Retinoid forms of vitamin A including retinol and RA (retinoic acid) are used to treat skin disorders including acne, wrinkles and certain cancers. RA is an essential molecule for bone and tissue development, cell regulation and other biological processes. Now research reports that an enzyme associated with fat synthesis is also linked to RA levels in the skin. These results may have important implications for the treatment of skin and hair disorders. The study, published...Read More
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Retinoid forms of vitamin A including retinol and RA (retinoic acid) are used to treat skin disorders including acne, wrinkles and certain cancers. RA is an essential molecule for bone and tissue development, cell regulation and other biological processes. Now research reports that an enzyme associated with fat synthesis is also linked to RA levels in the skin. These results may have important implications for the treatment of skin and hair disorders. The study, published...Read More
Traditional Chinese acupuncture employs needles to move the vital life force (called chi) to treat chronic pain. However, some studies suggest that sham acupuncture is as effective as acupuncture in relieving pain. Sham or fake acupuncture is when a control group receives needles placed in spots that are not used in real acupuncture. Now research reports that Chinese acupuncture regulated the brain's opioid pain receptors in fibromyalgia patients. Fibromyalgia syndrome is characterized by persistent fatigue...Read More
An earlier study done by researchers at Bonn and Dusseldorf Universities found the first hair loss gene inherited through the maternal X-chromosome. This discovery helped explain the similarity in hair loss between men and their maternal grandfathers. Now a study conducted by the same research teams at Bonn and Dusseldorf Universities report a second hair loss gene has been discovered. This new gene may explain the similarity of hair growth between a man and his...Read More
Previous studies suggest that infection with genital herpes (herpes simplex virus-2 or HSV-2) can increase the risk for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection even after the skin lesions have healed. Some studies found that treatment of genital herpes with the drug acyclovir does not lower this risk. Now new research examines the HSV-2 immune cells that are conducive to HIV infection even after they've been treated with the drug acyclovir. The study, published in Nature...Read More
Previous research suggests that the hormone leptin helps regulate body weight and appetite. Leptin is produced in fat cells and is known to produce feelings of satiety (fullness). Now research reports that leptin also influences the motivation to eat, regardless of hunger. For the first time, leptin-responsive (LepRb) neurons have been found in the brain's lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). The LepRb neurons feed into the dopamine system located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of...Read More
It's been reported that following surgery, some elderly patients develop permanent Alzheimer's-like memory loss. Research suggests that anesthesia during surgery may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, the studies did not use animals or people genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's disease or with brain beta amyloid. Oxygen treatment (known as hypoxia) is commonly administered during or after surgery. Now research reports that oxygen treatment triggered memory loss in mice genetically altered to develop Alzheimer's-like memory loss...Read More
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), two-thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese, and the average American adult is 23 pounds overweight, Obesity is not only a health problem, it is also a societal problem. Health economists have warned that rising healthcare costs are associated with the obesity epidemic. Now research reports that health spending for obesity is double what it was a decade ago. The study, published in Health...Read More
Research shows that over 2 million children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are being treated with stimulant drugs. Furthermore, stimulant prescriptions for teens with ADHD rose 86% in the past eight years. Experts are concerned that ADHD drugs are being over prescribed. Now research reports that stimulant ADHD drug abuse among teens rose by 76%. The study, published in Pediatrics, examined ADHD medication abuse among teens from 1988-2005. Researchers at the Cincinatti Children's Hospital Medical Center...Read More
The U.S. and the Western world are in the midst of a spreading obesity epidemic. In Western societies, obesity and heart disease are directly related to lower socioeconomic status. Now research reorts that social stress may cause the body to deposit more fat in the abdomen. This increases the harmful buildup of plaque in the blood vessels, leading to heart disease. The animal study, published in Obesity, investigated the effects of low social status on the development...Read More
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative type of arthritis that develops over time, leading to chronic pain and disability. Previous studies, such as the GAIT (Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial) study, suggest that a combination of chondroitin and glucosamine promote joint health and relieve joint pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin are made up of gylcosaminoglycans (GAGs), specialized molecules found in cartilage that cushion, repair and lubricate the joints. Now research reports that supplementing with chondroitin sulfate for two years...Read More
