Supplementation with green tea extract significantly reduced total cholesterol and the “bad” LDL- cholesterol concentrations, especially in post-menopausal women with raised cholesterol levels. Samavat H, Newman AR, Wang R, Yuan JM, Wu AH, Kurzer MS. Effects of green tea catechin extract on serum lipids in postmenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Am J Clin […]
The natural substance Resveratrol (1,500 mg daily) significantly reduced androgen [testosterone] levels in women with PCOS. The beneficial effect may be due to reduced insulin levels. Banaszewska B, Wrotyńska-Barczyńska J, Spaczynski RZ, Pawelczyk L, Duleba AJ. Effects of Resveratrol on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Nov;101(11):4322-4328. Epub […]
Nearly 20,000 men over 40 years of age, were followed up for a 12 year period and were found to have a lower risk of major cardiovascular disease if they took multivitamin supplements for 20 or more years. Dietary sources of vitamins should always be our first priority. Rautiainen S, Rist PM, Glynn RJ, Buring […]
Research demonstrates regular meditation can help reduce pain. For the first time, this study identified the mechanism to explain how meditation works to alleviate pain. It involves natural stimulation of opioid pathways in the body mediating analgesic effects and increasing resilience through regular practice. Sharon H, Maron-Katz A, Ben Simon E, Flusser Y, Hendler T, […]
Vitamin D supplementation may benefit atopic dermatitis [allergic skin rash]. We produce vitamin D naturally from direct sun exposure but living in Melbourne or the lower latitudes of Australia, being dark skin or spending more time indoors increases the risk of Vitamin D deficiency and a supplement might be necessary. Kim MJ, Kim SN, Lee […]
Dampness at home [e.g. leaky gutters into rooftops] increases the risk of moulds in the environment. This may lead to a number of respiratory illnesses such as chronic blocked nose, sinus congestion, allergies, bronchitis, asthma, wheeze, night time cough and/or shortness of breath. Ahlroth Pind C, Gunnbjörnsdottír M, Bjerg A, et al. Patient-reported signs of […]
Promising research found peanut allergy can be reversed in children using an innovative treatment called Immunotherapy combined with probiotics. This research is exciting and will pave the way for more research in this area. Kuang-Chih Hsiao, Prof Anne-Louise Ponsonby, Christine Axelrad, Sigrid Pitkin, Prof Mimi L K Tang on behalf of the PPOIT Study Team† […]
This large study found increasing physical activity was able to significantly reduce the risk of hypertension. Liu X, Zhang D, Liu Y, Sun X, Han C, Wang B, Ren Y, Zhou J, Zhao Y, Shi Y, Hu D, Zhang M. Dose-Response Association Between Physical Activity and Incident Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort […]
Magnesium supplements were found to help lower blood pressure in 11 trials compared with placebo. Daniel T Dibaba, Pengcheng Xun, Yiqing Song, Andrea Rosanoff, Michael Shechter, Ka He The effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure in individuals with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or noncommunicable chronic diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. First published July […]
Yoga can improve health-related quality of life, reduce fatigue and sleep disturbances when compared with no therapy, as well as reducing depression and anxiety in women suffering breast cancer. Cramer H, Lauche R, Klose P, Lange S, Langhorst J, Dobos GJ. Yoga for improving health-related quality of life, mental health and cancer-related symptoms in women […]