Creatine has been used for many years as a supplement to improve exercise performance and increase muscle mass in healthy individuals. A study published in Thorax this July investigated the effects of creatine supplementation on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).Read More
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Lectins are sugar-binding plant proteins that can identify and attach to pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. This binding effect can stop reactions that lead to infection. Now research reports that the lectin BanLec found in bananas can block the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This discovery may provide a future vaginal microbicide treatment to prevent HIV infection. The in vitro study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, investigated BanLec's effect on HIV...Read More
The 2010 "Sleep in America" poll released by the National Sleep Foundation reports that most American adults, regardless of ethnicity, are sleep-deprived. Sleep experts recommend that adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night for good health and optimum performance, yet many get considerably less. Inadequate sleep is linked with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Experts attribute the epidemic proportions of this problem to our 24/7 society,...Read More
Breast cancer hormone therapy such as aromatase inhibitor treatment can cause side effects such as joint pain and stiffness. The joint symptoms can become so severe that it may lead to discontinuation of the treatment. Now for the first time research reports that acupuncture can help relieve joint pain and stiffness in breast cancer patients being treated with hormone therapies. The randomized, controlled, blinded study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, investigated whether acupuncture...Read More
Research suggests that obesity may adversely affect a man's fertility. Sperm motility, the percentage of spermatozoa moving actively forward, is used to predict fertility. Now research reports that obesity is linked with lower sperm motility. The study also found that obese men had lower levels of NAG (neutral alpha-glucosidase), an enzyme secreted into the epididymis. The epididymis is a duct of the testis,where sperm mature and acquire motility. Low levels of NAG suggests poor epididymis...Read More
Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of many diseases including osteoporosis, some cancers, heart disease, depression and inflammatory conditions. Vitamin D is made by the skin on exposure to sunlight. More than half of Americans are vitamin D deficient. Now research reports that vitamin D plays an important role in activating immunity against infections. This discovery may help create new therapies to fight infectious diseases and epidemics. The study, published in Nature Immunology, investigated...Read More
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, causes chronic inflammation and weakness of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract. Now research reports that blueberries eaten with or without probiotics can reduce GI inflammation and treat IBD. Blueberries are rich in disease-fighting antioxidants and fiber. Probiotics such as acidophilus and bacillus are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora. Probiotics are known to promote GI health and immunity. The study, published in the Scandinavian...Read More
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are known to reduce oxidative stress (damage caused by toxic free radicals) and have anti-inflammatory effects. Omega 3s consist of biologically active EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Telomeres, located at the tips of DNA chromosomes, shorten with aging and oxidative stress. Now research reports that high omega 3 DHA and EPA levels may slow aging in heart disease patients. This suggests that omega 3s may protect...Read More
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of functional impairments. High blood cholesterol can build-up cholesterol-filled plaque (atherosclerosis) in blood vessels and cause strokes. Previous studies suggest that niacin or vitamin B3 can increase HDL ("good") cholesterol and reduce plaque in arteries. Now research reports that niacin may help restore neurological function after stroke. These results may have important implications for human brain research. The study was...Read More
Patients with chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease often experience anxiety about their condition. However, prescription drugs for anxiety may cause serious side effects. Now research reports that exercise can relieve anxiety in patients with chronic illness. This finding suggests that exercise may provide a low-cost and effective treatment for anxiety without using medications that can cause adverse effects. The review, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, examined the effects of exercise on...Read More
The Mediterranean spice saffron is rich in potent carotenoids including crocin and safranal. Previous studies suggest that saffron may have antitumor and antioxidant effects. Now breakthrough research reports that saffron may help treat and prevent eye problems such as macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of age-related permanent vision loss. The macula, a small area of the eye's retina, deteriorates in AMD, causing blindness. There is no cure for AMD...Read More
New research reports that high altitudes may cause weight loss in obese people. The obese participants did not go on a diet or exercise more. However, at high altitudes the obese participants had increased metabolisms and levels of leptin, causing them to naturally eat less. Gut hormones such as leptin are known to produce feelings of satiety (fullness). The study, published in the journal Obesity, examined the effect of a low-oxygen environment (hypobaric hypoxia) at...Read More
Probiotics such as acidophilus and bacillus are beneficial bacteria found in the gut (intestines). Probiotics are known to help support GI (gastrointestinal) health and immunity. Now for the first time research reports that gut bacteria of diabetics differs from non-diabetics. This discovery may provide new therapies for modifying gut bacteria with probiotics to help manage diabetes. The study, published in PLoS One, examined the differences between gut bacterial microflora in diabetic and non-diabetic people. Researchers at...Read More
Lectins are sugar-binding plant proteins that can identify and attach to pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. This binding effect can stop reactions that lead to infection. Now research reports that the lectin BanLec found in bananas can block the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This discovery may provide a future vaginal microbicide treatment to prevent HIV infection. The in vitro study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, investigated BanLec's effect on HIV...Read More
A recent study published in the Journal of the Indian Medical Association investigated the effects of yoga on birth outcome in women who had abnormal findings on Doppler ultrasound of the umbilical vessels.Read More
