Natural Standard Blog

Blueberries for Cholesterol

A diet rich in blueberries may help reduce cholesterol levels, a new study suggests.

High cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, is a condition in which there are unhealthy levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is also called dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia and lipid disorder.

Too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for heart disease. When cholesterol builds up in the arteries, this may cause the artery walls to stiffen – a condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can cause angina or chest pain. If the cholesterol buildup restricts the blood flow to the heart, this may cause a heart attack.

If the arteries that supply blood to the brain become clogged, this may lead to a stroke. Both heart attacks and strokes are serious and potentially life-threatening conditions.

In the United States, about 20 percent of adults over the age of 20 have high cholesterol. Contrary to popular belief, more woman are affected by high cholesterol than men, particularly women between the ages of 65 and 74. According to the American Heart Association, 17.2 million men and 19.9 million women have dangerously high cholesterol.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that high cholesterol contributes to 56 percent of cases of coronary heart disease worldwide and causes about 4.4 million deaths each year.

Researchers from Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Center, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada, conducted two feeding trials with pigs to determine the effects of blueberry supplementation on blood lipid levels and other indicators of heart health.

Blueberries have a diverse range of micronutrients, with notably high levels of the essential dietary mineral manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K and dietary fiber. Especially in wild species, blueberries are rich in antioxidants.

In the first trial, basal diets contained a high level of plant-based components (70 percent soya, oats and barley). The trial found that supplementation with one, two and four percent blueberries resulted in a decrease in total, LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) cholesterol. The greatest reduction was observed in the two percent blueberry-fed pigs, where total, LDL and HDL cholesterol were reduced 11.7, 15.1 and 8.3 percent, respectively.

In the second trial, basal diets contained only 20 percent of soya, oats and barley. The researchers found that the lipid-modulating effect of blueberries was weakened. Additionally, the supplementation with 1.5 percent blueberries reduced total cholesterol by eight percent only in pigs whose diets had been supplemented with cholesterol, sodium chloride and fructose.

The authors concluded that the cholesterol-lowering effects of the berries may be attributed to flavonoids, which act as antioxidants to protect against vascular insult and reduce vascular inflammation related to atherosclerosis.

Natural Medicine for TMJ Disorders

Traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine may offer effective treatments for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

TMJ disorders are a group of medical conditions that cause the jaw joint to be sore and painful. This joint connects the lower jaw, called the mandible, to the temporal bone of the skull, which is located in front of the ear on both sides of the head. The TMJ allows the jaw to move up and down and side to side. These movements are important for many functions, including talking, chewing food and yawning.

TMJ disorders are often divided into three categories: myofascial pain, internal derangement and arthritis. Myofascial pain is the most common TMJ disorder. It occurs when the muscles that control the jaw are sore or tender, and the cause remains unknown. Internal derangement of the joint occurs when the joint becomes injured by a blow to the jaw. The injury may dislocate the jaw or displace a disc. Internal derangement may also damage the rounded ends of the lower jaw (called condyles). Arthritis, which causes inflammation and swelling of joints, is another form of TMJ. A patient may have one or more of these TMJ disorders, which may affect one or both sides of the jaw.

The exact number of people who have TMJ disorders remains unknown. However, as many as 10 million Americans experience symptoms related to TMJ disorders, according to the National institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). For unknown reasons, these disorders occur more often in women than men. In general, TMJ disorders are most likely to develop in individuals who are 20-40 years old.

Researchers from the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, assessed the feasibility and acceptability of studying whole systems of traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (also abbreviated TMD) and investigated whether there is indication to support further research.

The study compared whole system traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine to state-of-the-art specialty care in 160 women 25-55 years of age attending a Kaiser Permanente Northwest TMD specialty clinic.

The intervention protocols were designed to model the individually tailored type of community care offered in alternative medicine practices in Portland and in the Kaiser Permanente Northwest TMD clinic. The protocols enhanced similarities among practitioners within each system and permitted full descriptions of the treatments provided.

The study found that traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine demonstrated significantly greater in-treatment reductions for worst facial pain compared to specialty care and at three months post-treatment. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine provided significantly greater decreases in average pain than specialty care; naturopathic medicine provided significantly greater decreases than specialty care or traditional Chinese medicine in TMD-related psychosocial interference.

The authors concluded that these alternative medicine approaches resulted in significantly greater reductions of pain and psychosocial interference than specialty care. They suggested that further research on the potential benefits of traditional whole systems of medicine for TMD may be warranted.

