Community practitioner : the journal of the Community Practitioners' & Health Visitors' Association
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An average of six babies die unexpectedly each week. Sudden infant death syndrome is the predominant cause but many deaths are recorded as unascertained. Medical experts continue to research the causes of these infant deaths, and advice to parents is constantly being evaluated and revised in an attempt to reduce the numbers even further. ⋯ Three main areas were studied because of their relevance to bed-sharing and sudden infant death syndrome. These were sleep position, smoking and alcohol consumption and breastfeeding. Recent concerns highlighting sofa sleeping are also considered.
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Many studies have suggested that elevated homocysteine levels are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Lower levels of the three water-soluble vitamins--folate (folic acid), vitamin B6 and vitamin B12--are primary determinants of high blood homocysteine levels. In the fourth of an occasional series on vitamins, minerals and supplements, June Thompson looks at the role folate, in particular, may play in reducing homocysteine in the body and in protecting the body from some other diseases.