Herb News and Research from Herbal Extracts Plus

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In our continuing effort to bring you as much information as possible, we at Herbal Extracts Plus offers the latest news and research articles about current topics relating to herbs and your good health. Simply click below where instructed to read the full articles. Articles are arranged by date.

A Ton of Bitter Melon Produces Sweet Results for Diabetes
- From ScienceDaily.com's Science News - 03/27/08
Scientists have uncovered the therapeutic properties of Bitter Melon that make it a powerful treatment for Type 2 diabetes. The results of a study published in the international journal, Chemistry & Biology, declared that teams from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica extracted four bioactive components from the Bitter Melon, and all appear to activate the enzyme AMPK, a protein well known for regulating fuel metabolism and enabling glucose uptake. Scientists stress that while there are well known diabetes drugs on the market that also activate AMPK, they can have side effects, but the advantage of Bitter Melon is that there are no known side effects.

Soy Compound May Halt Spread Of Prostate Cancer
- From ScienceDaily.com's Science News - 03/17/08
A compound found in Soybeans known as genistein almost completely prevented the spread of human prostate cancer in mice, according to a study published in the March 15, 2008 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Investigators from Northwestern University found that genistein decreased metastasis of prostate cancer to the lungs by ninety six percent, compared with mice that did not eat the compound, making the study the first to demonstrate genistein can stop prostate cancer metastasis in a living organism. The researchers said that the impressive results give hope that genistein might show some effect in preventing the spread of prostate cancer in patients. Soybeans are the most common source of isoflavones, especially genistein and daidzein, which have been shown in some animal studies to exert a protective effect against prostate cancer. Interestingly, Japanese men eat significantly more Soy-based foods than do Western men, and the incidence of prostate cancer is much lower in Asian countries than in Western countries. (Click here to read full article)

Could Foods Help Prevent Ovarian Cancer? Flavonoids Found in Tea, Veggies, Fruits and Beans Could Lower Risk
- From MSNBC.com's Health/Diet and nutrition/Nutrition Notes section - 03/14/08
Ovarian cancer often has no symptoms in early stages and is frequently diagnosed at a more advanced stage, resulting in poorer survival rates than other cancers, but a new study suggests that diets high in certain flavonoid compounds found in vegetables, fruits, beans and tea may significantly lower a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer. Flavonoids are a large family of antioxidant compounds and are part of a plant’s natural defense system that helps the plant fight off disease and infection, and research suggests these compounds could help prevent a variety of diseases in humans — including cancer — by protecting cells from DNA damage. For example, Kaempferol (a flavonoid found in Tea, Broccoli, Kale, and Spinach) and Luteolin (in Peppers, Carrots, Cabbage, and Celery) were both identified as cancer protective, and women who consumed the most of these two flavonoids were less likely to develop ovarian cancer; and participants who consumed high levels of a third phytochemical, Myricetin (in Tea, Beans, Raisins, and Blueberries), also seemed somewhat protected. Scientists believe some flavonoids may also deter cancer development by helping to regulate cell growth and fight inflammation or by changing hormone levels. (Click here to read full article)

Blueberries may cut osteoporosis link, for rats at least
- From NutraIngredients.com's Research section - 03/12/08
Researchers from Florida State University and Oklahoma State University suggest that an increased intake of Blueberries may prevent the weakening of bones that occurs after the menopause. The findings, which were published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, related to laboratory research conducted with rats. If the study can be translated to humans, it could see the Blueberry’s health benefits being extended beyond those already reported in the literature including lowering cholesterol, and protecting against cancer and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The effect may be due to the components of Blueberry, which function as free radical scavengers. This observation is supported by a report which ranks Blueberry extract to have the highest antioxidant capacity, in comparison with other fruits and reference compounds such as vitamin C. (Click here to read full article)

Broccoli May Slow Down Effects of Ageing
- From the Daily Mail's Diet & Fitness section (www.dailymail.co.uk) - 03/10/08
Broccoli is known for its anticancer properties, but it could also boost the immune system in older people and slow down the effects of ageing. According to new research from UCLA and published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the sulforaphane found in cruciferous vegetables can activate a number of antioxidant genes and enzymes in immune cells. These prevent free radicals from damaging cells and contributing to the ageing process. As we age, the ability of the immune system to fight disease, infections and cancer wears down as a result of the impact of oxygen radicals on the immune system, and the sulforaphane has been capable of stimulating a wide range of antioxidant defense pathways that may interfere with the age-related decline in immune function. (Click here to read full article)

