Natural Standard Blog

Acupressure for Women's General Health

Acupressure may benefit general health for women, according to a new study.

Acupressure works with the same body points and meridians as acupuncture, but stimulates the sites with finger pressure rather than by fine needles. Traditionally, acupressure is directed to 14 meridians and 2,000 specific charted points all over the body. Today, acupressure is used in the prevention and treatment of many illnesses of both mind and body. Currently, there are many human studies suggesting the effectiveness of wrist-point (P6) acupressure for treating nausea.

In a new study, researchers randomly assigned 85 students into an acupressure or sham pressure treatment group. The acupressure group focused on acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point (SP6). General health questionnaires were given before treatment and then again after the first and second months of treatment.

The researchers found that after treatment, general health improved for both the acupressure and sham groups. However, the authors noted that there were significantly greater improvements in the four domains of general health for the individuals in the acupressure group when compared to the sham group. General health improved further after the second month of treatment.

The authors concluded that acupressure may be beneficial for the improvement of general health in women. Although promising, further research is necessary.

For more information about acupressure, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness Database.

Calcium and Vitamin D Linked to Reduced Stomach Fat

Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D may reduce stomach fat, according to a new study.

Vitamin D is found in many dietary sources, such as fish, eggs, fortified milk and cod liver oil. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and has several important functions. Diets with higher calcium density (high levels of calcium per total calories) have been associated with a reduced incidence of being overweight or obese in several studies. While more research is needed to understand the relationships between calcium intake and body fat, these findings emphasize the importance of maintaining an adequate calcium intake while attempting to diet or lose weight.

In a new study, researchers randomly assigned 171 obese patients to receive regular or reduced-calorie orange juice. The orange juice was either unfortified or fortified with 350 milligrams of calcium and 100 international units of vitamin D per serving. Each treatment group received three 240 milliliter servings of their assigned orange juice daily for 16 weeks. Stomach fat tissue was measured before and after treatment.

The researchers found that the average weight-loss of 2.45 kilograms was similar between groups. However, the authors noted that regardless of the calorie content, the individuals receiving the fortified orange juice had significantly greater reductions in stomach fat tissue than those receiving unfortified juice.

The researchers concluded that supplementation with calcium and vitamin D may reduce stomach fat. Additional research is necessary to further evaluate these findings.

For more information about calcium or vitamin D, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Nopal, Chia, Soy and Oats for Metabolic Syndrome

A new study suggests that a diet containing chia seeds, soy protein, nopal and oats may be beneficial for patients with metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions, including high blood pressure, high insulin levels, excess fat around the waist and high cholesterol.

Chia is promoted for its high omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 content. Animal studies suggest that chia may lower blood cholesterol, LDL (low density lipoproteins or "bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides while increasing HDL (high density lipoproteins or "good" cholesterol). Preliminary studies suggest nopal may offer benefits to individuals with diabetes or hyperlipidemia, and numerous human studies report that adding soy protein to the diet may moderately decrease blood levels of total cholesterol and LDL.

In a new study, researchers randomly assigned 67 patients to a reduced-calorie diet and a beverage containing chia seed, soy protein, nopal and oats, or a reduced-calorie diet and placebo, for two months. Before treatment, all participants reduced their regular diet by 500 calories.

The researchers found that all participants had decreased body weight, body mass index and waste circumference after two months. However, the authors noted that only the participants in the beverage group had decreases in triglycerides and blood sugar.

Although promising, additional research is necessary to further understand these findings.

For more information about chia, soy, nopal or oats, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Whole Grain Consumption Linked to Reduced Disease Risk

A recent study suggests that consuming whole grains may reduce the risk for chronic disease in adolescents.

Whole grains are an important component of a high fiber diet. A high fiber diet incorporates large amounts of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber, also referred to as roughage or bulk, is the part of a plant that cannot be digested or absorbed by the body. Dietary fiber is found in grains, fruits and vegetables. There is no fiber in animal products such as meat, fish, eggs or dairy products.

In a new study, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers reviewed whole grain intake, weight and chronic disease risk factors, such as smoking and physical activity, for 4,928 individuals between 12 and 19 years-old.

