Category: News

Word is starting to spread that even in people whose blood glucose is within a healthy range, chronically elevated insulin can be a major factor in cardiometabolic disease. Metabolic syndrome and PCOS are the most obvious manifestations of hyperinsulinemia, but a growing number and a widening range of diverse conditions can be added to the list of issues that are caused or exacerbated by this hormonal situation. Let’s explore the connection between chronic hyperinsulinemia and gout. Read More

A recent paper highlights the mechanisms behind lactose intolerance, a clinical syndrome that causes patients to display symptoms on consumption of food substances containing lactose, the disaccharide present in dairy, milk products, and mammalian milk. Read More

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that causes symptoms such as pain. In Japan, although pregabalin and duloxetine are the drugs of choice for fibromyalgia, they may be ineffective or may cause side-effects. Studies have reported on the efficacy of acupuncture against fibromyalgia. However, acupuncture is not always effective in clinical practice, and the reason for this is thought to be the dysfunction of the descending pain control system. This study aimed to determine whether the combined use of electro-scalp acupuncture and conventional electroacupuncture reduces fibromyalgia symptoms and drug dosage requirements. Read More

Introduction: Herpes zoster is caused by the reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus, which leads to acute pain that may disturb routine activities and affect patients’ quality of life. Electroacupuncture has been commonly used for treating herpetic pain in clinical treatment. However, no relevant studies have been performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture for acute control in herpetic neuralgia patients. The purpose of the current study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to address the deficiencies of the current research. Read More

Cell pyroptosis is one of the main forms of neuronal injury after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. It is accompanied by an inflammatory reaction and regulated by the caspase gene family. Electroacupuncture can reduce neuronal injury caused by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, and we speculated that electroacupuncture can prevent neuronal pyroptosis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by regulating the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1 pathway. Read More

Background: The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is crucial for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. Xi Huang Wan are a traditional Chinese preparation with antitumour properties. They inhibit the growth of breast cancer, glioma, and other tumours by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Read More

By Laura Lewis, MS, Metabolic Maintenance  Read More

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix) and Chuan Mu Xiang (Vladimiriae Radix) were used to treat gastrointestinal, liver and gallbladder diseases at practice. In most conditions, Chuan Mu Xiang was used to be a substitute of Mu Xiang or a local habit may attribute to the same main active ingredients Costunolide and Dehydrocostus lactone, which presented many similar pharmacological activities. However, other different lactone compounds in Mu Xiang and Chuan Mu Xiang also play a role in disease treatment, so the difference in therapeutic effects of Mu Xiang and Chuan Mu Xiang in related diseases needs to be further studied. Read More

Background: The number of people with obesity is rapidly increasing worldwide. Since obesity is a critical risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and mortality, the management of obesity is an urgent issue. However, anti-obesity drugs are insufficient in current clinical settings. Read More

Background: The symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) such as hyposmia, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and cough are similar to those of chronic allergic rhinitis. Such symptoms can easily lead allergic rhinitis patients to unnecessary anxiety, misdiagnosis, and invasive diagnostic tests in the COVID-19 pandemic. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important mediator for chronic allergic rhinitis and plays a crucial role in the inflammation of COVID-19. Read More

As a prescription for treating lung inflammation and intestinal diseases, Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang in clinical practice can effectively treat COPD with excessive heat in the lung and fu-organs, which is characterized by phlegm-heat accumulation in the lung and constipation. Read More

Declining Fertility Read More

The effects of a beetroot extract on heart rate variability (HRV) recovery following strength-based exercises were recently assessed in 12 healthy adult males via a randomized double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. Participants received either placebo or 600 mg beetroot extract, followed by 2 hours of rest to allow for digestion/absorption. Four sets of each strength-based exercise were then performed (leg press 45 degrees, extender chair, abductor chair, and squat, all done at 75% of 1 repetition maximum test), with measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and various HRV indexes taken before and multiple times in the 1 hour post-exercise. Read More

Biotic Research recently posted a blog that discussed some of the top immune-boosting nutrients. This second list of nutrients is not secondary to the first: It includes five immune boosters well worthy of your attention. As with the first list, these are some of the most powerful, scientifically-backed natural substances for long-term use, yet some have properties that are sometimes underappreciated. Read More

Compelling research has shown positive outcomes for patients suffering from pouchitis using Serum-Derived Bovine Immunoglobulin/Protein isolate (SBI) therapy. Read More

A retrospective case series review of people with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) whose symptoms weren’t controlled by traditional pharmaceutical therapies showed a symptom improvement rate of 76% after 12 weeks of taking serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin (SBI). Read More

Problems with sexual function may not be the primary reason a patient visits their doctor, but there’s no denying that difficulty with libido or sexual performance is a concern that affects millions of people. The growing epidemic of metabolic syndrome may play a role in erectile dysfunction, so correcting chronically elevated insulin may help. Beyond this, botanical medicine may hold some promise and may be especially appealing in light of the undesirable side-effects that may come from medications for prostate health or menopausal symptoms. Maca root is intriguing with regard to sexual function. Read More

t’s time to recognize that dysregulation of blood glucose and insulin have implications that go far beyond type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It has long been acknowledged that even in the absence of diabetes, chronically elevated insulin increases risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Noting the close association between insulin resistance and AD, researchers have wondered whether it’s time to add the central nervous system to the list of body systems affected by metabolic syndrome. If so, then there may be reason to suspect that dysregulated insulin signaling may also be a factor in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Read More

Estrogen, an important hormone usually associated with women, is actually present in both males and females. In women, estrogen is produced by the ovaries and exists in larger quantities. It is responsible for female reproductive function, bone health, and cholesterol management. Read More

In recently published data from the ongoing UK Biobank study, a population based cohort, greater consumption of coffee and tea were both linked to a lower risk for stroke, dementia, and post-stroke dementia. Over 365,000 participants aged 50-74 had data available regarding their beverage consumption, and over a median follow-up of 11.35 years, 2.8% had a stroke and 1.4% developed dementia. After multivariate adjustment, a non-linear association was found between intake of these two beverages and risk; separately and combined, intake of coffee and tea was associated with a lower risk of stroke and dementia. Participants that consumed a combination of 2-3 cups of coffee with 2-3 cups of tea per day appeared to have the greatest risk reduction, approximately 30% lower for both stroke and dementia. The combination of coffee and tea was also associated with a 48% lower risk for post-stroke dementia, at a consumption level of 3-6 cups per day. Read More