Kirk’s “One Liners” in Nutrition Research Archives

(Click on summary for abstract)

February, 2016
(Kirk’s YouTube video overview of this month’s research)

“Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: An Italian Single-Center Study.” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015;85(1-2):23-30. 51147 Aneta Aleksova, MD, MSc, Cardiovascular Department, ‘‘Ospedali Riuniti’’ and University of Trieste, Via Valdoni 7, 34129 Trieste, Italy, +39 – 3405507762 / +39 – 040 – 3994878 (FAX) aaleksova@gmail.com aaleksova@units.it CONCLUSION: In 478 subjects diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were present in 324 (68 %) and 107 (22 %) subjects in all seasons. Vitamin D deficiency was lower in the summer when sun exposure is higher. The exposure to sunlight may be a cost-saving therapeutic strategy for the management of vitamin D deficiency.

“Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Phytomedicine, 2015 Feb 15;22(2):290-6. 51148 Bahram Pourghassem Gargarim, MD Department of Biochemistry and Diet Therapy, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. +984113357580 / +984113340634 (FAX) bahrampg@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In diabetic patients who received silymarin 140 mg, three times daily of dried extracts of Silybum marianum and significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and significantly reduced hs-CRP levels by 26.83% malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration by 12.01% in T2DM patients.

“Evaluation of the galactogogue effect of silymarin on mothers of preterm newborns (<32 weeks).” Pediatr Med Chir. 2015 Dec 29;37(3):pmc.2015. 51149 Chiara Peila Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy | chiara.peila@libero.it CONCLUSION: 50 mothers at 10 days post-partum found silymarin and its metabolites were not detectable in the analyzed human milk samples.

“A double-blinded randomized controlled trial of silymarin for the prevention of antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury.” BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015 Sep 23;15:334. 51150 Dr. Abhasnee Sobhonslidsuk Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, 270 Praram 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. Abhasnee.sob@mahidol.ac.th CONCLUSION: In tuberculosis patients who were randomly asigned to receive silymarin or placebo the silymarin group had a reduced incidence of antituberculosis-drug induced liver injury (antiTB-DILI) which may be explained by silymarin’s restorative effect on superoxide dismutase.

“Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Phytomedicine. 2015 Feb 15;22(2):290-6. 51151 Bahram Pourghassem Gargari, MD, Department of Biochemistry and Diet Therapy, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. bahrampg@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In type 2 diabetes patients on stable medications who received silymarin (dried extracts of Silybum marianum) 140 mg three times daily for 45 days there was improvement in the antioxidant indices SOD, GPX and TAC and decreased hs-CRP levels in T2DM patients.

“Efficacy of lifestyle changes in subjects with non-alcoholic liver steatosis and metabolic syndrome may be improved with an antioxidant nutraceutical: a controlled clinical study.” Drugs R D. 2015 Mar;15(1):21-5. 51151 Dr. Gianpaolo Sorrentino, Clinic Center, Viale Maria Bakunin 171, 80126, Naples, Italy, lucavic@live.it CONCLUSION: In subjects with metabolic syndrome and ultrasound confirmed liver steatosis treated for 90 days with the standard regimen of diet and exercise. The group that received the Eurosil 85(®)-based nutraceutical (silymarin + vitamin E) as a dietary adjunct showed significantly greater reduction of abdominal circumference, Body Mass Index, ultrasound measurement of right liver lobe and in both the Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) and Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) indexes and may possibly improve the subjects’ motivation to sustain such lifestyle changes over time.

“Phytotherapy and NAFLD–from goals and challenges to clinical practice.” Rev Recent Clin Trials. 2014;9(3):195-203. 51152 Natasa Milosevic Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. milosevic_natasa@ymail.com. CONCLUSION: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global problem and one of the most common liver diseases in the world. Silymarin, a lipophilic extract derived from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has strong antifibrotic, antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. Studies have demonstrated that silymarin versus placebo significantly reduces metabolic changes affected by NAFLD. Silymarin is also an efficient insulin sensitizer when used in NAFLD therapy. Clinical trials have confirmed silymarin to be currently the best medication for the NAFLD patients.

“Curcumin and its promise as an anticancer drug: An analysis of its anticancer and antifungal effects in cancer and associated complications from invasive fungal infections.” Eur J Pharmacol. 2016 Feb 5;772:33-42. 51152 Wei-Dong Chen The Pharmacokinetics Lab, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, People’s Republic of China. anzhongdong@126.com CONCLUSION: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are important complications of cancer, and they are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Curcumin’s potent antifungal activity against different strains of Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Trichosporon and Paracoccidioides has been reported. Curcumin’s has dual pharmacological activities as a natural anticancer and antifungal agent.

“Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Complement Ther Med. 2015 Jun;23(3):318-24. 51153 Hamed Fanaei, Corresponding author at: Pregnancy Health Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 1419733171, Iran +98 0541 2422888 / +98 0541 2422888 (FAX) fanaeih@yahoo.com. CONCLUSION: In premenstrual tension (PMS) sufferers who consumed two curcumin capsules daily for seven days before menstruation and for three days after menstruation for three successive cycles curcumin reduced the total PMS severity score from 102 to 42.47 after 3 cycles. Curcumin attenuates PMS symptoms probably mediated by neurotransmitters and anti-inflammatory modulation.

“Combining curcumin (C3-complex, Sabinsa) with standard care FOLFOX chemotherapy in patients with inoperable colorectal cancer (CUFOX): study protocol for a randomised control trial.” Trials. 2015 Mar 24;16:110. 51154 Dr. David Berry, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, University Hospitals of Wales, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK. david.p.berry@talktalk.net. CONCLUSION: Daily oral curcumin was given with standard care FOLFOX-based (5-fluorouracil, folinic acid and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy in 33 colorectal cancer patients with inoperable liver metastases to determine an acceptable safe target dose of curcumin.

“An investigation of the effects of curcumin on anxiety and depression in obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial.” Chin J Integr Med. 2015 May;21(5):332-8. 51155 Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences ghayourm@mums.ac.ir CONCLUSION: In obese subjects with anxiety and depression curcumin at 1 g/day for 30 days showed a significant reduction in the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) but no significant change in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scales. Curcumin has a potential anti-anxiety effect in individuals with obesity.

“Curcumin as a putative antidepressant.” Expert Rev Neurother. 2015 Mar;15(3):269-80. doi: 10.1586/14737175.2015.1008457. Epub 2015 Feb 3. 51156 Dr. Chi-Un Pae Department of Psychiatry, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. pae@catholic.ac.kr CONCLUSION: Curcumin has antidepressant activities with a variety of mechanisms of action involving neurotransmitters, transcription pathways, neurogenesis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammatory and immune pathways. Current randomized trials suggest a small, non-significant benefit of curcumin for major depression.

“Meriva®+Glucosamine versus Condroitin+Glucosamine in patients with knee osteoarthritis: an observational study.” Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2014;18(24):3959-63. 51157 Gianni Belcaro, MD Department of Biomedical Sciences, Irvine 3 Labs, Circulation Sciences, Chieti-Pescara University, Italy. cardres@abol.it CONCLUSION: Meriva®, a lecithin delivery form of curcumin, plus glucosamine in knee osteoarthritis subjects after 4 months had significantly higher Karnofsky Index and WOMAC scores (both in the physical and emotional domains) and higher walking distance on the treadmill test after 1 month. The need for drugs and medical attention decreased to a greater extent in the Meriva+glucosamine group. Meriva and glucosamine had a faster onset of action and improved outcomes than the administration of a chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine product in patients with OA.

