Many people are frightened by the prospect of type 2 diabetes given all the risks that it comes with which include regular finger pricks for tests, and a host of complications for diseases like kidney and liver damage, and a higher risk of having stroke or heart disease. Preventing type 2 diabetes is then essential and recent studies have shown that vitamin D can help in that regard. The researchers already knew that vitamin D can help with insulin sensitivity and pancrease beta cells function so they wanted to find out the link between vitamin D and blood glucose levels. 680 women between the ages of 35 and 74 were experimented upon and they were given vitamin D supplementation and exposure to sunlight. They found a negative association between vitamin D and blood glucose level meaning that vitamin D, especially being exposed to sunlight, reduced the levels of glucose in the blood. They also found that vitamin D deficiency was associated with a high level of glucose in the blood. This present study was found to correlate with other studies between vitamin D presence in the body and glucose levels.

Key Takeaways:

• Having type 2 diabetes is a frightening prospect because the condition entails a lot of complications like regular finger pricks for tests.
• Since they already know that vitamin D can help one with insulin sensitivity and the function of pancreatic beta cells, the researchers wanted to find out the link.
• 680 women were studied and they found that those who had high levels of vitamin D due to sunlight and supplementation had lower levels of blood glucose.

"Specifically, those who had high levels of vitamin D enjoyed a 55 percent lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes, a 51 percent lower change of metabolic syndrome, and a 33 percent lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-11-vitamin-d-lowers-your-risk-of-type-2-diabetes.html

Fibromyalgia is a widespread medical condition and everyday new vitamins and supplements are discovered that can help alleviate it. Fibromyalgia causes pain and depression. Its pain is usually felt in the musculoskeletal system. It also causes depression in the brain and many other symptoms. That is why very few therapies have been discovered to use for treating this condition. Supplements are being recommended to patients. Some of them are essential oils that can help with pain relief and improving sleep, energy boosters that increase the level of energy in the body, and fish oils that can reduce the inflammation it causes. Fibromyalgia can be triggered by a deficiency in some minerals in the body, so one needs to avoid this. The essential vitamins and minerals that are needed in the body to prevent fibromyalgia are calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and vitamin D. Therefore, one needs to take active measures to have these essential vitamins and minerals in his body to prevent fibromyalgia. They are very important, especially increasing the intake of Vitamin D through sunlight.

Key Takeaways:

• Supplementing with vitamins and minerals is critical in controlling the pain and depression associated with fibromyalgia.
• Vitamin D supplementation is generally recommended in fibromyalgia patients, especially those that are menopausal or pre-menopausal.
• According to Korean researchers, low levels of magnesium, calcium, and manganese are related to fibromyalgia.

"Everyday vitamins and minerals take on a whole new level of importance if a person is afflicted with fibromyalgia."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-14-vitamins-help-manage-fibromyalgia.html

One consequence of glaucoma is vision loss or blindness. It is estimated that leafy green vegetables like kale, broccoli and other vegetables are full of minerals and vitamins that prevent diseases like diabetes and heart disease. The question the author wants to answer is whether these leafy vegetables can help in preventing glaucoma. The conclusion of the author is that there is a link between leafy green vegetables and prevention of glaucoma. In fact, it can help prevent the disease. This conclusion was based on a recent study that was conducted by researchers at the Harvard Medical school. Glaucoma is a eye disease that can affect one’s vision leading to vision loss progressively. The common glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma. It leads to vision loss without any symptoms or sign. It is estimated that three million Americans are affected with glaucoma and 120,000 people will lose their sight due to having glaucoma. But why is glaucoma produced? This is due to an imbalance in the drainage of the aqueous humor. The researchers analyzed people’s diet and came to the conclusion that leafy green vegetables should be used as a treatment option.

Key Takeaways:

• Eating more green, leafy vegetables can assist in decreasing the risk of developing glaucoma.
• A key to why these vegetables are effective is that they help with blood flow near the optic nerve.
• These vegetables also help with lowering other diseases like those that affect the heart and diabetes.

"The study was published in the Journal of American Medical Association Ophthalmology, and it was conducted by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-17-green-leafy-vegetables-improve-eye-health.html

Essential oils are used for aromatherapy but that is just one of their myriad uses. They have been used by Chinese medicine and ayurvedic medicine for centuries due to their numerous health benefits. Now, science has backed many of the claims on health benefits. One of these oils is myrrh. Myrrh is produced from a steam distillation process by extracting the reddish brown sap from the Commiphora myrrha tree. The oil is amber in color and has an earthy aroma. It has a lot of healthy benefits. One of them is that it is used to eliminate harmful bacteria. Ancient Egyptians used this oil to embalm their dead and mummies because it slows down the process of decay. This is due to the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of myrrh oil. Another advantage of this oil is that it can eliminate some parasites. Myrrh oil has been reported to cure infections such as trichomoniasis and giardiasis. Myrrh oil can also support oral health. It has been used by researchers to treat mouth sores with complete relief for the patients. Other benefits of this wonderful oil are highlighted in the blog.

Key Takeaways:

• Myrrh is gotten from the plant, Commiphora myrrha, and is its reddish brown dried sap that was extracted using a steam distillation process.
• One of the many benefits of myrrh which is amber color to the eyes is that it eliminates harmful bacteria from the body.
• Myrrh was used by traditional Egyptians for the dead to embalm bodies which did not only make them not to smell but to delay decay.

"In fact, myrrh essential oil, which is often used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, has many science-backed health benefits."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-17-myrrh-oil-is-worth-more-than-gold.html

Up to a billion people worldwide may not be getting enough vitamin D, and this is a real problem because vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of cancer, obesity and other health problems. Meta-analysis published by Current Pharmaceutical Design suggests that getting enough vitamin D can decrease fasting glucose and reduce insulin resistance. Vitamin D can also help moderate your bad cholesterol, as well as reducing your levels of C-reactive protein, which is a sign of inflammation.

