Previous studies suggest that oats may help prevent heart diseases like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by lowering blood cholesterol. Oats contain potent anti-inflammatory compounds called avenanthramides. Now research reports avenanthramides reduce inflammatory molecules such as inflammatory cytokines. This finding suggests that oats may also prevent heart disease by lowering inflammation in the arteries. The study, published in Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine, investigated avenanthramide's molecular mechanism of action. Researchers at the Jean Mayer...Read More
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Previous studies suggest that oats may help prevent heart diseases like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by lowering blood cholesterol. Oats contain potent anti-inflammatory compounds called avenanthramides. Now research reports avenanthramides reduce inflammatory molecules such as inflammatory cytokines. This finding suggests that oats may also prevent heart disease by lowering inflammation in the arteries. The study, published in Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine, investigated avenanthramide's molecular mechanism of action. Researchers at the Jean Mayer...Read More
DNA repair involves multiple processes in which cell proteins correct damage to the cell's DNA molecules. DNA, found in the nuclei of cells, contains the genetic information required to duplicate and maintain life. If DNA is not repaired correctly, it can lead to mutation and increase cancer risk. Now research reports that vitamin and calcium supplements may promote DNA repair and lower the risk of breast cancer. This finding may help provide a way to...Read More
A kidney stone is a small, solid mass of minerals that forms in the kidney. Kidney stones (nephroliithiasis) can be a painful condition, rarely found in children. However, new research reports that kidney stone formation is increasing in South Carolina children. Experts believe that antibiotic over-use, high salt intake and obesity may be among the possible causes for the rising rate of kidney stone formation in children. The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics,...Read More
Alzheimer's disease occurs in older adults and causes memory loss, confusion and eventually death. Now research reports that a variation of gene MTHFD1L is linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The same gene variation has also been associated with high levels of homocysteine (a toxic amino acid that can damage blood vessels). Previous studies suggest that high levels of homocysteine is linked with twice the risk of Alzheimer's disease. This discovery may help...Read More
Sarcopenia is muscle loss due to aging. Muscle loss typically begins in middle-age and accelerates after age 75. Now researchers have found that free radicals (toxic byproducts of metabolic functions) damage mitochondria in muscle cells, helping cause age-related muscle loss. The mitochondria is the cell's energy powerhouse, converting energy from food molecules into ATP energy for cell functions. This discovery may provide future drug therapies to prevent and treat age-related muscle loss. The study, published...Read More
Approximately half of all people over the age of 50 suffer from the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in the soft tissues around the anus or inside the lower rectum. Now research reports that pycnogenol can help treat and prevent hemorrhoid symptoms like pain and bleeding. Pycnogenol, derived from French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster), contains potent antioxidant flavonoids called proanthocyanidins (PCOs). The study, published in Phytotherapy Research, investigated...Read More
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is spread through sexual contact and can cause cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells on the female cervix), a pre-cancerous condition. If left untreated, cervical dysplasia may progress to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Now research reports that vitamins may lower the risk of cervical dysplasia in HPV positive women. The study, published in the International Journal of Gynecologic Cancers, investigated the effects of vitamin supplements...Read More
Internationally, millions of dollars were spent last year to provide seasonal and swine flu vaccinations to priority groups. Healthcare workers are one of the priority groups targeted for mass flu shots. Now research reports that flu shots for healthcare workers were ineffective in preventing flu among elderly nursing home residents. The study was conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration, a non-profit group that reviews scientific evidence for medical treatments, The review, published in Cochrane Database of...Read More
Many of our important bodily functions are regulated by an internal biological clock (or circadian rhythm). Our internal biological clock regulates our sleep cycle. The disruption of circadian rhythms have been linked with accelerated aging and age-related diseases. Now research reports that a regular sleep cycle combats aging and promotes youthfulness. Earlier death and health problems are linked to the biological clock regulating the sleep cycle. The study, published in Aging, investigated the effects of...Read More
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is most often caused by long-term smoking. Now research reports that a high fiber diet may lower the risk of COPD. Whole foods like oats, cereals, apples, citrus fruits, strawberries, nuts, seeds and lentils are high in fiber. Previous studies show that a high fiber diet can reduce inflammation and promote immunity. The study, published in the American Journal of...Read More
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation in the joints, leading to chronic pain, deformities and disability. Rheumatoid arthritis affects women more frequently than men. Now research reports that low sun exposure and vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D is made by the skin on exposure to sunlight. More than half of Americans are vitamin D deficient. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, investigated the...Read More
Pycnogenol, derived from French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster), contains potent flavonoids called proanthocyanidins (PCOs). Pycnogenol has significant antioxidant benefits that may prevent cell damage, promote heart health and boost immunity. Now research reports that pycnogenol can help relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, low sex drive and menstrual problems. This discovery may provide a hormone-free alternative for managing menopause symptoms. The study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, investigated the effect...Read More
Bilberries (a fruit related to blueberries) are rich in flavonoid antioxidants including anthocyanins and flavonols. Previous studies suggest that these flavonoids may promote vision and brain health. Now research reports that bilberries can lower blood glucose (sugar) levels and diabetes risk. The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, examined the therapeutic effects of bilberries on glucose and fat metabolism in diabetic mice. Researchers at Chubu University in Japan administered a diet with or without...Read More
Previous studies suggest that oats may help prevent heart diseases like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by lowering blood cholesterol. Oats contain potent anti-inflammatory compounds called avenanthramides. Now research reports avenanthramides reduce inflammatory molecules such as inflammatory cytokines. This finding suggests that oats may also prevent heart disease by lowering inflammation in the arteries. The study, published in Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine, investigated avenanthramide's molecular mechanism of action. Researchers at the Jean Mayer...Read More
