TENS, Acupuncture for Pain Relief in Childbirth

The application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on specific acupuncture points may provide pain relief for labor and delivery, a new study suggest.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive technique in which a low-voltage electrical current is delivered through wires from a small power unit to electrodes located on the skin. Electrodes are temporarily attached with paste in various patterns, depending on the specific condition and treatment goals. TENS is often used to treat pain, as an alternative or addition to pain medications. Therapy sessions may last from minutes to hours.

Researchers at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine in Taiwan investigate the efficacy and safety of TENS on specific acupuncture points for reducing pain in the first stage of labor.

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers randomly assigned healthy full-term expecting women in active phase of first-stage labor to either TENS on four acupuncture points or placebo. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain before treatment and 30 and 60 minutes after treatment.

A questionnaire was given at 24 hours after giving birth to evaluate the satisfaction of pain relieving method and the willingness to have the same treatment again. Mode of delivery and neonatal effect were measured as secondary outcomes. One hundred women were eligible for analysis.

The study found that the TENS group experienced VAS score reduction 3 significantly more common than the TENS placebo group. Willingness of using the same analgesic method for a future childbirth was also significantly different (TENS: 96 percent vs TENS placebo 66 percent). Operative delivery was increased in the TENS group (24 percent vs 8 percent), but the neonatal outcomes were not different.

Researchers concluded that the application of TENS on specific acupuncture points could be a non-invasive adjunct for pain relief in the first stage of labor.

Mental Illness Among U.S. Veterans

Almost a third of veterans from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with a psychosocial or mental health illness, reports a new study.

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco and Health Service s Research and Development Research Enhancement Award Program and the San Francisco VA Medical Center studied mental health disorders among 103,788 U.S. veterans who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to the study, veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) have endured high combat stress and are eligible for two years of free military service-related health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, yet little is known about the burden and clinical circumstances of mental health diagnoses among OEF/OIF veterans seen at VA facilities.

The study included U.S. veterans separated from OEF/OIF military service and first seen at VA health care facilities between September 30, 2001 (U.S. invasion of Afghanistan), and September 30, 2005. Mental health diagnoses and psychosocial problems were assessed using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes.

Researchers found that out of 103,788 OEF/OIF veterans seen at VA health care facilities, 25,658 or 25 percent received mental health diagnosis(es); 56 percent of whom had two or more distinct mental health diagnoses. Overall, 32,010 or 31 percent received mental health and/or psychosocial diagnoses.

Mental health diagnoses were detected soon after the first VA clinic visit (average of 13 days), and 60 percent of initial mental health diagnoses were made in non-mental health clinics, mostly in primary care settings. The youngest group of OEF/OIF veterans, aged 18-24 years, were at greatest risk of receiving mental health or posttraumatic stress disorder diagnoses compared with veterans 40 years or older.

Researchers concluded that co-occurring mental health diagnoses and psychosocial problems were detected early and in primary care medical settings in a substantial proportion of OEF/OIF veterans seen at VA facilities. Researchers recommended targeted early detection and intervention beginning in primary care settings to prevent chronic mental illness and disability.

Alternative treatments for mental illnesses with good scientific evidence include hypnotherapy, hypnosis, music therapy, psychotherapy and yoga.

Does Beta-Carotene Prevent Vision Loss?

Beta-carotene supplements may not help prevent vision loss, contrary to the popular belief that carrots, rich in the beta-carotene compound, sharpen eyesight.

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital examined the effect of beta-carotene supplementation in the prevention of an eye disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The condition causes vision loss, and it is the leading cause of blindness in Americans who are older than 60 years of age, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

In the randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial, 22,071 allegedly healthy U.S. male physicians, who were 40-84 years old, were randomly assigned to receive 50mg of beta-carotene or placebo every other day.

After 12 years of treatment and follow-up, 162 patients in the beta-carotene group developed AMD, verses 170 cases in the placebo group. The results, published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, were similar for the secondary end points of AMD with or without vision loss (275 verses 274 cases) and advanced AMD (63 verses 66 cases).

The authors concluded that beta-carotene supplementation might have no beneficial or harmful effect on the incidence of AMD. Based on the results of the study, which was funded by the NIH, long-term supplemental use of beta-carotene neither decreases nor increases the risk of AMD.