Several other medical problems, including sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a painful condition that affects the muscles and other soft tissues in the body (called fibromyalgia), have been associated with TMJ disorders. However, it is unknown if these health problems share a common cause with TMJ disorders.

Because the cause of many temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders remains unknown, there is no known method of prevention.

Music Therapy for Depression and Anxiety

Music therapy may improve depression, anxiety and relationships in psychiatric patients, a new study reports.

Music is an ancient tool of healing that was recognized in the writings of the Greek philosophers Pythagoras, Aristotle and Plato. The modern discipline of music therapy began early in the 20th Century with community musicians visiting veterans' hospitals around the country to play for those traumatized by war. The positive response prompted many hospitals to hire musicians to play for their patients.

Studies suggest that music may be used to influence physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being and improve quality of life for healthy people, as well as those who are disabled or ill. It may involve either listening to or performing music, with or without the presence of a music therapist.

Music therapists are professionally trained to design specialized applications of music according to an individual's needs using improvisation, receptive listening, song writing, lyric discussion, imagery, performance or learning through music. They work in psychiatric hospitals, prisons, rehabilitative facilities, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, day treatment centers, agencies serving developmentally disabled persons, community mental health centers, drug and alcohol programs, senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities, halfway houses, schools and private practices.

Infants, children, adolescents, adults, the elderly and even animals can all potentially benefit from music therapy. Research supports all forms of music as having therapeutic effects, although music from one's own culture may be most effective. Types of music differ in the types of neurological stimulation they evoke. For example, classical music has been found to soothe and comfort the listener, while rock music may be unsettling and cause distress.

Researchers from the Graduate School of Art Therapy, Daejeon University, Daejeon, South Korea, tested whether group music therapy is effective for improving depression, anxiety and relationships in 26 patients allocated to either a music intervention group or a routine care group.

The music intervention group received 60 minutes of music intervention for 15 sessions (one or two times weekly).

The study found that after 15 sessions, the music intervention group showed significant improvements in depression, anxiety and relationships compared with the control group.

The authors concluded that despite the positive results, objective and replicable measures are required from a randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size and an active comparable control.

There is evidence that music that reflects the listener's personal preference is more likely to have desired effects. It is possible that music through headphones during medical procedures could interfere with the patient's cooperation with the procedures. Further research is needed in this area.

Ethnicity, Food Choices and Health

Two new studies examined how ethnicity may influence dietary habits, which may in turn affect health. Obesity rates are higher and more dramatic in African American and Hispanic populations compared to Caucasians and researchers attribute this to socioeconomic and ethnic disparities.

A study by the RAND Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA, examined the associations between fruit and vegetable intake and neighborhood socioeconomic status. The researchers analyzed whether socioeconomic status explains ethnic differences in food intake, and explored the extent to which socioeconomic status has differential effects by ethnicity of U.S. adults.

The researchers found that socioeconomic status was positively associated with fruit and vegetable intake: a higher socioeconomic status was associated with the consumption of nearly two additional servings of fruit and vegetables per week.

The authors concluded that socioeconomic status explained some of the African American-Caucasian disparity in fruit and vegetable intake and was differentially associated with fruit and vegetable intake among Caucasians, African Americans and Mexican Americans.

In a related study by the Center for Human Nutrition, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, researchers observed that dairy consumption and associated nutrients may be protective against some of the components of the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors of a metabolic origin that increase the risk of diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease; it is also called syndrome X.

The study examined the association between the consumption of a variety of dairy products and their related nutrients with obesity, central obesity and metabolic syndrome and it attempted to explain some of the ethnic differences in metabolic outcomes through dairy consumption using national data.

Indicators of obesity, central obesity and metabolic syndrome among U.S. adults were constructed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004 data, including direct anthropometric assessments, blood pressure and laboratory tests. Sample sizes ranged from 4,519 for metabolic syndrome to 14,618 for obesity.

The study found a significant inverse association between metabolic syndrome and the intake of whole milk, yogurt, calcium and magnesium. Using structural equation models, ethnic differences in some metabolic syndrome outcomes, such as body mass index and systolic blood pressure, were partly explained by variations in dairy-related nutrients.

The authors concluded that dairy products may have differential associations with metabolic disorders, including obesity. Ethnic differences in dairy consumption may explain in part the ethnic disparities in metabolic disorders in the U.S. population.

