Diabetes Prevention with Mediterranean Diets
Written by Marcia J. Egles, MD. A Mediterranean diet supplemented with 50ml of extra-virgin olive oil can reduce the risk of diabetes.
Tryptophan for Insomnia
Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. 57 children with sleep problems were given 250 mg pure tryptophan and compared to those with no tryptophan or taking 250 mg tryptophan from butternut squash seed meal. Pure tryptophan did somewhat better than the food tryptophan during the test for most sleep factors, except food tryptophan did much better at reducing time awake in the middle of the night and more improved after the test.
Melatonin helps Offset Cell Damage Caused by Strenuous Exercise
Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Runners supplemented 3mg of melatonin had 43.5% lower levels in markers of oxidative stress.
Social Anxiety and Tryptophan: A Pilot Study
Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. In a study with 45 children with sleep terrors, those taking 250mg tryptophan could significantly reduce heart rate in association to social anxiety (formerly considered “shyness”).
Omega-3 Fats Benefit Blood Vessel Health in Those with Metabolic Syndrome
Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. In a placebo-controlled crossover trial, 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids produced a 100% decrease in inflammatory proteins and 110% improvement in venous blood flow.
Lycopene Improves both Inflammation and Cholesterol Levels in Overweight Individuals
Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. In a placebo-controlled study, adding 70mg of lycopene to the diet either as a supplement or through foods demonstrated a 111.5% or 108.5% increase in a type of good cholesterol compared to the control group.
Omega-3 Blood Levels Correlated to Brain Volume in Postmenopausal Women
Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. In an 8 year prospective study, researchers found that every 1.6% increase in the amount of EPA + DHA in the blood produced a 2.1 cm3 larger brain volume.
Low Intake of Vitamin E Associated with Increased Fracture Risk
Written by Jessica Patella, ND. In a 12 year study of 2322 men aged 50, those with the lowest blood levels of vitamin E had a 167% greater risk of bone fracture.
Cranberry may Prove Useful for Elderly at High Risk for Urinary Tract Infections
Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Those taking 500 mg/day of a cranberry concentrate had a 27% risk of urinary tract infections.
Ginger on Stomach Problems in Osteoarthritic Patients
Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. A ginger and glucosamine preparation reduced the pain of osteoarthritis by 9% compared to an increase of 14.6% in those treated with a traditional drug.