The top five healthy lifestyle habits include a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity, moderate alcohol use and not smoking. These lifestyle habits are associated with a lower risk of chronic disease including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Now research reports that adults practicing healthy lifestyle habits are few and the numbers are declining.The study, published in The American Journal of Medicine, examined the healthy lifestyle habits...Read More
Although overall cancer rates are falling, thyroid cancer incidence has been rising. For the past three decades, studies have shown that thyroid cancer rates are increasing about 6% a year. More aggressive screening may be one explanation for the rise. Now research conducted at the American Cancer Society reports that the rise may be due to other factors including radiation exposure, obesity and diet. The study, published in the journal Cancer, evaluated thyroid cancer incidence between...Read More
Previous studies suggest that increased fiber intake is linked with lower levels of CRP (C-reactive protein). CRP is an amino acid that, when elevated in the blood, is a biomarker for inflammation. Inflammation is associated with many chronic conditions including heart disease, GI problems (including hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome), obesity, and aging. Now a review of seven clinical trials found that all trials except one study of psyllium fiber were associated with lowering CRP...Read More
The FDA Advisory Committee recently recommended new restrictions on acetaminophen. This popular pain killer is found in many prescription drugs and over the counter (OTC) products including Tylenol, Excedrin and cold medicines. The FDA recommendation followed the release of a report finding severe liver damage and death can result from acetaminophen-related overdoses. Consumers may exceed the recommended acetaminophen dose accidentally since it's present in so many products. According to the FDA, acetaminophen combined with hydrocodone is...Read More
Retinoid forms of vitamin A including retinol and RA (retinoic acid) are used to treat skin disorders including acne, wrinkles and certain cancers. RA is an essential molecule for bone and tissue development, cell regulation and other biological processes. Now research reports that an enzyme associated with fat synthesis is also linked to RA levels in the skin. These results may have important implications for the treatment of skin and hair disorders. The study, published...Read More
Traditional Chinese acupuncture employs needles to move the vital life force (called chi) to treat chronic pain. However, some studies suggest that sham acupuncture is as effective as acupuncture in relieving pain. Sham or fake acupuncture is when a control group receives needles placed in spots that are not used in real acupuncture. Now research reports that Chinese acupuncture regulated the brain's opioid pain receptors in fibromyalgia patients. Fibromyalgia syndrome is characterized by persistent fatigue...Read More
An earlier study done by researchers at Bonn and Dusseldorf Universities found the first hair loss gene inherited through the maternal X-chromosome. This discovery helped explain the similarity in hair loss between men and their maternal grandfathers. Now a study conducted by the same research teams at Bonn and Dusseldorf Universities report a second hair loss gene has been discovered. This new gene may explain the similarity of hair growth between a man and his...Read More
Previous studies suggest that infection with genital herpes (herpes simplex virus-2 or HSV-2) can increase the risk for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection even after the skin lesions have healed. Some studies found that treatment of genital herpes with the drug acyclovir does not lower this risk. Now new research examines the HSV-2 immune cells that are conducive to HIV infection even after they've been treated with the drug acyclovir. The study, published in Nature...Read More
Previous research suggests that the hormone leptin helps regulate body weight and appetite. Leptin is produced in fat cells and is known to produce feelings of satiety (fullness). Now research reports that leptin also influences the motivation to eat, regardless of hunger. For the first time, leptin-responsive (LepRb) neurons have been found in the brain's lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). The LepRb neurons feed into the dopamine system located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of...Read More
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (November 2004 80(5):1299-1307) shows in women who are pregnant, both zinc and B-carotene are necessary for proper levels of Vitamin A.Read More
It's been reported that following surgery, some elderly patients develop permanent Alzheimer's-like memory loss. Research suggests that anesthesia during surgery may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, the studies did not use animals or people genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's disease or with brain beta amyloid. Oxygen treatment (known as hypoxia) is commonly administered during or after surgery. Now research reports that oxygen treatment triggered memory loss in mice genetically altered to develop Alzheimer's-like memory loss...Read More
