Herbal supplements are no longer just for health-food stores, according to a new report from the American Botani-cal Council trade association: Americans spent a record $335 million in 2009 on herbal supplements in “mainstream market channels” such as supermarkets and drugstores, an increase of 14%. …
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How's that again? You may need more folate to help prevent hearing loss? That's the finding of the Blue Mountains Eye Study, which adds to a small but growing body of evidence linking low blood levels of B vitamins, notably folate, to risk of age-related hearing loss. Australian researchers compared blood levels of folate, vitamin B12 and the amino acid homocysteine to incidence of hearing loss among 2,956 people ages 50 and up. Those with the lowest levels of folate were 34% more likely to suffer hearing loss. People with the most homocysteine — an amino acid, linked to other health problems, that's countered by B vitamins — were at 64% greater risk. Elevated homocysteine levels have been linked to adverse effects on blood flow in the inner ear, which could be a factor in hearing loss with age. No association was seen between B12 and hearing loss. To make sure you're getting enough folate (vitamin B9), eat lots of leafy green vegetables, chick peas, lentils and products made with fortified grains. — Journal of Nutrition…
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