Researchers at the University of Texas investigated 3 metabolic interactions with plant stanol esters and cholesterol.Read More
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Green tea, rich in antioxidant catechins such as EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), can help prevent inflammation, cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases. Now research reports that green tea catechins may help prevent eye diseases. Previous studies suggest that oxidative stress (damage caused by free radicals) is a major factor involved in eye diseases such as cataract and glaucoma. Antioxidants such as those found in green tea neutralize harmful free radicals (toxic byproducts of metabolic functions) and...Read More
Here's some good news for young men with early hair loss. Recent research reports that hair loss in young men is linked with a lower risk of prostate cancer. Male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is believed to be due to the damaging effects of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT is a potent androgen in hair follicles and is derived directly from the male hormone testosterone. DHT is also an important component in prostate cell...Read More
Exercise is recommended for all age groups as part of a healthy lifestyle to support optimum wellness and prevent obesity. Current exercise guidelines recommend a half hour of exercise five days week. Many adults gain an average of 16 pounds of body weight between the ages of 25 to 54. Now research reports that at least an hour of exercise daily is needed to prevent middle-aged weight gain. The study also found that overweight women...Read More
Previous studies suggest that dietary calcium can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose (blood sugar), Calcium can also help reduce the risk of certain cancers such as colorectal cancer. Now research reports that high calcium intake (up to 2,000 mg daily) can decrease multiple causes of death (mortality). The US Recommended Daily Allowance of calcium is 1,000 to 1,200 mg. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, investigated whether dietary calcium and magnesium...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
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
Green tea, rich in antioxidant catechins such as EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), can help prevent inflammation, cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases. Now research reports that green tea catechins may help prevent eye diseases. Previous studies suggest that oxidative stress (damage caused by free radicals) is a major factor involved in eye diseases such as cataract and glaucoma. Antioxidants such as those found in green tea neutralize harmful free radicals (toxic byproducts of metabolic functions) and...Read More
The American Journal of Cardiology published a study in July that compares the efficacy of sterols versus stanols for long-term control of high cholesterol.Read More
Here's some good news for young men with early hair loss. Recent research reports that hair loss in young men is linked with a lower risk of prostate cancer. Male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is believed to be due to the damaging effects of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT is a potent androgen in hair follicles and is derived directly from the male hormone testosterone. DHT is also an important component in prostate cell...Read More
The Journal of the American College of Cardiology published a study in June of 2005 that compared the dietary intake of fish with the incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF). Read More
Exercise is recommended for all age groups as part of a healthy lifestyle to support optimum wellness and prevent obesity. Current exercise guidelines recommend a half hour of exercise five days week. Many adults gain an average of 16 pounds of body weight between the ages of 25 to 54. Now research reports that at least an hour of exercise daily is needed to prevent middle-aged weight gain. The study also found that overweight women...Read More
Previous studies suggest that dietary calcium can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose (blood sugar), Calcium can also help reduce the risk of certain cancers such as colorectal cancer. Now research reports that high calcium intake (up to 2,000 mg daily) can decrease multiple causes of death (mortality). The US Recommended Daily Allowance of calcium is 1,000 to 1,200 mg. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, investigated whether dietary calcium and magnesium...Read More
A preliminary study was published in the journal Tropical Doctors in April 2005 that tested the efficacy of garlic paste as a treatment for oral candidiasis. The garlic paste was a concentrated preparation high in volatile oils.Read More
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
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
