), 1103-1111 2007…
Excess calcium speeds cognitive decline in the elderly, Schram MT et al., J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 Nov;55(11):1786-92…
Folic acid improves concentration and cognitive performance in healthy elderly. de Lau LM et al., Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Sep;86(3):728-34.
Folic acid improves memory and mental agility in over-50s. J. Durga et al, The Lancet; 369:208-216, 2007…
Higher intakes of fish oil from diet associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in elderly men. B.M. van Gelder et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 85(4):1142-47, 2007…
Does raised homocysteine cause dementia? Ho et al., 2011 Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 19:607–617…
Acne treatment could cause depression, O'Reilly KC et al., Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2007 Oct;232(9):1195-203…
Beneficial gut bacteria reduce anxiety and depression in mice. Bravo et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Aug 29. [Epub ahead of print], 2011.
Breakfast, Academic Performance and Mental Distress. Lien, L. Public Health Nutrition, 10(4), 422-428, 2006 July…
Depression linked to processed food. Akbaraly et al. (2009) British Journal of Psychiatry, 195(5):408-13.
Fish oil boosts mood in depressed seniors. Tajalizadekhoob et al., 2011. Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience…
Low Iron may contribute to depression in women who are not anaemic.'Vahdat Shariatpanaahi et al, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 61; 532-535 2007…
More folate may mean less depression in men. Daniells 2010…
Multivitamin and mineral supplement improves mood in hospitalised elderly. Gariballa S and Forster S, Clin Nutr. 2007 Jul 25…
Omega-3 helps depressed children, A Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study. H Nemets et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006; 163:1098–1100…
Review of research suggests folate may be effective for depression. Taylor et al, J Psychopharmacol., 18(2):251-6, 2004…
Review of 12 studies suggest positive effect of vitamin therapy in autism. S. I. Pfeiffer et al, J Autism Dev Disord,;25(5):481-93, 1995…
Review of trials of gluten/casein elimination diets in children with autism. Christison and Ivany, J Dev Behav Pediatr, 27(2 Suppl):S162-71, 2006.
Studies show a gluten and/or casein free diet reduces autistic behaviour. Knivsber A et al, Nutr Neurosci, 4(1):25-37, 2001…
Study finds no significant improvement in autistic children’s clinical symptoms whilst on a gluten-free and casein-free diet. Elder J et al, J Autism Dev Disord, 36(3):413-20, 2006…
Vitamin A may help reverse a genetic predisposition to autism. M. N. Megson, Med Hypotheses, 54(6):979-83, 2000…
Vitamin B6 and magnesium improve childhood autism in combination. J. Martineau et al, Biol Psychiatry. 20(5):467-78, 1985…
Lowering homocysteine improved symptoms in chronic schizophrenia patients with elevated homocysteine. Levine J et al, Biol Psychiatry., 60(3):265-9, 2006…
Supplementation with essential nutrients may benefit symptoms of depression in elderly patients. Gariballa and Forster, Clinical Nutrition, 26(5):545-51, 2007 Oct.
Elevated homocysteine associated with increased risk of mild cognitive impairment in the elderly. Kimm, J. et a., The Journal of Nutrition, 137 (9), 2093-2098, September 2007…
High folate intake alongside low B-12 status may worsen risk for dementia. M. S. Morris, Am J Clin Nutr.,85(1):193-200, 2007 …
Vitamin B12 deficiency may affect the brain through multiple mechanisms.Tangney et al, Neurology 77:1276-1282, 2011.