For more information on nutrition and health, please visit Natural Standard’s Health & Wellness and Nutrition databases.

Selenium Supplements and HIV

A new study found that selenium supplementation in mothers infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) did not affect disease progression, but may improve child survival.

Selenium is a trace mineral found in soil, water and some foods. It is an essential element in several metabolic pathways.

Selenium supplementation has been studied in HIV/AIDS patients, and some reports associate low selenium levels with complications such as heart failure. It remains unclear if selenium supplementation is beneficial in patients with HIV, particularly during antiretroviral therapy.

Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health, investigated the effects of selenium supplementation in 913 HIV-positive pregnant women. They assessed whether daily selenium supplements could impact CD4 cell counts, viral load, pregnancy outcomes and maternal and infant mortality.

Women between 12 and 27 weeks of gestation received either 200 micrograms of selenium (supplied as selenomethionine) or placebo. The treatments were taken daily by mouth until six months after delivery. In addition, all of the women received prenatal iron, folic acid and multivitamin supplements.

The study found that the selenium regimen had no significant effect on maternal CD4 cell counts or viral load. Selenium was marginally associated with a reduced risk of low birth weight and increased risk of fetal death, but had no effect on risk of prematurity or small-for-gestational age birth. The regimen had no significant effect on maternal mortality. There was no significant effect on neonatal or overall child mortality, but selenium reduced the risk of child mortality after six weeks.

The study authors concluded that while selenium supplements given during and after pregnancy may not improve HIV disease progression or pregnancy outcomes, they may improve child survival.

HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS. HIV primarily attacks the immune system. Because AIDS patients have weakened immune systems they are extremely vulnerable to infections.

HIV primarily infects and destroys immune cells with the CD4 receptor protein on their cell surfaces. Healthy individuals have a CD4 cell count between 600 and 1,200 cells per microliter of blood. HIV patients have less than 600 CD4 cells per microliter of blood.

Patients progress to AIDS when/if their CD4 cell counts drop to lower than 200 cells per microliter (one-one millionth of a liter) of blood.

Since 1981, when the first case of AIDS was reported in the United States, the disease has become a global pandemic, causing an estimated 65 million infections and 25 million deaths worldwide.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 2.8 million patients died from AIDS, 4.1 million people became infected with HIV and 38.6 million were living with HIV worldwide in 2005.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update, an estimated 39.5 million people are currently living with HIV worldwide. It is also estimated that 4.3 million people became newly infected in 2006, with 2.8 million (65 percent) of these cases occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2006, 2.9 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses.

Certain geographic regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, have much higher rates of infection than others. Some populations, such as Sub-Saharan women, men who have sex with men (MSM), prostitutes and injection-drug users, are also at increased risk for HIV infection.

Currently, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. However, treatment with anti-HIV drugs, called antiretrovirals, may suppress the virus, which subsequently helps boost the immune system. Although these drugs may help patients live longer lives, they do not reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to someone else.

For more information on HIV/AIDS, please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions database. For more information on selenium, please visit Natural Standard’s Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Anti-Viral Plants

Three recent studies reviewed the anti-viral activity of Japanese wasabi, the Chinese herb Elsholtzia rugulosa and the fruit Chaenomeles sinensis.

Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a contagious infection of the respiratory system that is caused by influenza viruses, including types A, B and C.

Flu viruses are transmitted through the air in tiny droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Individuals are then exposed to the virus through inhalation or by contact with objects such as telephones, door handles, railings or computer keyboards. The virus may cause infection when it enters the eyes, nose or mouth.

In general, the flu is more debilitating than the common cold. Symptoms such as fever, body ache, extreme fatigue (tiredness) and dry cough are often more severe in flu than in the common cold.

A study conducted by researchers in Japan examined wasabi (Wasabia japonica), which has traditionally been used as a spice in Japanese foods for its pungent taste and flavor.

The wasabi roots (or rhizomes) and its winter leaves are used as a spice and for processed foods such as pickled wasabi. Because the summer leaves are much larger than winter leaves, the researchers investigated the summer leaves, which would otherwise be discarded.

Previous studies have shown the antiviral activity of the winter leaves. The researchers found that the extracts of summer leaves exhibited the same anti-influenza virus activity as winter leaves and showed a stronger activity than stems, roots and rhizomes.

