Vitamin B 12 might prevent brain shrinkage

Brain shrinkage is common in people above 60, but neuroscientists disagree about its effects on memory and cognitive abilities. study showed that people with the highest amounts of vitamin B 12 were less likely to experience brain shrinkage with age. The study measured blood levels of vitamin B 12 and brain volume every year for five years in people aged 61 to 87. All of the people in the study had normal blood levels of the vitamin, it was only the people with the highest amount who seemed to get any protection. While the study showed a relationship between vitamin B 12 levels and brain volume, it did not show that taking vitamin B 12 would reduce the rate of brain shrinkage with age (that study is in progress). Also, researchers did not report a link between low levels of B 12 and decreased mental function. It's probably best to boost vitamin B 12 through diet rather than taking in supplements. Good sources include dairy products, meat, and fortified breakfast cereals.

Artificial light linked to Prostate Cancer

Animals and plants have biological cycles that vary with night and day and different times of the month and year. Artificial light disturbs these cycles and could be an important factor in disease. Researchers from the University of Haifa in Israel found that people living in countries with the greatest amounts of artificial light had the greatest risk of prostate and breast cancer. They used satellite photos to determine areas on earth with the greatest concentrations of artificial light.

People living in countries with the greatest amount of artificial light increased the risk of these cancers by 300 percent compared to those living in countries with little artificial light. Artificial light may suppress the immune system or throw off the body's biological clock. It's possible that the link is circumstantial and is caused by factors such as diet, socioeconomic status, stress, ollution or climate.

(Science Daily)

Bad Teeth equals Bad sex

Most people have heard the old saying, "Be true to your teeth or they'll be false to you." However, few guys know that bad teeth and gums increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. Yehuda Zadik from Israeli Medical Corps found a link between poor dental health and erectile dysfunction in a study of 305 40-year-old men. The link was not strong, however. Only 19% of the men with ED had periodontal disease. Smoking is also a risk factor for ED and poor dental health. Poor blood vessel health is the common link between erection and dental problems. Scientists have discovered that erectile dysfunction is a good predictor of heart attack. This study showed that it's also related to bad teeth and gums.

( Journal of Sexual Medicine, in press, published online)