Researchers recruited twenty children with autism spectrum disorder to participate in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study. They were divided into groups given either a multivitamin/mineral supplement containing moderate levels of vitamin B6 (30mg/day), trace amounts of herbs and no copper, or placebo for 3 months. Levels of vitamin B6, vitamin c, and alpha-lipoic acid were measured. The results showed that children given the supplement experienced significant improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms and sleep, and slight improvements in overall behavior, receptive language and eye contact. As well, overall vitamin B6 levels were found to be higher but the active form, PLP, is actually lower. The authors explain this is due to an impairment in conversion of vitamin B6 to the active form, which translates to a higher functional requirement for B6.

We can conclude that children with autism can certainly benefit from this type of supplementation. Over the counter or 'one a day' supplements are, for the most part, not adequate due to contamination and quality control issues, and not high enough amounts of most nutrients. A high quality, pharmaceutical-grade supplement is best and can be obtained by consulting a nutritionally-oriented physician.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of functional impairments. High blood cholesterol can build-up cholesterol-filled plaque (atherosclerosis) in blood vessels and cause strokes.  Previous studies suggest that niacin or vitamin B3 can increase HDL ("good") cholesterol and reduce plaque in arteries. Now research reports that niacin may help restore neurological function after stroke. These results may have important implications for human brain research. 

The study was presented at the International Stroke Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Researchers at the Henry Ford Neuroscience Institute administered niacin to laboratory rats with ischemic stroke. The researchers found that niacin helped restore neurological function in the brain. Niacin increased 'good' HDL cholesterol, which increased blood vessel and nerve cell growth in the brain. This resulted in significant improvement in neurological function. 

"Niacin essentially re-wires the brain which has very exciting potential for use in humans," says Michael Chopp, Ph.D., scientific director of the Henry Ford Neuroscience Institute, in a news release. "The results of this study may also open doors in other areas of neurological medicine, including brain injury."

The researchers will be conducting clinical trials to investigate the effects of extended-release niacin on human stroke patients. "If this proves to also work well in our human trials, we'll then have the benefit of a low-cost, easily-tolerable treatment for one of the most neurologically devastating conditions," says Dr. Chopp.

Promote Healthy Cholesterol Levels with Resterol

Supplementing with natural nutrients can help promote cholesterol health. 

Progressive Health's Resterol is a cholesterol-supporting supplement that features researched nutrients like gum guggul, garlic, turmeric, inositol, policasanol, pantethine  and vitamin E.

Your Thoughts

Are you using alternative therapies to help managel your cholesterol? Please comment below.

Regular exercise is known to promote brain health and function. However,  the mechanism in which exercise improves brain function is unknown.  Now research reports that exercise improved memory in mice. The researchers believe this was due to the mice growing more new brain cells in the memory area of the brain. These results may have important implications for human brain research. 

The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, investigated the reasons why exercise may improve brain function. Researchers at the University of Cambridge, U.K., allowed the exercise group of mice unlimited access to an exercise wheel and a control group no access to the exercise wheel. Both groups of mice were given memory tasks for 105 days. 

The researchers found that the exercising mice performed better on the memory tasks than the non-exercising mice. Furthermore, the exercising mice grew more new brain cells in the hippocampus area of the brain. The hippocampus is the area in the brain for memory and learning.

"Keeping similar memories distinct is an important part of having a good memory," says researcher Timothy Bussey, from Cambridge University, in BBC News. "It is this aspect of memory that is improved by exercise, our study shows."

Cyntol Supports Memory and Brain Health

Natural nutrients can provide nutritional support for memory and brain health.

Progressive Health's Cyntol is a memory support remedy featuring scientifically evaluated ingredients such as phosphatidylserine, acetyl L-carnitine, methylcobalamin, choline, gingko biloba, bacopa, Korean ginseng, vinpocetine, Huperzine A and lecithin. Cyntol helps improve memory, support brain health and manage age-related cognitive decline (ARCD). 

Elaine's Comments

I've noticed that walking daily helps me think more clearly. Do you have a similar experience?

Approximately 4.5 million people now have Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the number is expected to rise to about 16 million people by 2050. Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia occur in older adults and cause memory loss, confusion and eventually death. Now research reports that older adults with strong muscles have a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

The study, published in Archives of Neurology, examined the association between muscle strength and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, analyzed the data of 900 older adults with no signs of dementia at the beginning of the study. The participants were followed-up after 3.6 years. Mental function tests and physical function tests measuring the strength of nine muscle groups in the arms, legs and breathing muscles were obtained from the participants.

Researchers found that 138 participants developed Alzheimer's. Participants with 

the highest muscle strength scores were 43 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's. Findings also revealed that increased muscle strength was associated with a slower decline in mental function. 

