A report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association finds that after two decades of improvement, the percentage of Americans without major heart disease risk factors is dropping, and is currently less than 10 percent. The lead author of the study, Dr. Earl Ford, says for most United States adults achieving low-risk status is a "distant and challenging" goal.

More »

Those who give chocolate as a gift this Valentine’s Day may be surprised to learn that the sweet treat has taken on a whole new dimension, according to the latest research from McMaster University. The recently released study indicates that chocolate may help lower an individual’s risk of stroke.

More »

Scientists believe changes in the Western diet have altered the balance of omega-6 fatty acids (w6) and omega-3 fatty acids (w3)—which resulted in an increased risk of inflammation—and they are trying to remedy the problem. The background to the study says human ancestors maintained a 2:1 w6/w3 ratio, but in today the ratio can be as high as 10:1 for Americans.

More »

The main component found in chili peppers has been shown to prevent and reduce heart damage during a heart attack, according to a new study. The study published in the journal Circulation, finds that applying capsaicin, which is the main component in chili peppers and the active ingredient in some common pain creams, to specific skin areas on mice caused sensory nerves in the skin to trigger signals in the nervous system.

More »

A study has found an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree may reduce inflammation and relieve pain. The compound in question is called Pycnogenol, and a scientist from the National Research Institute on Food and Nutrition in Rome found it inhibits the generation of COX-2 and 5-LOX, two naturally occurring mediators associated with inflammatory conditions.

More »

A new study conducted by Danish scientists has found that vitamin C-deficient babies may be at a higher risk for mental development and memory problems. A team of researchers from the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Copenhagen showed that guinea pigs with moderate vitamin C deficiency develop 30 percent fewer hippocampal neurons and have significantly worse spatial memory than animals fed a normal diet.

More »

After multiple studies have documented the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for vision and cardiovascular health, articles published in a recent issue of Fats of Life and PUFA Newsletter again linked them to a range of health benefits. They detail several new studies, such as the one which showed people who had just experienced a heart attack may lower the risk of developing premature heartbeats if they boost their omega-3s intake.

More »

A new study shows that a chemical found in green tea can stimulate bone formation and help slow its breakdown. The study done by researchers in Hong Kong and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry finds that EGC, a main compound in green tea, boosted the activity of a key enzyme that promotes bone growth by up to 79 percent.

More »

Polyphenols found in red wine have already been found to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and now scientists are looking for ways to maximize the value of their delivery. One such study, conducted by a team from Purdue University and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, showed that on the 10th consecutive day of feeding, the amount of polyphenols from grape seed extract that reaches a rat’s brain can be 200 percent higher than on the first day.

More »

French researchers have established that a 200 mg dose of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) a day is enough to boost cardiovascular health in men. The team studied the effects of increasing doses of DHA on 12 healthy men aged between 53 and 65 years.

More »

Two publications on older men’s health and sexual performance have concluded that proper diet and exercise are better than pharmacological treatments. According to Phoenix-based Kronos Longevity Research Institute (KLRI), a review of available research suggests testosterone replacement therapies have minimal or no benefits in terms of health or aging.

More »

Researchers are saying juice extract from North American lowbush blueberries biotransformed with bacteria from the skin of the fruit may become the latest natural health resource for people who are obese or diabetic. Canadian scientists tested the blueberry juice on mice prone to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and hypertension, and found that it reduced their food intake and, consequently, their body weight.

More »

Ginseng, an herb used in traditional Chinese and other Asian medicine for thousands of years, has anti-inflammatory properties, a new study has found. Scientists from the University of Hong Kong identified seven ginseng compounds, called ginsenosides, which they believe demonstrate immune-suppressive effects.

More »

A new study has found that seniors following a Mediterranean-type diet and who are physically active may be cutting their risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

More »

Menopause in women is associated with the lowering of estrogen levels and cessation of reproductive fertility. With significant individual differences, women may experience a variety of bothersome symptoms as they go through that phase, including hot flashes, headaches, insomnia, mood swings, weight gain and fatigue.

More »