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Monday 10 December 2012

Marmite the 'cure all' spread

Love it, or health it

Marmite is labelled 'cure all' spread by researchers

Spread the word ... Marmite can help the body to fight off bugs like MRSA
Mary Turner 

 
The breakfast staple, famous for its Love It, Or Hate It slogan, is packed with niacin, a nutrient which in high doses increases the body’s ability to fight off staphylococcus bugs like MRSA by 1,000 times, researchers say.

Dr Adrian Gombart from Oregon State University said: “This could give us a new way to treat infections that can be deadly. It’s a way to tap into the power of the innate immune system to provide a more powerful and natural immune system.”

But this isn’t Marmite’s only claim to health fame. Here LYNSEY HAYWOOD looks at what else Marmite can do for you.


BOOSTS BRAINPOWER: Marmite is rich in vitamin B12 and folic acid, which can improve both the short and long-term memory.


brain
Brainy ... Marmite can improve long-term
and short-term memory. alamy

US researchers asked 700 people aged 60 to 74 to take a daily dose of either folic acid and vitamin B12 or a placebo. After two years, those who took the vitamins had better scores on memory tests. 
heart
Hearty ... Marmite contains B1 which helps healing
of tissue after a cardiac arrestAdd caption

HEALS THE HEART: Experts at the University of Bristol found Marmite can help those who have had a heart attack to live longer. It contains vitamin B1, or benfotiamine, which can speed up the healing of heart tissue after a cardiac arrest.

Marmite
Baby booster ... Marmite contains folic acid, essential for expecting mums
HELPS IN PREGNANCY: The Department of Health advises women to take folic acid supplements as soon as they start trying for a baby, and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This can cut the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida in their unborn baby.

But just four slices of toast with Marmite a day could provide your recommended daily allowance of folic acid and save you taking a supplement.


TACKLES ANAEMIA: Iron deficiency is increasingly common, especially in women. Marmite could combat this as it is not only a great source of iron itself but it also contains iodine which helps the body absorb iron.

Iodine also helps burn calories and a lack of it may make you gain weight and feel tired.
Marmite
Hair raising ... Marmite contains riboflavin
which helps stop you losing your locks
PREVENTS HAIR LOSS: The antioxidant riboflavin, another key ingredient, is essential for healthy hair, skin and nails. And a report by Medline Plus found that a deficiency could trigger hair loss.

MAKES SKIN GLOW: An ingredient called thiamin helps your body get the most out of the energy and nutrients in food, which helps keep your skin looking good.
 
Thiamin also helps the digestive system and protects muscle tissue and the nervous system.


BEATS DEPRESSION: Low levels of B vitamins have been linked to stress and depression. Just one serving of Marmite a day will give you 60 per cent of the B vitamins recommended by the Department of Health.


FIGHTS DIABETES: The benfotiamine in Marmite is also a potential new treatment for diabetes. Scientists have found the vitamin can stop glucose building up in blood. Tests on mice show it also reduces potential complications from the disease.

 
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/health/health/4507404/As-Marmite-helps-fight-off-bugs-like-MRSA-we-look-at-benefits-of-the-spread.html