Although the U.S. spends the most on health care globally, the U.S. death rate is higher than Western Europe and lower income countries like Peru, Chile and Albania. Research funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reports that adult death rates are lowest in Cyprus and Iceland. The most comprehensive study of global mortality to date suggests a widening spread between the highest and lowest premature death rates. The study, published in The Lancet,...Read More
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Although the U.S. spends the most on health care globally, the U.S. death rate is higher than Western Europe and lower income countries like Peru, Chile and Albania. Research funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reports that adult death rates are lowest in Cyprus and Iceland. The most comprehensive study of global mortality to date suggests a widening spread between the highest and lowest premature death rates. The study, published in The Lancet,...Read More
Omega 3 essential fatty acids found in fish consist of biologically active EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Omega 3s have been shown to reduce inflammation and decrease the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Omega 3 DHA is found in spermatozoa membranes. Now research reports that omega 3 DHA supplementation may improve male fertility. The study, published in the Journal of Lipid Research, investigated the effects of DHA supplementation in lab mice....Read More
Researchers have presumed that long-term meditation training was needed to achieve beneficial health effects. Now for the first time research reports that even brief meditation training can reduce pain perception. This positive effect occurred after only three days of mindfulness meditation training for 20 minutes each day. Mindfulness meditation is the non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and actions in the present moment. The study, published in The Journal of Pain, examined the effects of mindfulness meditation...Read More
Previous research suggests that calorie restriction may increase longevity and lower the risk of age-related diseases including atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Cell senescence, the stage in which a cell can no longer replicate, is a major cause of aging. Now research reports that calorie restriction may reduce cell senescence and protect telomeres. Telomeres, located at the tips of DNA chromosomes, are considered biological markers of cell aging. The study, presented at the British Society...Read More
Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is derived from the pith of citrus fruit peels. Previous studies suggest that MCP contains potent galactosyl polysaccharides that bind to cancer cells. Now research reports that MCP may help treat and prevent prostate cancer by blocking cancer cell proliferation. This discovery may help create future MCP therapies to prevent and treat prostate cancer. The study, published in Integrative Cancer Therapies, iinvestigated the effect of MCP on cultured human and mouse...Read More
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 and treatments have limited effectiveness. Now research reports that a combination of a low glycemic diet and protective nutrients may help prevent eye problems such as AMD. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates according to the effect they have on blood sugar...Read More
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disorder that has no cure. The symptoms include tremors, a shuffling walk, muscle stiffness, stooped posture, and a mask-like, expressionless face. Now research reports that low levels of vitamin D can increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Vitamin D is made by the skin on exposure to sunlight. This discovery may help create future therapies to prevent Parkinson's. The study, published in Archives of Neurology, examined whether vitamin D...Read More
Previous studies suggest that meditation can decrease stress and lower blood pressure. Now research reports that mindfulness meditation may benefit diabetics. Mindfulness is a non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and actions in the present moment. Researchers believe that chronic stress and anxiety stimulates stress hormones release, making blood sugar more difficult to control. The pilot study, presented at the 2010 American Diabetes Association Conference, investigated mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in diabetics. The participants practiced self-calming skills and...Read More
Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant found in grape skins and other plant foods like blueberries and nuts. Previous studies suggest that resveratrol has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-aging effects . Now research reports that resveratrol promotes weight loss in primates. During the winter, the grey mouse lemur increases fat storage and gains weight by entering a state of inactivity (torpor). The study found that resveratrol supplementation reduced the lemurs' seasonal weight gain. The study, published in...Read More
Previous studies suggest that phytonutrients found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables have anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Now research reports that PEITC (Phenethylisothiocyanate) compounds derived from cruciferous vegetables may prevent and treat ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation and weakness of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.The ongoing study, published in BMC Chemical Biology, examined PEITC's effects on mice with ulcerative colitis. Researchers at South Dakota State University administered PEO...Read More
A panel of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers recommend the controversial diabetes drug Avandia be allowed to stay on the market. However, the panel advise additional warnings of heart risks and restrictions on use. The FDA usually follows recommendations from its advisory committee and will make the final decision soon. The adviser's recommendation followed their two day review of conflicting data and controversial evidence on Avandia's risks. In 2007, an FDA panel convened about...Read More
Although the U.S. spends the most on health care globally, the U.S. death rate is higher than Western Europe and lower income countries like Peru, Chile and Albania. Research funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reports that adult death rates are lowest in Cyprus and Iceland. The most comprehensive study of global mortality to date suggests a widening spread between the highest and lowest premature death rates. The study, published in The Lancet,...Read More
Published in the August issue of Annals of Surgery, an investigative study assessed the efficacy of folinic acid or interferon alpha to modulate the toxicity of 5-flourouracil and levamisole for 12 months. Folinic acid is the active form of folate.Read More
