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
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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
The thyroid gland, located in the neck, secretes thyroid hormones regulating growth, development and metabolic functions. In hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) the thyroid gland produces an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone. In hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Now research reports that pesticide exposure may be linked to thyroid disease. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, examined the association between pesticides and thyroid disease in women. Researchers at...Read More
Approximately half of young women experience menstrual pain (primary dysmenorrhoea). Menstrual cramps can be severe and may occur with other symptoms such as diarrhea, headache and backache. Pain drugs, heat application and exercise are commonly prescribed to relieve period pain. Now research reports that acupuncture may effectively relieve period pain. Traditional Chinese acupuncture employs needles to move the vital life force (called chi). The review, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,...Read More
Internationally, the World Health Organization is reporting a worldwide decline in H1N1 swine flu activity. There has been debate among experts if the swine flu still warrants vaccination. Now research reports there is "poor quality" evidence that flu vaccines effectively prevent influenza illness in the elderly. 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 Systematic Reviews, examined 75...Read More
Simple (refined) carbs, such as sugars, white flour products (white bread, white pasta, baked goods, junk foods) and white rice are digested and absorbed quickly, causing fat (lipid), blood sugar and insulin levels to rapidly increase. These harmful effects are linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Now research reports that a low carb diet can reduce weight as well as improve blood pressure. The study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, compared the effects...Read More
Previous studies suggest that the vegetable bitter melon (Momordica charantia) has blood sugar-lowering and cholesterol-lowering effects. Bitter melon is rich in antioxidant flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols and vitamin C. Now research reports that bitter melon extract may decrease breast cancer cell growth. This discovery may provide a future dietary supplement to prevent breast cancer. The in vitro study, published in Cancer Research, investigated whether bitter melon extract (BME) can effect human breast cancer cells. Researchers at the...Read More
Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of osteoporosis, some cancers and inflammatory diseases. Approximately 50 percent of Americans are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is made by the skin on exposure to sunlight. Now research reports that vitamin D boosts the male sex hormone testosterone. Low testosterone levels can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, osteoporosis and depression. The study, published in Clinical Endocrinology, investigated the association of vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels...Read More
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules that cause damage to cells) and protect against serious diseases. Now research reports that a nutritional cocktail containing antioxidants, vitamins and minerals combats aging and promotes youthfulness. The combination supplement was developed to target five key mechanisms of aging including oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial function, insulin resistance and membrane integrity. The supplement contained vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D and E, folic acid, beta-carotene, acetyl-L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, acetylsalicylic acid,...Read More
The herb hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is rich in flavonoid antioxidants including proanthocyanidins and flavonols. Previous studies suggest that hibiscus may promote cholesterol and blood pressure (BP) health. Now research reports that hibiscus tea may improve blood pressure and heart health in people at risk for hypertension (high blood pressure). Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease and is associated with stroke, heart attack and premature death. This is the first placebo-controlled study to...Read More
Crohn's disease is a disorder of the intestine, causing chronic inflammation and weakness of the gastrointestinal tract. Experts believe that Crohn's disease is caused by a defective immune response to intestinal bacteria which activates the inflammation. Now research reports that vitamin D may decrease the risk of Crohn's disease. Vitamin D is known to play an important role in the immune response. About 50 percent of Americans are vitamin D deficient. The study, published in...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
The thyroid gland, located in the neck, secretes thyroid hormones regulating growth, development and metabolic functions. In hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) the thyroid gland produces an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone. In hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Now research reports that pesticide exposure may be linked to thyroid disease. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, examined the association between pesticides and thyroid disease in women. Researchers at...Read More
Approximately half of young women experience menstrual pain (primary dysmenorrhoea). Menstrual cramps can be severe and may occur with other symptoms such as diarrhea, headache and backache. Pain drugs, heat application and exercise are commonly prescribed to relieve period pain. Now research reports that acupuncture may effectively relieve period pain. Traditional Chinese acupuncture employs needles to move the vital life force (called chi). The review, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,...Read More
Internationally, the World Health Organization is reporting a worldwide decline in H1N1 swine flu activity. There has been debate among experts if the swine flu still warrants vaccination. Now research reports there is "poor quality" evidence that flu vaccines effectively prevent influenza illness in the elderly. 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 Systematic Reviews, examined 75...Read More
Simple (refined) carbs, such as sugars, white flour products (white bread, white pasta, baked goods, junk foods) and white rice are digested and absorbed quickly, causing fat (lipid), blood sugar and insulin levels to rapidly increase. These harmful effects are linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Now research reports that a low carb diet can reduce weight as well as improve blood pressure. The study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, compared the effects...Read More
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a disorder characterized by persistent fatigue accompanied with widespread musculoskeletal pain and stiffness. Now research reports that high free radical levels may be responsible for the development of fibromyalgia.Read More
Previous studies suggest that the vegetable bitter melon (Momordica charantia) has blood sugar-lowering and cholesterol-lowering effects. Bitter melon is rich in antioxidant flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols and vitamin C. Now research reports that bitter melon extract may decrease breast cancer cell growth. This discovery may provide a future dietary supplement to prevent breast cancer. The in vitro study, published in Cancer Research, investigated whether bitter melon extract (BME) can effect human breast cancer cells. Researchers at the...Read More
Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of osteoporosis, some cancers and inflammatory diseases. Approximately 50 percent of Americans are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is made by the skin on exposure to sunlight. Now research reports that vitamin D boosts the male sex hormone testosterone. Low testosterone levels can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, osteoporosis and depression. The study, published in Clinical Endocrinology, investigated the association of vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels...Read More
A clinical study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004;79(3):516-521) demonstrated that in homebound elderly women, those who were iron deficient had specific impairments in immune function compared to their counterparts who had sufficient iron levels.Read More
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules that cause damage to cells) and protect against serious diseases. Now research reports that a nutritional cocktail containing antioxidants, vitamins and minerals combats aging and promotes youthfulness. The combination supplement was developed to target five key mechanisms of aging including oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial function, insulin resistance and membrane integrity. The supplement contained vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D and E, folic acid, beta-carotene, acetyl-L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, acetylsalicylic acid,...Read More
The herb hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is rich in flavonoid antioxidants including proanthocyanidins and flavonols. Previous studies suggest that hibiscus may promote cholesterol and blood pressure (BP) health. Now research reports that hibiscus tea may improve blood pressure and heart health in people at risk for hypertension (high blood pressure). Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease and is associated with stroke, heart attack and premature death. This is the first placebo-controlled study to...Read More
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(2):281-295) reviews the evidence and concludes that the bulk of research shows that increases in brain levels of DHA are associated with improved cognitive or behavioral function.Read More
Crohn's disease is a disorder of the intestine, causing chronic inflammation and weakness of the gastrointestinal tract. Experts believe that Crohn's disease is caused by a defective immune response to intestinal bacteria which activates the inflammation. Now research reports that vitamin D may decrease the risk of Crohn's disease. Vitamin D is known to play an important role in the immune response. About 50 percent of Americans are vitamin D deficient. The study, published in...Read More
