Vitamin D is both a fat-soluble vitamin and a hormone critical for boosting immune health, suppressing inflammation and absorbing essential nutrients, among other important functions. Now, with COVID-19 still threatening the nation, health experts are scrambling to find out if vitamin D could also aid in the prevention and treatment of the disease. In a recent study, … Continue reading Sufficient vitamin D levels can prevent severe COVID-19 outcomes, including death
Hottentot fig, a medicinal plant from South Africa, can treat common ailments without causing blood toxicity
Hottentot fig, scientifically known as Carpobrotus edulis, is an edible ground cover plant native to South Africa. Cultivated as an ornamental and a soil-stabilizing plant, Hottentot fig is also harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and medicinal uses. In fact, this flowering plant is one of the most common plants used in traditional medicine … Continue reading Hottentot fig, a medicinal plant from South Africa, can treat common ailments without causing blood toxicity
Healing herbs: Alternative herbal remedies for hypertension
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the University of Copenhagen have identified a bioactive trait common among many herbs. This trait, researchers say, is responsible for the antihypertensive properties demonstrated by these herbs. Their finding, detailed in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offers a promising alternative strategy for treating hypertension, a condition in which blood pressure … Continue reading Healing herbs: Alternative herbal remedies for hypertension
Triphala, an ancient remedy for oral and digestive health
Triphala is an herbal preparation that has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s a powerful remedy used to treat various oral and digestive ailments, such as gingivitis and constipation. Its therapeutic effects stem from its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The word “triphala” literally means “three fruits” as the concoction consists of three medicinal fruit plants that are native to India: … Continue reading Triphala, an ancient remedy for oral and digestive health
Capsaicin from chili peppers reduces liver and abdominal fat and protects against oxidative damage
Capsaicin is an active compound found in different types of hot peppers. It is responsible for their spiciness, as well as for the health benefits associated with them. One of the most notable things capsaicin is known for is its ability to relieve pain. Several studies have shown that capsaicin can decrease the intensity of pain … Continue reading Capsaicin from chili peppers reduces liver and abdominal fat and protects against oxidative damage
Boost brain health with taurine, an amino acid with antidepressant properties
Taurine is an ingredient found in sports supplements and performance-enhancing products. But outside of its reputation as a means to boost athletic performance, taurine is also hailed for its role in supporting brain health and development beginning from conception. In fact, taurine is one of the most essential and abundant amino acids in the brain, so … Continue reading Boost brain health with taurine, an amino acid with antidepressant properties
Components of aloe vera extracts show antiviral activity against influenza A
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine investigated the antiviral activities of the bioactive components of Aloe vera. They reported their findings in an article published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. Previous studies have found that the ethanolic extract of Aloe vera (AVE) has significant anti-influenza activity, but the mechanisms underlying this activity and the constituents responsible for … Continue reading Components of aloe vera extracts show antiviral activity against influenza A
Lower Type 2 diabetes risk by following a plant-based diet and eating less meat
A review published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that plant-based diets can help lower a person’s risk of Type 2 diabetes by as much as 23 percent. This result was associated not only with vegetarian and vegan diets, but also with more lenient eating patterns that allow the consumption of small amounts of animal-based foods. According to the Centers for Disease Control … Continue reading Lower Type 2 diabetes risk by following a plant-based diet and eating less meat
Scientists explore the effects of certain phenolic compounds on sirtuins and hepatic inflammation
Resveratrol is a powerful natural compound that’s known for its heart benefits. Found abundantly in the skins and seeds of grapes, peanuts, cocoa and berries, resveratrol has cardioprotective, antiviral, neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, according to studies. Piceatannol is a natural derivative of resveratrol that’s also found in fruits and vegetables. Reports suggest that piceatannol has anti-cancer … Continue reading Scientists explore the effects of certain phenolic compounds on sirtuins and hepatic inflammation
Study: Vitamin C improves sepsis survival rates
A recent study published in the journal JAMA suggests that vitamin C may be beneficial for people with sepsis. Researchers examined the effect of vitamin C on organ failure, a common complication of sepsis that often leads to death. They found that it lowered mortality rates among patients with sepsis and reduced how long they stayed in the hospital. While more research is needed, … Continue reading Study: Vitamin C improves sepsis survival rates
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 