Key Takeaways:

• One health problem around the world that is affecting a lot of people is the fact that Vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency is becoming more pronounced.
• When one is deficient in Vitamin D, some of the health problems that can be encountered are poor glycemic control, obesity, and hypertension.
• A link has been found between vitamin D deficiency and diabetes and also another study found that the deficiency leads to high blood sugar levels.

"Three of the most significant risk factors for heart disease are high cholesterol, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance. Researchers wanted to learn more about whether vitamin D supplementation is a way to lower the risk of heart disease or reduce complications in patients who already have it."

Read more: https://www.naturalhealth365.com/vitamin-d-glycemic-control-2947.html

One can treat poor mood and depression without using pharmaceutical drugs. One of these approaches involves using omega-3 fatty acid. Foods rich in this fatty acid can help. It has been shown by many scientific studies that the risk of having depression is reduced when one takes foods rich in omega-3 fatty acid. Some of the means that have been identified as the pathways in which omega-3 fatty acids work is that they can make the CNS to release more serotonin, they can reduce the risk of an inflammation and also its severity, and they can stop phosphatidyl-inositol from releasing hormones that make a person to have depressive moods. The way omega-3 fatty acids do this has been found to be similar to the way anti-depressant drugs work. Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to counter the release of serotonin in the brain that trigger depressive moods and they also have effect on the release of cytokines in the heart that relates to lowering the risk of one having coronary heart disease. And fortunately, heart disease is linked to major depressive moods. So, omega-3 fatty acid is a powerful compound that can be used to treat both problems. But what researchers have not agreed upon though is the required dosage of omega-3 fatty acid that a person should take each day to reap these benefits.

Key Takeaways:

• Many ways in which one can remedy the occurrence of poor moods and depression without the use of pharmaceutical drugs have now been discovered.
• The risk of having depression have been found to be influenced by eating omega-3 fatty acids and those who take it in large amounts have low risk of depression.
• Similar to how pharmaceutical drugs help a person with depression, omega-3 fatty acids stop immune cells from releasing cytokines that are pro-inflammatory in the brain.

"The fatty acids achieve their natural antidepressant effects through several means. Omega-3s can raise the activity of CNS seratonin, reduce the risk and severity of inflammation, and stop phosphatidyl-inositol from sending signals that bring about depressive moods."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-15-omega-3s-are-a-potent-way-to-treat-depression.html

Terminalia arjuna has been studied closely by researchers from India and New Zealand. Commonly known as the arjun tree, this plant was used on chevon sausages to test the properties of preservation. The study suggest that the it produced significantly lower values for total plate count, psychrophilic count, yeast and mold count, and free fatty acid values. The results showed an improved lipid oxidative stability and storage quality while refrigerated, thus suggesting that the arjun tree can be a novel natural meat preservative.

Key Takeaways:

• Chevon sausages were used as a model in the research and the researchers used various sorts of Terminalia arjuna extracts some in 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 percent.
• When the extracts were examined under refrigerated conditions, they looked at the effects on lipid oxidative stability and storage quality parameters.
• There were lower values in total that were noted during the study for total plate count, psychrophilic count, counts of yeast and mold, and free fatty acid values.

"Researchers from India and New Zealand explore the potential of Terminalia arjuna as a novel natural preservative in meat products."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-09-study-identifies-a-natural-preservative-in-the-arjun-tree.html

The elevated levels of insulin found in many people with obesity can elevate their risk of breast cancer, but new studies show that omega-3 free fatty acids can help mitigate this risk. Too much insulin can increase Akt and Erk1/2 phosphorylation, but omega-3s can help to reduce this effect. Likewise, omega-3 free fatty acids were able to cut down proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The research sheds some light onto why omega-3s appear to reduce the risk of breast cancer, although more research is needed.

Key Takeaways:

• While having a high insulin level is considered a significant factor in one having breast cancer while obese, omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of breast cancer.
• The researcher wanted to explore whether omega-3 free fatty acids (FFA) do regulate the signaling pathway of insulin in order to prevent breast cancer.
• According to the findings it is suggested that omega-3 free fatty acids (FFA) reduce the proliferation of breast cancer cells mediated by insulin and insulin activated phosphorylation.

"Researchers found a link between consumption of omega-3s and reduced breast cancer risk by lowering insulin levels. The study, which was published in Nutrition Research, tested the ability of omega-3 free fatty acids (FFAs) to reduce insulin-induced breast cancer cell proliferation."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-26-omega-3-can-reduce-high-insulin-levels-breast-cancer.html

Curcumin has been known to be a silver bullet. It can be used to cure a host of diseases and conditions including cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. Now depression can be added to the list according to new research. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that depression affects 16 million Americans every year. Although treatment for it is available, it usually comes with adverse effects. Therefore, there is compelling need for a safer means of treating people. Before this study, it has already been found from multiple studies that curcumin can have an effect on depressive conditions. It was reported to be well tolerated by patients with no adverse side effects. For their current study in Australia, the researchers looked at twenty years of data including current studies on curcumin. They then studied about 342 patients using curcumin and a placebo. From their results, there was a significant reduction in depression after treatment with curcumin compared with the placebo after six weeks of treatment. The researchers then concluded that compelling evidence exists for the use of curcumin in treatment of depression.

Key Takeaways:

• Curcumin is the main ingredient that is found in turmeric and it has been known to be a silver bullet that can be used to treat several conditions.
• Along with curing a list of diseases which include diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer, curcumin can now be used to cure depression.
• Depression affects millions of people in the United States every year but while treatment for the disease exists many people stop the treatments because of adverse effects.

"The study also found that curcumin exhibited significant anti-anxiety properties, based on data from 377 patients."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-11-curcumin-seen-to-be-one-of-the-best-natural-ways-to-alleviate-depression.html

Depression has been linked to inflammation, consider trying CBD to boost mood, reduce anxiety, and reduce inflammation.