Flaxseed for Hot Flashes? Recent research suggests it might just help.
- From EatingWell.com via MSN Health & Fitness - 2008; posted here 2/29/08
Lignans, the estrogen-like compounds found in Flaxseed, may help relieve hot flashes. In a six-week pilot study at Mayo Clinic, women who consumed ground Flaxseed twice daily found that not only the frequency of their hot flashes dropped, but the intensity of the hot flashes decreased too. The lignans in Flax offer a ‘natural,’ less potent estrogen effect on hot flashes than synthetic hormone therapy. (Click here to read full article)

Pepper May Help Disfiguring Skin Condition - Finding Could Lead to Better Treatments for Vitiligo
- From Reuters via MSNBC.com's Health/Skin and beauty section - 02/14/08
In a study at King’s College, London, British researchers claimed that piperine, the compound that gives Black Pepper (and White Pepper and Green Pepper) its spicy, pungent flavor, helped stimulate pigmentation in the skin of people with vitiligo. In the study to be published in the British Journal of Dermatology, the researchers stated that the piperine in Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) was particularly effective when combined with phototherapy treatment using ultraviolet radiation and could lead to better treatments for the disfiguring skin condition that affects about one percent of the world’s population. (Click here to read full article)

The Ten Best Foods You're Not Eating:
Want to do your body a world of good? It's as easy as expanding your grocery list
- From the MSN Health & Fitness 'Diet & Fitness' section - 2008; posted here 2/8/08
There are many “superfoods” that never see the inside of a shopping cart. Some you've never heard of, and others you've simply forgotten about. That's why we've rounded up the best of the bunch – Cinnamon, Beets, Pomegranate, Cabbage, Blueberries, Pumpkin Seeds, Artichoke, plus others. By eating more antioxidant-rich plant foods, you'll boost the amount of the disease-fighting chemicals floating in your bloodstream. The result: Every bite fortifies your body with all-natural preventive medicine. Make a place for them on your table and you'll instantly upgrade your health—without a prescription – and make time to read this important article to find which fruits and vegetables should be on your grocery list, and in case you don’t make it to the market, check out some comparable botanical supplements too! (Click here to read full article) Click for more information about Spinach and Tomato!

An Herbal Extract Eases Symptoms of Heart Failure
- From The New York Times's Health Section (www.nytimes.com) - 02/05/08
In a review of fourteen studies that was published in The New York Times, researchers have found that the herbal supplement, Hawthorne extract, is effective in treating symptoms of chronic heart failure. In most of the studies, an extract from Hawthorne leaves, fruits and flowers was used as an adjunct to conventional treatment, and most studies reported mild or no side effects. The authors conclude that there is a significant benefit in symptom control and physiologic outcomes from Hawthorne extract as an adjunctive treatment for chronic heart failure. Click below to read this important article. Click here to read the scientific paper published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Click here to read about healthy Hawthorne Leaf. (Click here to read full article)

Type-1 Diabetes Prevention Linked to Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- From Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates' In The News section - 2008; posted here 2/1/08
Youngsters at high risk for developing Type-1 diabetes might be able to prevent the disease by eating foods rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, a new study from the University of Colorado suggests. Reporting in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that high-risk children with the highest Omega-3 intake had up to a 55 percent reduced risk of Type-1 diabetes. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are found in fish, walnuts and certain plant oils, such as canola and olive. Omega-3 Fatty Acids also have anti-inflammatory properties and are believed to help reduce the incidence of heart disease. In past research, scientists discovered that Norwegian children who were regularly given cod liver oil supplements, which are rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids and vitamin D, had a lower incidence of Type-1 diabetes. (Click here to read full article)

Four Green Foods You Need: Broccoli, Green Tea, Lime and Pest
- From Newsweek.com - 1/25/08
Some health advisers argue that common health problems can arise from '"toxic overload," a buildup of everyday pollutants and food preservatives, with symptoms ranging from fatigue, headaches, muscle weakness, nervousness and diarrhea—to just feeling less than good. While detox diets may not have scientific backing, there are some super foods that fight carcinogens and are great for your whole system— Broccoli, Green Tea, Lime (because of vitamin C) and Pesto (because of Garlic). They're great for you and may even protect you from cancer. In some cases, supplements are recommended. To get the full benefits of the catechins in Green Tea, you might need to take Green Tea pills, or else expect to spend all your waking moments brewing and sipping. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, it took concentrated-Green Tea pills equal to 8-16 cups a day to boost production of enzymes that make carcinogens less toxic. Load up on these good-for-you greens and you might not need that pricey spa—or even a special juicer. Read this important article and link to supplemental BROCCOLI, GREEN TEA and GARLIC, and if you’re looking for a Great Green source of vitamin C, don’t forget Green Pepper; it contains more vitamin C than citrus fruits!

