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In this study, researchers from Kagoshima University in Japan and Vietnam National University of Agriculture evaluated the antagonistic effects of Ginkgo biloba (GB) and Sophora japonica (SJ) on cerebral vasoconstriction in response to KCl, extracellular Ca2+, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 9,11-dideoxy-9alpha,11alpha-methanoepoxy prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha(U46619), and bradykinin (BK). The results of their study, which explain the traditional application of these plants in the treatment of diseases associated with cerebral vasospasm, were published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. The researchers used endothelial cells taken from isolated porcine basilar arteries for the study. They also used leaf extracts from GB and flower bud extracts from…

You need a good night’s sleep to stay healthy. But if you’re constantly stressed because of work, an interesting study suggests that 10 minutes of mindfulness exercises like meditation can help your brain recharge. The study, which was conducted by esteemed researchers from Oregon State University (OSU), Syracuse University, the University of Tennessee (UTK), was published in the Journal of Business Venturing. What is mindfulness? Mindfulness can be different for each practitioner, but the process often involves traditional meditation or exercises designed to clear your head from distractions. Mindfulness can be as simple as practicing deep breathing techniques, going on long walks, or taking yoga classes. The benefits of mindfulness…

Lentils are nutritious legumes. If you’re looking for a delicious recipe that includes lentils, try making a French lentil and fennel salad that offers many health benefits. The recipe for this fennel, lentil, and salmon salad comes from Rosie Daykin’s cookbook “Let Me Feed You.” You can make this easy-to-follow recipe if you have leftover lentils or salmon, and it can be kept in the fridge for three days. Serve the leftover salad for a nutritious lunch the next day. Daykin, who is also the author of the best-selling “Butter Baked Goods” and “Butter Celebrates!” prioritizes making nutritious home-cooking accessible without compromising…

Scientists from the University of Warwick in England have finally identified the enzyme responsible for “loading up” fat-carrying particles in the liver, which are then transported around the body. The study, which appeared in the Journal of Lipid Research, also revealed how this enzyme could be “slimmed down” to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol that is carried throughout the body. This could pave the way for the development of new treatments aimed at preventing cardiovascular disease. In their paper, the researchers looked at the enzyme diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) and how inhibiting its production affects the body. DGAT1 is a fat-synthesizing enzyme that is present in the…

Diabetes is now a worldwide epidemic, putting researchers on the offensive as they continue to search for ways to stop it. A study published in the journal Nutrition Research found that supplementing with vitamin D can reduce insulin resistance and improve the levels of fasting blood sugar in healthy adults, preventing the development of diabetes. For the study, researchers at Waseda University in Japan and Shanghai University of Sport in China looked at whether supplementing with vitamin D for a year would improve insulin resistance. They hypothesized that improved 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), also known as calcifediol, status after vitamin D supplementation…

To some people, going gluten-free is just another dietary fad driven by a desire for attention and different-ness. But emerging science suggests that, at least for those with a legitimate gluten intolerance or allergy, avoiding this common grain component is absolutely critical for maintaining optimal mental health. Believe it or not, gluten can impair normal brain function in a major way. In those with autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s, for instance, gluten can actually trigger delusions, paranoia, and psychosis, as was the case with one 37-year-old doctoral candidate who, because of her extreme reaction to gluten, became the subject of a…

A vast majority of Americans take a prescription medication on a routine basis. According to researchers from the Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center, at least 70 percent of Americans are on at least one med. At least 50 percent take at least two meds, and 1 out of every 5 Americans is hooked on five or more prescription drugs. The most commonly prescribed drugs are antibiotics, opioids, and anti-depressants. The physical and mental health of this nation looks terribly bleak. Most people want to trust a “professional” with their health. They want someone to confide in, to look up…

Researchers recommend changing the source of protein in a diet from red meat to plant-based food. Their new study shows that eating more plant proteins reduces the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Their meta-analysis evaluated the results of previous experiments involving the effects of red meat on the health of consumers. During the earlier controlled trials, other types of food served as substitutes for meat. The results got compared with those attributed to consuming the animal-based food product. Researchers from Harvard University and Purdue University conducted the study. They published their findings in the scientific journal Circulation. “Previous findings from randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of red meat on cardiovascular…