The study authors concluded that a potent anti-influenza virus activity was discovered in summer leaves of Japanese wasabi; the extracts inhibited influenza virus replication regardless of the hemagglutinin antigen type. Hemagglutinin or haemagglutinin is a protein found on the surface of the influenza viruses responsible for binding the virus to the cell that is being infected.

In a related study, researchers from China examined Elsholtzia rugulosa, a common Chinese herb widely used in the treatment of cold and fever.

They found five active constituents, all flavonoids, possessed anti-influenza virus activity. The flavonoids apigenin and luteolin exhibited the highest activities against the influenza virus.

Finally, another Japanese study evaluated the anti-influenza virus activity of 50 percent ethanol extract of the fruit of Chaenomeles sinensis K(OEHNE), which is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat throat diseases.

Type A and B influenza viruses were exposed to the extract at various concentrations for one hour at room temperature; then the plaque titers of the treated viruses were determined.

The study found that treatment with the extract at concentrations greater than 5 milligrams/milliliter reduced the plaque titers of the both viruses to less than 10 percent compared untreated viruses. The treatment inhibited viral activity as well.

The authors concluded that high molecular weight polyphenols in the fruits of C. sinensis may neutralize the influenza virus.

Every year in the United States, on average 5-20 percent of the population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, such as dehydration, high fever and extreme fatigue. About 36,000 people die from flu every year.

Some patients, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions that lower immunity, including cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Children are two to three times more likely than adults to get sick with the flu. Children may also frequently spread the virus to others due to bad hygiene, such as sneezing without covering the nose and mouth.

Treatment for the flu includes bed rest and plenty of fluids, along with symptomatic treatment such as drugs to fight viral infections, reduce fever and help with sore throat and cough. Annual flu vaccinations may help reduce the risks of flu infection. For more information, please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions database.

Mud for Arthritis Pain

Mud may significantly improve pain in knee osteoarthritis patients, a new study suggests.

Mud bath therapy has been studied as a potential therapy in patients with osteoarthrosis, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatism (children and adults), fertility conditions and chronic encephalopathies. Mud bath therapy may have anti-inflammatory effects, although additional study is needed in humans to confirm this finding.

Researchers from the Gulhane School of Medicine in Ankara, Turkey, investigated the efficacy of mud pack treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis. They also examined the chemical factors in the mud that lead to the build up of these effects.

They assigned 60 patients to receive either a directly applied mud pack or a nylon-covered mud pack. In the mud group (directly applied mud), 30 patients had heated mud, up to 43 degrees Celsius, applied 15 times to both knees for 30 minutes. In the control group (nylon-covered mud), 30 had the same treatment as the study group except the heated mud was applied over an impermeable nylon pack.

The patients were evaluated before and after the intervention and followed up for 24 weeks at four-week intervals.

The study found that compared to baseline, significant decreases were observed in arthritis scores, pain intensity, disease severity index scores and pain reliever consumption in both groups after the intervention. Observed improvements in the study group were found to be superior to the control during the whole post-intervention follow-up, except for pain reliever consumption in the third week. A significant number of patients in the study group showed minimal clinically important improvement as compared to the control group.

The authors concluded that mud pack treatment significantly improved the pain and functional status of patients with knee osteoarthritis, whether applied directly or coated with nylon. Direct application was found to be superior, which implies chemical properties of the mud may contribute to the build up of the therapeutic effect.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthrosis, occurs when the cartilage in the joints begins to break down. The cartilage serves as a cushion between bones, allowing the joint to move without pain. Therefore, individuals with osteoarthritis experience pain and reduced mobility in their joints where cartilage is degrading. Osteoarthritis may affect any joint in the body.

It is estimated that 40 million Americans and 70-90 percent of persons older than 75 years are affected by osteoarthritis. Although symptoms of osteoarthritis occur earlier in women (around the ages of 50-55), the prevalence among men and women is equal in older ages. In addition to age, risk factors include joint injury, obesity and mechanical stress, such as joint stress when pitching a baseball or playing tennis.

For more information, please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions and Health and Wellness databases.

Watermelon and Viagra®

Watermelon may have Viagra®-like effects, a new study reports.

Researchers from Texas A & M University claim that watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra®-like effects to the body's blood vessels and may even increase libido. Viagra®, or sildenafil citrate, is a drug developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer to treat male erectile dysfunction and high blood pressure.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), sometimes called impotence, is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection. Impotence may also be used to describe other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation or orgasm.

