A grayish lung-like lichen may help treat patients with infectious fungal diseases that developed a resistance to pharmaceutical drugs. A new study found that natural molecules in lung moss (Lobaria pulmonaria) possess anti-fungal activity and can selectively target drug-resistant strains of Candida albicans. The use of too many antibacterials, anti-fungals and other pharmaceutical drugs led to the … Continue reading Compounds in lung moss can potentially treat even drug-resistant candida infections
Children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia may grow up to have heart problems, study finds
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is the most common type of cancer developed by children. Although ALL is known to progress quickly, advances in modern medicine have increased the survival rate of children with this disease. However, a recent study by researchers from the Medical University … Continue reading Children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia may grow up to have heart problems, study finds
Coffee and heart health: Study finds that excessive coffee drinking has no negative effect on the heart
For some people, coffee is more than just a beverage; it’s a way of life. You’d be hard-pressed to find an avid coffee drinker skip out on their daily cup of joe. But the unfortunate thing about coffee is that information about its association with heart health can be very conflicting. Some studies claim that coffee has … Continue reading Coffee and heart health: Study finds that excessive coffee drinking has no negative effect on the heart
Study: Exercise can keep cirrhosis and liver cancer at bay
Approximately 30 percent of the American population – or around 100 million Americans – suffer from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which fat builds up in the liver. In some cases, this condition can lead to liver cirrhosis (scarring) or even liver cancer. Fortunately, people with NAFLD can reduce their risk of liver … Continue reading Study: Exercise can keep cirrhosis and liver cancer at bay
Vitamin C and other antioxidants can prevent cell toxicity linked to the water contaminant hexavalent chromium
Antioxidants such as vitamin C are often taken to boost immunity and prevent diseases, but these substances can also be used against a water contaminant called hexavalent chromium. This chemical contaminates the water supply in about 200 million American homes. Researchers from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois discovered that vitamin C and other antioxidants like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the primary … Continue reading Vitamin C and other antioxidants can prevent cell toxicity linked to the water contaminant hexavalent chromium
Understanding the gut-brain axis: Can a probiotic help reduce stress levels?
Scientists have long believed that bidirectional communication exists between the gut and the brain. In fact, evidence suggesting that the gut microbiota — the diverse community of microbes living in the human gut — interacts with the central nervous system (CNS) and influences brain function has increased over the years. Recent studies even propose that this happens via several … Continue reading Understanding the gut-brain axis: Can a probiotic help reduce stress levels?
Your itchy skin may indicate a kidney condition; research finds a connection
Having itchy skin can mean a lot of things, but what if it’s more frequent and more severe than normal? A study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology suggested that this may be a sign of a kidney problem. The study’s researchers found that extremely itchy skin, known as pruritus, affects many people … Continue reading Your itchy skin may indicate a kidney condition; research finds a connection
Extracts from fermented Trapa japonica fruits can improve symptoms of alopecia
In this study, researchers from South Korea examined the effect of Bacillus/Trapa japonica fruit ferment filtrate extracts (TJFs) on human hair follicle dermal papilla (HDP) cells to determine if the activation of the Akt/ERK/GSK-3B signaling pathway improves HDP cell proliferation. Their findings were published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Despite modern medical treatments, the number of alopecia … Continue reading Extracts from fermented Trapa japonica fruits can improve symptoms of alopecia
The emotional side of heart failure: Why do heart failure patients become depressed?
Heart failure leads to many complications, especially in the cardiovascular system, but research suggests it could also lead to mental health problems. Heart failure patients often suffer from depression and cognitive impairment, and researchers from Canada have uncovered why these problems occur. Their findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports. Researchers from the University of Guelph in Ontario and … Continue reading The emotional side of heart failure: Why do heart failure patients become depressed?
Polyphenols: They give green tea its anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties
Obesity rates continue to increase globally, so researchers continue to find ways to minimize the risk and fight this epidemic. Researchers from Ohio State University found that polyphenols in green tea have anti-inflammatory properties and may lower the risk of obesity in mice. The researchers examined how green tea prevent weight gain or obesity. Obesity not only affects a person’s weight, but … Continue reading Polyphenols: They give green tea its anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 