DNA repair involves multiple processes in which cell proteins correct damage to the cell's DNA molecules. DNA, found in the nuclei of cells, contains the genetic information required to duplicate and maintain life. If DNA is not repaired correctly, it can lead to mutation and increase cancer risk. Now research reports that vitamin and calcium supplements may promote DNA repair and lower the risk of breast cancer. This finding may help provide a way to...Read More
A kidney stone is a small, solid mass of minerals that forms in the kidney. Kidney stones (nephroliithiasis) can be a painful condition, rarely found in children. However, new research reports that kidney stone formation is increasing in South Carolina children. Experts believe that antibiotic over-use, high salt intake and obesity may be among the possible causes for the rising rate of kidney stone formation in children. The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics,...Read More
Alzheimer's disease occurs in older adults and causes memory loss, confusion and eventually death. Now research reports that a variation of gene MTHFD1L is linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The same gene variation has also been associated with high levels of homocysteine (a toxic amino acid that can damage blood vessels). Previous studies suggest that high levels of homocysteine is linked with twice the risk of Alzheimer's disease. This discovery may help...Read More
Previous studies have suggested that there may be a negative association between meal frequency and body weight. However, newer research reports that regular mealtimes may help prevent obesity, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease.Read More
Sarcopenia is muscle loss due to aging. Muscle loss typically begins in middle-age and accelerates after age 75. Now researchers have found that free radicals (toxic byproducts of metabolic functions) damage mitochondria in muscle cells, helping cause age-related muscle loss. The mitochondria is the cell's energy powerhouse, converting energy from food molecules into ATP energy for cell functions. This discovery may provide future drug therapies to prevent and treat age-related muscle loss. The study, published...Read More
Previous research suggests that functional foods may help prevent osteoporosis, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Now, a recent review has found that functional foods such as dietary fats (medium-chain triacylglycerol or diacylglycerols), teas, milk, and nuts, and their equivalent nutraceuticals, may promote weight control.Read More
Approximately half of all people over the age of 50 suffer from the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in the soft tissues around the anus or inside the lower rectum. Now research reports that pycnogenol can help treat and prevent hemorrhoid symptoms like pain and bleeding. Pycnogenol, derived from French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster), contains potent antioxidant flavonoids called proanthocyanidins (PCOs). The study, published in Phytotherapy Research, investigated...Read More
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is spread through sexual contact and can cause cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells on the female cervix), a pre-cancerous condition. If left untreated, cervical dysplasia may progress to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Now research reports that vitamins may lower the risk of cervical dysplasia in HPV positive women. The study, published in the International Journal of Gynecologic Cancers, investigated the effects of vitamin supplements...Read More
A previous study has reported that the effect of isoflavones alone on cholesterol is unclear (J Nutr,134:1759-64, 2004). Now research reports that red clover-derived isoflavone enriched with biochanin may lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol in men.Read More
Internationally, millions of dollars were spent last year to provide seasonal and swine flu vaccinations to priority groups. Healthcare workers are one of the priority groups targeted for mass flu shots. Now research reports that flu shots for healthcare workers were ineffective in preventing flu among elderly nursing home residents. The study was conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration, a non-profit group that reviews scientific evidence for medical treatments, The review, published in Cochrane Database of...Read More
Many of our important bodily functions are regulated by an internal biological clock (or circadian rhythm). Our internal biological clock regulates our sleep cycle. The disruption of circadian rhythms have been linked with accelerated aging and age-related diseases. Now research reports that a regular sleep cycle combats aging and promotes youthfulness. Earlier death and health problems are linked to the biological clock regulating the sleep cycle. The study, published in Aging, investigated the effects of...Read More
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2005;294(1):97-104) indicates that moderate to high coffee consumption may reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus.Read More
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is most often caused by long-term smoking. Now research reports that a high fiber diet may lower the risk of COPD. Whole foods like oats, cereals, apples, citrus fruits, strawberries, nuts, seeds and lentils are high in fiber. Previous studies show that a high fiber diet can reduce inflammation and promote immunity. The study, published in the American Journal of...Read More
Lycopene has been recognized as a preventative phytochemical for prostate cancer. Men have been encouraged to eat tomato products regularly to reduce their risk of developing cancer of the prostate gland. A new study shows that lycopene may also be beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Read More
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation in the joints, leading to chronic pain, deformities and disability. Rheumatoid arthritis affects women more frequently than men. Now research reports that low sun exposure and vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D is made by the skin on exposure to sunlight. More than half of Americans are vitamin D deficient. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, investigated the...Read More
Pycnogenol, derived from French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster), contains potent flavonoids called proanthocyanidins (PCOs). Pycnogenol has significant antioxidant benefits that may prevent cell damage, promote heart health and boost immunity. Now research reports that pycnogenol can help relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, low sex drive and menstrual problems. This discovery may provide a hormone-free alternative for managing menopause symptoms. The study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, investigated the effect...Read More
This study, presented at the May 21-26, 2005 annual meeting of the American Urological Association in San Antonio, Texas, investigated whether body mass index (BMI) is a predictor of prostate cancer (CaP).Read More
Recent data suggests that drug treatment has been increasing for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), an early-onset behavioral condition characterized by a poor attention span and hyperactivity. Now a review finds that alternative therapies including iron and herbal supplementation, diet, and neurofeedback are effective additions to ADHD treatment.Read More
Bilberries (a fruit related to blueberries) are rich in flavonoid antioxidants including anthocyanins and flavonols. Previous studies suggest that these flavonoids may promote vision and brain health. Now research reports that bilberries can lower blood glucose (sugar) levels and diabetes risk. The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, examined the therapeutic effects of bilberries on glucose and fat metabolism in diabetic mice. Researchers at Chubu University in Japan administered a diet with or without...Read More
