Policosanol improves cholesterol profiles for diabetics; also suppresses HIV-related lipodystrophy.
09.22.2004 22:20
Policosanol is a mixture of long-chain alcohols purified
from sugar cane wax. Its cholesterol-reducing abilities have been
known for more than ten years. Short-term studies during the
1990s showed improved cholesterol profiles for people with
diabetes-related
cholesterol problems. Now the results of longer-term studies
are being reported.
read more...
Genistein taken in infancy may prevent obesity later in life.
09.16.2004 22:19
Genistein, an isoflavone extracted from soybeans, has shown a
wide variety of intriguing and beneficial effects when used
as a supplement. Among these are effects on insulin levels,
sugar metabolism, and body fat.
read more...
Statin drugs cause Coenzyme Q10 deficiencies.
09.04.2004 22:17
Not everyone is convinced that animal fat and high
cholesterol levels are responsible for cardiovascular disease. A group
called ‘The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics’
(THINCS) considers the campaign to lower cholesterol to be a scheme
by pharmaceutical companies to scare the public into buying
expensive drugs. THINCS claims that the statin drugs have dangerous
side effects, and that there is no scientific evidence that
they have saved anyone’s life.read more...
Neuropathy suppressed by acetyl-L-carnitine
09.01.2004 22:16
Since the mid-1990s research groups in Italy have been
studying the use of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) to prevent or treat nerve
damage, especially that caused by certain AIDS drugs. Recent
research studies have now shown that ALC is effective in treating
diabetic neuropathy and in preventing neuropathy caused by
anti-cancer drugs such as paclitaxel and cisplatin.
read more...
Supplements for wound-healing: vitamin C, bromelain, rutin, grapeseed extract
08.29.2004 22:15
A study conducted at the University of Texas has shown that a
combination of four oral supplements significantly accelerates
and improves the healing of wounds. The supplements used were
vitamin C, bromelain, rutin, and grape seed extract. The patients
healed 17 percent faster than patients not receiving the
supplements, and also had less redness and swelling.
read more...
Vitamins and Alzheimer’s, endometriosis, colorectal and liver cancer, and deficiencies
08.15.2004 22:14
Vitamins have been much in the news lately, and some of the reports have exciting implications.
Researchers at the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging report that higher intake of the vitamin B3 (niacin) seems to have a protective effect against the development of Alzheimer’s Disease and age-related cognitive decline.
read more...
Are supplements taken as sprays more effective than pills?
08.07.2004 22:13
An increasing number of supplement products are appearing on
the market that are based on the idea that substances are absorbed
better if sprayed into the mouth rather than taken as capsules
or tablets. The merit of this concept is debatable, according
to an article in the
Antioxidants for prevention of prostate cancer
08.01.2004 22:12
An exciting research report from Toronto, Canada concludes
that a combination of antioxidant supplements can prevent prostate
cancer from developing. The study was done in mice, but the
treatment is currently being studied in humans, as well. Mice
with a predisposition to get prostate cancer were given a
supplement containing selenium, vitamin E, and soy powder. 80% of
the animals that received the antioxidants developed no
prostate tumors, and the few that did had much smaller ones compared
to animals that received a placebo.
read more...
Vitamin C was misrepresented by the U.S. government, professors claim
07.29.2004 22:11
In the 1970s Linus Pauling made some very strong claims
about the value of high doses of vitamin C for preventing and treating
diseases, including cancer. Because so many people paid
attention to him, the medical establishment within the U.S. government
conducted some studies, ostensibly to test Pauling’s claims,
but more likely to debunk them. Now, two pharmacology professors
say that the government’s studies were done so poorly that the
official dosage recommendations that came out of them are worthless.
In fact, the official Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamin C
may be too low by more than a factor of twenty, and may have
cost millions of people their health and their lives.read more...
Folic acid associated with decreased risk of cognitive impairment
07.15.2004 22:09
Homocysteine concentrations in the blood appear to be
associated with higher risk of vascular disease, which in turn might
play a role in vascular dementia and in Alzheimer’s Disease.
If so, then one might expect that supplements which decrease
homocysteine levels would also decrease the incidence of
vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s. A new study now confirms that
this is the case.read more...
