Category: News

Researchers from Tufts University recently published results from a large community-based cohort in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. They provide details on the associations between both the intake of animal source foods (ASF) and cardiovascular disease risk among older adults, as well as the portion of that risk that appears to be mediated specifically by Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) and its derivatives. This study provides further evidence of a link between ASF, gut microbiome pathways, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Read More

A large body of evidence supports the use of very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets for weight loss, reversing metabolic syndrome, putting type 2 diabetes into remission, and improving a long list of other issues. And while most individuals who adopt this way of eating experience a decrease in total cholesterol and LDL-C, in some people these increase, and in a small subset they increase dramatically. Concern about the implications of this change with regard to risk for cardiovascular problems is one of the main reasons physicians and nutritionists may be hesitant to recommend a dietary therapy that is otherwise noted for numerous health benefits. Read More

In a recent review published in Cell & Bioscience, many of the common pathologies characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are discussed, as well as how they overlap and contribute to the onset and progression of dementia. To help understand the scope of this problem, it’s worth noting that although the precise prevalence of NAFLD is not clear, it is almost certainly widespread. A cross-sectional study using data from the 11-14 NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) pins the prevalence at 21.9% among US adults over 20, including over 12 million with F2 fibrosis and 5 million with at least F3 fibrosis. It’s also important to note that this estimate used a very strict definition of NAFLD, requiring the presence of both metabolic syndrome and elevated ALT levels; definitions that did not include these requirements have estimated a prevalence of NAFLD nearly twice as high, affecting as many as 100 million adults, in the U.S. alone. Read More

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