Exercise and Smoking Cessation Among Mentally Ill

Exercise may help calm cigarette cravings and help mentally ill patient quit smoking, according to the result of a new study.

Researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada conducted the study after they observed a high prevalence of smoking and physical inactivity among individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). The researchers assessed the acceptability of introducing physical activity, including perceived advantages and disadvantages, as an adjunct to a smoking cessation service among this population.

In the study, 109 SMI patients who were receiving smoking cessation treatment completed a survey that evaluated their perceived interests in physical activity and a 24-item decisional balance questionnaire that reflected the potential advantages and disadvantages of becoming more physically active.

According to the study results, 63 percent of the participants reported that they were interested in receiving help to become more active. Most patients who wanted to become more active said they thought exercise would improve their health, reduce the risk of disease and improve their self-esteem. The most frequently reported barriers included cost and lack of self-motivation to exercise alone.

The researchers concluded that many SMI patients who are seeking treatment to quit smoking might also be receptive to programs involving physical activities. In addition, the researchers suggested that adding physical activity as a smoking cessation strategy among SMI individuals might be beneficial.

Omega-3s and Blood Pressure

Low doses of the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may reduce diastolic blood pressure, according to the results of a new study.

Researchers from King's College London, University of Leicester, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and St. Thomas' Hospital in London, England explained that the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is associated with a decreased risk of fatal heart attack. Whether or not this effect is attributable to the effects of DHA on vascular function, particularly at intakes less than 1 gram per day, remains unknown.

In the randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo controlled trial, researchers tested the effects of daily supplementation with 0.7 grams of DHA as a purified algal derived triacylglycerol (1.5 grams) against 1.5 grams of an olive oil placebo on vascular function and biochemical indices of endothelial dysfunction in 38 healthy men and women, aged 40 to 65 years.

Each treatment phase lasted three months, separated by a four-month washout period. The study found that supplementation increased the proportion of DHA in erythrocytes lipids by 58 percent, compared with placebo. Arterial compliance and endothelium independent and dependent responses, plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein, soluble thrombomodulin, E-selectin, von Willebrand factor antigen and urinary microalbumin and isoprostane excretion were unaffected by treatment. Diastolic blood pressure decreased and heart rate tended to be 2.1 beats per minute lower after DHA treatment than after the placebo period.

Researchers concluded that a moderate increase in the daily intake of DHA to about 0.7 grams DHA may lower diastolic BP, but it does not seem to influence indices of endothelial function or arterial stiffness in the short term.

Integrative therapies for high blood pressure with strong or good scientific evidence include fish oil, alpha-linolenic acid, calcium, coenzyme Q10, hibiscus, Qi gong, stevia and yoga. For more information about integrative therapies for high blood pressure

Biofeedback Therapy for Migraines

Biofeedback (BFB) therapy is a technique used to help individuals become conscious of otherwise unconscious body processes through conveying information about blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, sweating and muscle tension. Patients use their minds to control their bodies. This therapy may effectively treat migraine headaches, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Philipps-University of Marburg in Germany conducted a meta-analysis examining the efficacy of BFB in treating migraine. A computerized literature search of the databases Medline, PsycInfo, Psyndex and the Cochrane library, as well as a hand search, identified 86 outcome studies. A total of 55 studies, including randomized controlled trials and pre-post trials, met inclusion criteria and were integrated.

Researchers found that a medium effect size resulted for all BFB interventions and proved stable over an average follow-up phase of 17 months. Also, BFB was more effective than control conditions. Frequency of migraine attacks and perceived self-efficacy demonstrated the strongest improvements. Blood-volume-pulse feedback yielded higher effect sizes than peripheral skin temperature feedback and electromyography feedback.

Moderator analyses revealed BFB in combination with home training was more effective than therapies without home training. The influence of the meta-analytical methods on the effect sizes was systematically explored, and the results proved to be robust across different methods of effect size calculation.

Researchers found no substantial relationship between the validity of the integrated studies and the direct treatment effects. Finally, an intention-to-treat analysis showed that the treatment effects remained stable, even when dropouts were considered as non-responders.

