Taking iron and zinc supplements may improve cognitive skills and improve mood, especially for women who lack these minerals. Iron is vital to the creation of hemoglobin and myoglobin which transports oxygen in muscles, while zinc is an essential element in enzymes that are involved in key biological functions. Researchers have uncovered the role that iron and zinc play in maintaining both physical and psychological health among women, stating that iron supplementation appears to enhance memory and intellectual ability. Findings may also suggest a positive effect of zinc levels on better cognitive and emotional functioning

Stroke is currently the second leading cause of death, most commonly caused by blockages preventing blood from reaching the brain. A new study has found that certain types of gut bacteria are able to leverage the immune system to reduce the severity of a stroke. Researchers treated mice with antibiotics and observed an approximate 60 percent smaller stroke as compared to mice that received no antibiotics. Authors explain that the microbial environment in the gut told immune cells to defend the brain, therefore protecting it from the stroke’s full force. Findings also open up the possibility that changing the gut’s macrobiotic properties by altering nutrition, could serve as a new way to prevent stroke in the future.

Past research has revealed a number of benefits that chocolate has on a person’s health. Recent studies have further examined whether eating chocolate is linked to lower risk of ischaemic heart disease. Approximately 67,640 healthy men and women participated in the Swedish study. Researchers found that three or more servings of chocolate a week reduced the threat of myocardial infarction as compared to participants who ate no chocolate. Results suggest that chocolate may be related to a lower risk for heart attacks and heart disease.

Those with knee osteoarthritis often experience pain and difficulty with mobility. Recent studies suggest that dietary intake of glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate may reduce pain, relieve stiffness, and improve function. As part of the study, researchers also evaluated the effectiveness of this supplement compared to an anti-inflammatory drug typically prescribed for the condition called celecoxib. Results after 6 months showed that the glucosamine-chondrotin supplement had comparable effectiveness in treating pain and stiffness while benefiting function for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

In a new study, researchers observed oxygen availability which relates to good brain health and cognitive function. Colleagues assessed the role that exercise plays on oxygen availability in the front part of the brain that is used when performing complex cognitive tasks. Results showed that regular physical activity among women led to health benefits for the brain by producing higher oxygen availability in the brain. This finding on the relationship between oxygen in the brain and consistent exercise may give greater insight toward understanding exercise-cognition links.

Arthritis affects 1 in 5 adults and is a leading cause of disability. Without treatment arthritis can affect mobility and overall quality of life. In a recent study, 75 men and women ages 18 years and older with knee osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis participated in yoga classes twice a week for eight weeks, plus an at-home session every week compared to a control group that did not perform yoga. Those that practiced yoga reported a 20% improvement in pain, energy levels, mood and physical function, the effects of which were still evident nine months after they completed the study. Based on these initial findings, researchers suggest that yoga may help sedentary adults who have arthritis to safely increase physical activity, and thereby improve physical and psychological health for a greater quality of life.

A healthy heart positively affects brain function according to recent studies. The cardiac index shows the amount of blood being pumped from the heart through the body, and can be used as a measure of heart health. Researchers collected data from 1,039 participants over the course of an 11-year study. During that period, 32 cases of dementia and 26 cases of Alzheimer’s disease developed among individuals who were shown to have a lower cardiac index. The study’s findings suggest that having a healthier heart may help lower a person’s risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Many people experience frequent or painful headaches without knowing some of the less obvious triggers.

Smoked Meats: Nitrates and nitrites that are typically used in packaged meat products such as deli meat and jerky have been known to trigger headaches for some people who get migraines.

Red Wine and Cheese: The tyramine contained in certain cheeses like cheddar and blue cheese as well as in red wines can bring on headaches because it restricts the blood vessels. Researchers add that the polyphenols in red wine may also restrict serotonin metabolism in the brain.

Dehydration: As water and electrolytes leave the body, blood vessels become narrower in order to conserve water and dehydration triggers pain-sensitive nerves in the head.

Brain Freeze: Almost everyone knows that eating cold or frozen foods too quickly causes brain freeze, but research suggests that it may also trigger headaches for those with sensitive teeth. 

Caffeine Withdrawal: Caffeine can have physiological effects on the vascular system, making vessels constrict or relax at different times. The best way to manage these types of headaches is to slowly reduce caffeine intake.

Researchers have been studying the anti-aging effects of Metformin, a drug commonly used to manage diabetes. Recent studies are looking into how the drug may affect metabolic and cellular function associated with aging-related conditions. Experts are looking particularly at whether Metformin can improve gene expression among older adults with impaired glucose tolerance, compared to that of younger individuals. A clinical trial known as the Targeting Aging with Metformin study has been approved in the U.S. and will perform tests on 3,000 elderly people. Scientists will be observing the impact of the drug to see if it can help prevent aging and related development of onset diseases.