The researchers found that higher whole grain intake may be associated with higher intake of carbohydrates, folate and other important nutrients. Consuming more whole grains may also be linked to lower body mass index and better blood sugar control; however, the authors noted that these findings were only present when the data was adjusted for food group intake.

The researchers concluded that eating more whole grains may be associated with better nutrient intake and a lower risk of chronic disease among adolescents. However, more research is necessary to further understand these findings.

For more information about whole grains and high-fiber diets, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness Database.

Natural Standard Training

Sign up for a free online training session to learn more about Natural Standard's decision-support tools.

Natural Standard provides high-quality, evidence-based information about integrative therapies to help healthcare professionals and consumers make safer, more educated decisions about health.

Natural Standard is an international multidisciplinary collaboration that includes contributors from more than 100 eminent academic institutions. Research teams systematically gather scientific data and expert opinions to develop comprehensive monographs that are designed to facilitate clinical decision making. For each therapy, the available scientific evidence of effectiveness is evaluated using the Natural Standard Evidence-Based Validated Grading Rationale™. All monographs undergo blinded peer review prior to inclusion in Natural Standard databases.

These guided tours will demonstrate how to navigate the various databases and cross reference medical conditions and therapies.

Thu, Jan 19, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Tue, Jan 31, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, Feb 9, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

A special *LATE* training session will be held at 7:00PM - 8:00PM EST on Tue, Jan 31, 2012 to accommodate for other time zones.

After registration, attendees will receive e-mail confirmation with information on how to join the webinar.

System Requirements: PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server. Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Complimentary Webinars

Natural Standard is offering a series of complimentary webinars on integrative medicine. Natural Standard offers these impartial webinars as an informational public service. All webinars are recorded and archived at www.naturalstandard.com/webinars.

Arthritis: Management of Pain, Inflammation & Immunomodulation with Botanical Medicines: Dr. Eugene R. Zampieron, ND, MH(AHG) is a medical herbalist and a Registered and certified Professional Member of the American Herbalist Guild (MH, AHG). Dr Zampieron helped firmly establish the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine as the first accredited naturopathic medical college on the Eastern seaboard. Dr Zampieron is currently the senior-most faculty member at the institution, has taught many courses including botanical medicine, pharmacognosy, botanical pharmacy, urology, geriatrics, practice management, rheumatology and history of natural medicine courses. Natural Standard would like to thank Dr. Zampieron for providing this educational webinar. Complimentary access is available February 1-29, 2012.

Congestive Heart Failure: An Integrative Approach: Bijan Bandani, PharmDc, presents an overview of the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of congestive heart failure. He discusses several patient cases detailing the safety and effectiveness of integrative therapies for this condition. He also reviews the scientific evidence, dosing, safety and interactions related to various therapies. Complimentary access is available February 1-29, 2012.

Iron Deficiency May Lead to Impaired Learning

A recent report published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science states that childhood iron deficiency may prevent the development of sections of the brain associated with learning, memory and understanding.

Iron is an essential mineral involved with oxygen transport and metabolism. Iron cannot reside in the blood on its own, but fortunately the protein transferrin functions as an iron carrier and delivers iron to important organs such as the brain.

Within the brain, iron is stored in areas referred to as white matter. Parts of white matter are associated with learning, memory and understanding.

If the concentration of iron in the blood is low, the body will produce excess transferrin so that more iron can be captured from food. Therefore, high transferrin levels within the blood correspond to iron deficiency. Although maintaining appropriate iron levels is important, the association between iron deficiency and impaired learning is unclear.

Investigators in this study collected blood samples from 615 young adult twins and analyzed the blood for the presence of transferrin. Approximately nine years later, the participants were evaluated for differences in brain structure using MRI and diffusion tensor imaging.

Investigators determined that a high transferrin level in the blood of adolescents, which corresponds to insufficient iron levels, was associated with inadequately formed white matter nine years later. Because portions of white matter are involved with learning, memory and understanding, the investigators determined that iron deficiency in children and adolescents may cause learning disabilities for the corresponding adults.