Biofeedback has been shown to be helpful in treating a variety of medical conditions including asthma, Raynaud's disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hot flashes, incontinence, headaches, irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, epilepsy and nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Other common uses include the treatment of stress and stress-related conditions such as anxiety and insomnia. Interest in BFB has fluctuated since its development in the 1960s. Today, the therapy is regaining popularity, possibly because of the general increase of interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities.

Blue Agave, Tequila for Colon Health

Compounds derived from the blue agave fruit, which is used to make the popular hard liquor tequila, may help deliver drugs to the colon to treat colon diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) and cancer, a new study reports.

Researchers from the University of Guadalajara in Mexcio explained that drug delivery to the colon is an ongoing challenge to physicians. Stomach acids destroy many drugs before they have had a chance to reach the intestine, where they usually are absorbed. According to the authors of this study, researchers have tried to circumvent this problem by inserting the drugs into carrier molecules that resist breakdown in the stomach. However, they have had difficulty finding a suitable carrier compound.

Scientists developed the fructans, a class of polysaccharides, into tiny microspheres capable of carrying existing drugs that are used to treat colon diseases. Researchers suggested that the compounds may allow more of the drugs to reach the colon intact and improve their effectiveness because the compounds resist destruction in the stomach.

Fructans, which are polymers of fructose, are resistant to acid degradation and may be a useful drug delivery vehicle. But only a few plant sources, such as agave, contain fructans in large amounts. According to researchers, fructans make up 80 percent of a ripe agave fruit’s weight.

The scientists extracted fructans from the blue agave, the base ingredient of tequila. They chemically modified the fructan compound to allow drugs to be encapsulated, making the drugs resistant to degradation in the digestive system.

The researchers then prepared microspheres of the compounds and filled them with ibuprofen as a model of drug delivery to the colon. In laboratory tests, the ibuprofen-filled microspheres were exposed to hydrochloric acid for an hour and appeared physically intact upon subsequent microscopic examination, according to the researchers.

The researchers suggested that if further studies show promise, human studies of the agave microspheres are anticipated. The Mexican National Science and Technology Council provided funding for the study.

Agaves are succulent plants from the family Agavaceae, which includes Beschorneria, Furcraea, Hesperaloe, Manfreda, Polianthes, Prochnyanthes and Yucca. Agave plants are common in the American southwest, Mexico, central and tropical South America, the Mediterranean and some parts of India. Plants in the Agavaceae family are recognizable by their distinctive rosettes, which are composed of thick, hard, rigid leaves often with marginal teeth and usually with a sharp terminal spine and flower spikes. There are over 200 known species of Agave. Many species produce musky odors that attract bats serve to pollinate them, while others produce sweet odors to attract insects.

A sweet liquid (sap) called agua miel (honey water) gathers in the plant if the stem is cut before flowering. This sap is collected over a period of about two months, and can then be fermented to produce the alcoholic beverage pulque (octili), which Native Americans use in religious ceremonies. Further distillation creates Mescal (mezcal). A form of tequila is made when Mescal is produced from the blue agave (Agave tequilana) plant within the Tequila region of Mexico. This is the most important economic use of agave, worth millions of dollars to the Mexican economy. Mescal is often sold with the caterpillar of the agave moth in the bottle.

Blueberries for Colon Cancer Prevention

Pterostilbene, a compound found in blueberries, may prevent the development of tumors in the colon, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Rutgers University in New Jersey explored the role of types of dietary fat, pterostillbene and other food components in colon cancer prevention.

The study found that rats supplemented with pterostilbene had 57 percent fewer pre-cancerous lesions in the colon than rats not supplemented with the blueberry compound.

In the small pilot study, 18 rats were given a compound (azoxymethane) to induce colon cancer in a manner similar to human colon cancer development. Half of the animals were then placed on a balanced daily diet, while the other nine were given the same diet supplemented with pterostilbene (40 parts per million).

At the end of an eight-week study period, researchers reported that the pterostilbene-supplemented rats showed fewer pre-cancerous lesions in their colon in comparison to the control group. They also report that the blueberry compound reduced colonic cell growth and inhibited certain genes involved in inflammation, both of which are considered colon cancer risk factors.

