

Exercise
Cod liver oil, betaine sped recovery and protected immunity after exercise Cod liver oil’s powerful anti-inflammatory effect Few studies have examined the anti-inflammatory effects of cod liver oil, which contains the omega-3s EPA, DHA, vitamins A and D, and other antioxidants. In this study, doctors measured fish oil in the diets of 1,002 healthy recreational athletes, and their inflammatory factor—C-reactive protein—levels before and after a 57-mile bicycle race. Of the 856


Calm Young Adults
Magnesium reduced hostility in young adults Earlier clinical trials found a link between magnesium and improved mood, but this is the first to explore magnesium and hostility. In this study, doctors estimated magnesium in the diets of 4,716 young adults, aged 18 to 30, from their answers to food questionnaires and nutritional supplement reports. They found a direct link: as the level of magnesium in the diet increased, measures of hostility decreased. Those who also got more


Age Well
Nutrients preserve vision, improve hospital recovery Lutein slows advanced AMD Lutein is one of the main carotenoids in the macula of the eye that is responsible for filtering damaging blue light, and for protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD); a blind spot in the center of the field of vision. In this study, doctors evaluated 963 men and women, aged at least 73, every two years over an eight-year period, during which 54 developed advanced AMD. Those with h


Mood
Saffron and tryptophan improve mood Saffron reduced depression in perimenopause As women approach menopause—perimenopause—physical symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances can occur. Cognitive performance and mood factors such as depression and anxiety are also common. In this study, 82 perimenopausal women, aged 40 to 60, took a placebo or 14 mg of saffron extract twice per day. Doctors measured symptoms at the start and end of the 12-week trial. Th


Ginger for Digestion
Feeling full after a few bites of food, along with a bloated abdomen, are the major symptoms of non-ulcer indigestion, called functional dyspepsia (FD). Doctors don’t know what causes it. In this study, 50 people with FD took a placebo or 200 mg of ginger extract twice per day. After four weeks, 41 percent in the ginger group reported having felt better throughout the entire trial. Overall, doctors determined that 79 percent of those taking ginger had responded favorably comp


Digestion
Synbiotics and probiotics improve symptoms in GI disorders Synbiotics improve microbiome, reduce inflammation in colitis When the large intestine has open sores, the condition is called ulcerative colitis, one of several inflammatory bowel disorders. While doctors don’t know what causes colitis, they believe it is likely due to an overactive immune response; creating an environment of chronic, systemic inflammation. Synbiotics combine prebiotics like inulin, and probiotics li


Live Longer
Nutritional supplements beneficial in acute illness B-vitamins reduce chances of stroke B-complex vitamins help break down the inflammatory factor, homocysteine, by metabolizing into essential, beneficial substances in the body. Doctors reviewed eight major homocysteine studies covering 8,513 participants who did or did not take B-complex vitamin supplements. Overall, compared to placebo, the vitamin B group was 11 percent less likely to die from stroke, heart, or circulatory