Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

Vitamins and Alzheimer’s, endometriosis, colorectal and liver cancer, and deficiencies

Vitamins have been much in the news lately, and some of the reports have exciting implications.

Researchers at the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging report that higher intake of the vitamin B3 (niacin) seems to have a protective effect against the development of Alzheimer’s Disease and age-related cognitive decline.

Link to a news article:

A link between vitamin and Alzheimer’s found!

Link to the research report:

Dietary niacin and the risk of incident Alzheimer’s disease and of cognitive decline.

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Vitamins C and E have been found to ameliorate the symptoms of endometriosis — a common cause of infertility in women. In a new study conducted at Emory University, 59 women with endometriosis were given either 1,200 IU of vitamin E plus 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily or else a placebo. 43% of those who took the vitamins reported decreases in pain and had less inflammation compared with those who took the placebo.

Link to a news article:

Vitamins ease endometriosis

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Vitamin D deficiencies and what to do about them have lately become a controversial issue. The point of contention is whether modest sun exposure (which causes the skin to produce vitamin D) is better than vitamin D supplements as a preventative for vitamin D deficiencies. Dermatologists generally take the position that any sun exposure is bad, since it promotes skin cancer. Various other health advisors suggest that sun exposure is better than vitamin D supplementation because people can overdose on supplements, or because sunlight is more “natural” than supplements.

Deficiencies of vitamin D do seem to be a growing problem. The causes include: avoidance of sun exposure, increased reliance on breast-feeding of babies, and low-carbohydrate diets.

Link to news articles:

Panel: Less sun, fad diets limit Vitamin D

Rickets result of lack of vitamin

A new study of colorectal cancer incidence in the U.S. shows that this form of cancer occurs more often in parts of the country where levels of UVB (ultraviolet light) are lower. The researchers interpret these findings as evidence that vitamin D production in the skin, caused by sunlight exposure, protects the body against colorectal cancer.

Link to news article:

Vitamin D protects from cancer

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Scientists at Osaka City University report that vitamin K2 (menaquinone) appears to prevent liver cancer in women with virally-caused liver damage. A nearly 90 per cent reduction in liver cancer development was seen. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is produced in the intestine.

Link to news story:

Vitamin K found to protect against liver cancer

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LifeLink carries the following oral supplements containing vitamin B3:
Vitamin B3 in 100 mg tablets;
B-50 Complex containing 50 mg of B3 per tablet;
choLESStat, a cholesterol reducer containing vitamin B3;
Natural V, a sexual enhancer containing 13 mg of B3 per capsule.

LifeLink carries vitamin C in 1000 mg tablets and as a powder in 250 g jars; as well as Ascorbyl Palmitate in 500 mg tablets.

LifeLink carries vitamin E (as a mixture of tocopherols) in 400 I.U. softgels, and ‘vitamin E tocotrienol’ (a mixture of tocopherols and tocotrienols) in 34 mg softgels.

LifeLink carries vitamin D as a component of its Bone Maximizer product, at 80 I.U. of vitamin D3 per capsule.