Cinnamon’s Secret Health Benefit? The popular spice can help regulate blood-glucose levels
- From EatingWell magazine (EatingWell.com) via MSN Health & Fitness - 2007; posted here 1/11/08 (Click here to read full article)
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition provides welcome news: Cinnamon can help you better regulate your blood-glucose levels. In a Swedish study, scientists claimed that subjects who were given Cinnamon measured significantly lower blood-glucose levels than those in the study who did not receive it—an indication that their blood sugar was moving more efficiently into cells, where it’s used. It also appeared to slow the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine, slowing digestion, which may, in part, explain the lower blood sugar. Finally, U.S.D.A. reports demonstrate that extracts of Cinnamon increase insulin activity, enhancing the breakdown of glucose, and improving blood sugar concentrations. Daily Cinnamon consumption may lead to dramatic reductions in blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides by as much as twenty percent. Read this important article and check out the benefits of Cinnamon on this site.

Will These Foods Make You Smarter? The trend to fortify foods with the omega-3 DHA
- From EatingWell magazine (EatingWell.com) via MSN Health & Fitness - 2007; posted here 1/4/08
One of the reasons nutrition experts recommend eating fish twice a week is that they are a good source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an Omega-3 Fatty Acid that has heart-healthy benefits. Now preliminary studies suggest that DHA may help boost brain power too, and some research links higher intakes with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and the cognitive decline that precedes it. Also, growing evidence suggests that supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy may result in superior cognitive performance of the child. Since research indicates supplementation may have some mental benefits, you might want to look into Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplements too. (Click here to read full article)

What to Eat — The Colors of Health: Eat these five hues every day to get all the age-fighting antioxidants you need
- From Prevention magazine via MSN Health & Fitness - 2007; posted here 12/28/07
The secret to youthful skin, healthy bones, sharp memory and disease prevention can be found in the antioxidant compounds found in a colorful diet. These compounds reduce overall cellular damage and prevent the hardening of the arteries that can lead to heart disease, stroke and even memory loss. “Every hue—green, yellow, orange, red, purple, and even white—signifies a different class of nutrients, each of which offers a unique benefit," according to USDA research chemist, Ronald Prior, PhD, who was among the first researchers to measure the antioxidants in food that protect us as we age. Read this article to find which fruits and vegetables contain highest antioxidants and check out some comparable botanical supplements too. (Click here to read full article)

Drinking Green Tea May Fight Prostate Cancer Men who consume 5 cups a day or more could halve risk, study finds
- From Reuters via MSNBC.com's Health/Cancer section - 12/19/07
Green Tea may reduce the risk of advanced prostate cancer, according to a new study by researchers at Japan’s National Cancer Center, who maintain that Green Tea contains catechins—antioxidant substances that may help stop cancer cell growth and prevent cancerous tumors from spreading. The study results, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that men who drank five or more cups of Green Tea per day had less risk of developing advanced prostate cancer, compared with men who drank less or none. Incidence of prostate cancer is low in Asia, where Green Tea is a popular beverage. (Click here to read full article)

Drink to Your Health - Sorting Out the Red Wine Rumors: What have you heard through the grapevine?
- From MSN Health & Fitness - Article not dated; posted here 11/30/07

Red Wine lovers can often be heard opining about health claims as they tip another glassful. Some of it is myth, some of it is hope, but some of the claims have gained credibility thanks to solid scientific evidence. The antioxidants (polyphenols) in red wine (from the grape skins) are believed to help fight heart disease and possibly other conditions, and Red Wine’s resveratrol has become the crown jewel of antioxidant study, both in research labs and the media. Resveratrol may have strong positive effect in warding off disease, bolstering the immune system and slowing the effects of ageing. (Click here to read full article)

