Longevity herb a no-brainer
Ginkgo biloba extract may help older people live longer - but it doesn't reduce their risk of developing dementia, as is often claimed, according to a preliminary study of more than 3,500 people over 65 by the University of Bordeaux. Those who used the herb, which has been sold in France for more than 30 years to improve memory, were 24 per cent less likely to die during a 13-year period than those who didn't take ginkgo, Reuters reports. 'Ginkgo biloba may have a beneficial effect on survival in the elderly population,' the researchers conclude. Further trials are under way in the US and Europe, with results due in 2010.
Lest we forget fatty acid goodness
An omega-3 fatty acid may help slow the growth of two types of brain lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease, a University of California, Irvine, study on mice suggests. A diet rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - found in fish, eggs, organ meats, micro-algae, fortified foods and food supplements - slows the growth of a protein called tau that can lead to neurofibrillary tangles. DHA also reduces levels of the protein beta amyloid, which can form plaque in the brain, another type of lesion associated with Alzheimer's, healthday.com reports. 'We're excited by the results,' says co-author Frank LaFerla. 'They show that simple changes in diet can ... lead to protection from Alzheimer's.'
Older mums risk booby prize
Breastfeeding can offset the higher risk of breast cancer among women who have their first child after they turn 25, a University of Southern California in Los Angeles study of almost 2,500 women has found. Previous research shows that those who have their first baby after 25, or who have fewer than four children, have a greater chance of developing breast cancer, WebMD reports.
Breast cancer threat for meat eaters