Below these research items are organized for reference. This information was compiled and adapted from the American Holistic and Health Association. Visit their website at www.ahha.org and become a member today.
Atherosclerosis - Vitamin B
Recent German research findings published in Atherosclerosis (International Journal for Research and Investigation on Atherosclerosis and Related Diseases) indicate that B vitamins reversed plaque buildup in the neck's carotid artery. We thank The Health Resource for alerting us to this finding. Their article is "B-Vitamins Reverse Plaque Buildup in Neck."
Blood Pressure - Nitrates
Popeye was right. Eating your spinach is good for you. Swedish research shows that the nitrates in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce and beetroot, help to lower blood pressure and keep blood vessels healthy. For details, review "Nitrates for Blood Pressure". We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for alerting us to this finding.
Bone Health - Genistein
Post-menopausal women with low bone density have a new dietary option to discuss with their physicians. Italian research published in the June 2007 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine presents the positive effects of genistein on bone metabolism. For more information, see "Phytoestrogens for Bone Health". We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for alerting us to this finding.
Burns - Trace Elements
New integrative therapies are augmenting treatment options for serious burns with exciting results. In one recent study, adding trace element supplementation reduced infection, speeded up wound healing, and reduced the need for regrafting. Your physician can review the details. See "Supplements for Burn Injuries. We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for alerting us to this finding.
Cancer - Curcumin
It is refreshing to learn that natural substances are being included in university research in the fight against cancer. The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center studied the possible anticancer mechanisms of curcumin, a component of the popular Indian curry spice, turmeric. While this is a long way from being part of an anti-cancer protocol, it is encouraging news. For details, review "Curcumin for Cancer". We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for alerting us to this finding.
Chest Pain - Hypnosis
Pain, no matter what the source, impacts quality of our life. Research highlighting the power of the mind-body connection may offer hope to some dealing with chest pain not caused by a heart condition or heartburn. For details, review "Hypnosis for Chest Pain" and ask your healthcare professional if this would be appropriate for you to incorporate into your health program. We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for alerting us to this finding.
Cholesterol - Remove Lead
If you are challenged with high cholesterol, you might find it interesting to know that more and more is being discovered about the factors that can contribute to this condition.
Diets high in saturated fat are responsible for about one in five cases of high serum cholesterol. High carbohydrate intake is responsible for about one in three cases. But what can you do if lowering saturated fats and carbs is not enough?
Japanese researchers think they may have found a missing piece of the cholesterol puzzle. They have discovered that small quantities of lead caused elevated serum cholesterols in experimental animals. You and your health professional might wish to review the related science explained in "The Hidden High Cholesterol Culprit You Might Not Be Looking For" which appeared in Dr. Jonathan V. Wright's Nutrition & Healing newsletter.
Colds/Flu - Turmeric
As the season for colds and flu approaches, you may be interested in the numerous studies referenced in "Nature's cold and flu remedies for children...no antibiotics required" by Kerry Bone. This Australian herbal clinician cites research supporting immune enhancing uses of andrographis, echinacea, and elderberry. You and your family might wish to review this information with your family physician. This article appeared in Dr. Jonathan V. Wright's Nutrition & Healing newsletter.
Eczema - Herbal Supplements
Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions, the severity of which varies from mild dry, hot, and itchy skin to severe raw and bleeding skin. Treatment is typically a topical therapy. Those interested in a non-drug approach will want to check out "The Most Effective Way To Get Herbal Eczema Relief Right Where You Need It Most" by Kerry Bone, which presents a number of safe and effective herbal options. Be sure you have a correct diagnosis by a qualified healthcare professional and have him/her track your healing progress. Bone's article appeared in Dr. Jonathan V. Wright's Nutrition & Healing newsletter.
Emotional Stress - Expressive Writing
In addition to all that is involved with the physical treatment of a life threatening disease like cancer, the emotional stress is significant. Several research studies have experimented with expressive writing or journal therapy to help patients cope with the fears and challenges the illness brings. This alternative to antidepressant drugs has demonstrated promising results. For details, review "Expressive Writing Therapy." We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for alerting us to this finding.
Fibromyalgia - Acupuncture
" Mayo Clinic Study Finds Acupuncture Relieves Symptoms of Fibromyalgia" documents the results when fifty patients with moderate to severe fibromyalgia, for whom previous treatments had not provide satisfactory relief, were treated with six session of acupuncture. Pain associated with fibromyalgia was reduced. In addition, disease-associated anxiety and fatigue were decreased. We thank The Health Resource for alerting us to this finding.
Fitness - Tai Chi
If your mother or grandmother is balking at exercising, she might like this option. A Harvard Medical School study found that slow motion Tai Chi movements are more effective in improving fitness in elderly women than brisk walking. Tai Chi improves lower extremity strength, balance, and flexibility. For details, review "Tai Chi may be More Beneficial than Walking for Elderly Women." We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for alerting us to this finding.
Foot Pain - Exercise
Experiencing soreness on the soles of your feet? Here is some information you will definitely want to share with your podiatrist before embarking on invasive treatment. Research indicates that special exercises can dramatically improve your sore feet if the cause is plantar fasciitis, a painful condition caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia of the foot. Note that most of the study's participants improved enough not to need medical treatment. For details, review "Stretching for Foot Pain." We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for alerting us to this finding.