The 2010 "Sleep in America" poll released by the National Sleep Foundation reports that most American adults, regardless of ethnicity, are sleep-deprived. Sleep experts recommend that adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night for good health and optimum performance, yet many get considerably less. Inadequate sleep is linked with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Experts attribute the epidemic proportions of this problem to our 24/7 society,...Read More
Breast cancer hormone therapy such as aromatase inhibitor treatment can cause side effects such as joint pain and stiffness. The joint symptoms can become so severe that it may lead to discontinuation of the treatment. Now for the first time research reports that acupuncture can help relieve joint pain and stiffness in breast cancer patients being treated with hormone therapies. The randomized, controlled, blinded study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, investigated whether acupuncture...Read More
Research suggests that obesity may adversely affect a man's fertility. Sperm motility, the percentage of spermatozoa moving actively forward, is used to predict fertility. Now research reports that obesity is linked with lower sperm motility. The study also found that obese men had lower levels of NAG (neutral alpha-glucosidase), an enzyme secreted into the epididymis. The epididymis is a duct of the testis,where sperm mature and acquire motility. Low levels of NAG suggests poor epididymis...Read More
A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2004;10(6):1033-1039) shows that administration of a multivitamin/mineral supplement may be beneficial in autistic children.Read More
Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of many diseases including osteoporosis, some cancers, heart disease, depression and inflammatory conditions. Vitamin D is made by the skin on exposure to sunlight. More than half of Americans are vitamin D deficient. Now research reports that vitamin D plays an important role in activating immunity against infections. This discovery may help create new therapies to fight infectious diseases and epidemics. The study, published in Nature Immunology, investigated...Read More
A review article published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2004;10(6):1067-1075) concludes that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, especially pharmaceutical grade fish oil, may be a viable treatment modality and/or adjunct therapy in treating the airway hyperresponsiveness found in asthmatics.Read More
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, causes chronic inflammation and weakness of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract. Now research reports that blueberries eaten with or without probiotics can reduce GI inflammation and treat IBD. Blueberries are rich in disease-fighting antioxidants and fiber. Probiotics such as acidophilus and bacillus are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora. Probiotics are known to promote GI health and immunity. The study, published in the Scandinavian...Read More
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are known to reduce oxidative stress (damage caused by toxic free radicals) and have anti-inflammatory effects. Omega 3s consist of biologically active EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Telomeres, located at the tips of DNA chromosomes, shorten with aging and oxidative stress. Now research reports that high omega 3 DHA and EPA levels may slow aging in heart disease patients. This suggests that omega 3s may protect...Read More
Researchers conducted a randomized double-blind trial to investigate their hypothesis and check the effect of zinc supplementation on growth and morbidity.Read More
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of functional impairments. High blood cholesterol can build-up cholesterol-filled plaque (atherosclerosis) in blood vessels and cause strokes. Previous studies suggest that niacin or vitamin B3 can increase HDL ("good") cholesterol and reduce plaque in arteries. Now research reports that niacin may help restore neurological function after stroke. These results may have important implications for human brain research. The study was...Read More
Patients with chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease often experience anxiety about their condition. However, prescription drugs for anxiety may cause serious side effects. Now research reports that exercise can relieve anxiety in patients with chronic illness. This finding suggests that exercise may provide a low-cost and effective treatment for anxiety without using medications that can cause adverse effects. The review, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, examined the effects of exercise on...Read More
The Mediterranean spice saffron is rich in potent carotenoids including crocin and safranal. Previous studies suggest that saffron may have antitumor and antioxidant effects. Now breakthrough research reports that saffron may help treat and prevent eye problems such as macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of age-related permanent vision loss. The macula, a small area of the eye's retina, deteriorates in AMD, causing blindness. There is no cure for AMD...Read More
Previous research has found that the B-complex vitamin, folate (also called folic acid), may lower levels of homocysteine (a metabolite that can damage blood vessels) and improve blood flow. Interestingly, recent study reports that supplementation with folate may also reduce the risk of heart attacks.Read More
New research reports that high altitudes may cause weight loss in obese people. The obese participants did not go on a diet or exercise more. However, at high altitudes the obese participants had increased metabolisms and levels of leptin, causing them to naturally eat less. Gut hormones such as leptin are known to produce feelings of satiety (fullness). The study, published in the journal Obesity, examined the effect of a low-oxygen environment (hypobaric hypoxia) at...Read More
Previous research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and soy oils, may reduce inflammation and the risk of sudden cardiac death. Research now reports that daily supplementation with fish or soy oil may indeed improve heart health.Read More
Previous research has shown that flavanol antioxidants, a class of polyphenols found in chocolate, fruits, vegetables, red wine, and green tea, may contribute to heart health and boost immunity. Now a study reports that daily supplementation with antioxidant-rich dark chocolate may reduce the risk of hypertension and diabetes.Read More
Probiotics such as acidophilus and bacillus are beneficial bacteria found in the gut (intestines). Probiotics are known to help support GI (gastrointestinal) health and immunity. Now for the first time research reports that gut bacteria of diabetics differs from non-diabetics. This discovery may provide new therapies for modifying gut bacteria with probiotics to help manage diabetes. The study, published in PLoS One, examined the differences between gut bacterial microflora in diabetic and non-diabetic people. Researchers at...Read More
