

Relief
Black cohosh and rhodiola improved menopause Physical, psychological, quality of life improvements In this study, 220 women, average age 52, with menopausal symptoms, took black cohosh by itself at a low or high dose, black cohosh with rhodiola, or a placebo. After 12 weeks, compared to all other groups, women taking the black cohosh with rhodiola reported the most relief—averaging about 70 percent reductions—from hot flashes, joint pain, genital and general physical symptoms


Ahead of the Curve
Early-Stage Discoveries: Bifidobacteria, Green Tea, Curcumin, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Vitamin D Good results in the lab can lead to larger human trials. Here are some of the most promising recent findings. Probiotic may treat Celiac disease People with Celiac disease (CD), who can’t metabolize gluten, are low in the bifidobacteria strains of probiotics. Even on a gluten-free diet, those with CD may not be able to rebalance the gut microbiome on their own. In the lab, doctors


Vitamin E delta-tocotrienol and vitamin C improved metabolism
Delta-tocotrienol vitamin E improved NAFLD When fat builds up in the liver for reasons other than alcohol, such as obesity, it is called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, 71 people with NAFLD took a placebo or 300 mg of delta-tocotrienol twice per day. After 24 weeks, while the placebo group had not significantly improved, those taking delta-tocotrienol saw a 15 percent decrease in both fatty liver index scores and insulin resistance. A hormone, adipon


Vision & Balance
Nutrients beneficial in glaucoma and vertigo Vitamin B3 improved vision in glaucoma In the back of the eye, the retina contains millions of optic nerve cells that send light images to the brain, allowing us to see. One type of optic nerve cell, the retinal ganglion, is particularly vulnerable to damage from increased fluid pressure in the front of the eye, a hallmark of glaucoma. Earlier studies found vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) is low in those with glaucoma, and also that it h


Physical Health - Probiotics and selenium improved performance
L. plantarum for triathlete endurance In an earlier study by these doctors, the probiotic L. plantarum reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, improving athletic performance. Here, they wanted to understand how L. plantarum might help maintain healthy gut microbiota under the stress of a triathlon. Twenty triathletes, with a minimum five years of training, took a placebo or L. plantarum at 30 billion colony-forming units per day, along with their regular exercise program.

Omega-3 Heart Benefit
This review of 16 placebo-controlled omega-3 trials covered 81,073 people with previous, or higher chances of, adverse heart or vascular events. Studies ranged from one to seven years, at varying doses. Overall, compared to those who took less, those who took more than 1,000 mg per day of EPA with DHA from fish oil were 24 percent less likely to have an adverse heart or circulatory event. Among those with a previous major adverse event, taking at least 1,000 mg of omega-3 fis


Cognition
Nutrients boost memory, mood, spatial awareness, and metabolism GABA for memory, mood, and spatial awareness In a world with an aging population, doctors wanted to find ways to prevent cognitive decline. In two separate, coordinated studies, each with 60 healthy adults over age 40, participants took a placebo or, in one study, 100 mg of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and in the second, 200 mg of GABA, per day. After 12 weeks, compared to placebo and to the start of the study