Because essential oils can relieve pain and increase cell energy production, researchers believe that these essential oils like lavender, capsicum, and peppermint, can be used to treat fibromyalgia. When one is afflicted with fibromyalgia, he will always have chronic pain, constant fatigue, and regular changes in mood. These symptoms have only few ways to treat them. It has been noted that some supplements, of which essential oils are among them, can be used to treat these symptoms of fibromyalgia. This is because they are already being used to relieve health problems that are similar to fibromyalgia. One example of these is lavender oil. This is used in aromatherapy as a relaxing compound. And it regulates mood responses and the central nervous systems, which symptoms are related to fibromyalgia. Another of these essential oils is peppermint oil. Because it alleviates the pain muscles face by chronic stress and increases stamina, it is a good remedy for fibromyalgia.

Key Takeaways:

• People who are down with fibromyalgia experience chronic pain, constant fatigue, and changes in their mood that is sharp and treatments for these symptoms are few.
• Lavender essential oil is used often in aromatherapy because it is a relaxing compound which is involved in regulating the mood and the nervous system.
• Many participants who participated in a 2012 study reported that they slept better when they slept in a room filled with the vaporized essential oil.

"Given these beneficial effects, researchers believe that the oils drawn from capsicum, lavender, and peppermint could be potential therapies for fibromyalgia."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-02-capsicum-lavender-and-peppermint-essential-oils-relieve-fibromyalgia-pain.html

Yunnan Tasly Deepure Biological Tea Group Company recently collaborated with scientists from Tianjin University of Commerce on research into the health benefits of pu-erh tea. The research involved rats on a high fat diet, and discovered that pu-erh tea can help defend your liver against oxidative stress and high glucose levels. Pu-erh tea also appears to be able to protect rats from weight and body fat increases and prevent lipid peroxidation. These results suggest pu-era tea has great potential for preventing fatty liver disease.

Key Takeaways:

• This study studied the effects of Pu-erh tea extract on live rats and the results reveal that is contains hepatoprotective and antioxidants properties.
• The study researchers fed rats with a high fat diet for a period of 12 weeks and then gave them Pu-erh tea extract in measured doses.
• Another way that Pu-erh tea extract can protect against liver diseases is by reducing the glucose level in the body and increase hepatic glycogen production.

"The results showed that the treatment with Pu-erh tea extract prevented the increases of body weight and fat index, reduced oxidative stress, and inhibited lipid peroxidation — all of which contributed to the protection of the liver in rats."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-16-pu-erh-tea-has-hepatoprotective-and-antioxidant-properties.html

Researchers recommend men having erectile dysfunction to be taking diets and supplements rich in zinc. This is because it has been discovered that the element can improve the proper functioning of the penis. Erectile dysfunction comes about when a man is unable to have and sustain an erection. It is often attributable to chronic health problems like hypertension or a consequence of stress disorders like depression. The treatment for erectile dysfunction takes two conventional approaches. One approach is to concentrate on the health issue that caused the problem. But the drawback of this approach is that it takes time and effort. The other approach is using drugs that will help to start and sustain an erection. One of such drugs is Viagra. The drawback of approaches using drugs is that these drugs can have unwanted side effects. But natural supplements such as horny goat weed and vitamin D supplements have also been found effective in treating erectile dysfunction. It has been found that people who are deficient in zinc are more prone to changes in their physiology and can easily get erectile dysfunction. It can also result in weakening of the immune system. That is why zinc is recommended for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. By the way, it is low risk and high reward form of treatment.

Key Takeaways:

• When a man has erectile dysfunction, doctors suggest that he takes adequate amounts of zinc in the diet because it can restore the proper functioning of the penis.
• Two treatment approaches exist for erectile dysfunction and one approach is to treat the health problem that caused the problem in the first place.
• Pharmaceutical drugs like Viagra that can be used to treat erectile dysfunction are not very good for the body because they often cause side effects.

"It is often a secondary effect of either chronic health problems like hypertension or stress disorders such as depression."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-16-zinc-supplementation-can-benefit-individuals-with-erectile-dysfunction.html

European scientists recently published new research in the journal Thorax which indicates that correcting a vitamin D deficiency can mitigate breathing and lung problems caused by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD symptoms include chronic bronchitis, asthma that cannot be reversed and persistent difficulty with breathing. However, the benefits only apply to people who have a deficiency of the vitamin. Vitamin D can help augment the immune system while reducing harmful inflammatory responses. Good food source of vitamin D include several species of fish, as well as eggs and mushrooms l.

Key Takeaways:

• Not specifically one disease, COPD refers to an array of chronic, serious and non-reversible lung conditions, such as emphysema.
• COPD sufferers with low levels of vitamin D may curb symptoms by consuming bitamin-D rich foods, like salmon, beef liver and egg yolks, so suggests data.
• The data arises from a review of four randomized controlled trials that used more than 500 overall participants.

"Carried out by a team of researchers from Europe, the study revealed that supplementing with regular doses of vitamin D safely and significantly reduced the symptoms of COPD."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-02-vitamin-d-can-soothe-symptoms-of-copd.html

According to a recent Belgian study, vitamin K protects the arteries that supply the ocular organs with blood and acts as a shield against damaging calcification. The researchers found that vitamin K is beneficial for eye health in that it protects the optic nerves from possible optic damage due to glaucoma. The researchers were trying to determine if there was a link to vitamin K deficiency and poor eye health. This study points to a need for more research into the molecular pathways affected by vitamin and the benefits of vitamin K supplementation.

Key Takeaways:

• A new health benefit for Vitamin K has been observed by Belgian researchers and they report that the vitamin protects the eyes from human calcification.
• The study spanned the course of 11 years and it involved the participation of 1,000 flemish adults who were randomly selected and were in their 40s.
• Vitamin K levels and the levels of active Matrix Gla proteins (MGP) were evaluated. The MGP proteins were responsible for preventing calcification to take place in the arteries.

