2091 results found for: GUT HEALTH

Low Iron Levels May Increase Heart Disease Risk

A recent study at University College London found low iron levels may increase a person’s risk of developing heart disease. Previous research has shown that iron status, the amount of iron in the body, is linked to cardiovascular disease, or CVD, risk. Researchers have struggled in the past to show a direct link and have often had conflicting results. “Previous studies have suggested a link between iron levels and heart disease, but it has been difficult to pick this apart from other confounding factors,” Dr. Dipender Gill, a Wellcome Trust Clinical Fellow at Imperial College London, said in a press release. The current study, […]

New Study Reveals Foods That Fight Inflammation

A few common foods may help rein in the chronic inflammation that contributes to so many diseases. A new study by the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease found that the polyphenols in onions, apples turmeric, grapes, onions, green tea and açai berries may be key to fighting the swelling.   To hone in on which foods might be most helpful in halting inflammation, scientists tested 31 polyphenols and six polyphenol combos to see how they affected T-cells in the blood. T-cells are a type of white blood cell that circulates throughout our bodies, scanning for cellular abnormalities. Through cell-signaling molecules called cytokines, they call […]

Juniper: Jury Is Still Out on Medicinal Safety

You’ve likely heard of Juniper as a trendy additive in foods, often used as a culinary condiment or a flavor component in gin and bitter cocktail preparations. You will also find it as an extract and oil used as a flavoring agent in a variety of foods and beverages. Aside from these culinary uses, juniper is also used medicinally, especially as a diuretic and anti-diabetic agent and there are some really important considerations to know about when considering juniper used for these conditions. Juniper, officially Juniperus communis, is used therapeutically in oral form in capsules, tinctures or oils for a variety […]

Study Reveals Promising Benefits of Blue Corn

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 […]

Valerian Root Is Natural Sleep Aid and More

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 […]

Six Foods To Eat For A Mood Boost

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. […]

Antioxidants And Lung Cancer Connection

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 […]

Cutting Down on the Caffeine

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. […]