It is well known that a diet rich in cholesterol and saturated fats increases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) by inducing atherosclerosis. Recent research has focused on the other constituents of the diet, such as carbohydrates, and their role in CHD. One such study published in the latest issue of Archives of Internal Medicine reports that foods containing carbohydrates with a high glycemic index (GI) increase the risk of CHD in women, but not in men. Continue Reading

Statin-intolerance in individuals is becoming a more prevalent issue, considering the rise in the number of patients undergoing lipid-lowering treatment. This has necessitated the need for a shift in the medication regime from statins to alternative medicines or other classes of lipid-lowering drugs such as cholesterol absorption inhibitors and bile acid sequestrants. Now, a randomized controlled trial published in the recent issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine further substantiates that the Chinese herbal dietary supplement, red yeast rice, and therapeutic lifestyle changes could significantly lower the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in statin-intolerant individuals. Continue Reading

Brain and spinal cord of the fetus develop from the neural tube that is formed during the first month of pregnancy. Now, a recent study suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency just before and after conception may be associated with up to 5 times the risk of having babies with neural tube defects (NTD). Conducted by researchers from the National Institutes of Health, Trinity College Dublin, and the Health Research Board of Ireland, the findings of the study have been published in the recent issue of the journal Pediatrics. Continue Reading

Many studies have hypothesized the differential role played by dairy foods and calcium in cancer. However, results have been inconsistent and limited, with the effect on total cancer being unclear. Now, a study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine reports that calcium intake may be associated with a lower risk of total cancer in women. The study also reported that the risk involved with cancer of the digestive system, especially colorectal cancer, was particularly lower in both men and women consuming higher amounts of calcium. Continue Reading

Caffeine is one of the most popular psychoactive substances listed as a “Multiple Purpose Generally Recognized as Safe Food Substance”, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A recent study published in the latest issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, reports that midlife coffee and tea drinkers have a lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer disease (AD) during late-life. Continue Reading

Thiamine, a water-soluble B-complex vitamin, is an essential element for the normal functioning of heart, muscles and nervous system. Its deficiency might lead to disease conditions such as beriberi, Korsakoff syndrome, and Wernicke’s disease. Now, a recent study published in the December issue of the journal Diabetologia demonstrates that high doses of thiamine could reverse the early onset of kidney disease. Continue Reading

A group of Spanish researchers have reported that a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) rich in nuts will aid in the management of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The results of the study have been published in the latest issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine. Continue Reading

Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is crucial for the maintenance of normal cellular metabolism. Several epidemiological studies have reported a potential link between selenium deficiency and severity of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), signifying the element’s protective role against HIV infection. Now, a study published in the recent issue of The Journal of Biological Chemistry suggests that increased production of thioredoxin reductase-1 (TR1), a selenoprotein in blood cells, could slow down the replication of HIV up to ten fold. Continue Reading

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, possesses potent antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and autoantigen-inhibitory properties. It is therefore extensively studied for probable health benefits against oxidative stress-related diseases including cancer. Now, a study published in the recent issue of the journal Life Sciences has reported that EGCG may also prevent or delay the onset of insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes in mice models. Researchers from the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) uncovered the promising findings while they were investigating the effectiveness of EGCG against Sjogren syndrome (SS). Continue Reading

Tesofensine, a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, was earlier extensively studied for Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. Now, Neurosearch, Inc., in conjunction with the University of Copenhagen has found that the drug candidate may reduce weight in obese patients by more than twice that of currently approved anti-obesity drugs. The promising findings of the Phase II trials have been published in the online edition of the journal The Lancet. Continue Reading