“Efficacy and safety of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, during extended administration in osteoarthritis patients.” Altern Med Rev. 2010 Dec;15(4):337-44. 51157 Dr. Giovanni Appendino, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Alimentari, Farmaceutiche e Farmaco -logiche, Via Bovio, 6 – 28100 Novara, Italy, appendino@pharm.unipmn.it CONCLUSION: Meriva®, a proprietary curcumin-phosphatidylcholine phytosome complex in osteoarthritic subjects showed significant improvements of both the clinical and biochemical end points compared to the control group, and had excellent tolerability suggesting potential benefit for long-term complementary management of osteoarthritis.

“Cranberry supplementation in the prevention of non-severe lower urinary tract infections: a pilot study.” Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2015 Jan;19(1):77-80. 51158 Gianni Belcaro, MD IRVINE3 Vascular/Circulation Labs, Deparment of Biomedical Sciences, Chieti-Pescara University, Pescara, Italy, and Samaritans, Spoltore, PE, Italy. cardres@abol.it CONCLUSIONS: A well standardized cranberry extract (Anthocran™) at 1 pill for 60 days along with lifestyle advice showed a 73.3% reduction in UTIs in the cranberry group versus 15.4% in the control group.

“Cranberry juice capsules and urinary tract infection after surgery: results of a randomized trial.” Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug;213(2):194. 51159 Betsy Foxman, PhD Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI. bfoxman@umich.edu CONCLUSION: Among women undergoing elective benign gynecological surgery involving urinary catheterization, the use of 2 cranberry juice capsules 2 times a day, equivalent to 2 8 ounce servings of cranberry juice, for 6 weeks after surgery, reduced the rate of UTI by half.

“Cranberry capsules (2 taken twice daily for an average 38 days) reduce the risk of postoperative urinary tract infection in women undergoing benign gynaecological surgery involving intraoperative catheterisation.” Evid Based Med. 2015 Aug;20(4):137. 51160 Dr Alexis A Dieter, Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3032 Old Clinic Bldg, CB#7570, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7570, USA; doctordietermd@gmail.com

“Treatment of chronically infected open mastoid cavities with medical honey: a randomized controlled trial.” Otol Neurotol. 2015 Jun;36(5):782-7. 51161 D. Henatsch, Maastricht University Medical Center, Secreteriaat KNO, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands. Tel: +31 43 387 75 99; Fax: +31 43 387 55 80; e-mail: darius.henatsch@mumc.nl CONCLUSION: In patients with chronically discharging open mastoid cavities who received medical honey gel treatment for 4 weeks there was a significant reduction in discomfort, otorrhea, and inflammation with a bactericidal effect.

“Biological properties and therapeutic activities of honey in wound healing: A narrative review and meta-analysis.” J Tissue Viability. 2016 Jan 23. pii: S0965-206X(15)00097-2. [Epub ahead of print] 51162 Dr. Ahmad Oryan department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran oryan@shirazu.ac.ir CONCLUSION: Honey has anti-microbial activity and is an option for wound management. Honey contains signiﬁcant amounts of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, vitamin and minerals that enhance wound healing with minimum trauma during redressing. Different types of honey have different medicinal value leading to different effects on wound healing. The mechanisms of action of honey in wound healing are primarily due to its hydrogen peroxide, high osmolality, acidity, non-peroxide factors, nitric oxide and phenols. Honey promotes autolytic debridement, stimulates growth of wound tissues and stimulates anti-inflammatory activities accelerating the wound healing processes. Compared with topical agents such as hydrofiber silver or silver sulfadiazine, honey is more effective in elimination of microbial contamination, reduction of wound area, promotion of re-epithelialization. Honey improves the outcome of the wound healing by reducing the incidence and excessive scar formation. Honey is an effective and economical approach in managing large and complicated wounds.

“Post-bariatric abdominoplasty resulting in wound infection and dehiscence-Conservative treatment with medical grade honey: A case report and review of literature.” Int J Surg Case Rep. 2016 Jan 7;20:1-3. 51163 Dr. Reem Dina Jarjis Department of Plastic Surgery & Breast Surgery, Roskilde University Hospital, Køgevej 7-11, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark. Electronic address: reemdj@outlook.com CONCLUSION: A 40 year-old female suffered wound infection and dehiscence after undergoing post-bariatric abdominoplasty and her wound was treated with topical Manuka honey resulting in significant clinical improvement and effective healing concurrently with good patient satisfaction. Honey is effective, safe and in certain circumstances reduces the need of surgical wound debridement post-bariatric abdominoplasty.

“Effect of Olea ointment and Acetate Mafenide on burn wounds – A randomized clinical trial.” Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2015 Sep-Oct;20(5):599-603. 51164 Dr. Mohammad Jalili Manesh, Second Floor, Mahtab Building, Next to Meli Bank, Hajimehdi Alley, Imam, Hussein Square, Yazd, Iran. jalilimaneshdr@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: A traditional ointment (Olea) which is a combination of honey, olive oil, and sesame was found in hospitalized patients prevent infections, accelerate tissue repair, and facilitate debridement.

“A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of Honey-Impregnated Dressing for Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcer.” J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2015 Oct;25(10):721-5. 51165 Muhammad Barkaat Hussain Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdul Aziz University, Rabigh Branch, 21589, Saudi Arabia. mbhussain1@kau.edu.sa. CONCLUSION: Beri-honey-impregnated dressings on diabetic foot ulcers (Wagner’s grade 1 and 2 ulcers) compared to normal saline dressings resulted in a significantly greater percentage of ulcers being healed and at a faster healing rate, showing honey is an effective dressing agent instead of conventional dressings, in treating patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

“Comparing the Antibacterial and Functional Properties of Cameroonian and Manuka Honeys for Potential Wound Healing-Have We Come Full Cycle in Dealing with Antibiotic Resistance?” Molecules. 2015 Sep 2;20(9):16068-84. 51166 Joshua Boateng Department of Pharmaceutical, Chemical & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Medway, Central Ave. Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK. j.s.boateng@gre.ac.uk Abstract CONCLUSION: Cameroonian honeys have demonstrated functional properties similar to Manuka honey, with strong correlations between the antioxidant activity and total phenol content of each honey. Cameroonian honeys were as effective as Manuka honey in reducing bacteria load and exhibited non-peroxide antimicrobial activity. Cameroon honeys have therapeutic activity and contain compounds with activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Honey presents a potential affordable treatment of wound infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria, which are a leading cause of amputations and deaths in many African countries.

“The Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Action of Nanocrystalline Silver and Manuka Honey on the Molecular Alternation of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Comprehensive Literature Review.” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:218283. 51167 Ka-Kit Tsang, Ginger Knowledge Transfer and Consultancy Limited, Hong Kong kktsang3@netvigator.com CONCLUSION: Honey and silver have been used since ancient times for treating wounds. Both agents have effective antibacterial actions. Their anti-inflammatory action and related impact on wound healing are unclear. There is a lack of human studies supporting the molecular science on the use of manuka honey or nanocrystalline silver. Further studies are needed to guide clinical practice.

“Topical Honey for Scalp Defects: An Alternative to Surgical Scalp Reconstruction.” Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2015 Jun 5;3(5):e393. 51168 Brian W. Downs, MD Wake Forest Baptist Health Department of Otolaryngology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Medical Center Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27157 bdowns@wakehealth.edu CONCLSUION: This is a case report of medical-grade honey used as solitary treatment for a large scalp defect due to surgical excision of necrotizing fasciitis. Honey promoted granulation and epithelialization over bare bone. Honey may be a therapeutic option for scalp wounds-especially in patients who are poor surgical candidates.

