Exposure to lead during early development can alter the the gut microbiota, increasing the chances for obesity in adulthood, researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health have found. Adult male mice exposed to lead during gestation and lactation were 11 percent larger than those not exposed, due to differences in their gut […]
Frankincense: A Wise Man’s Treatment For Arthritis?
The answer to treating painful arthritis could lie in an age old herbal remedy — frankincense, according to Cardiff University scientists. Cardiff scientists have been examining the potential benefits of frankincense to help relieve and alleviate the symptoms of the condition. “The search for new ways of relieving the symptoms of inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis […]
Dried Plums Provide Protection From Bone Loss Due To Radiation
Dried plums are effective in protecting from bone loss due to iodized radiation, a new study shows. Dr. Nancy Turner, a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist in College Station, was one of a team of researchers who recently studied different interventions to protect from radiation-induced bone loss. Their paper, “Dried Plum Protects from Bone Loss […]
Healing Power Of Aloe Vera Proves Beneficial For Teeth And Gums, Too
Aloe vera tooth gel is intended, like toothpaste, to eliminate disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. The aloe vera plant has a long history of healing power. Its ability to heal burns and cuts and soothe pain has been documented as far back as the 10th century. Legend has it that Cleopatra used aloe vera to […]
Flame Retardants: Human Hair And Nails Can Tell Toxic Secrets
Chemicals used as flame retardants that are potentially harmful to humans are found in hair, toenails and fingernails, according to new research from Indiana University. The discovery of an easily available biomarker should ease the way for further research to determine the human impact of chemicals commonly found in the environment, including in indoor dust, […]
Curcumin May Help Overcome Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
New research indicates that curcumin–a substance in turmeric that is best known as one of the main components of curry powder–may help fight drug-resistant tuberculosis. In Asia, turmeric is used to treat many health conditions and it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and perhaps even anticancer properties. Investigators found that by stimulating human immune cells called macrophages, […]
Light Exposure During Pregnancy Key To Normal Eye Development
New research in Nature concludes the eye — which depends on light to see — also needs light to develop normally during pregnancy. Scientists say the unexpected finding offers a new basic understanding of fetal eye development and ocular diseases caused by vascular disorders — in particular one called retinopathy of prematurity that can blind premature infants. […]
Antidepressants Linked To Tooth Implant Failure, New Study Finds
Antidepressants, commonly used to treat anxiety, pain and other disorders, may play a role in dental implant failure, according to a new pilot study by University at Buffalo researchers. The research found that the use of antidepressants increased the odds of implant failure by four times. Each year of antidepressant use doubled the odds of […]
Melatonin Can Help You Get A Good Night’s Sleep In A Noisy Environment
Using melatonin could provide more and better quality sleep compared to using an eye mask and earplugs in a simulated noisy and illuminated environment, according to research published in open access journal Critical Care. This study was carried out on healthy subjects but could have future implications for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Melatonin is the […]
Vegans May Lack Essential Nutrient Intake, Study Reports
The health benefits of a plant-based diet is well-known, but the question remains: Could vegans be at risk for deficiency of essential nutrients? A retrospective review by Mayo Clinic physicians recently published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association indicated that vegans should ensure adequate intake of a few nutrients. According to a 2012 Gallup poll, […]