Category Archives: Dementia

DHA for Brain Health

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish. It is a member of the omega-3 family of fatty acids and can be converted to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in humans. Eicosapentaenoic acid is important nutritionally because … Continue reading →

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Gingko: The Living Fossil

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Robert Barrington

It was Charles Darwin that was reported to have called the ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba L.) a living fossil on account of its existence for more than 200 million years. But as Darwin stole most of his good ideas from … Continue reading →

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Acetyl L-Carnitine and Lipoic Acid: Brain Protectors

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Neuronal dysfunction in the brains of mammals is theorised to be caused by oxidative stress. The cell membranes of neurones in the central nervous system contain high concentrations of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids because these fatty acids facilitate membrane … Continue reading →

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Vitamin B Insufficiencies In The Elderly

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Robert Barrington

It is often assumed that an ageing person has an inevitable slide into functional disability. Proponents of such an idea can readily find data from the literature showing reductions in muscle mass, deteriorations in cognitive function and increases in blood … Continue reading →

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B12 and Folate Prevent Cognitive Decline

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Cognitive decline is a common disorder associated with ageing, with a prevalence of between 5 to 30%. Effective strategies to prevent cognitive decline involving nutrition have centred around the use of B vitamins, following evidence that some B vitamin may … Continue reading →

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Vitamin Supplements and Memory

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Low B vitamin status has been shown to increase the risk of memory problems and dementia in the elderly. Trials using supplements of B vitamins have found benefits to cognitive performance, possibly because B vitamins are required for the production … Continue reading →

Posted in Antioxidant, Beta Carotene, Carotenoids, Dementia, Selenium, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc | Comments Off on Vitamin Supplements and Memory

Homocysteine and Cognition

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Low intakes of vitamin B6, B12 and folate are know to cause elevations in plasma levels of homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine in turn are associated with dementia, possibly because they are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is … Continue reading →

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Fish Oils and Adipose Tissue

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Consumption of the marine long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) are associated with health benefits. In particular, EPA and DHA consumption is associated with a reduction in certain lifestyle diseases … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, Dementia, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fish Oils, Omega 3 | Comments Off on Fish Oils and Adipose Tissue

Terpenes

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Terpenes are a diverse chemical group of lipid soluble compounds found in plants that is made up of around 30,000 members. Examples include ginkgolides in ginkgo biloba, valerenic acid from Valeriana officialis and ginsenosides from Panax ginseng. They are formed … Continue reading →

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Meat, Fish and Dementia

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Robert Barrington

Fatty fish is high in the long chain fatty acids docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) that have been shown to have health benefits. In particular, DHA and EPA are able to inhibit inflammation because … Continue reading →

Posted in Arachidonic Acid, Brain, Dementia, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Meat | Comments Off on Meat, Fish and Dementia