“Combined therapy of Ulmo honey (Eucryphia cordifolia) and ascorbic acid to treat venous ulcers.:Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2015 Feb-Apr;23(2):259-66. 51169 Dr. Mariano del Sol Calderon Universidad de La Frontera Av. Francisco Salazar 001145 Region de La Araucania, Temuco, Chile E-mail: mariano.delsol@ufrontera.cl CONCLUSION: In patients with venous ulcers who applied topically ulmo honey daily with a dressing applied in accordance with the technical standard for advanced dressings, combined with the daily oral consumptions of 500 mg of ascorbic acid full healing was achieved in 100% of the venous ulcers. No signs of complications were observed, such as allergies or infection. The honey demonstrated debriding and non-adherent properties, was easy to apply and remove and was well accepted by the users.

“The efficacy and safety of natural honey on the healing of foot ulcers: a case series.” Wounds. 2015 Apr;27(4):103-14. 51170 Dr. H. Mohamed Weill Cornell Medical College, Al Rayyan, Qatar fmcc2000@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Chronic foot ulcers after rinsing the site with normal saline applied natural honey covered by a glycerin-impregnated gauze to prevent the absorption of honey into the cotton gauze and away from the wound site. Patients were followed on a daily basis for an average of 4 weeks. All ulcers healed with no contractures or scars with a mean healing time of 3 weeks. There was a 75% reduction in the dressing budget of the health center and a high level of satisfaction among both health professionals and patients. Patients’ pain levels were reduced significantly after using natural honey. The use of natural honey in the management of chronic foot ulcers proved to be efficacious, cost-effective, and acceptable by both clinicians and patients.

“Using active Leptospermum honey in the debridement process: 6 challenging cases from the inner city.” Ostomy Wound Manage. 2015 Apr;61(4):63-6. 51171 Dr. C Gray Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; email: cpgray@dhs.lacounty.gov CONCLUSION: Six patients from 39 to 81 years of age applied active Leptospermum honey (ALH) covered with a foam dressing over delayed healing wounds which were changed every 3 days approximately. After 9 to 20 days the wounds were completely, or almost completely, debrided and there was a 75% concomitant average increase in the amount of granulation tissue in the wound bed. No adverse events were noted. The use of ALH in these cases were effective and no surgical debridement was needed.

“A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.” CNS Neurosci Ther. 2008 Fall;14(3):182-91. 51172 Christina M. Dording, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford Street, 401, Boston, MA 02114, USA. (617) 724-9457; Fax: (617) 734-3028; cdording@partners.org CONCLUSION: Maca in a double-blind study comparing a low-dose (1.5 g/day) to a high-dose (3.0 g/day) 20 remitted depressed outpatients with SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction (SSRI-ISD) showed the 3.0 g/day of maca had a significant improvement in sexual function scores while subjects on 1.5 g/day maca did not. Libido improved significantly. Maca was well tolerated. Maca root may alleviate SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, and there may be a dose-related effect. Maca may also have a beneficial effect on libido.

“Acidosis and Formaldehyde Secretion as a Possible Pathway of Cancer Pain and Options for Improved Cancer Pain Control.” J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2015 Sep;29(3):276-80. 51173 Dr. Ba X. Hoang Viet Xuan Medical Center, Hanoi, Vietnam. niscba@aol.com CONCLUSION: Cancer pain may be produced by the metabolic effects of two byproducts of cancer-high acidity in the cancer microenvironment and the secretion of formaldehyde and its metabolites. The development of therapeutic approaches for preemptive, short- and long-term management of cancer pain using available drugs or nutraceutical agents that can suppress or neutralize lactic acid production in combination with formaldehyde scavengers is warranted and may not only improve cancer pain control but may also enhance the quality of life for patients.

“Palliative treatment for advanced biliary adenocarcinomas with combination dimethyl sulfoxide-sodium bicarbonate infusion and S-adenosyl-L-methionine.” J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2014 Sep;28(3):206-11. 51173 Dr. Ba X. Hoang Viet Xuan Medical Center, Hanoi, Vietnam. niscba@aol.com CONCLUSION: Intravenous dimethyl sulfoxide and sodium bicarbonate (DMSO-SB) infusion and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (ademetionine) oral supplementation in nine patients with advanced nonresectable biliary tract carcinomas (ABTCs) with biliary obstruction and a total serum bilirubin ≤300 μmol/L over 6-months improved pain control, blood biochemical parameters, and quality of life for the patients and 6-month progression-free survival in all the patients. The treatment was well tolerated.

“Dimethyl sulfoxide-sodium bicarbonate infusion for palliative care and pain relief in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.” J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2011;25(4):350-5. 51174 Dr. Ba X. Hoang Viet Xuan Medical Center, Hanoi, Vietnam. niscba@aol.com CONCLUSION: Patients with metastatic prostate cancer (MPC) for 90 days received intravenous dimethyl sulfoxide and sodium bicarbonate (DMSO-SB) infusions after undergoing the recommended therapeutic regimen showed significant improvement in clinical symptoms, blood and biochemistry tests, and quality of life with no major side effects from the treatment. DMSO-SB infusions could provide a rational alternative to conventional treatment for patients with MPC.

“Dimethyl sulfoxide and sodium bicarbonate in the treatment of refractory cancer pain.” J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2011;25(1):19-24. 51175 Dr. Ba X. Hoang Viet Xuan Medical Center, Hanoi, Vietnam. niscba@aol.com baxuanho@usc.edu CONCLUSION: In 26 terminal cancer patients without the option of conventional treatment suffering from high levels of pain intravenous infusions of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and sodium bicarbonate (SB) lead to better quality of life for these patients and was an effective, safe, and inexpensive therapy to manage cancer pain.

“Zinc as a possible preventive and therapeutic agent in pancreatic, prostate, and breast cancer.” Eur J Cancer Prev. 2015 Aug 27. [Epub ahead of print] 51176 Dr. Ba X. Hoang Nimni-Cordoba Tissue Engineering and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1333 San Pablo St., BMT 302, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA. baxuanho@usc.edu CONCLUSION: Zinc is involved in over 300 biological functions in the human body. The pancreas, prostate and mammary glands are secretory tissues that have unusual zinc requirements. Zinc is a possible preventive and therapeutic agent in cancer treatment.

“Efficacy and safety of remifemin on peri-menopausal symptoms induced by post-operative GnRH-a therapy for endometriosis: a randomized study versus tibolone.” Med Sci Monit. 2014 Oct 16;20:1950-7. 51177 Dr. Jie Wu, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China jiewuyale@gmail.com CONCLUSION: In women with endometriosis who took either Remifemin 20 mg bid po or Tibolone 2.5 mg qd po for 12 weeks after GnRH-a injection. Compared with Tibolone, Remifemin had a similar clinical efficacy and was safer for the peri-menopausal symptoms induced by GnRH-a in endometriosis patients.

“Alpha lipoic acid efficacy in burning mouth syndrome. A controlled clinical trial.” Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2015 Jul 1;20(4):e435-40. 51178 Dr. Luis-Alberto Moreno-López LAML. Centro de Salud Buenavista, Av Irlanda s/n, 45003 Toledo, Spain, lamoreno@sescam.jccm.es CONCLUSION: Burining Mouth Syndrome (BMS) subjects who took 600 mg/day of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) 64% of ALA patients reported some level of improvement compared to 27.6% from the placebo group.

