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Menopausal symptoms can be very unpleasant, and many women end up undergoing hormone replacement therapy to find some relief. Now, however, researchers have found a very attractive and far safer alternative in the form of flax seed. Women of menopausal age face all sorts of symptoms, which are collectively referred to as menopausal syndrome. This can start well before menopause actually occurs. During perimenopause, women might have irregular menstruation, but it’s not really considered menopause until menstruation has stopped for more than a year. Nevertheless, women can face symptoms during this time such as mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats,…
A 37-year-old man from Illinois has been sentenced to serve two years in prison for using all-natural cannabis oil to treat his stage-three testicular cancer. Even though Illinois recently legalized cannabis for adult use, Thomas J. Franzen had reportedly ordered a large amount of THC-infused edibles from California prior to this law being passed, which prosecutors used as an excuse to charge him with “drug trafficking.” According to reports, Franzen, who had never previously been convicted of a crime or even been arrested, plead guilty in Kane County Circuit Court to possessing more than 5,000 grams, or 176 ounces, of…
As it turns out, babies do come with tools to help them understand the world. That’s what Dr. Ana Flo of the NeuroSpin Center and her international team of researchers suggest in their study, published in the journal Developmental Science. The team found that humans are born with memory capacity and the ability to process language, as well as the ability to use at least two types of cues to parse continuous speech – one of the first steps in acquiring a language. This means that newborns come into this world with skills they need to pick out words. “Before…
In this study, two researchers from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences and Ehime University in Japan isolated, identified, and characterized an endophytic fungus from the stem of Quercus gilva Blume (Ichiigashi oak) and investigated its bioactivity. Their results, which highlighted the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the extracts obtained from the fungus, were published in the journal Food Science and Human Wellness. In their previous study, the researchers found that Q. gilva and Quercus phillyraeoides A. Gray (Ubame oak) are rich sources of catechins and epicatechins, which are known antioxidants, and tiliroside, a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. Several studies have also reported that endophytic fungi contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antiviral, and…
There appears to be a connection between vitamin D and the risk of breast cancer. A recent study discovered that having higher levels of the vitamin can help prevent the onset of the disease in women. A joint effort led by researchers from the University of California San Diego (UCSD), the study investigated the relationship between vitamin D concentrations in the blood and the risk of breast cancer. The study analyzed the results of previous clinical trials held between 2002 to 2017. Two of the trials involved women 55 years old and above who were cancer-free when they were recruited. They took calcium and vitamin D supplements and…
Chickpeas offer a natural way to control weight and prevent obesity. Eating the legume is an excellent way to reduce food cravings since it increases satiety. Furthermore, chickpeas have a lot of nutrients that support the digestive system and prevent heart disease. The legume contains considerable amounts of soluble fiber. Foods with plenty of fiber provide more fullness. They also take more time to leave the stomach. Dietary fiber itself helps reduce the risk of sudden rises in blood sugar levels. Chickpeas also have a lot of protein. Like fiber, protein is also very filling, much more so than carbohydrates or fat. Consuming chickpeas can lower the expression…
A study published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine assessed the protective effects of baicalin, a major flavonoid of Scutellariae radix, on liver injury in a mouse model. The study was carried out by researchers at Chang Gung University in Taiwan. Acetaminophen causes acute liver failure, and baicalin has been reported to have liver-protective properties in traditional medicine. For the study, the researchers induced liver injury in mice by administering 300 milligrams per kilogram body weight (mg/kg) of acetaminophen. Thirty minutes after acetaminophen administration, they treated the mice with baicalin at concentrations of 15, 30, or 60 mg/kg. Acetaminophen…
Light-emitting diodes (LED) might save energy and money, but they have hidden costs in terms of human health. The light from LED devices can damage the eyes, increase the risk of chronic illnesses, and disrupt sleep patterns. LED devices give off large amounts of blue light. Blue wavelengths trigger oxidative stress that damages cells and tissues, which can lead to various ailments. Conversely, they do not emit any near-infrared light similar to natural sunlight. The healing and regenerative effects of the red range of light counter the harmful effects of blue light. The combination of high levels of blue wavelengths and the absence of near-infrared frequencies make…
