May 6, 2014

Anti-appetite Pill Could Trounce Obesity

Scientists have successfully tracked the molecule that conveys the fullness signal to the brain, saying it could be used to make a revolutionary anti-appetite pill. The molecule, known as acetate, is released into the bowels upon digestion of fiber, which abounds in plants and vegetables, Press TV reported. The molecule then travels to the hypothalamus region of the brain, which controls hunger. Such pill would also dispose of cravings. Unfortunately, processed food-rife in the modern-day diet – does not produce acetate when digested. Prof Jimmy Bell, of the Medical Research Council, Cambridge, who collaborated in the research, said, ”It is exciting we […]
April 29, 2014

Resveratrol Improves Glucose Control In Diabetics

The results of a meta-analysis scheduled for publication in the June 2014 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicate that supplementing with resveratrol, a compound that occurs in red grapes and wine, could help improve glucose control and insulin sensitivity in men and women with diabetes without affecting glycemic measures in those without the disease. Researchers from Chongqing, China selected eleven randomized, controlled trials of resveratrol supplementation that included a total of 388 participants for their analysis.  Resveratrol dose ranged from 8 to 1500 milligrams per day for periods of two weeks to six months. Three of the trials involved diabetic subjects. […]
April 29, 2014

Go Ahead…Have That Second Cup

The journal Diabetologia recently published the finding of Harvard researchers of a reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among men and women who increased their daily intake of coffee. For the current study, Drs Frank Hu and Shilpa Bhupathiraju of Harvard School of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition and their associates utilized data from 48,464 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study, 47,510 women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study II, and 27,759 men who took part in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Dietary questionnaire responses provided by the subjects every four years for two decades or more were analyzed for the […]
April 23, 2014

Melatonin Preserves Bone Mass

Age-related bone loss is a serious condition. It not only increases the risk for fractures, but also increases the risk for death from heart and lung disease and all-cause death, especially if bone loss occurs quickly. This is why it’s so important to stay active as we age, as this can preserve bone mass and strength. We also need to obtain adequate amounts of calcium, magnesium, and vitamins D and K2 through diet and supplementation. For many aging people, however, this still isn’t enough. Bone loss continues despite all their efforts. This means that a lot of people end up taking prescription […]
April 22, 2014

All About Vitamin B2: Riboflavin

Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, was the second vitamin in the B complex to be discovered. Like its predecessor, vitamin B1, riboflavin is used by the body to processes fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
April 15, 2014

Can a Mushroom Extract Prevent Cervical Cancer?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is present in most sexually active women. Their lifetime risk of acquiring genital HPV is 80%. For the most part, HPV infections do not cause any health problems and are cleared by the human body. Certain strains, however, are more virulent and may cause cervical cancer. HPV can be detected up to 99% of cervical cancer biopsies worldwide. Currently, there are no medications that treat the virus. The only option for prevention (though controversial) is the HPV vaccine, which can be administered to people under the age of 26. Fortunately, new hope may be found in AHCC (active hexose […]
April 8, 2014

Vitamin K Intake Associated With Lower Risk of Dying

A study reported online on March 19, 2014 in the Journal of Nutrition links higher intake of vitamin K with a lower risk of dying from any cause over a median follow-up of 4.8 years. The study included 7,216 participants in the PREDIMED study, which sought to evaluate the protective effect of a Mediterranean diet against the risk of cardiovascular disease in older men and women. Annual dietary questionnaire responses completed by the participants were analyzed for the intake of phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and menaquinone (vitamin K2). Over a 4.8 year median, there were 323 deaths, including 81 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 130 […]
April 8, 2014

Green Tea Extract Boosts Your Brain Power

Green tea is said to have many putative positive effects on health. Now, researchers at the University of Basel are reporting first evidence that green tea extract enhances the cognitive functions, in particular the working memory.
April 2, 2014

Strawberries May Help Lower Cholesterol

According to new published research in the Journal of Nutrition, consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods such as strawberries may play an important role in lowering cholesterol and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.