What is the vagus nerve? The vagus nerve is a fundamental part of the autonomic nervous system, which is composed of two key branches; the parasympathetic - the branch that allows us to rest, relax, digest and recharge, and the sympathetic - the branch that is responsible for our...
As part of the Food for the Brain Seminar Series, we are proud to be hosting one of the UK's leading Nutritional Therapists, Patrick Holford, for a one day workshop on everything he has learnt in 35 years of exploring nutrition and mental health. Learn practical ways to: Increase your and your...
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. In the sample 24% of adolescents were shown to experience...
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 antidepressants in healthy volunteers. Thirty eight healthy volunteers...
This paper investigated omega 3 & bipolar. In a 12-week, double-blind study individuals with bipolar depression received either 1 g of EPA a day, 2 g/day or placebo, alongside their existing medication. Effectiveness of this treatment was assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression...
This study investigated vitamins, minerals & mood. 225 hospitalised acutely ill elderly people were either given a normal hospital diet plus multivitamin and mineral supplements (providing 100 per cent of the Reference Nutrient Intakes for a healthy older person for vitamins and minerals), or a...
This study investigated risk factors for Alzheimer's. This study looked at the evidence regarding seven modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s. They calculated that about half of the 33 million cases worldwide could be prevented (that’s 17 million) and calculated that if these risk factors...
The study investigated essential fatty acids & mental health. A review finds that there is an association between depression and low dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and that low levels of the fatty acids in red blood cell membranes are found in both depressive and schizophrenic patients....
This study investigated nutrients & brain aging. In this ground-breaking study, 104 healthy elderly people (with an average age of 87) had blood levels of 30 different nutrients measured. Mean age was 87 ± 10 years and 62% of subjects were female. Results suggested that two NBPs associated...
Should I give my child supplements? This is a question every parent must ask. On the one hand we are told that 'a well balanced diet gives you everything you need'. On the other hand the press is full of studies showing increased IQ and attention with supplements of vitamins, minerals and...