There’s one common, underlying theme with nearly every corporate made-and-sold food product in America. The slogan is the exact opposite of what it does to your body. No, canola oil is not “heart healthy.” It actually clogs your blood as it coagulates inside you. No, milk, it doesn’t “do a body good.” It actually causes inflammation and excess mucus production. Did you have a stuffy nose and some coughing this morning when you woke up? Are your ears ringing? That’s the inflammation talking to you. Still “got milk?” or do you “got” lactose intolerance, because there are many well-explained reasons…
Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than two million people in the U.S. and approximately 400,000 in the United Kingdom. Rheumatoid arthritis is known as an autoimmune condition, whereas the immune system attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation and joint pain. The inflammatory condition typically affects females and can be felt in the hands, feet, wrists, and in twenty-five other joints. A promising study from the University of Londrina in Brazil has found a natural, preventative solution for reducing joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The answer is found inside cranberries. A compound found in cranberries and other wild foods may reduce…
GMOs and their related chemical pesticides have long been pushed heavily by establishment Republicans. That’s another important reminder why it’s good to never be swept into a political party. Rather, evaluate each candidate based on their principles and actions. Even though Trump is far from an “establishment” Republican, to the frustration of health-conscious Americans, he just signed an executive order that might as well be called “the GMO Streamlining Act.” As reported by the Associated Press, this executive order directs federal agencies to reduce or eliminate regulations and oversight mechanisms that might help ensure the safety of genetically engineered crops.…
Australian researchers found that patients suffering from sleep apnea find it hard to recall specific details of memories taken from their own experiences. Furthermore, the inability to remember important parts of their lives could cause them to develop depression. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder wherein the person experiences difficulties breathing during sleep. Around 936 million people around the world suffer from this severe disorder. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea experience problems with their memory. They also appear to be much more vulnerable to depression. However, earlier studies did not uncover much information on the connection between sleep apnea and the…
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases around the world. It is also one of the leading causes of death in many countries, affecting one in four people over the age of 65. People with diabetes are at significant risk of developing diseases that affect various organs, such as the eyes, the liver, the kidneys, and the heart, which is why the early diagnosis and prevention of diabetes is the focus of many studies. A recent study conducted by researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University in China investigated the case of pre-diabetics and the dietary intervention that could benefit them the most. They…
The six species that make up the Chimonanthus genus of flowering plants are commonly prescribed as treatments in folk medicine or turned into healthy beverages and decoctions. A recent meta-analysis by Chinese researchers indicated that these plants – often called wintersweet – contain many natural compounds with various beneficial effects. Traditional Chinese medicine prescribes many parts of wintersweet for fever, gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, inflammatory problems, respiratory infections, rheumatic arthritis, and serious injuries. Recent research identified an abundance of metabolites – including essential oils – that account for the medicinal plants’ antibacterial, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-hyperglycemic activities. Earlier pharmacological studies have focused on the extracts of…
The plant Vitex rotundifolia, known as beach vitex in English and man jing zi in traditional Chinese medicine, is widely studied for its medicinal properties. The ancient Chinese used it to treat a wide variety of ailments, ranging from eye problems and headaches to menstrual disorders. But what beach vitex is well-known for today is its anticancer activity. Several studies show that beach vitex can be a potent antiproliferative agent against various cancer cells, including breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. A recent study conducted by researchers from Andong National University in South Korea investigated the mechanisms behind its biological activity against colorectal cancer cells, particularly its inhibitory effect on…
The populations of many developed countries are aging rapidly. As people age, their energy requirement decreases, but their micronutrient requirement increases. Hence they need a more nutrient-dense diet to meet their nutritional needs. To find out which component of a diet – conventional foods, fortified foods, or dietary supplements – could adequately supply the needs of the elderly, a team of European researchers conducted an observational study on the micronutrient intake of Dutch elderly. Their findings and recommendations were published in the journal Nutrition Research. Older people need conventional foods, fortified foods, and supplements to meet their micronutrient requirement The researchers hypothesized that, by knowing how conventional foods (e.g., whole grains, vegetables,…