Tangerines are the new power fruit – they prevent obesity, type II diabetes and even heart disease, a new study has found.
The fruit’s magic ingredient is nobiletin, a flavonoid, say researchers from the University of Western Ontario. They tested it on a group of Continue reading “Tangerines protect against obesity, diabetes and heart problems”
Cancer-blocking herb to be taken off shelves in Europe
A herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can block cancer growth, researchers have discovered this week – and it’s about to disappear from stores throughout Europe.
The herb, thunder god vine (lei gong teng), has been used for centuries by TCM as a remedy for rheumatoid arthritis. But researchers from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine say it can also stop tumour growth. Its active ingredient, triptolide, is an anti-inflammatory, an immunosuppressant, contraceptive – and anti-tumour agent, says Jun Liu, professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences.
Yet, on May 1, it will disappear from the shelves around Europe under an EU directive that will dramatically reduce the range of herbal remedies we can buy. Every single remedy from TCM, Ayurvedic and Amazonian medical traditions will disappear under the EU’s Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive. Of the hundreds of remedies currently available, just 79 will survive – and a pharmaceutical company manufactures a third of these.
In laboratory tests, low doses of thunder god vine blocked cell growth in 60 different types of cancer, and even killed off some cancers.
(Source: Nature Chemical Biology, 2011; 7: 182).
A to Z of Stress Management
Stress causes 80% of all diseases, says the American Medical Association.
Here is a great reminder of 6 ways to relieve or prevent stress. Continue reading “A to Z of Stress Management”
Headache Solutions
Reflexology is a safe and effective way to relieve headaches. This video clip will show you how. Continue reading “Headache Solutions”
Indigestion pills are a major cause of ‘killer’ pneumonia
Popular indigestion pills such as Zantac and Losec have this week been pinpointed as a major cause of pneumonia, a disease that can be a killer in the elderly.
Acid suppressive drugs, as they’re known, are given to up to 70 per cent of elderly patients in hospital, and they are likely to be a major cause of pneumonia-related deaths, say researchers from Seoul National University Hospital in Korea.
The drugs increase the risk of respiratory tract infections and pneumonia, especially in close communities such as care homes and hospitals. The researchers reckon the drugs are responsible for one out of every 200 cases of pneumonia acquired in hospital.
However, young and old are equally susceptible, and everyone who takes the drugs increases their chances of developing pneumonia.
The drugs include proton pump inhibitors – such as Losec, Prilosec and Prevacid – and histamine2 receptor antagonists, including Zantac and Cimetidine. Indigestion drugs are the second leading medication in the world, with sales of around $26bn every year.
(Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2010; December 20; doi: 10.1053/cmaj.092129) >
You are what you listen to…
You have all heard that you are what you eat – but did you know that you are what you listen to?
Watch this short video and be amazed.
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Leave a comment and tell me your experiences with music.