Further studies are necessary to confirm the study's findings.

For more information about iron, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 May Prevent Memory Loss

A recent report published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that oral supplements of folic acid (FA) and vitamin B12 may help prevent memory loss in certain elderly patients.

Vitamin B12 deficiency, commonly observed in elderly populations, has been associated with abnormal psychiatric symptoms. The use of folic acid, a specific form of vitamin B9, to enhance cognitive skills and improve psychiatric illnesses has been investigated in other studies.

This study randomly assigned 900 adult participants, aged 60-74 years, experiencing symptoms of depression and living in communal dwellings, to receive oral capsules of either 400ug FA + 100ug vitamin B12 or placebo.

Cognitive function measurements after 12 and 24 months evaluated using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified (TICS-M) indicated that long-term combined supplementation of FA and vitamin B12 by mouth may improve immediate and delayed memory performance.

Further studies are necessary to confirm the study's findings in more general populations.

For more information about the potential health benefits of folic acid or vitamin B12, please visit Natural Standard's Food, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Integrative Therapies for Weight Loss

Many integrative therapies have been studied for their potential effects on weight loss. Among the foods, herbs, supplements and modalities that may aid in weight reduction are chitosan, konjac glucomannan, whey protein, psychotherapy and hydroxycitric acid.

Chitosan: Chitosan comes from chitin, which is part of the outer shell-like structure of insects, spiders, and crustaceans. Chitosan is sold in the United States and other countries as a form of dietary fiber that reduces fat absorption. However, scientific evidence suggests only a small effect of chitosan on fat absorption. While some studies suggest that chitosan is an effective weight loss therapy, others have found it is ineffective. More evidence is needed.

Konjac glucomannan: Glucomannan is a soluble and highly viscous dietary fiber. Although glucomannan is a term for a sugar derived from various sources, the most common meaning for glucomannan is for the soluble fiber derived from the root of Amorphophallus konjac (elephant yam or konjac plant). When consumed, it absorbs water in the digestive tract, reducing absorption of carbohydrates and cholesterol. It is this property that makes glucomannan a product of interest with respect to weight loss, blood sugar lowering, and cholesterol reduction. There is good evidence to support the use of glucomannan for cholesterol reduction, constipation, diabetes and weight loss.

Whey protein: Whey protein is one of the two major groups of proteins found in milk. It is a highly digestible source of protein. Whey protein has been found to reduce short-term food intake and may aid in reducing appetite. The role of whey protein in body weight control has also been studied. Whey protein may aid in weight loss, however, further research is necessary.

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is an interactive process between a person and a qualified mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, licensed counselor, or other trained practitioner). Its purpose is the exploration of thoughts, feelings, and behavior for the purpose problem solving or achieving higher levels of functioning. Several studies indicate that people who are overweight or obese may benefit from behavioral and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy in combination with diet and exercise.

Hydroxycitric acid: (-)-Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is a main component of the dried fruit rind of Garcinia cambogia, a native Southeast Asian plant commonly known as brindleberry or Malabar tamarind. HCA is present in high concentrations in Garcinia cambogia and is also found in the tropical plant Hibiscus sabdariffa. HCA is currently used in a number of over-the-counter weight loss products. HCA may also enhance exercise performance, but different studies have produced conflicting results. More high-quality clinical trials are needed.

For more information on integrative therapies studied for weight loss, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness Database.

Peripheral Vascular Disease: An Integrative Approach

Natural Standard is offering a series of upcoming complimentary webinars on integrative medicine. Natural Standard offers these impartial webinars as an informational public service. All webinars are recorded and archived at www.naturalstandard.com/webinars.

Matt Martineau, PharmDc, presents an overview of the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). He discusses several patient cases detailing the safety and effectiveness of integrative therapies for this condition. He also reviews the scientific evidence, dosing, safety and interactions related to various therapies. Complimentary access to the webinar is available January 1-31, 2012 (Requires Windows Media Player).

The transcript of this webinar is also available as a PDF.

Q & A with Dr. Holly Lucille

Natural Standard is offering a series of upcoming complimentary webinars on integrative medicine. Natural Standard offers these impartial webinars as an informational public service. All webinars are recorded and archived at www.naturalstandard.com/webinars.