Headaches - Self-Hypnosis
Do you have a child with chronic headaches? A new study demonstrates that self-hypnosis training in children and adolescents can result in reducing frequency, intensity, and average duration. You and your physician may wish to review the research, which is outlined in "Self-Hypnosis for Headaches." We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for alerting us to this finding.
Heart Failure - Breathing
Imagine the equivalent of weight training for your lungs. A recent study in Brazil demonstrated the marked improvement in respiratory factors for people with heart failure and breathing difficulty when they used a simple breathing device. Even better, the results lasted months beyond the 12-week program. For details review "Breathing Device Aids Patients with Heart Failure." We thank The Health Resource for bringing this to our attention.
Heart Failure - L-arginine
Exciting new information is available for patients who have recovered from heart failure. Adding the amino acid L-arginine may help you correct the abnormal blood vessel function often seen with this condition and improve your ability to perform your daily activities. You and your healthcare professional can review the research referenced in "Supplement Add-On Helps Heart Failure Patients" and determine if this is something you should consider. We thank The Health Resource for bringing this to our attention.
Immune Cells - Echinacea
Your body is loaded with immune cells known as natural killer cells. These cells are part of your body's front line of defense against bacteria, viruses, and tumor cells. In "My favorite herb has just been declared a miracle" Kerry Bone summarizes research using the root of the herb echinacea to enhance the functioning of the immune system. This is information for you and your healthcare team to consider. This article appeared in the Dr. Jonathan V. Wright's Nutrition & Healing newsletter.
Osteoarthritis - MSM
With the growing interest in using dietary supplements for health enhancement and prevention, and often treatment of disease, individuals and their healthcare professionals are becoming fairly well educated to consider interactions with other drugs, herbs and supplements. An issue that has not been given a lot of attention is that prolonged use of a dietary supplement might impact the body's use of other nutrients. The following is presented to alert you to the importance of having the benefit of complete, integrated healthcare information, checking what is known about both short term and long term use, and customizing for your unique situation.
A recent study, "Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: A pilot clinical trial," by the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Tempe, AZ, found that MSM "improved symptoms of pain and physical function during the short intervention without major adverse events." Many who suffer from the pain of arthritis and don't want the side effects of the pharmaceutical approach have welcomed this information.
At the same time, a caution is voiced in "Clinical Tip 136" from the Dr. Jonathan V. Wright's Clinical Nutrition & Healing newsletter. It is possible that the essential trace element molybdenum may be depleted by prolonged use of MSM. Molybdenum is used in the processing of sulfur, and MSM is 30 percent sulfur. For those taking MSM for a chronic condition, this is food for thought.
Poor Digestion - Stomach Acid
Like it or not, the older we get, the more likely we are to develop poor digestion and problems with assimilation. The standard medical approach has been to use patent medications specifically designed to suppress stomach acid production. This could be changing in the near future. Doctors are slowly becoming aware of the fact that low or no stomach acid can influence the health of the entire body. You may want to review the article "Age and Antiacids: A Double Whammy Against Your Body's Optimal Health" with your family physician. This article appeared in the Dr. Jonathan V. Wright's Nutrition & Healing newsletter.
Recommended Intake - Vitamin B-12
The currently recommended daily intake level of 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B-12 should be more than doubled, according to a new Danish study. "Study Questions Vitamin B-12 Recommended Intake" notes the need for 6 microgram of B-12 to correct B-12 deficiency symptoms. We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for alerting us to this finding.
Skin Cancer - Eggplant Extract/BEC
Anyone dealing with squamous cell cancer, basal cell cancer, or actinic keratosis may want to be aware of the promising preliminary research results concerning a topical eggplant extract called BEC. You and your physician can check out the research referenced in the article"Researchers find a groundbreaking skin cancer cure" which appeared in the Dr. Jonathan V. Wright's Nutrition & Healing newsletter. Also, a more recent article "The skin cancer cure...yes, cure...that works every time," by Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., which appeared in the Dr. Jonathan V. Wright's Nutrition & Healing newsletter.
Steroid Dosage - Wormwood
An increasing number of people are searching for ways to wean themselves off prescribed medications. There is good news for those who have Crohn's disease. A recently released German study successfully used the Chinese herb wormwood (also called Artemisia or "Sweet Annie") to reduce the dose of the steroid prednisone. There was an almost complete remission in those of the group of Crohn's patients receiving the wormwood compared to none in the placebo group. Review "Ancient Folk Remedy Reduces Steroid Dosage"at and determine if this is something you should discuss with your physician. We thank The Health Resource for bringing this to our attention.
Stress - Aromatherapy
Do you have a high level of stress in your life? Does it increace during holiday seasons? Consider using music and aromatherapy to help you relax and really enjoy special holiday seasons. "Common 'Scents' for Holiday Stress" reminds us that there is a scientific basis for how music and aromatherapy can reduce anxiety and improve our mood. We thank the Natural Standards Research Collaboration for compiling this article.
Tinnitus - Melatonin
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, roaring, or other noises in the ears or head when there is no external source of the noise. Most people suffering with tinnitus experience this "ringing in the ears" twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. While there does not seem to be a cure, there are a number of alternative treatment options that help to minimize the symptoms. Promising new research successfully using the supplement melatonin is reported in "Hope for Tinnitus Sufferers." We thank The Health Resource for bringing this to our attention.