A 1,000 page Dietary Reference Intake Report issued last week by
the US National Academies' Institute of Medicine has people even
more confused about what to eat and what not to eat to maintain
good health, claims Rachel Johnson,...
The US Institute of Medicine yesterday released new guidelines on
healthy eating in a bid to reduce the growing levels of
cardiovascular disease in the US, guidelines which have been
broadly welcomed by the US food industry.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as ME) may be caused by a
chemical imbalance in the brain, find doctors, who suggest that
taking daily fish oil supplements may help to alleviate some of the
symptoms associated with the condition
The popularity of over-the-counter herbal remedies in the UK shows
no sign of relenting, but patients may not be aware of the
potential risks involved in taking the wrong kind of cure, warns
the UK's National Institute of Medical...
A survey of adult cancer patients in western Washington has found
that more than 70 per cent use alternative therapies and almost all
report substantial improvements in well-being as a result of the
treatments. Dietary supplements...
A diet high in starchy foods such as potatoes, rice and white bread
may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in women who are
overweight and sedentary, according to a new study. Historically,
cigarette smoking had been the only...
Middle-aged French men who drank two or more glasses of wine
regularly after a recent heart attack were less likely to have a
second heart attack or other cardiovascular complications compared
to nondrinkers, according to a study...
Soybeans are being developed to turn off a protein that triggers
allergic reactions in some children and adults, US Agriculture
Department scientists said yesterday.
A chemical analysis of PC-SPES, the herbal supplement used to treat
advanced prostate cancer which was recalled in the US and Canada
earlier this year, has shown that the supplement was contaminated
with the synthetic drugs warfarin,...
Women who consume a large amount of dairy foods may reduce their
risk of ovarian cancer, finds a recent study. Researchers at the
University of Hawaii in Honolulu found that women with the highest
intake of dairy products were 54...
A new study suggests that women may need more antioxidants than men
because they experience more oxidation, a link to higher risk of
heart disease and other diseases. More research is needed to
explain the findings.
Although most people would never consider that the effects of their
morning coffee would have any similarities to those of cocaine
recent research reveals that the two stimulants similarly alter a
specific signalling activity in the...
A low-fat, high-fibre diet rich in fruit and vegetables has no
preventive effect on prostate cancer, according to a study by
researchers at the US-based Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
However the team point out the study's...
A chemical isolated from a weed that grows in the western United
States kills the cells of an aggressive brain cancer that affects
some children, researchers at John Hopkins have found. Further
developments could however be hindered...
Mothers who take vitamin supplements before and during pregnancy
may reduce the risk of their baby developing neuroblastoma, a type
of cancer which affects the nervous system, report US researchers
in September's Epidemiology.
Eating soy foods on a regular basis - especially during adolescence
- might lower the risk of breast cancer, according to preventive
medicine researchers at the University of Southern California.
Researchers are still seeking to understand...
Taking a combination of folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 over
a six-month period can help prevent the recurrence of blocked
arteries in patients who have undergone coronary angioplasty,
according to a study published this week.
German researchers have found traces of the cancer-causing chemical
acrylamide, in coffee, although not in as high concentrations as in
fatty foods such as potato crisps, french fries or bread.
Two thirds of HIV patients are using therapies such as
multivitamins and Chinese herbs which could have serious negative
consequences, according to research from the US.
Caffeine could one day be used to cure skin cancer, according to US
scientists who have found that the stimulant combined with an
extract from green tea can kill cancer in mice. More research will
be required to find out whether the...
Researchers in Australia claim that drinking beer can be just as
good for your health as red wine. In a study on male volunteers,
the scientists found that antioxidant levels increased after
drinking red wine and beer, but less so...
Pregnant women who eat more of a key fatty acid found in fish give
their babies better chances of mature brain development, finds a
new study in the September issue of the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition.
Experts meeting in the US last week concluded that there is still
no evidence that soy and garlic supplements have any health
benefits. One speaker questioned the claim that soy and isoflavones
are a viable alternative to HRT.
Archer Daniels Midland has been awarded its fifth and sixth patents
for the use of concentrated isoflavones in combination with other
plant-derived phytochemicals.
Children who avoid drinking cows' milk are twice as likely to
fracture bones than their milk-drinking counterparts, according to
researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand. The
researchers advise children who do not...
New research published this week could help scientists to explain
the role of magnesium in regulating blood pressure. US scientists
show how magnesium activates microscopic ion channels in the
membrane of a cell, important in blood...
ConsumerLab has released details of the first nine products to pass
its "Athletic Banned Substances Screening Program". The programme
was set up at the request of the United States Olympic Committee.
Coffee, tea and chocolate all contain chemicals that could
eventually form the basis of new drugs to combat cancer and heart
disease. Scientists at UCL in London report on their findings in in
the August issue of the Journal of Biological...
US researchers are developing a marijuana-derived synthetic
compound to relieve pain and inflammation without the mood-altering
side-effects associated with other marijuana-based drugs.
Scientists believe that the drug could eventually...
Scientists in France claim to have found differences in the 'good
cholesterol' of red wine drinkers which could account for the
drink's beneficial effects against cardiovascular disease. For the
first time, the new...
A new study published in JAMA today has provoked worried responses
from supplement manufacturers and trade bodies in the US. The
research shows that gingko biloba has no beneficial effect on
memory and related mental functions of...
Further evidence to suggest that almonds could benefit our health
hit the press this week as scientists in Canada report that almonds
significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels in a study of people
with high cholesterol.
While many cancer patients may seek alternative remedies to
alleviate symptoms, new research demonstrates that some herbals can
prevent synthetic drugs from working. St John's wort may reduce the
effectiveness of the chemotherapy...
A study by researchers in Manchester, England, suggests that
Cognis' Xangold natural lutein ester supplements may promote eye
health in the elderly. If the evidence is confirmed, dietary
supplements and a higher intake of fruits...
A research project investigating how a member of the vitamin E
family, alpha-tocotrienol, helps protect against neurodegenerative
diseases has received $1 million in funding from the US National
Institute of Health.
Honey contains similar levels of antioxidants as broccoli, and a
range of antioxidants comparable to that found in apples, bananas,
oranges and strawberries, according to research presented at the
national meeting of the American...
A survey by Mera Pharmaceuticals has found that its
microalgae-derived supplement, AstaFactor, could act as an
anti-inflammatory agent. The primary ingredient, astaxanthin, is
also a powerful antioxidant.
Researchers in the US have developed a new compound, designed from
a known anti-cancer agent found in broccoli, that shows potential
for preventing breast cancer.
A long-term study is one of the first to analyse the link between
diet and heart disease in women, rather than grouping both women
and men together. The research is published in this week's
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
BSP Pharma, a joint venture between Aarhus Oliefabrik and
pharmaceutical company Astion, has reported strong results in
pre-clinical trials on its shea nut oil-based treatments.
Further evidence that a natural supplement may be a better
alternative to HRT for treating menopause symptoms. Two new studies
find positive results on red clover supplement Promensil.
A new study has found that taking a daily vitamin E supplement does
not prevent respiratory infections in older people and could even
aggravate symptoms in those who do get a cold. Further research is
necessary to explain the results.
Zinc intake among the elderly in Europe is generally low - but
European researchers are currently trying to discover the role of
zinc in preventing the chronic and degenerative diseases associated
with ageing.
People with a low amount of potassium in their diet could be more
likely to experience a stroke, find scientists. Increasing dietary
intake of fruits such as bananas and nuts could help reduce the
risk.
A new European project is to study biomarkers for antioxidants and
look at ways in which the release of dietary antioxidants can be
successfully measured.