“Comparative effect of cinnamon and Ibuprofen for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.” J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Apr;9(4):QC04-7. 51179 Dr. Ali Khani, Nursing & Midwifery Faculty, Ilam University of Medical Science, Ilam, IR-Iran nimakhani@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Cinnamon 420 mg for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea compared to placebo significantly reduced the severity and duration of pain during menstruation, but this effect was less when compared to Ibuprofen. Cinnamon can be regarded as a safe and effective treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.

“Comparison between effects of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS.” Gynecol Endocrinol. 2014 Mar;30(3):205-8. 51180 Antonio Simone Laganà, MD Department of Pediatric Gynecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy, antlagana@unime.it CONCLUSION: PCOS subjects were treated with 4 grams of myo-inositol/day plus 400 mcg of folic acid/day orally or 1 gram of D-chiro-inositol/day plus 400 mcg of folic acid/day orally for six months. Both isoforms of inositol were effective in improving ovarian function and metabolism in patients with PCOS, although myo-inositol showed the greater effect on the metabolic profile, whereas D-chiro-inositol reduced hyperandrogenism better.

“Therapeutic effect of high-dose green tea extract on weight reduction: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Clin Nutr. 2015 May 29. 51181 Dr. Chung-Hua Hsu, Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Li-Nong St, Sec 2, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan +886 2 2826 7050 / +886 2 28201461 (FAX) owlherbs@yahoo.com.tw CONCLUSION: Green tea extract (epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG) at 856.8 mg daily in women with central obesity with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2 and a waist circumference (WC) ≥ 80 cm for12 weeks resulted in significant weight loss and decreases in BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol and LDL plasma levels. There was good tolerance without any side effects. Significantly lower ghrelin levels and elevated adiponectin levels were observed in the green tea extract group.

“Avocado and soybean extracts as active principles in the treatment of mild-to-moderate vulvar lichen sclerosus: results of efficacy and tolerability.” J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015 Jun;29(6):1225-30. 51182 A. Borghi. Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. alessandro.borghi@unife.it CONCLUSION: Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) treated with avocado and soybean extracts (ASE) twice daily for 24 weeks, in association with a dietary supplement containing ASE, vitamin E and para-aminobenzoic acid for the first 12 weeks showed by the end of the 24-week improvement in symptoms and signs of VLS in 70% or more of the subjects.

“Effect of Intravaginal Prasterone on Sexual Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women with Vulvovaginal Atrophy.” J Sex Med. 2015 Dec;12(12):2401-12. 51183 Fernand Labrie, MD, PhD EndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City (Quebec) G1V 4M7, Canada. Tel: 1-418-653-0055; Fax: 1-418-653-3635 fernand.labrie@endoceutics.com CONCLUSION: In women with vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) who received 0.50% (6.5 mg) DHEA intravaginally daily for 12 weeks, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, showed increased sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and reduction in pain with sexual activity in the absence of biologically significant changes of serum steroids levels.

“Effect of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the female sexual function in postmenopausal women: ERC-230 open-label study.” Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. 2015 Dec 18. pii: 51184 Fernand Labrie, EndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City (Quebec) G1V 4M7, Canada, (418) 653-0055 / (418) 653-3635, fernand.labrie@endoceutics.com CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women with at least one mild to severe symptom of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), and who completed the FSFI questionnaire at baseline, who received daily intravaginal 0.50% (6.5 mg) DHEA over 52-weeks showed the FSFI domains desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain (decreased) were increased and serum levels of DHEA and all its metabolites, including estradiol and testosterone, showed no meaningful change. The present data suggest a stimulatory effect of intravaginal DHEA through a strictly local action, and shows that androgens made locally from DHEA in the vagina induce an increase in local nerve density.

“Efficacy of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on moderate to severe dyspareunia and vaginal dryness, symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy, and of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause.” Menopause. 2016 Mar;23(3):243-56. 51185 Fernand Labrie, EndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City (Quebec) G1V 4M7, Canada, (418) 653-0055 / (418) 653-3635, fernand.labrie@endoceutics.com CONCLUSION: Daily intravaginal 0.50% DHEA (6.5 mg) (Prasterone, EndoCeutics) after 12 weeks the percentage of parabasal cells decreased by 27.7%; the percentage of superficial cells increased by 8.44%; vaginal pH decreased by 0.66 pH unit; and pain with sexual activity decreased by 1.42 severity score unit from baseline. In moderate to severe vaginal dryness 84.0% of women improved at 12 weeks. At gynecological evaluation, vaginal secretions, epithelial integrity, epithelial surface thickness, and color all improved by 86% to 121%. Serum steroid levels remained well within the normal postmenopausal values. The only side effect was vaginal discharge due to melting of the vehicle at body temperature and this was reported in about 6% of the participants.

“Influence of treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy with intravaginal prasterone on the male partner.” Climacteric. 2015 Dec;18(6):817-25. 51186 Fernand Labrie,ndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City (Quebec) G1V 4M7, Canada, (418) 653-0055 / (418) 653-3635, fernand.labrie@endoceutics.com CONCLUSION: In women treated for vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) with intravaginal 0.50% DHEA (prasterone) daily for 12 weeks their male partners had a very positive evaluation of the treatment received with the intravaginal DHEA. No adverse event has been reported.

“Treatment of pain at sexual activity (dyspareunia) with intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (prasterone).” Menopause 2015 Sep;22(9):950-63. 51187 Fernand Labrie,ndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City (Quebec) G1V 4M7, Canada, (418) 653-0055 / (418) 653-3635, CONCLUSION: Daily intravaginal prasterone (6.5 mg) administration for 12 weeks in vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) subjects showed the percentage of parabasal cells decreased by 45.8%; percentage of superficial cells increased by 4.7%; vaginal pH decreased by 0.83 pH units; the severity of dyspareunia decreased by 46%; moderate to severe vaginal dryness decreased by 0.43 severity score units; on gynecologic evaluation, a 14.4% to 21.1% improvement in vaginal secretions, epithelial integrity, epithelial surface thickness, and color. Serum steroids remained well within reference postmenopausal concentrations. All endometrial biopsies at 12 weeks showed atrophy.

“Myo-inositol Supplementation for Prevention of Gestational Diabetes in Obese Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug;126(2):310-5. 51188 D’Anna, Rosario MD, Prof. Rosario D’Anna, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Policlinico Universitario ‘G.Martino’, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy rosariodanna@tin.it CONCLUSION: Myo-inositol at 2 grams plus 200 micrograms folic acid twice a day given to pregnant obese women in the first trimester(12-13 weeks of gestation) showed a 33.6% reduction in gestational diabetes, and women treated with myo-inositol showed a significantly greater reduction in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance compared with the control group.

“Myo-Inositol Supplementation to Prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.” Curr Diab Rep. 2016 Mar;16(3):30. 51189 Claudio Celentano Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti, Chieti, Italy ccelen@tin.it CONCLUSION: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by increased insulin resistance, and by increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes affecting both the mother and the fetus. Recent trials of inositol have been proposed as a food supplement that might reduce gestational diabetes incidence in high-risk pregnant women.

“Myo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes onset in overweight women: a randomized, controlled trial.” J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2015 Dec 23:1-4. [Epub ahead of print] 51190 Dr. Angelo Santamaria, Department of Pediatric, Gynecological, Microbiological, and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy angelosantamaria83@alice.it CONCLUSION: Myo-inositol at 2 g plus 200 μg folic acid twice a day given during the first trimester to delivery in pregnant overweight non-obese women (pre-pregnancy body mass index ≥ 25 and < 30 kg/m² resulted in a 67% risk reduction of developing GDM.