"Based on their findings, the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) researchers observed that taking vitamin K supplements could help maintain the health of the eyes by protecting the optic nerves from injury caused by glaucoma."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-28-new-research-on-vitamin-k-eye-health.html

Historically used in ancient Chinese medicine, astragalus extract has a plethora of benefits, including the ability to regrow nerves. This specific benefit was verified by a study conducted in Taiwan, where researchers administered the extract to lab rats in hopes of finding out how well in aided in cell regeneration. The results proved that just three grams of astragalus extract per day can help promote neuronal electrophysiological function, which is directly related to the regeneration of cells.

Key Takeaways:

• The nervous system which plays an important role in the way the parts of our body communicate with themselves can be helped to do so efficiently by astragalus.
• When studies were done on astragalus extract, earlier research has shown that the herb can be used as a potential nerve growth-promoting factor.
• When nerve pain occurs it is either due to damage to the nervous system or a problem with the nervous system and is described as a sharp, burning pain.

"These results, which were published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, indicate that astragalus is beneficial for the nerves and inflammation."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-26-why-astragalus-is-good-for-your-nervous-system.html

There's a lot of buzz about curcumin these days and for good reason. A recent study published in The Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that it can help to improve athletic performance in heart failure patients. Other research has shown that it could reduce muscle loss in individuals with heart disease. Due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects properties, it also can be a very effective post-workout supplement. In fact, researchers found that people that consumed one gram of curcumin twice daily had decreased muscle injuries and less pain in their lower legs.

Key Takeaways:

• To add to the growing research on curcumin, a new research has shown that taking curcumin can improve athletic performance in people having heart failure.
• The study was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology and it showed that persons taking curcumin have enhanced muscle function and increased exercise capacity.
• Curcumin, which is the active ingredient in turmeric, has for a long time been used in Asian medicine to relieve symptoms of digestive problems and skin wounds.

"For the study, researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center looked at the effects of curcumin on a mouse model of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The compound is known to promote activation of Nrf2 protein, which regulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes that prevent and repair damage from oxidative stress and boost exercise performance."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-18-curcumin-improves-muscle-function-exercise.html

According to Taiwanese citizens, the cordyceps(mushroom) is a powerful food. They say it can help with the immune system, and fights against tumors, as a start. Though they are hard to grow in large volumes due to a parasitic symbiosis, they are still worth the effort to study and learn from. Taiwanese universities have already studied how fermentation affects this mushroom, and they want to increase their knowledge, especially when it comes to perhaps growing alternatives to meet the demand.

Key Takeaways:

• Some universities researchers in Taiwan have carried out a comprehensive review that sought to understand the state of cordyceps research in the country.
• The Taiwanese highly regard the cordyceps for its numerous biological activities which include being an anti-tumor compound, an antioxidant and a pro-sexual agent.
• Some of the things that the review looked at was on how different methods of fermentation and production can have an effect on the chemical properties of cordyceps.

"In the review, the researchers identified the primary challenge in the mass production of Cordyceps sinensis, which is the difficulty in collecting natural variants with parasitic hosts, coupled with discoveries regarding its pharmacological benefits."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-19-health-benefits-of-different-cordyceps-variants.html

Astragalus is known in Chinese medicine because it has been used by the Chinese for centuries as a medicinal herb. Recent researchers have backed up the healing claims of the plant. In a new study that was done in China, Chinese researchers have discovered that polysaccharide extracts from astragalus can be effective against pulmonary arterial hypertension. To carry out the study they fed rats with monocrotaline in order to induce pulmonary arterial hypertension in them. Then they gave the rats 200 milligrams per kilogram of astragalus polysaccharides once in every two days for a period of two weeks. The results were positive. It was found that the polysaccharides of astragalus reduced the hypertension of the pulmonary artery induced by monocrotaline in rats. There were other benefits that were discovered. The treatment with the polysaccharide of astragalus also eliminated oxidative stress, promoted vasodilation, and reduced inflammation in the rats. All these suggest that astragalus lowers the blood pressure in individuals. The findings of the study were then published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine with the authors stating that astragalus can be used to eliminate symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension in individuals.

Key Takeaways:

• Astragalus is also known as huang qi and it has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years while its beneficial effects has been backed up by research.
• In a new study that was published by Chinese researchers, it was found that the polysaccharides in astragalus can be used to help patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
• In the study the researchers administered monocrotaline in rats in order to induce pulmonary arterial hypertension and then administered astragalus polysaccharides to them for two weeks.

"In China, astragalus is one of the herbs commonly prescribed to help with diabetes management. Research has also shown that the active compounds in astragalus may help in reducing blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Lab trials have shown that it improves metabolism, reduce blood sugar levels, and aid in weight loss."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-17-astragalus-improves-symptoms-of-pulmonary-arterial-hypertension.html

Even CBD can help reduce hypertension.

Scientific literature on how marijuana works on the body is rapidly expanding. Right now, there are a plethora of studies on how marijuana works on the human brain. Some studies have shown that it can be effective in treating disorders of the brain like epilepsy. Recent tests show that marijuana can increase the risk of dementia because it restricts the flow of blood to the brain. These brain areas are essential for memory development. The area most affected is the hippocampus which can result in Alzheimer’s if prolonged. The researchers for the study used single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT) to measure blood flow to the brain after taking marijuana and they reported that there were very low and abnormal blood flow levels observed. This is when compared with persons who did not take marijuana. 982 patients were selected from a wide variety of data sources that was available to the researchers concerning persons who previously used or were still using marijuana. The results of the study showed that persons taking marijuana were at a risk of dementia due to the low blood flow to their hippocampus.