"These findings suggest a link between muscle strength, AD, and cognitive decline in older persons," the study authors conclude.

Alzheimer's Nutritional Support with Progressive 17

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's, natural nutrients can provide nutritional support for Alzheimer's and brain health.

Progressive Health's Progressive-17 has been specifically designed for Alzheimer's nutritional support and brain health. Progressive 17 contains clinically evaluated nutrients including phosphatidylserine, acetyl L-carnitine, gingko biloba, bacopa, vinpocetine, huperzine A, vitamin C and vitamin E.

Omega 3 essential fatty acids found in fish consist of biologically active EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).  Omega 3s found in plants consist of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which requires conversion into EPA and DHA.  DHA comprises between 30 to 50 percent of the fatty acid content of the brain.  Previous studies suggest that deficiencies in DHA are associated with cognitive impairment. Now research reports that  diets deficient in DHA and EPA impede nervous system function. This finding may impact our understanding of nervous system disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disease and schizophrenia.

The study, published in Behavioral Neuroscience, investigated the effects of omega-3 deficient diets on pregnant mice and their offspring. Researchers at the Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics at the National Institutes of Health administered either an omega-3 deficient diet, low ALA diet, high ALA diet or a high EPA and DHA diet to pregnant mice and their offspring. The mice offspring were tested for nervous system function including sensorimotor gating.

Researchers found that the mice offspring given a high DHA-EPA diet had normal sensorimotor gating, compared to mice on the other diets. The result suggests that DHA deficiency may produce low sensorimotor gating. Low sensorimotor gating (sensory overload) in humans is linked to nervous system disorders.

"These are the first data that demonstrate a deficit in sensorimotor gating in rodents caused by an inadequate amount of the n-3 fatty acids in the diet," the study authors write.

Revitle Enhances Wellness

Taking antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent the damaging effects of free radicals (unstable molecules that cause damage to cells) and inflammation associated with nervous system disorders, degenerative diseases and aging. 

Progressive Health's Revitle is specifically developed to enhance wellness, improve quality of life and reduce the risk for serious disease. Revitle includes researched ingredients like omega 3 fatty acids, green tea, cordyceps, grape seed, coenzyme Q10, NAC (n-acetyl l-cysteine), alpha lipoic acid, ginkgo biloba, hawthorne, Siberian ginseng, bilberry, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the nervous system that affects different parts of the brain and spinal cord. Now research reports that teenage obesity doubles the risk of developing MS later in life. Previous studies suggest that higher vitamin D levels may lower MS risk. However, people who are obese tend to have reduced vitamin D levels. 

The study, published in the journal Neurology, investigated whether obesity during childhood, adolescence or adulthood is associated with MS risk. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study including 238,371 women 25 to 55 years old. Questionnaires about height, weight, health and lifestyle were obtained from the participants every two years. BMI (body mass index) and weight gain were measured over time. Five hundred ninety three women developed MS over the course of 40 years.

The researchers found that women who were obese (BMI of 30 or larger) at age 18 had twice the risk of developing MS, compared to women who were not obese. There was no association between adult obesity and MS risk. However, women who had a large body size at 20 years old also had twice the risk of developing MS, compared to women with a smaller body size.

"Obese adolescents have an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS)," the study authors conclude. "Although the mechanisms of this association remain uncertain, this result suggests that prevention of adolescent obesity may contribute to reduced MS risk."

Exitor Weight Management Supplement

Effective ways to promote weight management are to eat healthy, exercise, and supplement with natural nutrients.

Progressive Health's Exitor is a natural weight management supplement designed to burn fat and calories and boost the metabolism. Exitor contains researched ingredients like guarana, caffeine, green tea, citrus aurantium, DMAE, tyrosine, gum guggle, garcinia cambogia, theobroma cocoa and horse chestnut.

Researchers conducted a double-blind, randomized placebo controlled Phase III trial to compare the effectiveness and safety of St. John's Wort and paroxetine. A total of 251 patients, who were 18-70 years old and had single or recurrent moderate or severe episodes of unipolar major depression without psychotic features for at least 2 weeks duration, were recruited for the trial. They were given either 900mg of St. John's Wort extract three times per day or 20mg of paroxetine for six weeks duration (higher doses were given of both treatments to patients who were initially unresponsive). The results showed that St. John's Wort significantly lowered the clinical assessment scores slightly more than paroxetine therapy and with fewer adverse effects. Adverse effects included neurologic and gastrointestinal complaints.

The authors conclude that "hypericum extract WS 5570 is at least as effective as paroxetine over six weeks of acute treatment in outpatients with moderate or severe unipolar major depression." And, impressively, St. John's Wort is better tolerated even when the dose was increased. St. John's Wort appears to be a better choice in the treatment of moderate to severe depression as defined by this study.