Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that statins (the family of cholesterol lowering drugs), may increase the risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women. In the study, those taking statin drugs were shown to have a 48% increased risk of developing diabetes. Statin drugs have also been linked to other health problems such … [Read more...]
Nutrition Link Newsletter December 2011
17/01/2012 By Leave a Comment
Nutrition Link Newsletter December 2011 December, 2011 As 2011 draws to a close, we take a look a the brittle bone disease - osteoporosis and challenge some of the long held beliefs about this condition ands why it comes about. We have also got a fabulous Christmas recipe plus a summary of the latest health and nutrition … [Read more...]
Mangoes May Help to Ward off Diabetes
17/01/2012 By Leave a Comment
A new study conducted in the primary industry department of Queensland, Australia suggests that mango is a useful food in the fight against diabetes and may have a role to play in the treatment of metabolic disorder (although research is at an early stage). Eating a mango a day could help protect people against high cholesterol as well as … [Read more...]
Silybum Extract Comparable with SSRI for Treatment of OCD
09/01/2012 By Leave a Comment
In a recent randomised double blind pilot study silybum extract demonsrated a similar level of efficacy in the treatment of OCD to fluoextine (an SSRI). In the study, 52 adults with OCD took silybum (3 x 200mg seed extract / day) or fluoextine (3 x 10mg / day) for 8 weeks. Both were effective in ameliorating symptoms and effected a comparable … [Read more...]
Low Intake of Vitamin B6 is Associated with Irritable Bowel Syndromw Symptoms
16/12/2011 By Leave a Comment
It is very common for there to be links between foods eaten by IBS sufferers and symptoms experienced. Intolerances to commonly eaten foods such as wheat and dairy are common, however less is known about links between intake of specific nutrients and IBS symptoms. In a cross sectional study carried out in May 2011 17 humans with IBS were … [Read more...]
Parasite Blastocystis Homini Associated with IBS
15/12/2011 By Leave a Comment
The parasite Blastocystis Homini has traditionally been considered a non- pathogenic organism with no role in gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS. This position is however beginning to change as Blastocystis and other parasites such as Dientamoeba fragilis have been linked to the aetiology of Irritable bowel syndrome. In a study published in … [Read more...]
Type of Carbs Eaten Affects Gas Production and Symptoms in IBS
14/12/2011 By Leave a Comment
It is not uncommon for patients with IBS to complain of symptoms worsening when eating foods rich in carbohydrate such as bread, pasta, rice, cereals or potatoes. However a recent study suggests that rather than avoiding this whole food group (which can be difficult for many patients to comply with), relief may be obtained by altering the 'types' … [Read more...]
New Data Suggests Link Between Childhood Obesity and Allergies
11/11/2011 By Leave a Comment
A study published in the May issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology indicated that there may be a link between obesity and increased incidence of allergies. The study analysed data from 4,111 children and young adults aged 2-19 years of age. It looked at antibody levels to a … [Read more...]
Oral Bacteria May Provide Link To Pancreatic Cancer Risk
10/11/2011 By Leave a Comment
A small study published in the journal 'Gut' has indicated that certain types of mouth bacteria some of which are linked to gum disease are associated with the development of pancreatic cancer. This interesting finding helps move us further forward in finding clues to stop the progress of one of the … [Read more...]
Vitamin D: 77% of Cancer Patients Sub – Optimal or Deficient
09/11/2011 By Leave a Comment
A number of studies have associated vitamin D with cancer, but until recently studies have not looked at whether vitamin D has any impact on the prognosis or development of the disease. One recent US study sought to establish the vitamin D levels of patients at a community Oncology practice. The study involved 160 patients with a … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Seed Oil May Offer Benefits to Post – Menopausal Women
28/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
Pumpkin seed oil is rich in phytoestrogens (plant based oestrogens) which are thought to mimic some of the effects of hormones in the body and may be useful during the monopause or for post menopausal women. A recent pilot study looked at the benefit of pumpkin seed oil in post memopausal women and found that women … [Read more...]
Red Wine May Inhibit Breast Cancer Cell Growth
28/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
New Research published in October this year suggests that resveratrol the active ingredient in red wine stops breast cancer cells from growing by blocking the growth effects of oestrogen. Although it has been thought for some time that resveratrol may be significant in the war against breast cancer, this new evidence suggests … [Read more...]
Could Drinking Caffeinated Coffee keep Depression At Bay?
27/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
Is it possible that drinking coffee might help keep depression at bay? A recent study suggested exactly that. 50,000 women were monitored over a 10 year period to evaluate their coffee consumption and the study found that those who drank 2-3 cups of coffee a day were 15% less likely to get depressed while … [Read more...]
Could FOS Help With Weight Loss?
20/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
FOS, otherwise known as fructo-oligosaccharide is a type of prebiotic fibre found in chicory and is used primarly as a supplement to help feed friendly bacteria in the gut. In a recent study, researchers at the University of Mastricht suggested that it might have a role to play in weight loss. 31 … [Read more...]
Omega 3 Levels in Pregnancy Linked to Childhood Obesity Risk
20/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
A low intake of omega 3 fatty acids coupled with high levels of omega 6 fats has been suggested as one of the risk factors for obesity. Now, a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition hypothesizes that a mother's intake of omega 3 fatty acids during pregnancy might affect her child's … [Read more...]
Coeliac Disease Link With ADHD
13/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
There have been a number of reports of a possible link between coeliac disease and diseases associated with psychological disturbances such as ADHD. In a recent study researchers attempted to establish whether a gluten free diet could allevaite behavioural symptoms in patients with both coeliac disease and ADHD. 67 subjects … [Read more...]
Vitamin D Link to Male Fertility
12/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
It has been known for a while that vitamin D deficiency in animals results in low sperm count and motility. Now a new study by the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hoispital looking at 300 men has shown that vitamin D could play a key role in improving male reproductive health especially sperm quality. In the … [Read more...]
Leaky Gut Link to Fat Around Your Organs?
07/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
Visceral fat (or the fat around your organs) is known to have a strong link with metabolic dysfunctions such as insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and inflammation. One theory as to why this might be is that increased intestinal permeability(also known as leaky gut) may help to increase this fat around the organs. … [Read more...]
Can Flaxseeds Fight Breast Cancer?
06/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
A number of studies have attributed a cancer protective effect to plant hormones known as phytoestrogens. One group of phytoestrogens known as lignans are contained in seeds especially flaxseeds (or linseeds as they are often called). In a recent study women who ate a diet high in lignans had a 40% lower … [Read more...]
Can Green Tea Help Reduce Risk Flu Risk?
05/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
Green tea has long been associated with a number of health benefits, but recent research suggests that it may also play a role in helping us to fight infections such as influenza. In a study which was written up in the Journal of Nutrition, more than 2000 school pupils were given anonymous questionnaires regarding their … [Read more...]