Key Takeaways:

• The author notes that the studies regarding the effect of marijuana is increasing and this is particularly so regarding its effect on the brain.
• Some recent tests show that it can increase the risk of dementia when marijuana is taken because it reduces the blood flow to the brain.
• When the researchers used single photon emission computer tomography to analyze blood flow to the brain they observed abnormally low flow to the brain with users of marijuana.

"Users were analyzed using a brain SPECT and by conducting mental concentration tests against a sample of 100 people who had not used marijuana to determine whether there were significant differences that arose between users and non-users of cannabis."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-19-marijuana-lowers-blood-flow-to-the-brain-may-be-useful-for-epileptics.html

The culinary world loves mushrooms because they have rich flavors but yet they are packed with high amount of nutrition and possess antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties. But new findings show that mushrooms can even provide much more. They have been shown to help in brain health. The research highlighted in this blog shows that when people eat mushrooms they have reduced risk of a mild cognitive impairment that precedes Alzheimer’s disease. The study was conducted in the National University of Singapore and used 600 human subjects who were given various types of mushrooms such as dried mushrooms, white button mushrooms, and golden mushrooms. The researchers found at the end of the study that participants who had consumed mushrooms had reduced cognitive decline especially if they take two or more servings of mushrooms each week as seniors. Other benefits of mushrooms beyond brain health are that it helps prevent cancer, improves the immune function, reduces weight, and is a healthy source of vitamin D.

Key Takeaways:

• Although mushrooms are loved by those who cook for their rich flavor, it goes beyond that because it is also a nutritional powerhouse.
• New research shows that mushrooms can boost brain health because it has been understood that eating mushrooms reduces risk of mild cognitive impairment.
• The study was conducted at the National University of Singapore using about 600 people who were given different types of mushrooms to consume.

"Beyond the new findings that show mushrooms may boost brain health and lower the risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, mushrooms offer other significant health benefits, too."

Read more: https://www.naturalhealth365.com/mushrooms-brain-health-2936.html

Aloe vera can be used for plenty of skin conditions, but new evidence suggests it could be used for blood infections, because of the metabolites in the plant. A Chinese and Japanese study looked at this using mice, and found that aloe metabolites suppressed inflammation, due to reduced nitric oxide level. This is important because sepsis harms the body's own tissues and organs, and can be fatal. Aloe also has other uses, such as skin care, warding off cancer, treating digestive issues, and lowering blood sugar levels.

Key Takeaways:

• Sepsis though not too common should be seen as a serious condition because it can lead to death or organ failure if the condition is not immediately treated.
• A team of researchers from China and Japan sought out natural treatment for this disease and found out that aloe vera plant metabolites could be helpful.
• The trials were conducted in both the laboratory and in animals and the team sought to find out how aloe vera metabolites has anti-inflammatory effects against sepsis.

"After using various tests to determine inflammation, the Chinese and Japanese research team found that aloe metabolites suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Aloe metabolites also decreased the production of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-17-can-aloe-vera-be-used-to-treat-sepsis.html

People who frequently experience bouts of anxiety and frequent periods of stress may find it hard to wind down after a hard day at work. This can then result in the inability to relax and inability to sleep. That is why anxiety and stress are recognized as the two most prominent leading causes of insomnia. Insomnia on the other hand takes a major toll on one’s physical health and mental well-being. What could be the solution? Researchers have found that this could be keeping a jasmine plant in the house. The scent which the jasmine plant releases has been linked to a reduction in anxiety and stress. The author states that the Jasmine plant is a flower that blooms at night with a sweet fragrance and exciting smell. Companies use it to make teas, incense, essential oils, and then perfumes. Its health benefits are immense and it has been used to treat diabetes, hepatitis, and cancer. It can now be proved that it can used to reduce anxiety and stress in individuals. It is estimated that about 40 million adults are affected yearly by anxiety and stress. The author then states the pathways in which jasmine works.

Key Takeaways:

• People who experience frequent bouts of anxiety at the end of the day or frequent episodes of stress often find it difficult to wind down.
• Anxiety and stress are two of the leading causes of insomnia and there is nothing like not being able to sleep at the end of the day.
• The solution to insomnia has been found by several studies to be keeping a jasmine plant in the room that helps to reduce anxiety levels.

"One way to combat a high level of toxins in the air is to keep a jasmine plant nearby. Research concludes a jasmine plant in your room can serve as relief for sleeplessness, anxiety, and stress, among other illnesses. Simply breathing the aromatic scent of the plant can help to significantly calm your anxieties."

Read more: https://www.healthnutnews.com/keep-a-jasmine-flower-in-your-room-to-reduce-stress-and-anxiety-study-finds-its-as-calming-as-valium/

A new study has found that adding fermented shiitake mushroom to rice bran is effective in inhibiting the growth of Salmonella typhimurium. The study was conducted on mouse organs and it was published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This formulation has been hailed as a new antimicrobial food-compatible formulation. The study was conducted on murine macrophage cells and in mice. Before this, it was known that the bioactive compounds in rice brans and in shiitake mushrooms have a lot of potential health benefits in mice, cells, and rodents. When the mycelia cells were compared against non-fermented ones, it was found that the bioactive compounds present in the fermented shiitake mushrooms could not be found in the ones that had not fermented. Further findings showed that the pathogen, Salmonella, was inhibited in infected macrophage cells and in organs in the mouse such as the cecum, mesenteric lymph node, spleen, and the liver. Another finding was that there was increased secretion of the bacteria in the feces in mouse. Overall, this findings show that fermented shiitake mushrooms with rice brans can be used as an antibiotic and antimicrobial food.

Key Takeaways:

• To carry out the study a team of researchers from Korea and the US tried to understand the effect of shiitake mushroom with rice bran on macrophage cells.
• The component produced in rice plants are bioactive rice brans and hulls while that produced by mushrooms are bioactive polysaccharides and other compounds.
• When mushroom mycelia that was fermenting with rice bran cells were inspected it was found that they have bioactive compounds that are absent in the non-fermenting mycelia.