A Finnish study found that men could improve their chances of avoiding Type 2 diabetes by eating eggs every day. Eggs could lower the levels of two chemicals associated with the risk of developing metabolic disease. Earlier experiments determined that regular consumption of eggs could enhance insulin resistance by improving the effectiveness of the hormone at metabolizing glucose. Other studies looked into the ways that eating eggs could support the healthy functions of the heart. Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) decided to evaluate the effects of eating eggs on people who were vulnerable to Type 2 diabetes. They succeeded in identifying the preventive impact of several unidentified compounds…

Living a sedentary life may cause more harm to your health than you think. A study published in JNCI Cancer Spectrum found that sitting and watching television for at least two hours may increase your risk of colorectal cancer before you reach age 50. The number of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 continues to increase in the U.S., and globally. Colorectal cancer in younger people is typically more aggressive and found at a more advanced stage than those in older people, which results in greater years of life lost. For the study, researchers from Harvard Medical School and…

It’s normal to have a bad day (or two), but when things aren’t going your way, do you criticize yourself or do you tell yourself you can do better next time? According to a unique study, practicing self-love doesn’t just improve your psychological well-being, it also benefits your physical health. The study, which was published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, was conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter and the University of Oxford. The link between “self-compassion” and your health The findings of the study suggest that participating in “self-compassion” exercises can help slow down the heart rate and switch off the body’s threat…

Fibroids are a common health condition for women: Up to 80 percent will develop one during their lifetime. However, for something that occurs for most women, most are in the dark on what fibroids really are and how these could be treated – and even prevented. It’s a good thing Mother Nature has you covered. Here’s what you need to know about fibroids, and how to treat them without popping a pill or going under the knife. What are fibroids? Fibroids refer to noncancerous growths in your uterus. These go by many names: uterine fibroids, leiomyomas, or myomas, and they…

If you’re struggling to lose weight, it might be time to add liver- and gut-cleansing foods to your diet. By eating certain kinds of nutritious foods, you can boost your body’s detoxification process. According to Dr. Charles Passler, a nutritionist based in New York, a healthy liver can take toxins, turn them into a water-soluble form, and efficiently flush them out of your body. Detoxify your liver with a nutrient-rich diet By eating the right kinds of food, you can easily eliminate foreign chemicals that your body is exposed to when you consume unhealthy snacks. The six foods included in the…

One of the key challenges in preventing cancers and other chronic diseases is helping consumers make healthier food choices. For this reason, some countries are considering implementing a simplified labeling system that informs consumers of the nutritional quality of food products. The Nutri-Score is France’s official nutrition label, but it remains optional as per European labeling regulations. It is a five-color nutrition label that was based on the Nutrient Profiling System of the British Food Standards Agency modified version (FSAm-NPS) score. To test the relevance of the two labels as nutritional profiling systems, a team of European researchers conducted a prospective analysis…

As many in the world celebrate “Pride Month” amid a surge in demands for acceptance of the idea that gender is more complex and fluid than the binary categories of male and female, The Vatican has blasted modern gender theory, claiming in a new document that it seeks to “annihilate the concept of ‘nature’.” (Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge) The document, which carries the title “Male And Female: He Created Them” was released by the Vatican June 10 without prior announcement. Described as an aid for Catholic schoolteachers and parents on how to address the topic of gender theory in line with…

If you think you’ve been seeing a lot more kids with glasses lately than you have in the past, it’s not just your imagination: A record number of young people are being diagnosed with nearsightedness – and excessive screen time appears to be the culprit. Nearsightedness, or myopia, currently affects 40 percent of North Americans, with the number of cases doubling between 1972 and 2004 and continuing to climb at rates being described as “epidemic.” In Europe, the rate of myopia among those aged 25 to 29 is 42.2 percent, which is nearly double the rate of those aged 55…