In a related study, blueberry's cholesterol-lowering activity was investigated. Researchers reported that hamsters that were fed a high-cholesterol diet containing blueberry skins (7.6 percent of the diet) had lower levels of plasma and liver triglycerides (TGs), LDL-cholesterol, free and total cholesterol of 39, 18, 19, 30 and 37 percent, respectively, compared to animals fed the control diet.

Integrative therapies with strong or good scientific evidence in the prevention or treatment of colon cancer include vitamin A, probiotics, psychotherapy and selenium.

Probiotics for Food Poisoning

The past few months have seen several food poisoning outbreaks across the United States, including the discovery of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in California-grown spinach, the Norovirus outbreak in oysters harvested off the coast of Texas and the Salmonella found in peanut butter manufactured in North Carolina. Amid these scares, a new study reports that probiotics may help prevent food poisoning.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria (sometimes called "friendly germs") that help 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. Probiotics can be consumed as capsules, tablets, beverages, powders, yogurts and other foods.

Probiotics are thought to be beneficial in two ways. First, probiotics reinforce the integrity of the intestinal lining as a protective barrier to prevent harmful organisms or materials from crossing into the body's bloodstream. Second, some probiotics have been found to secrete antimicrobial substances known as "bacteriocins," which inhibit harmful bacteria.

Researchers from University College in Cork, Ireland explained that Salmonella spp. infection is a major cause of gastroenteritis, with many thousands of cases reported in the European Union every year. The use of probiotics may potentially improve this situation.

The study investigated the effects of oral treatment of pigs with a defined lactic acid bacteria culture mixture on both clinical and microbiological signs of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection. Fifteen weaned pigs blocked by sex and weight were administered control milk or a mixture of five probiotic strains as either a milk fermentate or milk suspension for a total of 30 days. The mixture consisted of two strains of Lactobacillus murinus and one strain each of Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius, Lactobacillus pentosus and Pediococcus pentosaceous.

Following probiotic administration for six days, animals were challenged orally with serovar Typhimurium. The health of the animals and the microbiological composition of their feces were monitored for 23 days post-infection.

The study found that animals treated with probiotics showed reduced incidence, severity and duration of diarrhea. These animals also gained weight at a greater rate than control pigs administered skim milk. Mean fecal numbers of Salmonella were significantly reduced in probiotic-treated animals at 15 days post-infection.

Researchers concluded that the administration of probiotic bacteria improved both the clinical and microbiological outcome of Salmonella infection. These strains offer significant benefit for use in the food industry and may have potential in human applications.

Creatine and Parkinson’s Disease

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is conducting a new clinical trial to examine creatine as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. Researchers believe that creatine may act as an antioxidant, preventing damage to brain cells.

According to the NIH press release , the double-blind, placebo-controlled study will be conducted at 51 medical centers in the United States and Canada and will include 1,720 patients with early-state Parkinson’s disease.

Participants will have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within the past five years and will have been treated for two years or less with drugs that increase levels of dopamine in the brain. Researchers explained that many symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are due to a loss of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control movement.

Although creatine is not currently approved for the treatment of Parkinson’s or any other condition, it is believed to improve exercise performance. However, scientific evidence is still lacking.

Creatine is naturally synthesized in the human body from amino acids, primarily in the kidney and liver, and transported in the blood for use by muscles. About 95 percent of the body's total creatine content is located in skeletal muscle. Creatine was discovered in the 1800s as an organic constituent of meat. In the 1970s, Soviet scientists reported that oral creatine supplements may improve athletic performance during brief, intense activities such as sprints.

Creatine gained popularity in the 1990s as a "natural" way to enhance athletic performance and build lean body mass. It was reported that skeletal muscle total creatine content increases with oral creatine supplementation, although response is variable. Factors that may account for this variation are carbohydrate intake, physical activity, training status and muscle fiber type. The finding that carbohydrate enhances muscle creatine uptake increased the market for creatine multi-ingredient sports drinks.

Use of creatine is particularly popular among adolescent athletes, who are reported to take doses that are not consistent with scientific evidence, and to frequently exceed recommended loading and maintenance doses. Published reports suggest that approximately 25 percent of professional baseball players and up to 50 percent of professional football players consume creatine supplements. Most athletic associations have not banned this supplement, including the International Olympic Committee, the International Amateur Athletic Federation and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Studies have suggested that creatine may improve the function of mitochondria, the energy producers in cells. Creatine may also act as an antioxidant preventing damage from compounds harmful to brain cells.

