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According to new research presented in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), DHA supplements may prevent mental retardation in preterm infant girls. Infants born before 33 weeks' gestation have a drastically increased risk of developmental disorders and learning disabilities, and it seems that DHA supplementation (docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid) may be a potential safety measure for infant girls. Preterm girls who received higher levels of DHA had higher measures of neurological development than preterm girls who had the normal amount of DHA. The girls with the high-DHA levels were 55% less likely to have a "mild mental delay" and 80% less likely to have "significant mental delay".

DHA has no harmful side effects, and passes naturally from mothers to their babies in the womb. Maria Makrides, author of the study, believes that preterm babies miss out on the benefits of DHA, which may help develop their brains during the final weeks of pregnancy.

A similiar safeguarding effect of neurological development has not yet been seen among preterm boys. In general, preterm boys have greater risks of complications than girls. Research of DHA and preterm births is just in its beginning stages, so it is difficult to posit any definitive conclusions. Thus far, research of this type has only been conducted with preterm infants, and so the overall effects that DHA may have on normal term infants are completely unknown.

"Given the lack of an alternative therapy for cognitive delay in this group of infants and the apparent safety of the current dose of DHA, further studies are warranted," writes Makrides and her co-authors. Based on these initial findings, the site of the study, The Women's and Children' Hospital in Adelaide, Australia, is preparing to offer DHA-rich diets to its preterm patients.

To learn more about this issue, please have a look at the links below:
DSIB: Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
JAMA Abstract: Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Preterm Infants
Science Daily: Fatty Acid Appears To Improve Neurodevelopment For Preterm Girls
USA Today: DHA supplements may help premature baby girls

According to a new study published in the December 2nd issue of Neurology, people who have suffered strokes can benefit greatly from intensive dietary supplementation to combat undernourishment.

The research, carried out at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in New York, found that patients who received more intensive supplementation (roughly double the caloric, protein, and vitamin C intake) improved significantly on critical measures such as motor function and functional independence. Individuals who received the higher levels of supplements were nearly 50% more likely to returned home after rehab rather than going to a nursing home -- an astonishing number which will undoubtedly need further trials to be confirmed -- but still, an incredibly positive note for such research to start out on.

To find out more, have a look at the results in Neurology, as well as a report from Reuters: High-dose supplements may improve stroke rehab.

Romanesco Brassica, or "Broccoflower", a variant of cauliflower

University of Minnesota scientists have identified the compound indole-3-carbinol (I3C) as a beneficial supplement for smokers. I3C is found in high levels in vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, and it can be administered as a supplement as well.

Using animal research models, scientists found that I3C substantially lowered the number of lung tumors in subjects who were exposed to the carcinogens which are found in tobacco smoke. The compound appears to act by inhibiting cell proliferation and enhancing programmed cell death (know as apoptosis). High levels of I3C lead to an 88% reduction of lung tumors. Tobacco smoke contains over 60 known carcinogens, and so, as always, avoiding all forms of tobacco use is the first thing you can do to ensure your health. All the same, future studies of the I3C for current and former smoker populations hold great promise.

You can see the entire study through the following link to the online version of Cancer Prevention Research: Dose-Dependent Inhibition of Tobacco Smoke Carcinogen–Induced Lung Tumorigenesis in A/J Mice by Indole-3-Carbinol

DSIB: I3C

If it were ever in doubt, that can be now laid aside -- Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) are now thoroughly established as mainstream. A new survey by the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) shows that nearly 40% of adults in the U.S. used some form of CAM therapy in 2007. Vitamins and supplements headed the list of CAM practices most people used, along with deep breathing, yoga, and meditation. The study found that a significantly higher percentage of women used CAM (42.8 percent v. 33.5 percent of men), as well as those with higher levels of education (55.4 percent of those with masters, doctorate or professional status were using CAM!). To listen to a rundown of the study, the NCHS has provided a podcast you can listen to right here, or if you'd prefer, a transcript right here.

The most commonly used dietary supplements included echinacea, fish oil, flaxseed oil and probiotics, and you can check out our healthnotes about each of them in the links below:

DSIB: Echinacea

DSIB: Fish Oil

DSIB: Flaxseed Oil

DSIB: Probiotics