"A study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that a formulation of fermented shiitake mushroom with added rice bran can inhibit the growth of Salmonella typhimurium in infected mouse organs."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-16-shiitake-mushrooms-are-a-powerful-medicinal-superfood.html

Nobody wants to think about losing their memories as they begin to age. Luckily, a Chinese medicinal herb called gardenia has been shown to contain components that can help improve cognitive function. Scientists studied mice that were given daily doses of gardenia, and the research revealed that a component called GJ-4 had the ability to help repair cognitive damage, reduce brain inflammation, and even help expand the body's ability to hold antioxidants which help promote brain function.

Key Takeaways:

• Crocin, which is found in gardenia fruit has neuro protective properties
• Crocin has shown in lab tests to help stave off the degenerative disease that effect memory and neuro function
• Gardenia essential oil has anti inflammatory, anti microbial and culinary properties

"In the study, researchers looked at Chinese herbs, which have been used medicinally for thousands of years, as a good source for potential drugs for Alzheimer’s."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-28-gardenia-found-to-prevent-cognitive-impairment-and-neurotoxicity.html

When one gets insufficient nutrients from the diet, taking multivitamins can be a healthy way to improve this. A recent study has shown that men who take multivitamins a lot are less prone to diseases related to the heart such as stroke and even death related to cardiovascular diseases. But how can cardiovascular diseases be prevented using multivitamins? There are few studies in this direction although a lot of studies have been done on the health benefits of multivitamins. That is why a team of researchers in the US embarked on a study of the incidence of multivitamin usage on major cardiovascular diseases like stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular death. The study was a long term prospective study. The study was conducted between 1982 and 1995 using 18,530 healthy men that were aged from 40 years and above who the researchers followed. The participants reported their lifestyle habits and as well as their intake of certain foods. Throughout the follow up study, there were only 1,697 reported cases of cardiovascular diseases. This made the researchers to conclude that taking multivitamins means a reduced risk to cardiovascular diseases. It is then appropriate for one to choose the right kind of supplements to improve the diet.

Key Takeaways:

• When one suspects that he is not getting the full nutrients that his body needs on a daily basis, taking quality multivitamins is necessary.
• According to a recent study that was done on multivitamins, men who have taken them for a long time have lower risks of stroke and cardiovascular diseases.
• Many persons know of the important role of multivitamins in improving and maintaining health, but little research has been done on its role on cardiovascular disease.

"In conducting the study, the research team followed 18,530 healthy men aged 40 years old or over from 1982 to 1995. The participants were initially enrolled from the Physicians’ Health Study I cohort"

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-16-multivitamins-keep-heart-disease-at-bay.html

Many persons drink tea for relaxation, stress relief, and to get a caffeine fix but little do they know that drinking tea can help to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Some researchers in both America and China who worked together have found that drinking tea can lead to DNA damage in the cells of breast cancer. Since this tea can be used to prevent also the progression of a tumor, it is hoped that one day they can be a non-toxic means to prevent the growth of breast cancer. In the USA alone, about 250,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 and about 41,000 are expected to die from the disease. Although there are improvements in the screening for breast cancer, and in treatment, it is noted that more needs to be done to help women. The researchers discovered that tea has long been used in medicinal treatment in China for centuries and reckoned that black tea is used more often than green tea and oolong tea. And although the benefits of green tea in treating cancer has long been known, the use of oolong tea for cancer is not known, so the researchers sought out this tea in their experiment. Using patients from Fujian, China, where oolong tea is grown mainly, they found out that there was a lower incidence of cancer among people who take oolong tea.

Key Takeaways:

• Many persons drink tea so that it can help them relax or to get their fix of caffeine but they do not know that it can inhibit breast cancer.
• The lead author on oolong tea and breast cancer observed how it caused morphology alteration and DNA damage in the cells of breast cancer.
• Over 250,000 women in the USA alone were diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2018 and it is estimated that 41,000 will die from it.

"Like black and green teas, oolong tea contains several vitamins, minerals, and helpful antioxidants."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-11-oolong-tea-inhibits-the-growth-and-progression-of-breast-cancer-cells.html

A recent study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that some properties of the Reishi Mushroom can fight obesity. The study was conducted by a Chinese research team at Hunan Agricultural University. It involved feeding mice high fat diets and then studying how the compounds of the mushrooms combated the weight gain over the course of a 12 week research project. The mushrooms exhibited helpful properties at both dosage levels that were tested.

Key Takeaways:

• It has been found in a study that is published in the Journal of Medicinal Food that extracts of reishi mushroom has antioxidant properties that work against obesity.
• The researchers were from China and they wanted to find out the effects of reishi mushroom polysaccharides on lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in mice.
• The treatment with reishi mushroom polysaccharide induced apoptosis, substantially decreased the liver and heart, and reduced the small intestine oxidative stress in the mice.

"In mice, treatment with reishi mushroom polysaccharides, in both doses, significantly reduced the body weight increases caused by the feeding with a high-fat diet."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-27-reishi-mushroom-hypolipidemic-antioxidant-antiapoptotic.html

While pancreatic cancer is a terribly dangerous disease, a vitamin supplement regime may be able to mitigate some of the risk of developing it. A Chinese study that looked at health data from over 1.2 million people discovered a clear correlation between higher intake of vitamins and lower risk of pancreatic cancer. Specifically, the researchers believe that the vitamins, through a variety of different mechanisms, induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This demonstrates that a healthy diet combined with supplements can greatly reduce your cancer risk.

Key Takeaways:

• Nearly 40 percent of Americans are expected to have cancer in their lifetime but there is some good news on the natural home front.
• The good news is that taking vitamins can reduce the risk to pancreatic cancer which accounts for about seven percent of all cancer diagnosis.
• Ying Liu and his colleagues conducted the research on cancer and vitamins, and it involved about 1,214,995 subjects with pancreatic cancer being about 8,740.

