Cutting Edge Research Made Easy
by Linda Woolven, B.A., Master Herbalist, Acupuncturist and Ted Snider, B.Ed., M.A.
As spring finally approaches, we will soon be reminded to avoid sun exposure. But the advice to avoid sun exposure has led to an unintended rash of vitamin D deficiency. And vitamin D deficiency is linked to several important conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, MS and several cancers more fatal than skin cancer, like…
People suffering from chronic heart failure are often deficient in vitamin D. So, researchers set out to see if supplementing vitamin D would improve the condition of people with chronic heart failure. . . .
Many natural supplements have been proven to help prevent bone loss and even increase bone mineral density. But here’s a totally surprinsing one. Research shows that eating prunes is effective for building bone. . . .
Seniors with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may have some difficulties with memory, language, thinking and judgement, but, unlike Alzheimer’s, the difficulty is not serious enough to cause real problems in everyday living. A small single-blind study of older adults with MCI has already found that blueberry juice (providing 428-598mg of anthocyanins) significantly improves memory and…
Cardiovascular disease remains a major health problem, and cholesterol problems continue to be a major risk factor. Despite nuts’ reputation for being fatty, this study found that eating Brazil nuts is an effective way of improving cholesterol. . . .
Pulses are a group of plants that include beans, peas, chickpeas and lentils. They have many health benefits, including benefiting diabetes, menopause, cholesterol and cancer. New research suggests that they can also help you maintain a healthy weight. . . .
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that mimics estrogen and dangerously affects your hormonal system. It has been linked to a number of health conditions, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, type-2 diabetes, obesity, asthma, altered brain and immune development, and ADHD. BPA is commonly found in hard, clear…
Chokeberry is not a botanical that has made its way onto most lists of medicinal herbs yet. But, that may be about to change. A new study has shown that chokeberry is a valuable herb for high blood pressure. . . .
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. But a new study shows that diets rich in vitamin C can drastically reduce your risk of getting cataracts. . . .
Açai berries have become a popular nutritional supplement. Despite its popularity, though, there has not been much research on this berry. Now a new study provides some evidence that açai berries can be helpful for blood fats and as an antioxidant. . . .
This interesting study tested the effect of a plant sourced calcium derived from algae on bone mineral density. The study lasted seven years and used the South American algae Lithothamniom superpositum with added magnesium, boron, strontium and vitamins D3, K2 and C. . . .
Cognitive functioning can decline with aging and become a serious problem that affects the activities of daily living and the quality of life. Synaptic loss, which impedes communication between neurons, is a major predictor of cognitive decline, and raising brain levels of magnesium in the brain may improve synaptic function. . . .