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (November 2004 80(5):1358-1365) shows that high calcium intake from supplements reduces the risk of cancer of the distal colon and rectum.Read More
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), two-thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese, and the average American adult is 23 pounds overweight, Obesity is not only a health problem, it is also a societal problem. Health economists have warned that rising healthcare costs are associated with the obesity epidemic. Now research reports that health spending for obesity is double what it was a decade ago. The study, published in Health...Read More
Research shows that over 2 million children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are being treated with stimulant drugs. Furthermore, stimulant prescriptions for teens with ADHD rose 86% in the past eight years. Experts are concerned that ADHD drugs are being over prescribed. Now research reports that stimulant ADHD drug abuse among teens rose by 76%. The study, published in Pediatrics, examined ADHD medication abuse among teens from 1988-2005. Researchers at the Cincinatti Children's Hospital Medical Center...Read More
The U.S. and the Western world are in the midst of a spreading obesity epidemic. In Western societies, obesity and heart disease are directly related to lower socioeconomic status. Now research reorts that social stress may cause the body to deposit more fat in the abdomen. This increases the harmful buildup of plaque in the blood vessels, leading to heart disease. The animal study, published in Obesity, investigated the effects of low social status on the development...Read More
Previous research has suggested that Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a naturally-occurring compound of the Brassica genus of vegetables (such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts), may have anticancer benefits. Research reports that I3C may, in fact, protect against breast cancer.Read More
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative type of arthritis that develops over time, leading to chronic pain and disability. Previous studies, such as the GAIT (Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial) study, suggest that a combination of chondroitin and glucosamine promote joint health and relieve joint pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin are made up of gylcosaminoglycans (GAGs), specialized molecules found in cartilage that cushion, repair and lubricate the joints. Now research reports that supplementing with chondroitin sulfate for two years...Read More
The top five healthy lifestyle habits include a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity, moderate alcohol use and not smoking. These lifestyle habits are associated with a lower risk of chronic disease including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Now research reports that adults practicing healthy lifestyle habits are few and the numbers are declining.The study, published in The American Journal of Medicine, examined the healthy lifestyle habits...Read More
Although overall cancer rates are falling, thyroid cancer incidence has been rising. For the past three decades, studies have shown that thyroid cancer rates are increasing about 6% a year. More aggressive screening may be one explanation for the rise. Now research conducted at the American Cancer Society reports that the rise may be due to other factors including radiation exposure, obesity and diet. The study, published in the journal Cancer, evaluated thyroid cancer incidence between...Read More
Previous studies suggest that increased fiber intake is linked with lower levels of CRP (C-reactive protein). CRP is an amino acid that, when elevated in the blood, is a biomarker for inflammation. Inflammation is associated with many chronic conditions including heart disease, GI problems (including hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome), obesity, and aging. Now a review of seven clinical trials found that all trials except one study of psyllium fiber were associated with lowering CRP...Read More
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (January 2005 81(1):168-174) shows that teenage girls who take calcium supplements for only a year can effect increases in bone mineral density for years afterward.Read More
The FDA Advisory Committee recently recommended new restrictions on acetaminophen. This popular pain killer is found in many prescription drugs and over the counter (OTC) products including Tylenol, Excedrin and cold medicines. The FDA recommendation followed the release of a report finding severe liver damage and death can result from acetaminophen-related overdoses. Consumers may exceed the recommended acetaminophen dose accidentally since it's present in so many products. According to the FDA, acetaminophen combined with hydrocodone is...Read More
Previous research has shown that soy may lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, and prevent certain cancers. Now research reports that soy may also reduce the risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining).Read More
The study, published in Nutrition Research (2004, vol. 24, no. 5), investigated smoking's effect on plasma vitamin C and vitamin E concentrations on LDL oxidation susceptibility.Read More