Dr. Catherine Ulbricht, Founder and CEO of Natural Standard, interviews Holly Lucille, ND, RN, a well-known licensed naturopathic physician, author and educator. Dr. Lucille is the former president of the California Naturopathic Doctor's Association where she spearheaded the effort to license naturopathic doctors in the state of California. Dr. Lucille is not only a naturopathic physician and registered nurse, but she is also a personal trainer, certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Complimentary access January 1-31, 2012 (Requires Windows Media Player).

The transcript of this webinar is also available as a PDF.

Natural Standard Probiotics Review Published

The recent edition of Alternative and Complementary Therapies features a Natural Standard evidence-based systematic review on probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Saccharomyces boulardii).

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria (sometimes referred to as "friendly germs") that help to maintain the health of the intestinal tract and aid in digestion. They also help keep potentially harmful organisms in the gut (harmful bacteria and yeasts) under control. Most probiotics come from food sources, especially cultured milk products, and have been found to stimulate the body's immune system. They may also aid in several gastrointestinal illnesses such as inflammatory bowel diseases, antibiotic-related diarrhea, infectious diarrhea, hepatic encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome and allergies.

For information about probiotics, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness Database.

FDA Warning: Dietary Supplements May Be Contaminated

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) capsules manufactured by Eclectic Institute may be contaminated with Salmonella.

According to the statement issued by the FDA, Eclectic Institute is voluntarily recalling potentially contaminated lots of their gotu kola and bladderwrack freeze-dried capsules. The affected gotu Kola lots were sold September 14, 2011 through December 14, 2011. The affected bladderwrack lots were sold July 14, 2011 through December 14, 2011.

The FDA advised any consumers in possession of these products to return them to the manufacturer for a full refund immediately.

For more information about gotu kola or bladderwrack, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Natural Standard Asia-Pacific & Australia Training Session

In addition to the regularly scheduled Natural Standard training sessions, a special late training session will be held Tuesday, January 31, 2012 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST to accommodate for other time zones. Sign up for this free online training session to learn more about Natural Standard's decision-support tools.

Natural Standard provides high-quality, evidence-based information about integrative therapies to help healthcare professionals and consumers make safer, more educated decisions about health.

Natural Standard is an international multidisciplinary collaboration that includes contributors from more than 100 eminent academic institutions. Research teams systematically gather scientific data and expert opinions to develop comprehensive monographs that are designed to facilitate clinical decision making. For each therapy, the available scientific evidence of effectiveness is evaluated using the Natural Standard Evidence-Based Validated Grading Rationale™. All monographs undergo blinded peer review prior to inclusion in Natural Standard databases.

This guided tour will demonstrate how to navigate the various databases and cross reference medical conditions and therapies.

After registration, attendees will receive e-mail confirmation with information on how to join the webinar.

System Requirements: PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server. Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Fish Oil Supplement Quality May Be Inconsistent

A new Consumer Reports investigation suggests that some fish oil products may be inconsistent in quality.

Fish oil contains both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). There is supportive evidence from multiple studies that suggests the intake of recommended amounts of DHA and EPA in the form of dietary fish or fish oil supplements lowers triglycerides; reduces the risk of death, heart attack, dangerous abnormal heart rhythms and strokes in people with known heart disease.

The Consumer Reports investigation included outside testing of 15 brands of fish oil supplements bought in New York-area stores. Investigators found that all lots contained the labeled amount of EPA and DHA, and did not exceed limits for lead, mercury, dioxins or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) established by the U.S. Pharmacopeia, a nongovernmental standard-setting group or by the European Union.

Consumer Reports noted, however, that several lots contained PCBs in amounts that could require warning labels. Among the brands with inconsistent levels of PCBs were CVS, Nature's Bounty®, GNC® and Sundown. Further research is necessary.

For more information about fish oil, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

FREE Healthy Holiday Gifts

Natural Standard Research Collaboration wishes all a happy holiday season with two healthy holiday gifts.