Half a glass of red wine 'protects from cancer'
- From The Daily Mail's Diet & Fitness Section - 11/15/07
Half a glass of red wine a day could protect you from colon cancer, scientists have discovered. In a study conducted by the University of California, Irvine, researchers found that a diet rich in grapes can help prevent the third most common form of cancer, one that kills more than half a million people worldwide. The cancer researchers discovered that the “resveratrol” in grapes blocks a chemical pathway that helps cancer spread. They hope that as well as preventing cancer, the discovery could lead to new therapies for sufferers. It suggests that substances in grapes can block a key intracellular signaling pathway involved in the development of colon cancer before a tumor develops. (Click here to read full article)

Excess Pounds Raise Women's Cancer Risk - Obesity linked to a range of tumor types, studies find
- From HealthDay News via MSN Health & Fitness - 11/07/07
In a sizeable British study conducted by Oxford University, researchers found that overweight and obese women are at greater risk of developing and dying from cancer, including breast cancer in postmenopausal women, colon cancer in premenopausal women and pancreatic and kidney cancer generally. In addition to preventing heart disease, diabetes and other medical problems, staying lean can reduce the risk of cancer and improved quality of life. The message is clear: “Overweight or obesity is to blame for about five percent of all cancer cases,” so it’s time to get that weight gain under control – now. (Click here to read full article)

Heart Beat: Beans, Beans - the Magical Fruit
- From Harvard Health Publications via MSN Health & Fitness - 10/07
A published report from Harvard Medical School claims that eating Beans regularly can lower cholesterol, improve your circulatory system, influence blood sugar and lower the risk of having a heart attack. Chock-full of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and slowly-digested carbohydrates, Beans are an excellent alternative to red meat as a main course for a delicious and healthy meal. Read this important article and then check out the health benefits in White Kidney Beans in supplement form. (Click here to read full article)

Broccoli May Help Fight Skin Cancer: Natural compound shields against effects of UV rays
- From HealthDay News via MSN Health & Fitness - 10/25/07

Scientists have discovered that an extract of Broccoli protects the skin against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, cruciferous vegetables, such as Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, etc., contain a large quantity of a compound called sulforaphane, which has been shown to inhibit tumor development in animals. Applying an extract of Broccoli, which contains particularly high levels of sulforaphane, to regions of human skin, you can protect them very substantially. The researchers claim that this is the first demonstration of protection against a known human carcinogen in humans. The same thing happens with interferon, which is now used for melanoma; it boosts the natural killer cells. What's good for your diet may also guard against skin cancer. (Click here to read full article)

EIGHT TIPS TO CANCER-PROOF YOUR BODY
Straight from the lab: Stealth strategies for keeping the Big C at bay
- From Men's Health via MSNBC via MSN Health & Fitness - 10/23/07
Studies conducted by the Ohio State University Medical Center, the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation and Creighton University indicate that healthy lifestyle and dietary strategies show great promise in the fight against different cancers, and the fundamentals include consuming important dietary nutrients found in Kelp, Pomegranate and Blueberries, plus adding few lifestyle changes, such as no-smoking, learning to relax, exercising and getting outdoors to catch the sun’s rays (important vitamin D). Other tips include taking supplemental Selenium (found in Garlic and Broccoli, by the way) and plenty of vitamin C. All these approaches have one very positive thing in common: They're just plain good for you and bad for cancer cells. (Click here to read full article)

Hospitals and Superbugs: Go in Sick... Get Sicker - Nearly 100,000 people die every year from bugs that they pick up in health care facilities
- From ScientificAmerican.com - 10/18/07
According to a study published in JAMA The Journal of the American Medical Association, MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) causes some 94,000 invasive infections in the U.S. each year, resulting in almost 19,000 deaths—more than those caused by HIV.

MRSA is a potent bacterium that has developed resistance to most antibiotics, making it difficult to treat and potentially fatal. Infections frequently cause painful boils or long-lasting infected wounds that ooze pus and may not respond to conventional antibiotics, dressings and bed rest. Sometimes, surgery is required to remove infected tissue or treatment with a wound V.A.C., a suction device that aids healing by vacuuming pus, blood and other fluids. It is frequently difficult to pinpoint the source of infection. Sometimes it may stem from a dirty instrument or from unwashed hands or the contaminated gloves of a health care worker. But one thing is almost certain: Deadly staph can be picked up at a hospital.

