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The herb echinacea is
extracted from the
purple coneflower,
Echinacea purpureaFolic acid is
important for the
development of a
healthy foetusE
IS FOR
ECHINACEA
Also known as purple coneflower,
Echinacea purpurea contains so-called
polysaccharide compounds that are
thought to increase the activity of
the immune system. Several studies
have attempted to test the herb as a
treatment for the common cold and the
results are decidedly mixed. A large
study in 2007, for example, found that
it reduced both the duration of cold
infections and your chances of catching
a cold. Meanwhile, two other studies
funded by the US National Center for
Complementary and Integrative Health
found no benefit.RATING
F
IS FOR
FOLIC ACID
Folate or vitamin B9 can’t be synthesised
within the human body so we have to
obtain it from our diet. Since 1998,
t he US Food a nd D r ug Ad m i n ist rat ion
has required that folic acid be added
to bread, cereal, rice, pasta and flour.
Folate is particularly important
during the early development of the
foetus, so women of childbearing age
are recommended to take an extra
0.4 mg/day to reduce the risk of neural
tube defects and premature birth.
Surprisingly, a 2013 study in mice
found that the foetus can also be
affected by the low folate levels in the
father’s diet. Folic acid can affect which
genes in the sperm are activated, so a
B9 supplement or a healthy diet rich
in dark leafy vegetables is important
for prospective fathers too.RATING
G
IS FOR GREEN-LIPPED
MUSSEL EXTRACT
New Zealand green-lipped mussels
contain certain fats that are known
to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Because of this, green-lipped mussel
extract has been studied as a possible
treatment for arthritis. The evidence
isn’t very strong, however. Several
comprehensive reviews of multiple
studies have concluded that it is no
better than a placebo. This might be
because the active ingredient degrades
once it is extracted into pill form.RATING
H
IS FOR
HYALURONIC ACID
Around 15g of hyaluronic acid exists
in your body right now. It’s a large
molecule that acts as a lubricant and
a filler in the skin, eyes and joints.
Hyaluronic acid is used by plastic
surgeons to plump out lips and it’s a
common ingredient in skin creams.
There’s no evidence that taking
hyaluronic acid orally has any anti-
aging effect on the skin, but some
studies have shown that it reduces the
symptoms of arthritis in the knees.RATING 5