"Fortunately, there are lifestyle changes that can dramatically reduce the risk of falling victim to pancreatic cancer, including a vitamin (and mineral) regimen."

Read more: https://www.naturalhealth365.com/pancreatic-cancer-vitamin-2775.html

Kava kava was found to alleviate anxiety symptoms by a study done at Gran Valley State University in Michigan. The study reported that it was safe if used for less than eight weeks. This medicine can be found in the Pacific and helps the many people suffering phobias and major depressive disorders. Approximately one in fourteen people suffer from some anxiety. The medicine was found to be harmful to the liver, and even toxic if taken longer than eight weeks. It was also found to be more effective for females and younger people. Longer term studies will be done to determine overall safety. In the meantime, other treatments include using skullcap, Valerian root, passion flower and Ashwagandha.

Key Takeaways:

• Kava kava is used widely in the pacific to alleviate anxiety and a new study from Grand Valley state University in Michigan has confirmed its effectiveness.
• In the US about 40 million adults are said to suffer from anxiety disorder and the specific issues range from major depressive disorders to phobias.
• 11 articles that met the inclusion criteria for kava kava to be effective against anxiety were used in the study by the Michigan researchers.

"A lot of people suffer from anxiety. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in 14 people around the world has an anxiety disorder, making it one of the most common mental disorders."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-13-kava-kava-can-alleviate-anxiety.html

Berberine is a yellow compound found in goldenseal that has traditionally been used as both a dye and a medicine. Recently, a group of Japanese researchers found that berberine may induce cell death in cancer cells — especially leukemia cells — and prevent their proliferation. Berberine may also be quite effective in moderating blood sugar and promoting the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract. It may also help in losing weight and moderating cholesterol levels.

Key Takeaways:

• As researchers continue to search for treatment for cancer, some researchers in Japan have found that a natural compound, berberine, can be effective in treating cancer.
• To study the effectiveness of berberine against cancer, the researchers treated human promyelocytic leukemia cells with berberine and then examined the effect of the compound.
• The findings of the study was published in the journal The American Journal of Chinese Medicine and it discovered that berberine was effective against leukemia.

"The research team found that after five to 15 minutes of treatment, berberine exhibited powerful antiproliferative activity in the cells."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-26-compound-goldenseal-cancer-fighting-properties.html

According to a study published in Phytotherapy Research, Cannabis sativa L., otherwise known as the hemp plant, has a wide variety of health benefits. Because it is high in antioxidants, it offers significant protection from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Furthermore, the hempseed is very high in omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, which make it beneficial for the skin, heart, and joints. Hemp is often mistakenly confused with marijuana. While both plants contain Cannabis sativa, hemp does not have any THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that causes a "high". Hemp is also packed with beneficial nutrients and supports optimal brain and GI health.

Key Takeaways:

• Given its many and varied health benefits, the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, is the most likely contender for the title of miracle plant.
• In a research published in Phytotherapy Research, a team studied the hemp plant’s antioxidant properties as well as the chemicals that had a huge impact in doing this.
• When the researchers used finola hempseed oil to test for its effectiveness against oxidative stress, they found positive results from the study.

"In the study, the researchers attribute this biological effect to the presence of flavonoid compounds in hempseed oil, which include flavanones, flavonols, flavanols, and isoflavones."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-14-hemp-from-finland-has-antioxidant-properties-high-flavonoid-content.html

Vitamin K2 may help protect you against becoming one of the 17 million people estimated to die from heart disease this year. Vitamin K2 helps to moderate how much calcium builds up in the body and where. This is significant because the calcification of plaque-narrowed arteries plays a major role in heart disease. Vitamin K2 can help ensure that your body’s calcium supply stays in your bones and out of your arteries and other soft tissue, and can reduce your risk of heart disease by 50 percent or more.

Key Takeaways:

• The number one cause of death and illness worldwide is attributed to heart disease and it is estimated to cause about 17 million deaths each year.
• Artherosclerosis, or the accumulation of calcified deposits in the arteries, has been known by researchers to be a major cause of heart disease.
• Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and the maintenance of bone density. It is found in two forms in the body – Vitamin K1, and Vitamin K2.

"In one study, daily consumption of more than 32 micrograms of dietary vitamin K2 reduced the risk of arterial calcification and death from heart disease – by an incredible 50 percent."

Read more: https://www.naturalhealth365.com/vitamin-k2-nutrition-news-2650.html

Spinach, one of the healthiest vegetables available, and it contains a high amount of lutein. The best way to get this lutein is to blend it in a smoothie or add it to a green juice. Because lutein is fat-soluble and stored in the immune cells, the researchers for this study were looking for ways to boost lutein levels in the blood and take advantage of its many health benefits. The research team that came from Sweden used Spinach to understand this process and they processed spinach in various ways, examining various heating and steaming methods to best bolster lutein content in spinach. They found that heating makes spinach to lose its lutein content and the more it is boiled, the more lutein that is lost. They found that the best way to consume spinach to preserve its lutein content is to take it cold. Therefore that is why adding spinach to smoothies is recommended for maximum consumption of lutein in spinach.

Key Takeaways:

• Dark green vegetables contain abundant quantities of lutein and this natural fat-soluble pigment can be used to fight inflammation in immune cells for people with coronary heart disease.
• It has also been found that lutein can be stored in immune cells which means one can have a reserve or store of lutein in the body.
• The research team wanted to find out which method of cooking makes lutein in spinach most available and they fried, steamed, and boiled the spinach for several minutes.

"There are many different ways of preparing spinach, but a recent study suggests that blending it in a smoothie or adding it to your green juice is the best way to maximize its lutein content."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-21-eat-or-drink-your-vegetables-make-smoothies-to-maximize-the-lutein-in-spinach.html

As everyone knows, fiber is an important part of the diet of what we consume. The more whole healthy grains we eat, the better off we are. Fiber first acts like a broom through the body system. It helps to keep our colons and cardiovascular system functioning and debris free. This is critical to avoid events such as colon cancer, heart attacks and strokes. Grains also are a rich source of vitamins and minerals one cannot get from meat of vegetation.

