A daily dose of folic acid could perk up your memory, claim researchers. The largest trial of its kind found that supplements of this B vitamin substantially improved brain function and memory in people over 50. The findings follow a study showing that folic acid can cut the chances of developing Alzheimer’s and add to mounting evidence that it can prevent or alleviate many disorders including heart disease and strokes.

Dutch researchers gave 800mcg of folic acid daily or a dummy pill to 818 people aged over 50 for three years, says a report published January 19th in the Lancet Medical Journal. They found that cognitive functions such as memory and speed of information processing improved in those getting the vitamin supplements. Folic acid is the supplement form of folate, a B vitamin found in dark green vegetables, cereals and fruit which is often destroyed by cooking or processing. Supplements provide a form of folate more easily taken up by the body.

Mothers to-be are advised to take folic acid to reduce the risk of brain and spinal cord defects in their unborn child.

So says a study from the German Institute of Human Nutrition published in the medical journal Cancer Epidemiology and Biomarkers Prevention in January 2007.

The study looked at over 200,000 women and showed that you do not even need to go to the gym to get the effect – housework had a significant reduction in breast cancer risk, specifically in postmenopausal women.

Earlier research in December 2006 had also shown this effect and found the benefit was greatest for those women with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancers.

Most people think that antiperspirants and deodorants are the same thing, but they aren’t. Antiperspirants work by clogging, closing, or blocking the pores with powerful astringents such as aluminium salts so that they can’t release sweat. (These are dangerous because aluminium can accumulate in the brain).  Deodorants work by neutralising the smell of the sweat and by antiseptic action against bacteria.

Deodorants are preferable because they don’t interfere with sweating, a natural cooling process. Even more preferable are natural deodorants as preliminary research suggests that synthetic deodorants may contain potentially carcinogenic chemicals.

The Simplest Natural Deodorant:

Baking soda works wonders as a natural deodorant because it neutralizes the odour of sweat. Just sprinkle a light covering of baking soda onto a damp washcloth. Pat on and don’t rinse off.

Basic Deodorant Powder:

• 8 tablespoons baking soda
• 8 tablespoons cornstarch
• a few drops of essential oils such as lavender or cinnamon

Place the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Sprinkle a light covering of the powder on a damp washcloth. Pat on and don’t rinse off.

Basic Liquid Deodorant:

• 4 tablespoons witch hazel extract
• 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 4 tablespoons mineral water
• 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
• a few drops of antibacterial essential oils such as lavender (optional)

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.
Makes 180ml
Shelf Life: Indefinite