“Inositol in preterm infants at risk for or having respiratory distress syndrome.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Feb 4;2:CD000366. 51191 Alexandra Howlett, Section of Neonatology, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada. alixe.howlett@albertahealthservices.ca CONCLUSION: Inositol promotes maturation of several components of surfactant and may play a critical role in fetal and early neonatal life. The review assessed the effectiveness and safety of supplementary inositol in preterm infants with or without respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and found a statistically significant and clinically important reductions in important short-term adverse neonatal outcomes.

“Combination inositol and glucomannan in PCOS patients.” Minerva Ginecol. 2014 Dec;66(6):527-33. 51192 Dr. Vincenzo Deleo, Centro di Sterilità di Coppia, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e dello Sviluppo, Università degli Studi di Siena, Siena, Italia – vincenzo.deleo@unisi.it CONCLUSION: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies in women of reproductive age and is characterized by insulin resistance. Women with PCOS received either inositol and glucomannan; inositol alone; glucomannan alone for 3 months. There was a significant reduction in blood glucose and insulin levels with the combination of inositol-glucomannan.

“Ovulation induction with myo-inositol alone and in combination with clomiphene citrate in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients with insulin resistance.” Gynecol Endocrinol. 2015 Feb;31(2):131-5. 51193 Dr. Antoaneta Trifonova Gateva Clinic of Endocrinology, University Hospital Alexandrovska, Medical University – Sofia, 1 Georgi Sofiiski blv., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria. tony_gateva@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients with insulin resistance who received myo-inositol during three spontaneous cycles, if patients remained annovulatory and/or no pregnancy was achieved, a combination of myo-inositol and clomiphene citrate was given for the next three cycles. After myo-inositol treatment, ovulation was present in 61.7% and 37% of those became pregnant. In those who received myo-inositol alone and were resistant after additional clomiphene treatment 72.2% ovulated, and of those 42.6% became pregnant. There was a reduction of body mass index and HOMA index also observed. Myo-inositol treatment reduces insulin resistance and body weight, and improves ovarian activity in PCOS patients.

“The role of inositol deficiency in the etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome disorders.” Ginekol Pol. 2014 Jan;85(1):54-7. 51194 Dr. A.J. Jakimiuk Zakład Zdrowia Prokreacyjnego IMiDz, Chorób Kobiecych i Ginekologii Onkologicznej CSK MSW w Warszawie, Polska. jakimiuk@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: Inositol acts as a second messenger in the insulin signaling pathway. Inositol deficiency occurs in insulin-resistant women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Supplementation of myo-inisitol decreases insulin resistance as it works as an insulin sensitizing agent. The positive role of myo-inositol in the treatment of PCOS has been shown recently.

“Relationship Between Myo-Inositol Supplementary and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis.” Medicine (Baltimore), 2015 Oct;94(42):e1604. 51195 Dr. Yulong Zhang, Daoshan road 18, Gulou District, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fujian Maternity and Children Health Hospital, Fujian Medical University Teaching Hospital, Fuzhou 350000, Fujian, China Yulongzhang609@163.com CONCLUSION: In 5 trials involving 513 participants there was a significant reduction in aspects of gestational diabetes incidence, birth weight, fasting glucose oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 1-h glucose OGTT, 2-h glucose OGTT, and related complications indicating myo-inositol supplementation reduces the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

***************************************************************************************

January, 2016

“Topical lipophilic epigallocatechin-3-gallate on herpes labialis: a phase II clinical trial of AverTeaX formula,” Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2015;120:717-724. 51119 Stephen Hsu, PhD Department of Oral Biology, Department of Oral Health & Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA. SHSU@gru.edu CONCLUSION: AverTeaX formulation (topical lipophilic epigallocatechin-3-gallate) applied six to eight times daily containing lipophilic catechins effectively inhibited herpes simplex labialis infection resulting in a significant reduction in clinical duration (median 4.5 days vs. 9 days) and shortened blistering and ulceration stages within an episode (median of 3 days to 1 day). Quality-of-life scores were better in the treated group for duration of itching and duration until symptom free. Adverse effects were not reported.

“High-dose intravenous vitamin C combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancer: a phase I-II clinical trial.” PLoS One. 2015 Apr 7;10(4):e0120228. 51120 Dr. L. John Hoffer, Department of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada l.hoffer@mcgill.ca CONCLUSION: A phase I-II safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and efficacy trial of intravenous vitamin C (IVC) combined with chemotherapy in 14 advanced cancer patients administering vitamin C at 1.5 g/kg body weight when the body mass index (BMI) was 30 kg/m² or less, and normalized to the body weight corresponding to BMI 24 kg/m² for patients with a BMI > 30. Vitamin C was infused at a constant rate over a period of 90 minutes for doses up to 90 g, and over a period 120 minutes for doses > 90 g. IVC was infused three times (at least one day apart) on week days during weeks when chemotherapy was administered (but not on the same day as intravenous chemotherapy) and any two days at least one day apart during weeks when no chemotherapy was given. IVC was safe and generally well tolerated, although some patients experienced transient adverse events during or after IVC infusions. Tissue uptake of vitamin C increases after chemotherapy, with no increase in urinary oxalic acid excretion. Three patients with different types of cancer experienced unexpected transient stable disease, increased energy and functional improvement.

“Intravenous Vitamin C and Cancer: A Systematic Review.” Integr Cancer Ther. 2014 May 26;13(4):280-300. [Epub ahead of print] 51121 Dr. Dugald Seely, Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre, 29 Bayswater Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Y 2E5. dseely@oicc.ca CONCLUSION: Intravenous vitamin C (IVC) for use in cancer patients showed IVC dose ranges from 1 g to more than 200 g of ascorbic acid per infusion, 2 to 3 times weekly. IVC does not appear to increase toxicity or interfere with antitumor effects of gemcitabine/erlotinib therapy or paclitaxel and carboplatin. IVC may improve time to relapse and possibly enhance reductions in tumor mass and improve survival in combination with chemotherapy. IVC may improve quality of life, physical function, and toxicities associated with chemotherapy, including fatigue, nausea, insomnia, constipation, and depression. Cases studies showed instances of tumor regression and long-term disease-free survival associated with use of IVC. Well-designed, controlled studies of IVC therapy are needed.

“Tea and flavonoid intake predict osteoporotic fracture risk in elderly Australian women: a prospective study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;102(4):958-65. 51122 Dr. Jonathan Hodgson, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; jonathan.hodgson@uwa.edu.au CONCLUSION: Higher intake of black tea (≥3 cups/d) and particular classes of flavonoids were associated with lower risk of fracture-related hospitalizations in elderly women at high risk of fracture.

“Effect of oral olive oil on healing of 10-20% total body surface area burn wounds in hospitalized patients.” Burns. 2015 May;41(3):493-6. 51123 Dr. Zahra Vahdat Shariatpanahi Baran, West Arghavan, Farahzadi Blvd., Shahrak Qods, PO Box 19395-4741, Tehran 1981619573, Iran. +98 21 22357483 4 / +98 21 22376467 (FAX) nutritiondata@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In 100 hospitalized patients (mean age; 33 years) with burns covering10-20% total body surface area (TBSA) oral olive oil intake showed a significant difference in the duration of wound healing (7.2 vs. 8.7 days) and duration of hospitalization (7.4 vs. 8.9) versus the sunflower oil group. Olive oil orally in the diet of patients with burns may accelerate wound healing and decrease the duration of hospitalization.

“Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, genetic susceptibility, and progression to advanced macular degeneration: a prospective cohort study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Nov;102(5):1196-206. 51124 Johanna M Seddon Ophthalmic Epidemiology and Genetics Service, New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA; jseddon@tuftsmedicalcenter.org CONCLUSION: In the AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) over 13 year period a high alternate MeDi score (score of 6-9) was significantly associated with a reduced risk of progression to advanced AMD. The aMeDi score was significantly associated with a lower risk of advanced AMD in subjects carrying the CFH Y402H nonrisk (T) allele but was not associated with AMD among subjects who were homozygous for the risk (C) allele.

“Probiotics prophylaxis in infants with primary vesicoureteral reflux.” Pediatr Nephrol. 2015 Apr;30(4):609-13. 51125. Tej K. Mattoo, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Chief, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48201, USA Tel: +1 313 745 5604; fax: +1 313 966 0039; tmattoo@med.wayne.edu CONCLUSION: In 128 infants with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) who received the probiotic (n = 64, Lactobacillus acidophilus, 1.0 × 10(8) CFU/g) or antibiotic (n = 64, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 2/10 mg/kg) showed the incidence of recurrent UTI in the probiotic group was slightly lower than in the antibiotic group. The incidences of antibiotic resistance of causative organisms in recurrent UTI were significantly lower in the probiotic group than in the antibiotic group. Probiotics could be considered a natural alternative regimen for prophylaxis in infants with primary VUR.

“Effect of Delayed Cord Clamping on Neurodevelopment at 4 Years of Age: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” JAMA Pediatr. 2015 Jul;169(7):631-8. 51126 Ola Andersson, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital of Halland, Halmstad Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. ola.k.andersson@regionhalland.se CONCLUSION: Prevention of iron deficiency in infancy may promote neurodevelopment. Delayed cord clamping (CC; ≥180 seconds after delivery) compared with early CC (≤10 seconds after delivery) improved scores in the fine-motor and social domains at 4 years of age, especially in boys, indicating that optimizing the time to CC may affect neurodevelopment in a low-risk population of children born in a high-income country.

“Folinic acid treatment for schizophrenia associated with folate receptor autoantibodies.” Mol Genet Metab. 2014 Dec;113(4):307-14. 51127 Dr. V.T. Ramaekers Division of Paediatric Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Liège, Rue de Gaillarmont 600, B-4032 Chênée (Liège), Belgium. vramaekers@skynet.be CONCLUSION: 83% of schizophrenic patients unresponsive to conventional treatment were positive for folic acid receptor (FR) auto-antibodies. Administration of folinic acid (0.3-1mg/kg/day) to 7 participating patients during at least six months resulted in clinical improvement.

“Effects of honey on oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer: A meta-analysis.” Laryngoscope. 2015 Sep;125(9):2085-92. 51128 Se Hwan Hwang, MD, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, 327 Sosa-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 420–717, Korea yellobird@catholic.ac.kr CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis including 9 studies with 476 patients with head and neck cancer found oral administration of honey after radiotherapy could prevent moderate to severe mucositis and associated weight loss.

“Carbohydrate quality and quantity and risk of type 2 diabetes in US women.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Dec;102(6):1543-53. 51129 Frank Hu, MD, Departments of Nutrition, Epidemiology, and Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and Frank.hu@channing.harvard.edu CONCLUSION: Higher carbohydrate intake was not associated with T2D, whereas starch was associated with a higher risk. The total fiber, cereal fiber, and fruit fiber were associated with a lower T2D risk. The ratio of carbohydrate to total fiber intake was marginally associated with a higher risk of T2D. There was a positive association between the ratios of carbohydrate to cereal fiber, starch to total fiber, and starch to cereal fiber and T2D. Diets with high starch, low fiber, and a high starch-to-cereal fiber ratio were associated with a higher risk of T2D.

“Dietary substitutions for refined carbohydrate that show promise for reducing risk of type 2 diabetes in men and women.” J Nutr. 2015 Jan;145(1):159S-163S. 51130 Dr. Kevin C. Maki Midwest Center for Metabolic and Cardiovascular Research, Glen Ellyn, IL kmaki@mc-mcr.com. CONCLUSION: Diets rich in refined dietary carbohydrate [particularly those with a high glycemic index (GI)] may elevate T2D risk. Diets rich in low-GI carbohydrates, cereal fiber, resistant starch, fat from vegetable sources (unsaturated fat), and lean sources of protein should be emphasized, whereas refined sugars and grains (high-GI carbohydrates) are to be avoided in order to lower risk of T2D and its related risk factors and comorbidities.

“Garlic-Derived Organic Polysulfides and Myocardial Protection.” J Nutr. 2016 Jan 13. pii: jn208066. [Epub ahead of print] 51131 David J Lefer Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Cardiovascular Center of Excellence, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA dlefe1@lsuhsc.edu. CONCLUSION: Preclinical and clinical evidence has shown that garlic reduces risks associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) by lowering cholesterol, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and lowering blood pressure. The active metabolite in garlic, allicin, is readily degraded into organic diallyl polysulfides that are potent H2S donors in the presence of thiols. Enhancement of endogenous H2S has an impact on vascular reactivity. In CVD models administration of H2S prevents myocardial injury and dysfunction. The beneficial effects of garlic may be mediated by H2S-dependent mechanisms.

“Dietary fat intake and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in a population at high risk of cardiovascular disease.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Dec;102(6):1563-73 51132 Dr. Jordi Salas-Salvadó Human Nutrition Unit, University Hospital of Sant Joan de Reus, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, IISPV, Rovira i Virgili University, Reus, Spain jordi.salas@urv.cat CONCLUSION: In 7038 participants at high CVD risk from the PREDIMED after 6 years of follow-up intakes of MUFAs and PUFAs were associated with a lower risk of CVD and death, whereas saturated and trans-fat intakes were associated with a higher risk of CVD. The replacement of SFAs with MUFAs and PUFAs, or of trans fat with MUFAs, was inversely associated with CVD.

“Isocaloric substitution of carbohydrates with protein: the association with weight change and mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes.” Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2015 Apr 18;14:39. 51132 Dr. Marjo JE Campmans-Kuijpers, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, STR 6.131, Utrecht, 3508, GA, The Netherlands M.J.E.Campmans-Kuijpers@umcutrecht.nl CONCLUSION: In diabetic patients substitution of 10 gram dietary carbohydrate with total and animal protein was associated with mean 5-year weight gain. Substitution with plant protein was not associated with weight change. Substitution with plant protein was associated with lower all-cause mortality risk, whereas substitution with total or animal protein was not associated with (CVD) mortality risk. In diabetes patients, substitution with plant protein was beneficial with respect to weight change and all-cause mortality as opposed to substitution with animal protein.

“Effects of tree nuts on blood lipids, apolipoproteins, and blood pressure: systematic review, meta-analysis, and dose-response of 61 controlled intervention trials.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Dec;102(6):1347-56. 51133 Dr. Liana C Del Gobbo Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA delgobbo@stanford.edu CONCLUSION: In 61 trials tree nut intake (per serving/d) lowered total cholesterol (-4.7 mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (-4.8 mg/dL), ApoB (-3.7 mg/dL), and triglycerides (-2.2 mg/dL). The major determinant of cholesterol lowering appears to be nut dose rather than nut type.

