Nutritional Supplements
Iodine Supplementation Improves Cognitive Function in Children
May 2012 Iodine is an essential mineral required for thyroid function. Iodine deficiency is associated with goitre, as well as impaired mental and physical development. The effects of severe iodine deficiency during critical periods of brain development are well documented. Iodine deficiency results in a range of conditions collectively termed ‘iodine deficiency disorders’ including neurological [...]
Iron Supplementation Improves Cognitive Function
April 2012 It is estimated that 25% of the world’s population, and approximately 50% of pre-school children worldwide have anaemia. 50% of anaemia cases are due to iron deficiency. Studies have shown that iron deficiency in infancy is related to poorer cognition in childhood. Iron is an essential mineral that plays key function in [...]
Korean Ginseng Helps to Enhance Cognitive performance
April 2012 Korean Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) is an adaptogenic herb that has been used as potent energy tonic for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Modern clinical study has provided scientific evidence on its benefit in enhancing cognitive performance. Although we do not yet fully understand the mechanism for many of Ginseng’s medicinal [...]
Fish oil Cost Effective for the Secondary Prevention of Heart Disease
24 March 2012 Approximately 310,000 Australians suffer from chronic heart disease and is the second largest disease burden to Australian economy. The total direct healthcare cost attributed to cardiovascular disease is AUD$5.9 billion each year in Australia. A latest health economic analysis by Deloitte Access Economics showed that fish oil supplementation is a cost-effective intervention [...]
Long-chain Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) Requirements in Infants and Children for Lifelong Health
17 March 2012 Fats are a necessary part of dietary energy supply. However the quality of dietary fats, particularly long-chain Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), plays critical roles in physiological functions such as central nervous system (CNS) development and visual function in infants and children. In addition, the effect of dietary fats on lipids metabolism at [...]
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, Zinc and Magnesium Supplementation Benefits Children with ADHD
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular Omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are essential nutrients structural and functional components of brain cell membranes. DHA, together with EPA, (eicosapentaenoic acid) plays important roles in the central nervous system, and are essential for normal brain functioning including attention and other neuropsychological skills. In a large observational study, research scientists monitored [...]
BMI, Waist Circumference and Chronic Disease Risk Factors in Australian Adolescents
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents is increasing worldwide. Studies have shown that obese children and adolescents have an increased prevalence of metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and, more recently, fatty liver disease. In parallel with increasing prevalence of obesity in adolescents, it is expected that long-term morbidity in [...]
Ensuring Adequate Vitamin D intake for Bone Health and Muscle Strength during Adolescence
A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been reported in healthy growing children and adolescents in a number of countries. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an elevation of PTH concentration in blood and an increase in the blood concentration of markers for bone turnover. Such changes in growing children and adolescents suggest that [...]
Eat Well for a Happier Life in Adolescents
With festive and the holiday seasons, teenagers often party hard and are more likely to ignore their nutritional requirements. A recent Australian study emphasized the importance of ensuring diet quality in adolescence and its potential role in modifying mental health over the life course. Studies have demonstrated inverse relationships between diet quality and the common [...]
Calcium supplementation for the Prevention of Pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a major cause of death in pregnant women and newborn babies worldwide. Preterm birth is often caused by high blood pressure and is the leading cause of newborn deaths. Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are common causes of serious morbidity and death. Calcium supplementation may reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia through a number of mechanisms, [...]
