Summary Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Anti-inflammatory drugs are among the medicines used to treat MS. In the present study, an Iranian research department evaluated the effect of high-dose vitamin D on a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine (protein), IL-10, in patients with multiple sclerosis. 94 MS patients were…
Summary American researchers executed this study to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B2 in children and adolescents with migraine. 42 patients with migraine, aged between 6 and 18 years, were involved. Doses of vitamin B2 were based on weight and recommended for migraine prevention. Patients treated with vitamin B2 showed a significant reduction in headache…
Summary Multiple sclerosis is associated with vitamin D deficiency and cognitive impairment. This clinical trial, conducted by the University of Beirut, Lebanon, evaluated the cognitive performance in vitamin D-deficient MS patients and its potential improvement after 3 months of vitamin D3 intake. 88 MS patients were enrolled. The researchers found that vitamin D3 supplementation improved…
Summary This study, conducted by the Oregon Health and Science University and the Colorado State University in the USA, aimed to evaluate the effects of the antioxidant lipoic acid on gait and balance in multiple sclerosis patients. The study participants took 1200 mg of oral lipoic acid or a placebo for 2 years. Walking performance,…
Summary This study aimed to determine the impact of vitamin A on disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. 101 MS patients participated in this study, which lasted one year. The treatment group received a supplement containing 25000 IU (7500 µg) of vitamin A for 6 months daily, followed by 10000 IU (3000 µg) of…
Summary This Iranian study aimed to determine whether vitamin A supplementation can improve psychiatric health in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. 101 MS patients were enrolled in this study and allocated to a treatment or placebo group. The treatment group was administered 25000 IU (7500 µg) of vitamin A per day for 6 months, followed by…
Summary Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are characterized by problems to perform activities of daily living and walking difficulties, among others. To test whether micronutrient supplementation can improve these symptoms, 51 MS patients received either 20 ml of a dietary formula (containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin E) or 20 ml…
Summary Can vitamin D3 supplements improve the immune system of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)? To shed light on this question, 40 MS patients received a high-dose vitamin D3 supplement containing 10,400 IU (260 µg) of vitamin D3 or a lower-dose supplement with 800 IU (20 µg) of vitamin D3 daily for 6 months. It…
Summary Two reviews, conducted by researchers from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio, USA, summarize the role of various nutrients and specific diets in preventing migraine attacks and as their potential trigger. Part two of these reviews showed the beneficial effects of micronutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and folate. Diets containing a…
Summary Despite the high prevalence of migraine and its health, social, and economic burdens, few effective prophylactic medications have been available. This clinical trial, executed by Iranian research departments, aimed to assess the potential beneficial effects of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis. During this trial, 80 patients with migraine headaches received either only their current…
Summary Migraine and inflammation are correlated. This Iranian study aimed to assess the effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation, an anti-inflammatory agent, on inflammation and clinical features of migraine. 45 women aged 18 to 50 years and diagnosed with migraine participated in this trial. 23 patients received 400 mg/day coenzyme Q10, and 22 patients received a…
Summary Iranian researchers aimed to determine the effects of combined coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine supplementation on, among others, migraine symptoms. A total of 56 migraine patients aged 20 to 40 years with migraine headaches participated in this study. Subjects received 30 mg/day coenzyme Q10 and 500 mg/day L-carnitine simultaneously or a placebo for 8 weeks.…
Summary Curcumin and coenzyme Q10 have neuroprotective effects due to their ability to decrease inflammation and oxidative stress, which are usually increased in migraine patients. This study evaluated the combined effects of curcumin and coenzyme Q10 on migraine symptoms and the quality of life in migraine patients. 100 patients were divided into four groups: 1)…
Summary This Iranian trial explored the effects of vitamin D supplementation in migraine patients. 80 patients received either a daily dose of vitamin D (2000 IU/50µg) or a placebo for 12 weeks during the trial. At the start and after the trial, headache characteristics (by diaries) and inflammation parameters (by blood analysis) were determined. The…
Summary This Danish study investigated whether vitamin D supplementation could benefit adult patients with migraine. 24 out of 48 participants received a vitamin D3 supplement (100 µg/day), the other 24 participants received a placebo. Migraine attacks and related symptoms were assessed by self-reported diaries. After 24 weeks of treatment, a significantly reduced frequency of migraine…
Summary This study, conducted by different medical institutions in Iran, examined the effect of zinc supplementation in migraine patients. To this end, 80 participants with migraine received either a zinc supplement (220 mg/day) or a placebo for 8 weeks. The researchers assessed zinc concentrations and characteristics of migraine attacks at the start and end of…
Summary This trial, executed by several Iranian research departments, aimed to assess the effects of folic acid alone and in combination with vitamin B6 on migraine attacks in adult migraine patients with aura (i.e., sensory disturbances including flashes of light, blind spots, and other vision changes). During this trial, 95 Iranian migraine patients with aura,…