According to the Parkinson’s disease Foundation (PDF), as many as one million Americans suffer from Parkinson's disease, a degenerative brain disorder that causes symptoms such as tremors, stiff muscles and slow movement. While there are drugs that can reduce these symptoms, there are currently no proven treatments to cure or slow the progression of the disease.

Previous studies suggest that creatine may be helpful in the treatment of various neuromuscular disease, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and myasthenia gravis, and may delay onset of symptoms when used as an adjunct to conventional treatment. However, although early results were encouraging, recent research has found no beneficial effects on survival or disease progression.

Integrative therapies with good scientific evidence for Parkinson’s disease include 5-HTP and music therapy.

More Fruit, Less Meat to Reduce Colon Cancer Risk

Eating more fruit and less meat may help prevent precancerous colon polyps, according to the results of a new study.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill explained that recent evidence suggests overall dietary patterns, rather than specific dietary components, may be a better predictor of colorectal adenomas or cancers.

The scientists used cluster analysis to assess the association between dietary patterns and colorectal adenomas and determine whether adjusting for total energy consumption prior to creating clusters affects this relation.

Data from a case-control study of 725 individuals undergoing a colonoscopy was used; 203 patients had at least one adenoma or colonoscopy, 522 patients (the controls) had no adenomas. Dietary data was obtained from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).

Researchers calculated the daily intake for 18 different food groups and transformed the values into Z-scores. Participants were first clustered without energy adjustment, then again based on their consumption per 1,000 kcal (4,187 kJ).

Researchers found that there was no association between dietary patterns and colorectal adenomas without energy adjustment prior to creating dietary clusters, as clusters formed as a by-product of energy consumption. However, after adjusting for energy consumption, three distinct clusters emerged: 1) high fruit-low meat cluster; 2) high vegetable-moderate meat cluster and; 3) high meat cluster.

The study revealed that after adjusting for potential confounders, the high vegetable-moderate meat cluster and high meat cluster were at significantly increased odds of having had an adenoma compared with the high fruit-low meat cluster. A high-fruit, low-meat diet appears to be protective against colorectal adenomas compared with a dietary pattern of increased vegetable and meat consumption.

Researchers suggested that individuals eat more fruit, less meat and continue eating recommended allowances of vegetables. This in light of a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which stated that less than one third of Americans are getting the recommended daily allowances of fruits and vegetables.

Integrative therapies with strong or good scientific evidence in the prevention and/or treatment of colon cancer include vitamin A (retinol), probiotics, psychotherapy and selenium

Boswellia for Osteoarthritis Pain

Boswellia serrata extract may be as effective as a selective COX-2 inhibitor for osteoarthritis pain relief, according to the results of a new study.

Researchers in India from Government Medical College, Government Ayurved College, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, and Pharmanza compared the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) in knee osteoarthritis (OA) with valdecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor.

In the randomized, prospective, open-label, comparative study, the efficacy, safety and tolerability of BSE was compared with valdecoxib in 66 patients of OA of knee for six months. The patients were assessed by WOMAC scale at baseline and thereafter at monthly intervals until one month after drug discontinuation. Antero-posterior radiographs of affected knee joint were taken at baseline and after six months.

The study found that in the BSE group, the pain, stiffness and difficulty in performing daily activities showed statistically significant improvement with two months of therapy that lasted one month after stopping the intervention. In the valdecoxib group, the statistically significant improvement in all parameters was reported after one month of therapy but the effect persisted only as long as drug therapy continued.

Three patients from the BSE group and two from the valdecoxib group complained of acidity. One patient from the BSE group complained of diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

Researchers concluded that BSE showed a slower onset of action but the effect persisted even after stopping therapy, while the action of valdecoxib became evident faster but waned rapidly after stopping the treatment.

Previous studies have found that unlike non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), long-term use of boswellia has not been shown to cause gastrointestinal irritation or ulceration, although side effects have not been systematically studied in humans. Boswellia has traditionally been used for a number of topical applications, including the treatment of acne, bacterial and fungal infections, boils, wound healing, scars and varicose veins. It is used cosmetically as a facial toner and to smooth wrinkles. Chinese herbalists use boswellia in powder form and in teas for rheumatism, menstrual pain and as an external wash for sores and bruises.