“Effects on weight loss in adults of replacing diet beverages with water during a hypoenergetic diet: a randomized, 24-wk clinical trial.” Am J Clin Nut. 2015 Dec;102(6):1305-12. 51134 Dr. Hamid Farshchi, School of Life Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; NovinDiet Clinic, Tehran, Iran; and hamid.farshchi@nottingham.ac.uk CONCLUSION: In obese subjects replacing diet beverages with water the water group had a greater decrease in weight, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and 2-h postprandial glucose.

“Effects on childhood body habitus of feeding large volumes of cow or formula milk compared,” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Nov;102(5):1096-103. 51135 Dr. Pauline M Emmett Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom p.m.emmett@bristol.ac.uk CONCLUSION: In 1112 children feeding of high volumes of cow milk in late infancy was associated with faster weight and height gain than is breast fed infants. The feeding of bottle-fed infants with high volumes of cow milk in late infancy may have a persisting effect on body build through childhood.

“Association of Proton Pump Inhibitor Use with Recurrent Falls and Risk of Fractures in Older Women: A Study of Medication Use in Older Fallers.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2016;20(1):77-81. 51136 Dr. Tischa J. M. van der Cammen Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands t.vandercammen@erasmusmc.nl CONCLUSION: In 400 female patients aged 70 years or older who were consecutively admitted after a fall and required hospital admission the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was significantly associated with risk of recurrent falls (OR 1.92) as well as with risk of a fracture (OR 2.15). Clinicians should reassess the original indication and the need for continuation of PPIs on a regular basis.

“The effect of dose and type of proton pump inhibitor use on risk of fractures and osteoporosis treatment in older Australian women: A prospective cohort study.” Bone. 2015 Dec;81:675-82. 51137 Dr. Geeske Peeters The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia g.peeters@uq.edu.au CONCLUSION: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most prescribed medications worldwide. There is growing concern regarding potential negative effects on bone health. In 4432 elderly Australian women PPIs, especially for esomeprazole and rabeprazole, increased the incidence of osteoporosis and fracture.

“Soybeans or Soybean Products Consumption and Depressive Symptoms in Older Residents in Rural Northeast China: A Cross-Sectional Study.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2015 Nov;19(9):884-93. 51138 Pro Yingxian Sun, Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang,China. 110001 86-24-83282688 / 86-24-83282346 (FAX) sunyingxian12@aliyun.com CONCLUSION: In 1717 residents aged ≥ 65 years from the rural Northeast China women had a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than men and those who rarely consume soybeans or soybean products were more likely to suffer depressive symptoms.

“C-Reactive Protein and Resistance Exercise in Community Dwelling Old Adults.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2015 Aug;19(7):792-6. 51139 Alfons Ramel, Unit for Nutrition Research, Eiriksgata 29, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland +354 543 8410 / +354 543 4824 (FAX) alfonsra@hi.is CONCLUSION: A twelve-week resistance exercise program (3 times/week; 3 sets, 6-8 repetitions at 75-80% of the 1-repetition maximum) designed to increase strength and muscle mass of major muscle groups showed a significant decrease in CRP with subjects with abnormally high CRP at baseline, possibly reducing thus risk for future disease.

“In Vivo Antioxidant Properties of Lotus Root and Cucumber: A Pilot Comparative Study in Aged Subjects.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2015 Aug;19(7):765-70. 51140 Dr. Changjiang Guo, Department of Nutrition, Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, P. R. China, Tel.: +86 22 84655429; fax: + 86 22 84655020, guocjtj@126.com CONCLUSION: 30-day supplementation of lotus root or cucumber powder in an elderly population showed that lotus root and cucumber are not remarkably different in improving antioxidant function in human subjects and the benefits seen in this study may come from the additive or synergistic combinations of antioxidants contained in vegetables.

“Bilberry extract supplementation for preventing eye fatigue in video display terminal workers.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2015 May;19(5):548-54. 51141 Kazuo Tsubota M.D., Ph.D. Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine; 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan. +81-3-3353-1211 / +81-3-3359-8302 (FAX) tsubota@z3.keio.jp CONCLUSION: In 281 office workers bilberry (BE) 480 mg/day or a placebo daily for 8 weeks improved some of the objective and subjective parameters of eye fatigue induced by VDT loads.

“Oral Zinc Supplementation Restores Superoxide Radical Scavengers to Normal Levels in Spermatozoa of Iraqi Asthenospermic Patients.” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015 Dec;85(3-4):165-73. 51142 Mahmoud Hussein Hadwan, Ph.D. Chemistry Dept. College of Science University of Babylon, P.O. 4., Babylon Iraq mahmoudhadwan@gmail.com CONCLUSION:The subfertile men treated with zinc sulfate, 2 capsules (220 mg each) of zinc sulfate per day for 3 months restored oxido-sensitive index and catalase-like activity in semen of asthenozoospermic subjects to normal ranges.

“The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Pro-Inflammatory Factors and Adiponectin in Mildly Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015 Dec;85(3-4):156-64. 51143 Hassan Mozaffari-Khosravi, Ph.D. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health, Yazd Diabetic Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Bahonar Square, Central Building, Yazd, IranTel.: +98(351)7249333, +98(351)7258413 (FAX), mozaffari.kh@gmail.com CONCLUSION: In a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in mildly hypertensive patients coenzyme Q10 100 mg per day was shown to be effective in decreasing pro-inflammatory factors, such as IL6 and hs-CRP, and in increasing adiponectin.

“Supplementation with Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) for Migraine Prophylaxis in Adults and Children: A Review,” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015;85(1-2):79-87. 51144 Javad Heshmati, Health Care Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, Tel.: 00988384236200, javad.heshmati@gmail.com CONCLUSION: In 7 studies with adults and 4 with children supplementation with vitamin B2 in adults can play a positive role in reducing the frequency and duration of migraine attacks with no serious side effects. There is insufficient evidence to make recommendations regarding vitamin B2 as an adjunct therapy in adults and children with migraine.

“Health Risks Associated with Meat Consumption: A Review of Epidemiological Studies,” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015;85(1-2):70-8. 51145 Ulrich Keller, Prof. Dr. med., Federal Commission for Nutrition, Stauffacherstrasse 101, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland, Tel.: +41 58 467 21 97, ulrich.keller@unibas.ch CONCLUSION: Long-term consumption of increasing amounts of red meat, particularly of processed meat, is associated with an increased risk of total mortality, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes, in both men and women. Restrictive recommendations should not be applied to subjects above 70 years of age, as the studies did not examine this age group, and the inclusion of sufficient protein supply (e. g. in the form of meat) is particularly important in the elderly.

“Positive Association of Vitamin E Supplementation with Hemoglobin Levels in Mildly Anemic Healthy Pakistani Adults.” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015;85(1-2):39-49. 51146 Dr. Mohammad Perwaiz Iqbal, Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box-3500, Karachi-74800, Pakistan, 92 21 3486 4463 / 92 21 3493 2095 (FAX), E-mail perwaiz.iqbal@aku.edu CONCLUSION: In a single-blinded and placebo-controlled randomized trial mildly anemic subjects were given vitamin E (400 mg) everyday for a three month period and showed a positive association between vitamin E supplementation and enhanced hemoglobin levels in mildly anemic adults.

****************************************************************************************

December, 2015

“Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of reduced coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson’s disease.” Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2015 Aug;21(8):911-6. 51085 Nobutaka Hattori, MD Department of Neurology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Japan. Electronic address: nhattori@juntendo.ac.jp CONCLUSION: 300 mg of ubiquinol-10 improved the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores. Ubiquinol-10 may significantly improve PD and ubiquinol-10 is safe and well tolerated.