Key Takeaways:

• Research on fiber consumption and risk to non-communicable disease was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in the Lancet.
• The researchers carried out the study over a period of 40 years and it included 4,635 adult persons that amounted to 135 million-person years.
• Some of the diseases that were focused on were coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke, as well as the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

"New research adds another benefit of fiber and whole grain consumption: They may lower the risk of non-communicable diseases."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-31-fiber-and-whole-grains-can-help-lower-your-risk-of-disease.html

Recent research published in Neurology Research International has yielded indications that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may be even better than corticosteroids in treating spinal injuries. Curcumin can help fight both primary and secondary inflammation, and may have other benefits as well. For example, it appears to help stimulate stem cells and promote neural progenitor cell growth, both of which are crucial for healing. This is just the latest in a long line of research demonstrating the broad-spectrum health benefits of turmeric.

Key Takeaways:

• Among the feats that curcumin is accredited with are reducing inflammation, fighting cancer, and preventing depression. Now, it can be used to treat spinal cord injuries.
• This research is the first systematic data on how curcumin can have an impact in spinal cord injuries and relieve many persons of the pain of surgery.
• When someone has a spinal cord injury the factors at play are inflammatory processes and this is where curcumin can work best.

"The researchers found that in all studies comparing the two, curcumin outperformed corticosteroids every time."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-24-curcumin-performs-better-than-drugs-spinal-cord-injuries.html

Because cancer can quickly accelerate the deterioration of a person’s body, some researchers in China wanted to find out how soy-whey protein blend can help patients with leukemia by considering its effects on protein energy absorption and muscle mass. This is because leukemia patients often experience a decrease in muscle mass and severe protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Earlier studies have shown that soy-whey protein can promote muscle protein synthesis, so the present researchers wanted to know if it can help leukemia patients before they undergo bone marrow transplant. The patients used in the study were 24 in number and they were divided into two groups. One group took natural diet with soy-whey blended protein (BP) while the second group only took natural diet. From the data it was observed that there was a decrease in protein and energy intake of all the 24 participants. But in the group without the soy-whey diet, there was a significant decrease in muscle-related indicators in half of the patients while 60 percent of the patients who ingested the soy-whey blend protein had muscle mass increase in the arm area.

Key Takeaways:

• Researchers in China who investigated the effects of leukemia on patients wanted to know how ingesting soy-whey protein can blend in with protein-energy absorption and muscle mass.
• The researchers used about 24 patients to test their hypothesis that soy-whey protein can aid leukemia patients and they also used a natural diet only (ND) group.
• From all the patients about 68 percent who ingested the soy-whey protein before transplantation showed increased improvements in the arm muscle area.

"In the ND group without the BP intervention, the researchers observed a significant reduction in muscle-related indicators (i.e., anthropometric variables, muscle strength and serum protein) in more than 50 percent of the patients."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-04-02-blended-protein-improves-energy-malnutrition-muscle-mass-leukemia-patients.html

New Japanese research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may help mitigate one of the major psychophysiological symptoms of PTSD: a racing, pounding heart. The researchers divided over 80 survivors of major accidents into a control group and a group that received supplementary omega-3s. The omega-3 group had lower resting heart rates and also lower heart rates after being subjected to imagery related to their accidents. Omega-3s play an important role in brain health and neurological functions, and have already displayed potential utility in the treatment of depression.

Key Takeaways:

• After a person has witnessed or experienced a traumatic event, he could get the condition called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which is a mental health condition.
• People who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience symptoms such as a pounding heart and doctors have discovered that omega-3 fatty acids could help them.
• To determine if fatty acids could help traumatic event survivors, the researchers in Japan recruited 83 persons who have such events and gave them fatty acid supplements.

"supplementation of omega-3s might help prevent psychophysiological symptoms of PTSD"

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-10-omega-3s-help-people-suffering-from-ptsd.html

Commercial food industries have long used artificial colors to enhance the look of their products. With consumers now trending toward wanting more natural ingredients in their food and beverages, natural colors attained from plants is an easy solution. For example, the anthocyanins, which give grape skins their various colors, can be used to make colas several different colors. They also have a beneficial health component, as they contain anti oxidants that are know to aid in several areas of health and nutritional balance.

Key Takeaways:

• Some of the problems food manufacturers cause is using synthetic food to provide color when they make beverages and producing a lot of environmental wastes.
• Researchers in Brazil wanted to help the environment so they researched on ways to use residues of food processing as colorants in drinks.
• When they compared their research on grape fruit and kefir, they found that anthocyanins from grape fruit when applied to kefir was sustainable and good for the health.

"Anthocyanins from grape skins can be used as a safe and natural food colorant, according to a study published in the Journal of Food Processing and Preservation."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-29-anthocyanins-from-grape-skins-could-potentially-be-used-a-colorant.html

Corn silk has been used in ancient medicine in the Far East for several thousand years. It has anti inflammatory properties to help reduce swelling in organs as well as soft tissues and muscle. More research in recent years has found that it also has anti cancer properties and has a mild pain reducing effect for abdominal pain associated with gastrointestinal issues, gall bladder symptoms and general colon health.It has also been shown effective in helping to stablize blood sugars in those with diabetes.

Key Takeaways:

• A study on corn silk published in the journal American Journal of Chinese Medicine has found that it has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.
• Corn silk has been used as part of the treatment regimen in traditional medicine and this research shows that it can be used to treat inflammation.
• The compounds in corn silk extract that the researchers identified was maysin which served as a marker component and was found to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

"Earlier research has shown that corn silk plays a role in some biological activities like diabetes and cancer prevention."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-26-corn-silk-anti-inflammatory-antinociceptive-properties.html

CBD can reduce inflammation as well.