Historically, boswellia has been used to improve emotional well-being and as part of religious rituals. It has been reported that boswellia can enhance spirituality, mental perception, meditation, prayer and consciousness when burned (burning is said to produce a psychoactive substance, trans-hydrocannabinole). Boswellia has been noted in animal and in vitro studies to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Diabetes and Chocolate

Polyphenols from cocoa (used to make chocolate) may offer diabetes benefits, suggest the results of a new study.

Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University and the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with cacao liquor proanthocyanidins (CLPr) on blood glucose levels in obese diabetic mice.

Researchers explained that effective approaches are needed to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which has been increasing in developed countries. The present study examined whether dietary supplementation with CLPr may prevent elevation of blood glucose levels in mice with diabetes mellitus and obesity.

Diabetic obese mice and control mice were fed a diet containing 0 percent CLPr, 0.5 percent CLPr or 1.0 percent CLPr from age three weeks to age six weeks. Levels of blood glucose were measured at four and five weeks of age. The animals were sacrificed and the levels of blood glucose and fructosamine were measured at six weeks of age.

The study found that the levels of blood glucose and fructosamine were higher in the db/db mice than in the db/+m mice fed a diet containing 0 percent, 0.5 percent or 1.0 percent CLPr (72 percent total polyphenols). In the db/+m mice, the levels of blood glucose or fructosamine were not significantly different across animals fed 0 percent CLPr, 0.5 percent CLPr and 1.0 percent CLPr. In the db/db mice, however, a diet containing 0.5 percent or 1.0 percent CLPr decreased the levels of blood glucose and fructosamine compared with that containing 0 percent CLPr without significant effects on body weights or food consumption.

The proanthocyanidins reduced blood glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner. Indeed, blood glucose levels after four and five weeks of age, and of fructosamine at six weeks of age were significantly lower than in those fed 0 percent CLPr AIN-93 diet. Body weights and food consumption did not differ significantly among the groups. The 1.0 percent dose used in this study would be equivalent to a daily polyphenol intake of five grams for a human, or about 2.5 kilograms of normal chocolate, report researchers. However, studies using flavonol-rich dark chocolate have reported positive effects with intakes of only 100 grams of dark chocolate per day, providing a flavonol dose of 88 milligrams.

Further research is needed to determine whether such results can be repeated in humans and what mechanism is responsible for these apparent benefits.

Researchers concluded that dietary supplementation with CLPr may dose-dependently prevent the development of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in diabetic obese mice. The dietary intake of food or drinks produced from cacao beans might be beneficial in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Integrative therapies with good scientific evidence in the treatment of diabetes include beta-glucan, bitter melon, ginseng, gymnema and stevia.

Mediterranean Diet for Allergies in Children?

A Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables and nuts may help prevent allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms in children, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Venezelion General Hospital in Greece, Royal Brompton Hospital in the United Kingdom, the University of Crete in Greece, the Centre for Research and Environmental Epidemiology in Spain and the Royal Brompton Hospital and National Heart and Lung Institute in London explained that atopy (inherited allergy) is relatively common among children living in rural Crete. However, wheezing and rhinitis (hay fever) are rare.

In the study, researchers examined whether this discrepancy could be attributed to a high consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables or adherence to a traditional Mediterranean diet.

A cross-sectional survey was performed in 690 children aged 7-18 years in rural Crete. Parents completed a questionnaire on their children’s respiratory and allergic symptoms, and a 58-item food frequency questionnaire. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet was measured with a scale on 12 dietary items. Children underwent skin prick tests with 10 common airborne allergens.

The study found that 80 percent of children ate fresh fruit, and 68 percent ate vegetables at least twice a day. The intake of grapes, oranges, apples and fresh tomatoes – the main local products in Crete – had no association with atopy, but they were protective against wheezing and rhinitis.

High consumption of nuts was found to be inversely associated with wheezing, whereas margarine increased the risk of both wheeze and allergic rhinitis. A high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was protective against allergic rhinitis, while a more modest protection was observed for wheezing and atopy.