For new prospective members, Natural Standard offers a two week complimentary Professional Database Subscription. This provides unlimited access to all databases, tools and continuing education programs.

For our existing members, we offer a complimentary mobile or desktop download of Natural Standard.

To receive these healthy holiday gifts, please email memberservices@naturalstandard.com and include the name of your organization. A member of our team will reply with the appropriate access instructions.

Thank you and happy 2012!

Natural Standard Featured CE/CME: Peppermint

Natural Standard's featured CE/CME for the month of December is Peppermint: Safety & Effectiveness.

Peppermint is a flowering plant that grows throughout Europe and North America and is widely cultivated for its fragrant oil. Peppermint oil has been used historically for numerous health conditions, including common cold symptoms, cramps, headache, indigestion, joint pain and nausea. There is currently strong scientific evidence supporting the use of peppermint for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

Natural Standard offers CE/CME modules for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals. Students and other users may take courses for training purposes without generating credit certificates. Continuing Education requirements differ based on discipline, license and location. If you are unsure of your specific needs, please contact your local agency.

Soy Intake Linked to Lower Lung Cancer Risk

A recent study suggests that consuming soy may be linked to a reduced risk of lung cancer.

Soy contains protein, isoflavones and fiber, all thought to provide health benefits. Soy is an excellent source of dietary protein, including all essential amino acids. Several large population studies have found that higher soy intake (such as dietary tofu) is associated with a decreased risk of developing several types of cancers, including breast, prostate and colon cancer. However, other research suggests that soy does not have this effect. Until better research is available, it remains unclear if dietary soy or soy isoflavone supplements increase or decrease the risk of these cancers.

In a new study, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search to evaluate the potential association between soy consumption and lung cancer. A total of 11 studies were ultimately included.

The researchers found that soy intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer, with a 23 percent reduced risk overall. When evaluated further, the researchers found that consuming soy was significantly linked to a 21 percent, 14 percent and 38 percent reduced risk in women, Asian populations and non-smokers, respectively.

The authors concluded that consuming soy in the diet may reduce the risk of lung cancer; however, higher quality data is necessary before any firm conclusions can be made.

For more information about soy, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Drinking Tart Cherry Juice May Improve Sleep Quality

A new study suggests that drinking tart cherry juice may improve sleep quality.

Cherries have been used as both food and medicine. African cherry (Prunus africana) has been used to treat enlarged prostate and other disorders. Cherries contain polyphenols, which may have antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these uses.

In a new study, researchers sought to assess the reported high levels of melatonin in Montmorency cherries and there potential effects on sleep quality. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain. The synthesis and release of melatonin are stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light, suggesting the involvement of melatonin in circadian rhythm. Several human studies have suggested that taking melatonin by mouth may reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.

Researchers randomly assigned 20 participants to receive tart cherry juice concentrate or placebo for seven days. Sleep quality and levels of melatonin in the urine were evaluated throughout the study period.

The researchers found that total melatonin content was significantly higher in the tart cherry juice group when compared to the control group. Furthermore, the tart cherry juice group saw significant improvements in the time in bed, sleep efficiency and total sleep time.

The authors concluded that drinking tart cherry juice may significantly increase melatonin levels and improve sleep quality. Larger-scale studies are necessary to further evaluate these findings.

For more information about cherries, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Green Tea May Reduce Cholesterol

A recent study suggests that green tea catechins may reduce cholesterol.

Green tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to Southeast Asia. Green tea is rich in the class of polyphenol compounds known as catechins. Polyphenols may have health benefits for humans. Many of the effects of green tea are thought to be due to its most abundant catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

In a recent study, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search for well-designed clinical trials evaluating the effects of green tea catechins on cholesterol. Twenty studies evaluating 1,415 participants were ultimately included in the review.

The researchers found that when compared to control groups, daily green tea catechins doses of 145-3,000 milligrams for 3-24 weeks significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels. No significant reductions were found for high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good" cholesterol) or triglycerides.

The authors concluded that green tea catechins may significantly reduce both total and LDL cholesterol levels; however, further well-designed studies are necessary before firm conclusions can be made.

For more information about green tea, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.