Article with "advice"

Hi.

The word 'advice' is mentioned for the first time in the following sentences.

I have often followed advice given to me by my parents on my tenth birthday.

Concerning the situation in the capital, the ambassador repeated advice given in a previous letter by the prime minister.

Two questions:

1. Is it okay to omit the definite article before the word 'advice' as I have done?

2. Would it be equally correct with the definite article?

I think either is okay. On the one hand, the absence of the definite article means "some advice", which sounds OK. On the other hand, the information that follows makes it definite enough to use the definite article as well (the advice THAT was given). So?

I often see in newspapers: 'The authorities acted on information provided on January 5th'. (No article, but the article would be correct, too, since it's clear what information is referred to = the info provided on Jan 5th).

Thank you for reading and answering.