It is estimated that between 15 and 30 million (20-40 percent) Americans suffer from ED. Every year, there are approximately 26 new cases per 1,000 men in the United States. Worldwide, ED affects over 150 million men.

ED may be caused by lifestyle choices such as smoking or substance abuse. It can also result from physical diseases and disorders such as diabetes, vascular disease or hormonal disorders. Neurological or psychological conditions, surgery or trauma and even some medications may also contribute to ED.

Although it is more common in men older than 65, ED can occur at any age. An occasional episode of erectile dysfunction happens to most men and is normal. As men age, it is also normal to experience changes in erectile function.

Viagra® works by increasing levels of nitric oxide, which causes vascular smooth muscle cells to relax and the blood vessels to widen. This not only lowers blood pressure, but also allows blood to fill up the widened penile vessels,€“ resulting in an erection. Extra nitric oxide may also help those who need increased blood flow, such as those with chest pain, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.

Beneficial ingredients in watermelon and other fruits and vegetables are known as phyto-nutrients. These are naturally occurring compounds that are bioactive, or able to react with the human body, to trigger healthy reactions.

Examples of the phyto-nutrients found in watermelon include lycopene, beta-carotene and citrulline (an amino acid). These compounds are being studied for their ability to relax blood vessels, similar to the way Viagra® does.

When watermelon is consumed, citrulline is converted into arginine (another amino acid) through certain enzymes. Arginine is thought to benefit the heart and circulation system and to help maintain a good immune system. Arginine is needed to produce nitric oxide, which is required to obtain an erection. However, it remains unclear whether increasing dietary intake of citrulline or arginine can increase nitric oxide levels like Viagra® does.

The researchers also cautioned that watermelon may not be as organ specific as Viagra®, but the citrulline it contains may help relax blood vessels with little risk of side effects. They added that arginine also helps the urea cycle by removing ammonia and other toxic compounds from the body.

The authors concluded that watermelon has a wide-range of health benefits that should be considered by consumers and scientists alike.

Cannabis for Pain

Cannabis, which is used to make hemp and marijuana, has therapeutic potential in pain medicine, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth, UK, explained that advances in cannabis research have paralleled developments in opioid pharmacology, whereby a psychoactive plant extract has revealed new endogenous signaling systems with therapeutic significance.

Cannabinoids (CBs) are chemical compounds derived from cannabis. The major psychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa, delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and endogenous cannabinoid ligands, such as anandamide, signal through G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors localized to regions of the brain associated with important neurological processes. Signaling is mostly inhibitory and suggests a role for cannabinoids as therapeutic agents in CNS disease where the inhibition of neurotransmitter release would be beneficial, report the researchers.

The review observed that clinical trials of CBs in multiple sclerosis have suggested a benefit in neuropathic pain. However, human studies of CB-mediated pain relief have been limited by study size, heterogeneous patient populations and subjective outcome measures. Furthermore, CBs have variable pharmacokinetics and can manifest psychotropism. They are currently licensed as medications that prevent nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy and can be prescribed on a named-patient basis for neuropathic pain.

The authors concluded that cannabis has future potential in pain medicine.

FDA: Fake Cancer Cures Warning

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to 23 U.S. companies and two foreign individuals marketing a wide range of products that fraudulently claim to prevent and cure cancer. The FDA also warns North American consumers against using or purchasing these products, which include tablets, teas, tonics, black salves and creams, and are sold under various names on the Internet.

The products contain ingredients such as bloodroot, shark cartilage, coral calcium, cesium, ellagic acid, cat's claw, an herbal tea called Essiac® and mushroom varieties such as Agaricus Blazei, shitake, maitake and reishi.

Those companies and individuals warned, the complete list of fake cancer 'cure' products and their manufacturers along with a consumer article on health scams can be found by clicking here.

The FDA urges consumers to consult their healthcare providers about discontinuing use of these products and to seek appropriate medical attention if they have experienced any adverse effects.

Because these products claim to cure, treat, mitigate or prevent disease but have not been shown to be safe and effective for their labeled conditions of use, they are unapproved new drugs marketed in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The Warning Letters are part of the FDA's ongoing efforts, in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Canadian government agencies, to prevent deceptive products from reaching consumers.

Parties that fail to properly resolve violations cited in Warning Letters are subject to enforcement action up to and including seizure of illegal products, injunction and possible criminal prosecution.

Consumers and healthcare professionals should notify the FDA of any complaints or problems associated with these products.