Cutting Edge Research Made Easy
by Linda Woolven, B.A., Master Herbalist, Acupuncturist and Ted Snider, B.Ed., M.A.
Flaxseeds deservedly get a lot of attention for their abundance of omega-3 essential fatty acids. But flaxseeds don’t get enough attention for their wealth of lignans. Lignans are fiber compounds that, being phytoestrogenic, steal receptor sites from the body’s more powerful estrogen and protect against its effect on breast cancer. Lignans also contribute to the…
Cold sores (herpes labialis), or fever blisters, are a common problem, and one third of people who suffer from them suffer relapses. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared a topical green tea product containing catechins, powerful antioxidants found in green tea, to a 100% glycerin placebo in the treatment of cold sores. The forty people in…
It has been know for a long time that magnesium is an important mineral for heart health. Three recent studies add substantial evidence to the idea that magnesium helps prevent strokes. . . .
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. . . .