Blue corn has been popping up as an ingredient everywhere from tortilla chips to breakfast cereal. Intriguing new research suggests that anthocyanins, the nutrients that give the corn its lovely blue color, may also help protect against metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. The study raises interest in using blue maize as a component of functional foods and nutraceuticals, foods that contain a medicinal benefit. The study was published in the Journal of Medicinal Food. Researchers from Universidad Veracruzana, Instituto Tecnologico de Veracruz and Unidad Oaxaca/Calle Hornos in Mexico, fed rats a high-sugar, high-cholesterol diet. The group of rats […]
It seems as if we’re hearing more and more about inflammation and how it causes disease. What is inflammation
If you have heard of the herb valerian, it has likely been in the context of improved sleep or relaxation. Used in traditional and folk medicine in many cultures for insomnia and anxiety-ridden sleep, there is evidence to support that it works. In fact, valerian root remains the most commonly used herbal product for sleep support in both the United States and Europe. Recent research suggests valerian root’s possible effectiveness in fighting inflammation to support cognitive function after surgery. Valerian root, an herbal product made from the root of Valeriana officinalis L., a perennial flowering plant, is widely available over […]
Evidence shows that the Mediterranean diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. It is also associated with improved mood and a reduced risk of depression and cognitive decline. The eating plan emphasises vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, wholegrains, olive oil and lean protein. An offshoot is the Mind Diet (Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay), based on the same foods but adds berries, leafy greens and nuts. Researchers found it improved cognitive ability and lowered their risk of Alzheimer’s. Foods to consider : Salmon People who eat omega-3-rich fish tend to have a lower risk of depression. […]
A study reported on February 28, 2017 in Frontiers in Oncology reveals an association between increased intake of carotenoids and vitamin C and a lower risk of lung cancer. Martine Shareck and colleagues utilized data from a study that involved 1,105 cases of lung cancer and 1,449 subjects without the disease. Subjects were queried concerning the intake of 49 fruits and vegetables during the two years prior to cancer diagnosis or the date of the interview, and responses were analyzed for the intake of alpha carotene, beta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, lycopene and vitamin C. Among those whose intake of alpha carotene […]
So you’ve been tracking your daily caffeine intake, and it has quickly progressed from “a little on the heavy side” to “Oh…my.” However, all those years of averaging less-than-satisfactory sleep has made an extra caffeine kick an integral part of your workday (if you want to see it all the way through, that is). Needless to say, cutting back on caffeine is no easy feat. And if you’re in it for the long haul, it may help to cushion the loss of excess caffeine with a longer-lasting alternative. Here are a few of the options we had in mind: 1. […]
In a good week, let’s say you spend seven hours working out. That might sound like a lot of gym time, but it still
A study reported on March 13, 2017 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found a lower risk of early postpartum blues among women who received the amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan, and an extract of blueberries. The condition peaks on the fifth day after giving birth and is a risk factor for long term postpartum depression. Levels of a compound known as monoamine oxidase A become elevated in the brain during postpartum blues, resulting in increased breakdown of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine, which can be deficient in depressed states. While tyrosine is a precursor to norepinephrine and dopamine, […]
Aspirin’s association with a lower risk of numerous types of cancer has been attributed to its anti-inflammatory effect; however, research reported in the February 2017 issue of Cancer Prevention Research suggests another potential mechanism. In experiments utilizing colon cancer cells and a mouse model of colon cancer, Houston researchers observed that aspirin prevented the cancer-promoting interaction between cancer cells and platelets by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1)-mediated platelet activation. Platelets are involved in the formation of new blood vessels which, although beneficial in most cases, enhances tumor growth. While common aspirin was used in some of the experiments, other experiments utilized a complex […]
A tablespoon of cinnamon can deactivate viruses before they infect humans, according to a new study of botanic
