Oct
20
2010
Image via ars.usda.gov
A study published in the Nutrition Journal sought to find how walnuts can increase the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy adults. Study authors did not find any measurable increases, but they believe that further study is warranted.
They did find that levels of important compounds, the fatty acid linoleic acid and pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6), did increase over the course of the 19 week study.
Source: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/9/1/21
Antioxidants are a key to eye health. They combat free radials that cause such eye diseases, particularly macular degneration and cataracts.
Feb
25
2009
A team of Harvard researchers found that women who took a combination of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 had a 35% to 40% lower risk of developing age related macular degeneration (AMD) than women who took a placebo.
A group of 5442 female health care professionals 40 years or older (of whom 5205 did not have a diagnosis of AMD at the beginning of the study) received either a combination of folic acid/B6/B12 or a placebo.
After more than seven years of treatment and follow-up, 137 women were diagnosed with AMD. Of these 137:
- 55 had been taking the supplements; 82 had been taking the placebo.
- 70 had ‘visually significant AMD’, including 26 who had been taking the supplements and 44 who had been taking the placebo.
Researchers concluded that daily supplementation with folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) may reduce the risk of AMD.
Learn about good food sources for nutrients such as folic acid and vitamin B
Find nutritional products and supplements to supply folic acid and vitamin B
SOURCE: “Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, and Cyanocobalamin Combination Treatment and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women”, Christen et al, Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):335-341.