Summary This study assessed the safety and tolerability of high doses of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). CoQ10 may improve the mitochondrial dysfunction in ALS. The researchers found that CoQ10 was safe and well tolerated in 31 patients treated with doses as high as 3,000 mg/day for 8 months. Further details can…
Summary This study reports that a severe vitamin D deficiency in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients accelerates the rate of decline by 4 times and is associated with a marked shorter life expectancy. The researchers say their findings support a neuroprotective function of vitamin D on motoneurons and propose vitamin D as a reliable prognostic…
Summary This study examined 5 earlier studies and investigated whether vitamin E intake was associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The researchers found that long-term vitamin E supplement use was associated with lower ALS rates and concluded that a possible protective effect of vitamin E in this disease deserves further consideration. Further details can be…
Summary This study examined whether individuals who regularly use supplements of the antioxidant vitamins E and C have a lower risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) than nonusers. The study followed 957,740 individuals 30 years of age or older. Regular use of vitamin E supplements was associated with a lower risk of dying of ALS.…
Summary This case-control study examined blood levels of trace metals in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The researchers found that selenium and zinc were inversely associated with ALS, particularly among patients with worse function, suggesting that supplementation with these nutrients may benefit such patients. Further details can be found in the study. References Tracy L Peters, John…
Summary This study summarizes clinical trials of ultra-high-dose vitamin B12 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The researchers state that patients given the methylcobalamin form of vitamin B12 at a dose of 50 mg/day via a twice weekly intramuscular injection had a significantly longer survival time, or period to become respirator-bound, than those who didn’t receive…
Summary This study examined the association between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid intake in the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Based on an analysis of over 1 million patients who had taken part in 5 other studies, the researchers concluded that consumption of foods high in omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent or delay…
Summary This double-blind trial compared the effects of the methylcobalamin form of vitamin B12 on muscle function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients when given intramuscularly in ultrahigh-dose (25 mg/day) and low-dose (0.5 mg/day) for 14 days. The researchers found that ultrahigh-dose intramuscular injection of methylcobalamin may provide a clinically useful measure to improve or…
Summary This study found statistically significant decreased cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels of copper in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients compared to the control group. The researchers concluded that their findings indicate an essential trace element imbalance in ALS. Further details can be found in the study. References S A Sheweita, B Y Sheikh Link…
Summary This study investigated the relationship between dietary intake of vegetables, fruit, and antioxidants and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Its findings suggest that higher intake of food rich in antioxidants such as fruit and vegetables confer protection against the development of ALS. Further details can be found in the study. References Sheweita…
Summary This case report summarizes the case of a 49-year-old male patient suffering from a variant of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who was diagnosed after extensive examinations ruling out other diseases. The patient received treatments that included the restoration of his teeth due to supposed mercury exposure from residual amalgam, as well as supplements such…
Summary This study assessed the bone health of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and found that the serum concentration of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D form of vitamin D was significantly lower in patients than in controls. Dietary intake of vitamin D was below the recommended level in 10 of the 11 ALS patients studied. Further…
Summary This study was based on a food-frequency questionnaire and assessed whether dietary intake of fatty acids, cholesterol, glutamate or antioxidants was associated with the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The researchers concluded that a high intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E is associated with a 50-60% decreased risk of developing…
Summary This study investigated the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by analyzing 5 studies involving a total of over 1.1 million participants. The researchers found that consumption of foods high in carotenoids may help prevent or delay onset of ALS. Further details can be found in the study. References Fitzgerald et al. Link…
Summary SPMs (“specialized pro-resolving mediators”) are a group of compounds that are derived from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They have been shown to reduce inflammation, which is why they also have beneficial effects on Alzheimer’s disease. This disease is associated with brain inflammation and reduced levels of SPMs. The present study evaluated the effects…
Summary The progression of Alzheimer’s disease is linked to two factors: the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (highly selective barrier that separates blood from the brain) and the dysfunction of mitochondria (organelles placed in the cells that are involved in energy production). Vitamin C has been reported to function as a modulator of blood-brain barrier…
