Written by Tabish Mehraj, PhD, Science Writer. In this study, ashwagandha supplementation led to a significant reduction in BMI (3.31 kg/m²) and weight loss (8.46 kg) compared with placebo; it also helped reduce stress (PSS-10), improved quality of life, and controlled food cravings. Serum cortisol levels decreased by 36%; the treatment was well tolerated, with mild side effects.
Written by Tabish Mehraj, PhD, Science Writer. This study evaluated the effects of a proprietary Saw palmetto extract, which significantly increased the hair growth counts and improved overall hair density compared to placebo (p < 0.004). A 70.7% decrease in hair shedding was observed in a subgroup of women. Overall, results show statistically significant improvements in hair growth and retention versus placebo.
Written by Alexa Heathorn, MS, CNS. Daily supplementation with a phytochemical-rich lime-based preparation for 24 months reduced kidney stone recurrence by ~76%, lowered urinary IL-8 and protein excretion, and was well tolerated, supporting its potential as a safe and cost-effective adjunct for preventing calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. Logistical regression analysis showed that individuals with low serum B12 were more likely to experience high sleep latency and were also prone to disturbance in their natural sleep cycle (P<0.05).
Written by Alexa Heathorn, MS, CNS. Daily supplementation with 20 mg of astaxanthin for 8 weeks significantly increased antioxidant capacity (TAC, SOD), reduced oxidative stress (MDA) and uric acid levels, and improved fatigue and dyspnea in patients with heart failure, supporting its potential role as an adjunct therapy for cardiometabolic and symptom management.
Written by Tabish Mehraj, PhD, Science Writer. This study showed that almond consumption reduced total cholesterol and LDL-C, with about 29% of participants showing a drop of at least 22 mg/dL. Daily vitamin E intake increased from ~5 mg to over 17 mg, along with improved antioxidant metabolite levels and reduced gut inflammation markers (over 20 μg/g reduction in many cases). It also improved nutrient intake (fiber, magnesium, healthy fats) without increasing body weight, resulting in a small reduction in waist circumference of ~0.8 cm at 4 weeks.
Written by Alexa Heathorn, MS, CNS. Daily supplementation with 500 mg of Ashwagandha for 40 days significantly reduced triglyceride and VLDL-c levels, with no significant changes in body weight or overall body composition, suggesting a targeted effect on lipid metabolism in adults with overweight and obesity.
Written by Tabish Mehraj, PhD, Science Writer. This study evaluated the tolerability and efficacy of a food supplement containing citrus lemon extracts in individuals with impaired fasting glycemia (IFG). The treatment group showed significant improvements in fasting-state glycemia after 3 months, with normalization of glucose levels (p<0.001 vs T0), unlike the placebo group. Improvements were also observed in the overall lipid profile.
Written by Tabish Mehraj, PhD, Science Writer. This study evaluated the effects of blueberry consumption, which may upregulate the ability of the geriatric human gut to use dietary polyphenols by changing the fecal microbiome. It led to the reductions in HDL and APoA-I. These findings suggest that blueberries target specific beneficial gut bacteria, offering unique advantages when combined with exercise, but their overall metabolic impact warrants further investigation.
Written by Alexa Heathorn, MS, CNS. Four weeks of daily urolithin A supplementation (1,000 mg) improved immune cell composition, increased naïve CD8⁺ T cells, enhanced mitochondrial function, and reduced markers of immune exhaustion in healthy middle-aged adults, supporting its potential role in promoting immune resilience and healthy aging.
