Eat oily fish to keep brain healthy

Good morning friends. Some people a don’t want to eat fish. I know it’s a healthy food, but If they will be given a chance, they will not choose a fish to eat. But as per reference of The Times of India fish can help our brain to be healthy, specially oily fish. It will help our brain.

Eating oily fish, rich in vitamin D, may be vital in keeping your brain healthy as you age, according to a new study.

University of Manchester scientists and other researchers have found that higher levels of vitamin D, synthesized in the skin following sun exposure, is also found in oily fish. The study assessed the cognitive performance of more than 3,000 men aged 40 to 79 years at eight test centers in Europe. It was found that men with higher levels of vitamin D performed consistently better in a simple and sensitive neuro-psychological test that assesses an individual's attention and speed of information processing.

"Previous studies exploring the relationship between vitamin D and cognitive performance in adults have produced inconsistent findings. But we observed a significant, independent association between a slower information processing speed and lower levels of vitamin D," said study author David Lee of Manchester's School of Translational Medicine.

"The main strengths of our study are that it is based on a large population sample and took into account potential interfering factors, such as depression, season and levels of physical activity," Lee said.

Low Vit-D ups infection in pregnancy

Good morning friends. Pregnant women with low vitamin D, may increase infection in their pregnancy.

Expectant women with low levels of vitamin D are at an increased risk of developing a common vaginal infection that raises the risk of preterm delivery, finds a new study.

University of Pittsburgh researchers have revealed that pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency may suffer from bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common vaginal infection.

"Bacterial vaginosis affects nearly one in three reproductive aged women, so there is great need to understand how it can be prevented," said Dr Lisa M Bodnar, assistant professor of epidemiology, obstetrics and gynecology, University of Pittsburgh.

"It is not only associated with a number of gynecologic conditions, but also may contribute to premature delivery, the leading cause of neonatal mortality, making it of particular concern to pregnant women," she added.

During the study, the researchers looked at 469 pregnant women, sought to determine whether poor vitamin D status played a role in predisposing women to BV. They also found that the prevalence of BV decreased as vitamin D levels rose.

Vitamin D may play a role in BV by regulating the production and function of antimicrobial molecules, which in turn may help the immune system prevent and control bacterial infection. "Although this is a preliminary study, it points out an interesting connection between vitamin D and BV," said Dr. Bodnar.

"We don't recommend pregnant women take mega doses of vitamin D based on these findings, but they should talk with their doctor if they have concerns about their vitamin D status.

"All women should be encouraged to eat a healthy diet and take a prenatal vitamin before they become pregnant or as soon as they find out they are pregnant," she added. The study appears in the Journal of Nutrition. –The Times of India