Interestingly, recent information has surfaced with regard to the herb, TURMERIC, and its superior actions as an antibacterial. Many claims have emerged that Turmeric’s potent antibiotic qualities may be helpful in combating MRSA. (Click here to read full article)

For further reading about MRSA, we have another article for you to read: An Infection I Just Couldn’t Shake

Chinese Herbs Can Relieve Menstrual Cramps - Study finds concoctions more effective than drugs, heat or acupuncture
- From Women's Health magazine via MSNBC.com's Health section - 10/17/07
A study involving nearly 3,500 women in China, the Netherlands, Taiwan and Japan, suggests that Chinese herbs might be more effective in relieving menstrual cramps than drugs, acupuncture or heat compression. Australia-based researchers said herbs not only relieved pain, but reduced the recurrence of the condition over three months, confirming superiority of Chinese herbal medicine over other treatments. Some of the herbs include Chinese Angelica Root (Dong Quai), Szechuan Lovage Root, Red and White Peony Root, Chinese Motherwort, Fennel, Nut-Grass Rhizome, Licorice and Cinnamon Bark. Read this important article, and if you suffer from menstrual cramps, it might be time to check out these herbs. Click the herb names in the paragraph above for more information on each one. (Click here to read full article)

More Fiber, Less Fat Help Prevent Ovarian Cancer – Long-term dietary change led to 40% reduction in risk, study found
- From HealthDay News via MSN Health & Fitness - 10/09/07
According to research conducted by the Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, Washington, older women who stick to a low-fat, high-fiber diet could cut their odds for deadly ovarian cancer. Postmenopausal women who stayed on the high fiber/low fat regimen for more than eight years reduced their risk for the disease by forty percent. The same team has also shown that low-fat/high fiber diets cut the odds of breast and colorectal cancers. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cancer killer of women, and ovarian tumors are a "stealth killer," because they are notoriously difficult to detect in their early stages. Read this important article to find out how simple dietary changes can impact your health for the better. (Click here to read full article)

Flaxseed May Relieve Hot Flashes of Menopause
- From MSN Health & Fitness Women's Health section - 08/31/07
In a small study of postmenopausal women not taking estrogen – the women who used dietary Flaxseed reported a fifty percent reduction in hot flashes over the course of six weeks. “Flaxseed worked very well,” said Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, director of the Mayo Breast Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. ‘The women who used it said it really helped them.” While hormone replacement therapy, particularly estrogen, is effective against hot flashes, its long-term use has fallen out of favor since the large study known as the Women's Health Initiative found an increased risk of heart disease, breast cancer and other problems with long-term HRT use. Thus, despite the cautions that the report is too preliminary to prove that Flaxseed’s efficacy, Dr. Pruthi and her team explained that Flaxseed has some natural phytoestrogens," explaining how it, like the hormone estrogen, could have a positive effect on hot flashes. (Click here to read full article)

Soy-Based Supplement May Lower Cardiac Risk
- From Reuters Health via Medline Plus - 08/29/07
According to a study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, daily supplements of genistein, a naturally-occurring phytoestrogen found in SOY, combined with calcium and vitamin D, as well as a healthy diet, may help prevent heart disease and regulate metabolism of blood sugar in postmenopausal women with bone loss. The researchers claimed that the combination had positive therapeutic effects on some predictors for heart disease and may also help to prevent the development of diabetes. (Click here to read full article)

Can Eating GINGER Cure Nausea and Motion Sickness?
- From Seattlepi.com's Health & Fitness section - 08/22/07
According to studies reported by The New York Times, Ginger has been shown to be effective in treating the nausea associated with motion sickness. Whether on a ship, in a car or on an airplane, most people have experienced the miseries of motion sickness, and one of the oldest remedies, Ginger, is among those backed by the most evidence. A study published in the British medical journal, Lancet, found that subjects who took powdered Ginger in capsules experienced delayed onset of dizziness and motion sickness about twice as long as subjects who took anti-nausea medication. The Bottom Line? Taking Ginger can, in fact, be effective in treating the nausea associated with motion sickness. (Click here to read full article)