Study authors concluded that the data suggest a beneficial effect of commonly consumed fruits, vegetables and nuts, and of a high adherence to a traditional Mediterranean diet during childhood on symptoms of asthma and rhinitis. Diet may explain the relative lack of allergic symptoms in this population

Lutein for Inflammation

A new study investigated the anti-inflammatory role of lutein, a nutrient found in dark-green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Other dietary sources that contain moderate amounts of lutein include corn, egg yolks and fruits like oranges and kiwi.

Researchers from Rutgers Cook College in New Jersey explained that although a number of in vivo studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of lutein, its in vitro anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism of action is unknown.

The study investigated the in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of lutein using LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). The inhibition of LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) was measured and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was assessed at the mRNA and protein levels in mouse macrophage cells after treatment with lutein.

The study found that lutein decreased the LPS-induced NO production by 50 percent, compared to LPS alone. Real-time PCR analysis showed a 1.9-fold reduction in iNOS expression at the mRNA level. Western blotting revealed that lutein decreased LPS-induced iNOS expression at the protein level by 72.5 percent.

Researchers concluded that the anti-inflammatory properties of lutein are demonstrated by the decrease in the expression of iNOS at the mRNA and protein levels in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells.

Lutein (LOO-teen) (from Latin lutea meaning "yellow") is one of over 600 known naturally occurring carotenoids. Lutein is employed by organisms as an antioxidant and for blue light absorption. Lutein is covalently bound to one or more fatty acids present in some fruits and flowers, notably marigolds (Tagetes).

For the past decade, lutein has been marketed in the dietary supplement market as a nutrient to reduce the risk of age related macular degeneration (ADM).

Forskolin for Urinary Tract Infections

Forskolin, an herbal medicine made from the Asiatic coleus plant, may help treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to the results of a new study.

Forskolin, a root extract from Coleus forskohlii, has been used for a long time in traditional Asian systems of medicine to treat angina, asthma, bronchitis, epilepsy, insomnia, painful micturation, skin rashes and a wide range of digestive problems. Numerous studies on forskolin have been conducted since the 1970s. Basic science research has revealed several properties of forskolin, which are promising for clinical use.

Researchers from Duke University tested forskolin in female mice with bladder infections caused by E. coli bacteria, which cause most UTIs.

Twenty-four hours after the mice were infected with E. coli, the researchers injected forskolin directly into the mice's bladders or their bellies. For comparison, the scientists injected saltwater into the bladders of other female mice with E. coli bladder infections.

The study found that one day after treatment, the mice in the forskolin group had less E. coli bacteria in their bladders than the mice that received the saltwater shot. Additionally, the forskolin group had lower levels of inflammatory chemicals in their urine.

Researchers also noted that antibiotics get rid of most bacteria that cause UTIs, but some bacteria may hide in the bladder's lining. Forskolin may force those hidden bacteria out of the bladder's lining, where antibiotics could target them.

Selenium and Skin Wounds in Organ Transplant Patients

Selenium supplementation may have no effect on the prevention of skin lesions associated with organ transplants, a new study reports.

Researchers in Europe explained that organ graft recipients have a high rate of pre-cancerous and cancerous epithelial lesions (skin wounds). Selenium directly influences the number of Langer-hans cells. Selenium is a trace mineral found in soil, water and some foods. It is an essential element in several metabolic pathways.

In several studies selenium has shown to help prevent various cancers. Researchers investigated whether it could prevent skin cancer linked to human papilloma virus (HPV).

A multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study in 184 recent organ transplant recipients was undertaken. Patients were treated for three years with 200 μg/day selenium (91 patients) or a matching placebo (93 patients), and then monitored for two years.

Occurrence rates of warts and various keratoses (main criterion) and of skin cancers (secondary criterion) were compared in the two groups, using Kaplan-Meyer analyses. There was no difference between the two groups for the main criterion or the secondary criterion. When both arms were pooled, phenotype and age were not found to be discriminatory factors, whereas a previous history of an actinic keratosis significantly increased the risk of developing a skin cancer by 17.5 percent. Safety was good and similar in both groups.

Researchers concluded that selenium was not shown to prevent the occurrence of skin lesions linked to HPV. The occurrence of skin cancer was higher if there had been a previous actinic keratosis, highlighting the importance of early dermatological follow-up of the transplanted population. This was demonstrated by the high rate of epithelial lesions detected, which was more than twice the rate usually reported in the literature.