Association with vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms. Nandi et al; Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009 Dec;63(12):1444-7; Bertone-Johnson et al; Nutr Rev 2009 Aug;67(8):481-92; Shipowick CD et al; Appl Nurs…
Could early vitamin C deficiency impair development? Lykkesfeldt et al. (2009). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 90, 540-546. …
Downside of acid drug. Yang & Metz, 2010. Gastroenterology. 139:1115-27.Commonly prescribed acid-suppressing drugs (proton-pump inhibitors) may be causing harmful nutrient deficiencies…
Lack of B vitamins linked to PMS. Chocano-Bedoya et al. (2011) American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 93, 1080…
Lower blood levels of vitamin C in people with schizophrenia. Suboticanec K et al, Biol Psychiatry., 28(11):959-66, 1990…
U.S. Study confirms homocysteine linked to brain shrinkage. Rajagopalan, P. et al. (2011). Neuroreport, 22 (8):391-395…
Vitamin and mineral supplementation improves intelligence in some American schoolchildren. S J Schoenthaler et al. J Altern Complement Med. Feb;6(1):19-29, 2000…
Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy may have implications for mental health of children – rat study L. Almeras et al, Proteomics. 7(5):769-80, 2007 …
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with low mood and worse cognitive performance in older adults. Wilkins C et al, J Geriatr Psychiatry, 14(12):1032-40, 2006…
Vitamin E slows progression of moderately severe Alzheimer's Disease. Sano, N Engl J Med., 336(17):1216-22,1997…
Vitamin E supplementation may lower mortality in Alzheimer's patients. Pavlik et al., American Academy of Neurology 60th Anniversary Annual Meeting, 15 April 2008…
Elevated homocysteine found in women with eating disorders, independent of folic acid or B12 levels. Levine J et al, Int J Eat Disord., 40(3):277-84, 2007…
Supplementation with folic acid enhances effect of antidepressant medication. Coppen & Bailey, J Affect Disord, 60(2):121-30, 2000…
Reduced risk of depression associated with mediterranean diet. Sánchez-Villegas et al. (2009). Archives of General Psychiatry…
An autistic patient has abnormal red blood cell fatty acid composition compared to control subjects. J. G. Bell et al, Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 63(1-2), 21-5, 2000…
Autistic children benefit from a gluten and casein free diet. Knivsber A et al, Nutr Neurosci, 5(4):251-61, 2002…
Autistic children frequently suffer from digestive complaints and inflammation in the digestive system. Horvath K et al, J Pediatr, 135(5):559-63, 1999…
Autistic children show possible imbalance of fatty acids. S Vancassel et al, Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 65(1), 1-7, 2001…
Behaviour deterioration seen in autistic children upon vitamin B6 withdrawal. B Rimland et al, Am J Psychiatry. 135(4), 472-5, 1978…
Damage to gut wall maybe a cause of autism. D'Eufemia et al,Acta Paediatr, 85(9):1076-9, 1996.
Effect of gluten and casein free diets on food choice and nutrition in autism. Cornish E, Hum Nutr Diet, 15(4):261-9, 2002.
Food hypersensitivity linked to digestive disturbances in autistic children. Jyonouchi H et al, J Pediatr, 146(5):605-10, 2005…
Gluten-free diet can improve behavioural symptoms of autistic children. Whiteley P et al,Autism, 3(1):45-65, 1999…
Immune reaction to both gliadin and brain proteins may explain an autoimmune basis for autism. Vojdani A et al, Nutr Neurosci, 7(3):151-61, 2004…
More than 1 in 100 children and adults have autism. Traolach et al. (2011) . Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(5): 459-465…
Opioid theory may explain food and gut-related symptoms of autism. Wakefield A,Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 16(4):663-74, 2002…
Opioid theory may explain role of diet and digestion in autism. Shattock P & Whiteley P, Expert Opin Ther Targets, 6(2):175-83, 2002…
PCBs may contribute to Autism – rat study. Kenet et al, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences; 104(18); 7646-7651, 2007…
Review investigates links between immune system activity and autism. Ashwood and Van De Water, J Leukoc Biol, 80(1):1-15, 2006.
Supplements of omega-3 and omega-6 improve reading, spelling and behaviour in children ages 5-12 years with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Richardson & Montgomery, Pediatrics, 115(5):1360-6, 2005…
Allergy to milk proteins could be linked to autism. Lucarelli S et al, Panminerva Med, 37(3):137-41, 1995…
Consumption of fish and n-3 fatty acids and risk of incident Alzheimer disease. M. Morris et al. Arch Neurol, vol 60, pp. 940-946 (2003)…
DHA may slow progression of Alzheimer’s in a mouse model. K. N. Green, Journal of Neuroscience, 27(16):4385-4395, 2007…
Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and weekly consumption of fish may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. Morris, Arch Neurol., 60(7):940-6, 2003PASTE THE ACTUAL ABSTRACT HERE FOR COMPARISON…
Dietary intake of vitamin E associated with lower risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. M Morris, JAMA, 287(24):3230-7, 2002…
Elevated homocysteine is a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Seshadri et al, N Engl J Med., 346(7):476-83, 2002…
Fish oils stave off alzheimers. Ma QL et al., J Neurosci. 2007 Dec 26;27(52):14299-307…
Fruit and vegetable juice may protect against Alzheimer's. Q. Dai et al, American Journal of Medicine;119(9):751-59, 2006…
Genetic link between vitamin D and Alzheimer's discovered. Lehmann et al, Neurosci Lett. Oct 24;504(2):79-82, 2011.
