Not only does March play host to St. Patrick’s Day and the beginning of spring (as well as a now earlier Daylight Savings Time), but it’s also National Nutrition Month. Consumers can consider this another New Year’s by resolving to be healthier. How to start? Just say no to fad diets. Here, we offer a brief history of the worst plans (including low-carb versions that date back to 1825), courtesy of the American Dietetic Association, www.eatright.org.

Can increased levels of Vitamin B12 slow the rate of age-related cognitive decline? A study by the University of Michigan says yes, for at least one ethnic group.

Researchers followed 1,405 older Mexican Americans and found that raised levels of the amino acid homocysteine doubled the risk of dementia such as Alzheimer’s, and increasing levels of Vitamin B12 lowered those levels.

Over 4.5 years of follow-up, 4.4% of study participants developed dementia and 3.9% developed cognitive impairment with no dementia. Elevated homocysteine levels increased the risk of dementia development by 136%.

The conclusion? B12, which can be administered as a supplement, might be more important than other B vitamins when it comes to cognitive health.

The detailed results of this study are published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

We rarely associate health and nutrition with fast food, but at least one chain is changing that mindset.

According to a recent report called the Quick-Track Awards of Excellence by Sandelman & Associates, a San Clemente, Calif.-based market research firm, Subway leads the pack when it comes to providing healthful “fast” foods. In 2006, 55% of diners rated the sub shop “excellent” when it comes to “availability of healthful/nutritious foods.” These same consumers (43%) rated that availability “extremely important” to their selection of fast-food restaurants in 2006, up from 35% in 2001.

Is it any coincidence that “Eat Fresh” is Subway’s slogan?