Dietary Fiber and Colon Cancer

The role of dietary fiber in the prevention of colorectal (referring to the rectum and colon) cancer is unclear, according to the results of a new study.

Researchers from the Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute in Nagoya, Japan examined the association of dietary fiber with the risk of colorectal cancer in a population with a high incidence of cancer and a low fiber intake.

In the study, scientists analyzed the data from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study. From 1988 to 1990, 43,115 men and women aged 40 to 79 years completed a questionnaire on dietary intake and other factors. Intake of dietary fiber was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire. Rate ratios (RR) were computed by fitting proportional hazards models. During the mean follow-up of 7.6 years, 443 colorectal cancer cases were recorded.

In all participants, researchers found a decreasing trend in risk of colorectal cancer with increasing intake of total dietary fiber; the multivariate-adjusted RRs across quartiles were 1.00, 0.96, 0.72 and 0.73. This trend was exclusively detected for colon cancer: the corresponding RRs were 1.00, 0.90, 0.56 and 0.58.

The decrease in RRs with increasing intake of dietary fiber was larger in men than in women. No material differences appeared in the strength of associations with the risk between water-soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. For food sources of fiber, bean fiber intake was somewhat inversely correlated with colorectal cancer risk.

Researchers concluded that there may be potential protective effects of dietary fiber against colorectal cancer, mainly against colon cancer. However, the role of dietary fiber in the prevention of colorectal cancer seems to remain inconsistent, and further investigations in various populations are warranted.

Vitamin K for Patients with Blood Clots

Vitamin K supplementation may improve anticoagulation (preventing blood clots) control in patients with unexplained instability of response to the popular anticoagulant, warfarin, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Newcastle University in the UK explained that patients receiving warfarin who have unstable control of anticoagulation have a significantly lower intake of dietary vitamin K compared with their stable counterparts.

Researchers hypothesized that supplementation with oral vitamin K would improve stability in patients with previously unstable control of anticoagulation. In the study, 70 warfarin-treated patients with unstable anticoagulation control were randomly assigned in a double-blinded fashion to receive a daily amount of 150 mug oral vitamin K or placebo by mouth for six months.

Measures of stability of anticoagulation control in the six-month study period were compared with those in the six months immediately prior to it. Researchers found that vitamin K supplementation resulted in a significantly greater decrease in standard deviation of international normalized ratio (INR) compared with placebo and a significantly greater increase in percentage time within target INR range.

Additionally, anticoagulation control improved in 33 of 35 (94 percent) patients receiving vitamin K supplementation; of these, 19 fulfilled the criteria for having stable control of anticoagulation. However, only 24 of 33 (72 percent) patients receiving placebo demonstrated some degree of improvement, with only seven patients fulfilling the criteria for having stable control.

Researchers concluded that concomitant supplementation of vitamin K, perhaps through reducing the relative day-to-day variability in dietary vitamin K intake, may significantly improve anticoagulation control in patients with unexplained instability of response to warfarin.

Hormone-Related Supplements and Breast Cancer

Researchers recently examined the effects of hormone-related supplements (HRS) on breast cancer risk and found that black cohosh may help manage menopausal symptoms and prevent breast cancer.

Researchers from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia evaluated whether use of HRS was associated with breast cancer risk, using a population-based case-control study in three counties of the Philadelphia metropolitan area consisting of 949 breast cancer cases and 1,524 controls.

Use of HRS varied significantly by race, with African American women being more likely than European American women to use any herbal preparation (19.2 percent vs. 14.7 percent), as well as specific preparations including black cohosh (5.4 percent vs. 2.0 percent), ginseng (12.5 percent vs. 7.9 percent) and red clover (4.7 percent vs. 0.6 percent).

The researchers found that use of black cohosh had a significant breast cancer protective effect. This association was similar among women who reported use of either black cohosh or Remifemin®, an herbal preparation derived from black cohosh. The literature reports that black cohosh may be effective in treating menopausal symptoms, and has antiestrogenic, antiproliferative and antioxidant properties.

Researchers concluded that additional confirmatory studies are required to determine whether black cohosh could be used to prevent breast cancer.