Good diet staves off dementia and alzheimers. Gateau P et al., Neurology. 2007 Nov 13;69(20):1921-30 …
Higher folate intake associated with lower risk of Alzheimer Disease in the elderly. Luchsinger et al, Arch Neurol., Jan;64(1):86-92, 2007…
Homocysteine and dementia – a clear association. Wald, Kasturiratne, & Simmonds (2011). Alzheimer's and demntia 7: 412-417…
Homocysteine effects on brain volumes mapped in 732 elderly individuals. Rajagopalan et al, Neuroreport, 22(8):391-5, 2011.
Medication prescribed to Alzheimer's patients may hasten their decline. Ellul et al, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 78; 233-239, 2007…
Mineral imbalances in Alzheimer's brains. Wenstrup, Brain Res, 533(1):125-31, 1990…
Sugar may speed up alzheimers. Cao D et al., J Biol Chem. 2007 Dec 14;282(50):36275-82…
Supplements of Vitamin E and Vitamin C reduce risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. M Morris et al, Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord, 12(3):121-6, 1998…
Targeting risk factors could cut Alzheimer’s by a quarter. Barnes & Yaffe (2011) Lancet Neurol.Let’s look at the seven risk factors that were considered: …
Vitamin E antioxidants to slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease. M. Sano et al. New Eng J Med, Vol 336, pp. 1216-22, 1997…
A review of the current evidence (2005) suggests that essential fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA may benefit a variety of mental health conditions. Peet & Stokes, Drugs, 65(8):1051-9, 2005…
ADHD teens have higher need for Omega-3 fats. Colter A L et al., Nutr J. 2008 Feb 14;7:8.
An omega-3 fish oil combined with phosphatidylserine improved impulsiveness in ADHD kids. Manor et al, Eur Psychiatry. Jul 30. [Epub ahead of print], 2011.
Essential fat levels lower in boys with ADHD compared to 'healthy' controls. L J Stevens et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 62(4), 761-8, 1995 …
Essential fats reduce ADHD-related symptoms in children with specific learning difficulties. A. Richardson & B. Puri, Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, 26(2), 233-9, 2002…
Feeding the autistic brain - Multi-nutrients reduce symptoms and improve biological function. Adams et al, BMC Pediatr. 11:111, 2011.
Foods and additives are common causes of the attention deficit hyperactive disorder in children. M. D. Boris and F. S. Mandel, Ann Allergy, Vol. 72(5), pp. 462-468, 1994 …
Gut disorders are more prevalent in children with developmental disorders. A. J. Wakefield et al, Am J Gastroenterol, 95(9), 2285-95, 2000…
Keep it simple - Healthy diet best for ADHD. Milichap & Yee, Pediatrics. Jan 9. [Epub ahead of print], 2012.
Magnesium supplementation improved ADHD symptoms B. Starobrat-Hermelin & T. Kozielec, Magnes Res, 10(2):149-56, 1997…
Physical symptoms of fatty acid deficiency unreliable in ADHD, Sinn N, Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2007 Aug;77(2):109-15…
Restricted diet linked to 78% reduction in ADHD. Pelsser et al. (2011). The Lancet, 377(9764): 494-503…
Supplementation of fatty acids improved ADHD symptoms in children aged 7 to 12 years. N. Sinn, J Dev Behav Pediatr. 28(2):82-91, 2007…
Vitamin and mineral supplementation improves juvenile delinquency among American schoolchildren. Schoenthaler SJ and Bier ID, J Altern Complement Med. Feb;6(1):7-17, 2000…
A very low carbohydrate diet improves memory function for older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease. Krikorian et al. (2010). Neurobiology (in press). …
Efficacy of a medical food in mild Alzheimer's disease. (2010). Scheltens et al. Alzheimers Demantia, 6(1); 1-10…
Lower reported nutritional status is associated with increased risk to physical and mental health and well-being in School-aged Children. Molcho, M et al., Public Health Nutrition, 10(4), 364-370, 2006 June…
Nutrients, cognitive function, and MRI measures of brain ageing. Bowman et al, Neurology Dec 28. [Epub ahead of print], 2011.
This study investigated omega 3 and brain ageing. An Italian study measured the blood levels of essential fats in 935 elderly Italians and compared these with their cognitive function...