Neural

What Is Neural Foraminal Stenosis?

Neural foraminal stenosis is a spinal disorder that can cause significant discomfort. The condition occurs when a hole (usually through bone) through which nerves pass through the spinal cord becomes constricted, or starts narrowing.

Vitamins Important to Neural Transmission

The human nervous system consists of billions of nerve cells called neurons and their supporting cells. Neurons respond to a variety of stimuli and transmit impulses, allowing communication with neighboring neurons and with other cell types such...

Folic Acid & Neural Tube Defects

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, an important B vitamin that contributes to proper DNA formation. The National Institutes of Health notes that folic acid is essential for the formation and maintenance of new cells and is particularly...

Why Is Potassium Important to Neural Function?

The American Heart Association recognizes the importance of potassium for blood pressure regulation and normal heart function. Potassium, like some other essential minerals including sodium, magnesium and calcium, functions as an electrolyte in...

High Levels of B6 and Neural Tube Defects

Neural tube defects are birth defects that start in the womb during the formation in a developing fetus of the neural tube, which eventually becomes the brain, spinal cord and associated bone and tissue. High levels of vitamin B6 are not...

Brain Plasticity Exercises

Neuroplasticity refers to your brain's ability to reorganize neural pathways, and brains with more pathways have more plasticity. Your brain enriches its network of dendrites and neural passageways every time it processes new experiences. Every...

The Impact of Folic Acid Deficiency on Pregnancy

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, or vitamin B-9. Folate plays a role in DNA synthesis and the creation and division of red blood cells, which are especially important during pregnancy. Because of this, folic acid needs increase while...

Is Over 1 Mg of Folic Acid Safe During Pregnancy?

Prenatal vitamins provide pregnant women with important vitamins and minerals that decrease the risk of birth defects and other health problems. Folic acid, or folate, is a vitamin that lowers the risk of neural tube defects during prenatal...

Folic Acid & the First Trimester of Pregnancy

The B vitamin folic acid is important throughout pregnancy, but particularly during the first trimester. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, also known as vitamin B9. In the body, folate assists in the creation of new blood cells. It is...

Effects of Stem Cells on Alzheimer's Dementia

Stem cells are a promising, yet controversial, treatment option for many degenerative diseases. Stem cell research includes Alzheimer's disease and dementia; however, as of September 2009, the research has not been entirely conclusive. Studies...

Folic Acid Deficiencies Causing Spina Bifida

Folic acid is the synthetic version of vitamin B-9, which in its natural form is called folate. This vitamin is an important part of the prenatal diet, as it can influence the development of children in the womb. A deficiency of folic acid in a...

Why Does a Baby Need Folic Acid?

Folic acid, the manmade form of folate, is a vitamin that helps the body produce healthy new cells, according to WomensHealth.gov. If you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant, one of the most significant ways you can lower your baby's risk of...

Vitamin B-12 Deficiency in Pregnancy

Vitamin B-12 aids red blood cell formation, healthy nerve cell function and DNA synthesis. During pregnancy, vitamin B-12 crosses the placenta to your baby, who uses some of your supply to develop. Eating a well-balanced diet that includes food...

Folic Acid for Babies

Folic acid, also known as folate or B9, is a B vitamin that helps the body produce new cells and ensures proper functioning of DNA. It is available in a variety of foods, but it is also available through supplementation. Folic acid is an...

Vitamins That Aid in Pregnancy

Many couples have trouble conceiving and may have trouble starting a family. For those who want to get pregnant, it is essential to understand which vitamins, minerals and supplements will benefit you in increasing your chances of conceiving....

Folic Acid and Prenatal Care

Folic acid is one of the essential daily vitamins for pregnant women. It is important for both mom and her baby's development and can help prevent some birth defects. While folic acid can be found in many vegetables and fortified grain products,...

Folic Acid & NTD

Neural tube defects, or NTDs, are abnormalities that occur in the brain or spinal cord of a developing fetus. Such defects include absence of parts of the brain, protrusion of nervous tissue through openings in the skull or spine and failure of...

Choline Bitartrate Uses

Choline bitartrate is a salt supplement for natural choline, an essential nutrient for your body. Your body synthesizes choline in small amounts, but the Linus Pauling Institute suggests that you must consume choline in your diet to maintain...

Folic Acid and the Nervous System

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B-9, is essential for nervous system development in a fetus. Babies born to women who don't receive enough folic acid may experience serious birth defects. Eating foods high in folate or taking vitamin supplements...

Healthy Food to Help Brain Development in Early Pregnancy

Human brain development is an incredibly complex process involving a host of different signals from the mother and the developing fetus. Although the fetus is protected to some extent by the placenta, the developing fetal brain is vulnerable to...

Vitamins to Prepare for Pregnancy

For couples attempting to get pregnant, it's important to know which vitamins, minerals and supplements are the most beneficial when preparing for pregnancy and that help to increase your chances of conceiving. Also, many vitamins will help you...

How Is Your Breathing Rate Controlled?

Breathing rate is primarily regulated by neural and chemical mechanisms. Respiration is controlled by spontaneous neural discharge from the brain to nerves that innervate respiratory muscles. The primary respiratory muscle is the diaphragm, which...

Folic Acid in Pregnancy & the RDA

The term folic acid refers to the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate. While folic acid is an important vitamin for everybody, the vitamin is especially vital during pregnancy. Folic acid helps prevent specific birth defects, called neural tube...

Folic Acid and Early Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body requires additional vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to support the development of your growing baby. Vitamins such as folic acid are important in the early stages of pregnancy to help prevent your baby from...

What Are the Benefits of Taking Vitamin B-Complex?

B-complex vitamins include B1, thiamine; B2, riboflavin; B3, niacin; B5, pantothenic acid; B6, pyridoxine; B7, biotin; B9, folate; and B12, cobalamins. Together with vitamin C they are the only water soluble vitamins and are not stored in the...

Why Is Folic Acid Important in Pregnancy?

Folic acid is the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate. Folic acid plays vital roles in DNA synthesis and the division of red blood cells. Because of this, folic acid plays an extremely important role during pregnancy. According to KidsHealth,...

Folic Acid, Nerves and Back Injuries

Folic acid, also called vitamin B-9 is a B-complex vitamin that plays a large role in cell growth and tissue formation. Folic acid is important in the prevention of neural tube defects in babies during early pregnancy. Folic acid is also important...

Should a Woman Who Is Vegan & Pregnant Take Supplements?

Your doctor will generally prescribe a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy whether you are vegan or not, to ensure that the developing fetus receives adequate nutrition. However, being vegan makes this especially important because a diet void of...

Spina Bifida Health Video (Video)

Spina bifida is a birth defect involving the neural tube, resulting in an incomplete formation of the spine. Get expert tips and advice on treating and understanding spina bifida or split spine in this video.