CRANBERRY COULD JUICE UP OVARIAN CANCER TREATMENT
In lab experiments, Cranberry boosted drugs' killing power six-fold
- From HealthDay News via Medline Plus - 08/21/07
Gulping down a glass of Cranberry juice might greatly boost an ovarian cancer patient's sensitivity to chemotherapy, a new study suggests. In laboratory experiments, pre-treating ovarian tumor cells bumped up the cancer-killing power of drugs six-fold, researchers say. In findings presented at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the preliminary experiments could offer a new option for patients whose ovarian cancer has become resistant to treatment. According to Ajay P. Singh, a chemist in the Department of Plant Biology and Plant Pathology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, "We don't consider them to be a drug, but Cranberries are already very well known to have antioxidants that boost the immune system and body strength, prevent urinary tract infection and help fight cardiovascular disease…and now, we found that they actually increase sensitivity to chemo several-fold.” (Click here to read full article)

Health Tip: Please Pass the Soluble Fiber
- From Medical News Today's Nutrition/Diet News section - 08/10/07
Because we don’t get enough Fiber in our diets, the August issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter explains how to boost soluble fiber in our diets and help to lower our low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol and blood sugar. Fiber comes in two forms - soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material and can be found in Peas, Beans, Fiber Supplements (Psyllium) and even Coffee - and may help protect against heart attack and stroke, so read this article, and boost your fiber intake for better health. (Click here to read full article)

Up Close and Edible: PEPPERMINT
- From Newsweek magazine via MSNBC.com - 08/08/07
If you think Peppermint is only a simple sweet treat, think again: It has some surprisingly powerful qualities. Not only is it good for common stomach ills and headaches, but according to researchers from the University of Cincinnati, a whiff of Peppermint helps people who are taking tests to concentrate and do better on tasks that require sustained concentration. Moreover, it helps to improve mood and relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, which can include abdominal cramping and pain and bloating. Another, older study indicated that Peppermint could enhance athletic performance. Talk about being in mint condition! (Click here to read full article)

MEMORY SLOW? DRINK SOME JOE!
Older women who consume three cups of Coffee a day have sharper cognitive skills, study says.
- Fromthe Men's Health section of MSN Health & Fitness - 08/06/07
Coffee may jolt more than just the nervous system. The results of a new French study, published in the August issue of the journal, Neurology, found that caffeine seemed to help preserve the cognitive skills of older women, and the benefits increased with age and the amount of coffee consumed. How might caffeine help ward off cognitive decline? “It is a cognitive stimulant,” said study leader, Ritchie, from the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research. “It also helps to reduce levels of the protein called beta-amyloid in the brain,” she said, “whose accumulation is responsible for Alzheimer's disease but which also occurs in normal ageing.” The French study confirms previous research, said William Scott, professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, who has researched caffeine's beneficial effects against Parkinson's disease, also a neurodegenerative disorder. (Click here to read full article)

“SUPER” FOODS THAT MAY LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL
- From MSN Health & Fitness Health Centers: Cholesterol - not dated; posted here 07/27/07
Following an overall healthy diet that’s low in saturated fat and abundant in fruits and vegetables is wiser than obsessing over specific "super" foods. Nonetheless, some foods have been shown to give cholesterol levels an extra nudge in the right direction, by reducing harmful LDL (bad) cholesterol, raising HDL (bad) cholesterol or preventing LDL cholesterol from being oxidized, a process that can otherwise damage the lining of blood vessels and increase cardiovascular risk. So load up on healthy foods and eat your way to good hearth health. Read this important article, and take a look at some healthy herbal supplements too! (Click here to read full article)

Key To Cinnamon Antiviral Extract Found In The Bible
- From Medical News Today's Complimentary Medicine/Alternative Medicine section - 07/25/07
Because ancient Jewish High Priests prepared a holy oil used on their bodies before they made a ritual animal sacrifice, an Israeli researcher "had a hunch” that this Cinnamon-based oil played a role in preventing the spread of infection to people. Initial experiments proved that Cinnamon extract was able to quickly and effectively immunize chicken embryos from virus, and further studies on Avian Flu, HIV virus and Herpes Simplex also achieved positive results. The deadly Bird Flu virus is still associated with significant mortality worldwide, especially now that people travel regularly and work together in offices and closed spaces, and until a vaccine is invented, antivirals will be the only medical intervention for use in such a pandemic. Use of a Cinnamon extract is expected in a whole host of applications from disinfecting the air as a spray against Avian Flu in airports to a daily supplement that protects people against the common flu. (Click here to read full article)