Omega 3 essential fatty acids found in fish consist of biologically active EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Omega 3s have been shown to reduce inflammation and decrease the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Omega 3 DHA is found in spermatozoa membranes. Now research reports that omega 3 DHA supplementation may improve male fertility. The study, published in the Journal of Lipid Research, investigated the effects of DHA supplementation in lab mice....Read More
Researchers have presumed that long-term meditation training was needed to achieve beneficial health effects. Now for the first time research reports that even brief meditation training can reduce pain perception. This positive effect occurred after only three days of mindfulness meditation training for 20 minutes each day. Mindfulness meditation is the non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and actions in the present moment. The study, published in The Journal of Pain, examined the effects of mindfulness meditation...Read More
Previous research has shown that calcium supplementation alone, and with Vitamin D, can improve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in July investigated the effect, if any, of Vitamin D3 supplementation in African American postmenopausal women who are receiving adequate calcium.Read More
Previous research suggests that calorie restriction may increase longevity and lower the risk of age-related diseases including atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Cell senescence, the stage in which a cell can no longer replicate, is a major cause of aging. Now research reports that calorie restriction may reduce cell senescence and protect telomeres. Telomeres, located at the tips of DNA chromosomes, are considered biological markers of cell aging. The study, presented at the British Society...Read More
An investigative case-controlled study was published in Pediatrics in August 2005 that examined the effect that maternal smoking has on behavioral development and the incidence of hyperkinetic disorders. Read More
Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is derived from the pith of citrus fruit peels. Previous studies suggest that MCP contains potent galactosyl polysaccharides that bind to cancer cells. Now research reports that MCP may help treat and prevent prostate cancer by blocking cancer cell proliferation. This discovery may help create future MCP therapies to prevent and treat prostate cancer. The study, published in Integrative Cancer Therapies, iinvestigated the effect of MCP on cultured human and mouse...Read More
Pediatrics published a study in August that examined the differences in lipid status among adolescent children attending a weight management clinic that were normotensive or hypertensive.Read More
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 and treatments have limited effectiveness. Now research reports that a combination of a low glycemic diet and protective nutrients may help prevent eye problems such as AMD. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates according to the effect they have on blood sugar...Read More
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics in August compared the outcomes of preterm infants given mothers milk to those given donor milk or preterm formula.Read More
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disorder that has no cure. The symptoms include tremors, a shuffling walk, muscle stiffness, stooped posture, and a mask-like, expressionless face. Now research reports that low levels of vitamin D can increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Vitamin D is made by the skin on exposure to sunlight. This discovery may help create future therapies to prevent Parkinson's. The study, published in Archives of Neurology, examined whether vitamin D...Read More
Previous studies suggest that meditation can decrease stress and lower blood pressure. Now research reports that mindfulness meditation may benefit diabetics. Mindfulness is a non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and actions in the present moment. Researchers believe that chronic stress and anxiety stimulates stress hormones release, making blood sugar more difficult to control. The pilot study, presented at the 2010 American Diabetes Association Conference, investigated mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in diabetics. The participants practiced self-calming skills and...Read More
In August, 2005, the Journal of Clinical Nutrition published an original study that compared the effects of a high sucrose diet to one high in artificial sweeteners on the levels of inflammatory markers in the blood.Read More
Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant found in grape skins and other plant foods like blueberries and nuts. Previous studies suggest that resveratrol has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-aging effects . Now research reports that resveratrol promotes weight loss in primates. During the winter, the grey mouse lemur increases fat storage and gains weight by entering a state of inactivity (torpor). The study found that resveratrol supplementation reduced the lemurs' seasonal weight gain. The study, published in...Read More
Many studies have documented the effects of Crohn's disease on growth, development, and nutritional status. The effects of Crohn's disease on lean mass and fat mass in children had not been studied until a recent publication in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.Read More
Elevated levels of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides) in the blood increase the risk of cardiovascular disease including atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease is due to increased deposition of calcium on the artery wall combined with plaque build up. Small-uncontrolled trials have presented evidence that lowering lipids in the blood may decrease the progression of coronary artery calcification.Read More
Previous studies suggest that phytonutrients found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables have anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Now research reports that PEITC (Phenethylisothiocyanate) compounds derived from cruciferous vegetables may prevent and treat ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation and weakness of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.The ongoing study, published in BMC Chemical Biology, examined PEITC's effects on mice with ulcerative colitis. Researchers at South Dakota State University administered PEO...Read More
A study published this year by the Journal of Thailand Medical Association documented the effects of fish oil consumption on serum indices of cardiovascular disease.Read More
A panel of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers recommend the controversial diabetes drug Avandia be allowed to stay on the market. However, the panel advise additional warnings of heart risks and restrictions on use. The FDA usually follows recommendations from its advisory committee and will make the final decision soon. The adviser's recommendation followed their two day review of conflicting data and controversial evidence on Avandia's risks. In 2007, an FDA panel convened about...Read More