Summary This study evaluated whether omega-3 fatty acids can improve mental performance in patients with Alzheimer´s disease. Mental performance was evaluated in 174 Alzheimer´s disease patients who were given either omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo for 6 months. Subsequently, all participants received omega-3 fatty acids for additional 6 months. The results showed that the…
Summary Omega-3 fatty acids are a key group of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) found in oily fish and fish oils. They have been proven to provide many health benefits, including improving learning and memory. This scientific publication investigated the association between brain function and the intake of fish and polyunsaturated fatty acids. 21 studies with…
Summary The process of Alzheimer’s disease begins years before disease onset. Scientists have therefore stressed the importance to search for strategies that allow the early prevention of this disease. This study evaluated whether omega-3 fatty acids are able to protect memory functions in healthy older adults. In course of the study, 44 healthy individuals aged…
Summary The brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients contain amyloid plaques, which are believed to play a key role in the development of this brain disease. This study tested the ability of resveratrol, a naturally occurring compound found in red wine, peanuts, soy beans and pomegranates, in reducing amyloid plaques. Mice were fed resveratrol for 45…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between vitamin C deficiency and Alzheimer´s disease. The experiments were performed with mice. The results suggested that even moderate vitamin C deficiencies inside the cells play an important role in accelerating the progression of the disease, particularly during early stages. More details can be found in the study. References…
Summary This study analyzed the relationship between blood levels of vitamin E and dementia. Blood levels of vitamin E were investigated in 1033 participants aged 65 years and older. The results showed that higher vitamin E blood levels can provide significant protection against mental impairment and dementia in elderly people. Further details can be found…
Summary Because of its ability to form brain plaques, the amyloid β-protein is believed to play a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This study evaluated the effects of arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, on the deposition of amyloid β-proteins in the brain. For 9 months, mice were treated with a diet…
Summary This study determined if vitamin E, the drug memantine, or a combination of both slow the progression of Alzheimer´s disease. 613 patients affected by Alzheimer´s disease received either vitamin E, memantine, vitamin E and memantine combined, or a placebo. It was discovered that vitamin E administration led to a slower progression of the disease.…
Summary The brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease have an abundance of amyloid plaques, made up of protein fragments. The excessive accumulation of these proteins is believed to be a key mechanism responsible for brain cell death in Alzheimer’s disease. The present study aimed to identify flavonoids (naturally occurring compounds) that could inhibit amyloid plaques-induced…
Summary The present study examined the effect of a micronutrient combination on brain function. The supplement consisted of curcumin, piperine, epigallocatechin gallate, α-lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine, B vitamins, vitamin C and folate and was administered for 6 months to mice affected by Alzheimer´s disease. The results of this examination revealed that the micronutrient combination improved brain…
Summary Seizures, a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, are able to accelerate brain dysfunction. According to research, vitamin C deficiency is an important cause of seizures. This study tested the susceptibility to seizures in mice with Alzheimer´s disease and low concentrations of vitamin C in the brain. The researchers found that low vitamin C concentrations increased…
Summary Neuroinflammation, an inflammation of the nervous system, is a characteristic of a multitude of nervous system disorders. This review summarized 61 studies that tested the effect of omega-3 on neuroinflammation in various diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. The results showed that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can fight neuroinflammation in this brain disease.…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between diet and Alzheimer’s disease in normal individuals at risk for this disease. Data from 52 people were analyzed. The association between nutrients and brain function was assessed by means of a questionnaire. The researchers found that higher intakes of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fish and low-fat…
Summary Research has found that B vitamin treatment slows the decline of brain functions. On this basis, the present study evaluated whether blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids interact with the effects of B vitamin treatment in patients with mental impairment. 266 participants aged 70 years or older were given B vitamins (folic acid, vitamins…
Summary Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia and the most common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. This review analyzed epidemiological, dietary intervention and supplementation studies on Alzheimer’s disease. According to the review, the studies supported the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention or delay of mental decline (reduction of brain function)…
Summary The present study evaluated the protective action of resveratrol on oxidative stress (i.e. the imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body´s antioxidant defenses) and memory loss induced by amyloid β peptide (Aβ). Aβ is believed to play a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease because of its ability to…
Summary This study evaluated the effect of vitamin D on mental function in elderly people. 80 participants were included and divided into two groups (group A and group B). Group A received a vitamin D supplementation and the participants of group B functioned as controls. Subsequently, dementia and vitamin D levels were assessed. The results…