“Curcumin in Combination With Mesalamine Induces Remission in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis in a Randomized Controlled Trial.” Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Aug;13(8):1444-9. 51086 Dr. Nir Salomon, Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5265601, Israel. fax: 972-3-7447168. nironsl@gmail.com CONCLUSIONS: The addition of 3 grams per day of curcumin to mesalamine therapy was superior to mesalamine plus a placebo in reducing clinical symptoms and inducing endoscopic remission in patients with mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis, with no apparent adverse effects.

“The study about physical activity for subjects with prevention of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).” Int Neurourol J. 2014 Sep;18(3):155-62. 51087 Shin Ah Kim. Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, Korea. TEL: +82-2-2220-0660 / Fax: +82-2-2293-0660 / gdindus@hanmail.net SUMMARY: In 582 subjects aged ≥40 years lower levels of sedentary time (4.5-7.0 hr/day) had a significantly lower risk of BPH, with an odds ratio of 0.93, than those with a higher sedentary time (>7 hr/day) who had an odds ratio of 1.72 for BPH. This study shows that reducing sedentary time can have a protective effect and reduce the prevalence of BPH.

“Physical activity and benign prostatic hyperplasia-related outcomes and nocturia.” Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015 Mar;47(3):581-92. 51088 Kathleen Y. Wolin, Sc.D., Departments of Public Health Sciences and Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S 1st Avenue; Maywood, IL 60153 kate@drkatewolin.com CONCLUSION: In more than 30,000 males BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) related symptoms physical activity (PA) was strongly and inversely associated with nocturia (night time urination). Men who were active ≥1 hour per week were 13% less likely to report nocturia and 34% less likely to report severe nocturia as compared with men who reported no PA.

“Effects of Green Tea on Streptococcus mutans Counts- A Randomised Control Trail.” J Clin Diagn Res. 2014 Nov;8(11):ZC128-30. 51090 Dr. Rosy Sirisha Neturi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Drs S&N Siddhartha Institute of Dental Sciences, Chinaoutpally, Gannavaram – 521101, Andhra Pradesh, India. Phone : 09989854547, drsirishaneturi@gmail.com CONCLUSION: In 30 subjects aged 20 to 25 years 10 ml (2 teaspoons) of a green tea solution rinsed for one minute was equally as effective to chlorhexidine in reducing plaque causing Streptococcus mutans.

“Therapeutic effect of high-dose green tea extract on weight reduction: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Clin Nutr. 2015 May 29. pii: S0261-5614(15)00134-X. 51091 Dr. Chung-Hua Hsu, Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Li-Nong St, Sec 2, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan. +886 2 2826 7050 / +886 2 28201461 (FAX) owlherbs@yahoo.com.tw CONCLUSION: High-dose green tea extract (epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG) at 856.8 mg/d in 102 women who were centrally obese with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2 and a waist circumference (WC) ≥ 80 cm showed after 12 weeks a significant weight loss from 76.8 to 75.7 kg and a decrease in BMI and waist circumference. There was a trend for total cholesterol reduction, reaching 5.33%, and decreased LDL plasma levels. There was good tolerance. Significantly lower ghrelin levels and elevated adiponectin levels were detected in the green tea extract group compared to placebo group.

“Effects of Brazil nut consumption on selenium status and cognitive performance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled pilot trial.” Eur J Nutr. 2015 Jan 8. [Epub ahead of print] 51092 Dr. Bárbara Rita Cardoso Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 580, Bloco 14, Butantã, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil, baritacardoso@gmail.com. CONCLUSION: Brazil nuts at 288.75 µg/day (~1 oz ~ 1 palm full)given to older individuals for 6 months with mild cognitive impairment (77.7 years, 70% female) restored selenium sufficiency, improved erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and had positive effects on some cognitive functions of older adults with MCI.

“N-acetylcysteine as an adjunctive therapy to risperidone for treatment of irritability in autism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of efficacy and safety.” Clin Neuropharmacol, 2015 Jan-Feb;38(1):11-7. 51093 Dr. Shahin Akhondzadeh, Psychiatric Research Centre, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, South Kargar Street, Tehran 13337, Iran Fax: +98 21 55419113 s.akhond@neda.net CONCLUSION: Autistic disorder (AD) children between 4 and 12 years of age who received risperidone (1-2 mg/d) plus NAC 600-900 mg/d resulted in a decrease in the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C) Irritability subscale score from baseline at 5 and 10 weeks. N-acetylcysteine can be considered as an adjuvant therapy in AD with beneficial therapeutic outcomes.

“Acetylcysteine for treatment of autism spectrum disorder symptoms.” Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2015 Nov 15;72(22):1956-9. 51093 CONCLUSION: A 17-year-old Hispanic male with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability was hospitalized for inpatient psychiatric treatment due to impulsive and violent behavior. Treatment with a 20% acetylcysteine oral solution at 600 mg twice daily as an adjunct to quetiapine therapy resulted in significantly lowering the dose of quetiapine over the course of the hospitalization. Acetylcysteine was well tolerated. Treatment with acetylcysteine improved ASD symptoms, including irritability and aggression, in a teenage patient.

“N-acetylcysteine as treatment for self-injurious behavior in a child with autism.” J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2014 May;24(4):231-4. 51094 Jeremy Veenstra–VanderWeele, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Pharmacology, Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt Brain Institute,7158 Medical Research Building III, 465 21st Ave. S..,Nashville, TN 37232, j.vvw@vanderbilt.edu CONCLUSION: A four year old boy with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) treated with N-acetylcysteine for self-injurious behavior showed reduction of this behavior.

“N-acetylcysteine for neuropsychiatric symptoms in a woman with Williams syndrome.” J Child Neurol. 2014 Nov;29(11):NP135-8. 51095 Christopher J. McDougle, MD, Lurie Center for Autism, One Maguire Road, Lexington, MA 02421, USA. cmcdougle@partners.org CONCLUSION: This was successful treatment of interfering anger, aggression, and hair-pulling with N-acetylcysteine in a 19-year-old woman with Williams Syndrome which emerged one week after an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, for which fentanyl, midazolam, and propofol were used as anesthetics.

“Targeted alterations in dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids improve life functioning and reduce psychological distress among patients with chronic headache: a secondary analysis of a randomized trial.” Pain. 2015 Apr;156(4):587-96. 51096 Dr. Chris Ramsden, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA. chris.ramsden@nih.gov CONCLUSION: In subjects with severe headaches targeted dietary manipulation-increasing omega-3 fatty acids (OM3) with concurrent reduction in omega-6 linoleic acid (OM6) produced major reductions in headaches compared with an omega-6 lowering intervention at 12 weeks as well as reductions in psychological distress, improved health-related quality of life and function.

“High doses of biotin in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.” Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2015 Mar;4(2):159-69. 51097 Ayman Tourbah, MD Department of Neurology, CHU de Reims, 45 rue Cognacq Jay, 51092 Reims Cedex. Tel.: +33 3 26 78 70 75 / +33 3 26 83 26 68 (FAX) atourbah@chu-reims.fr. CONCLUSION: Biotin is a coenzyme for key steps of energy metabolism, fatty acids synthesis, may activate a rate-limiting enzyme in myelin synthesis. MS patients taking biotin (100-300mg/day) for 2 to 36 months resulted in 89% of the subjects with prominent spinal cord involvement noting improvment. Most of the case’s improvement occurred from 2 to 8 months after the treatment׳s onset.

“B vitamins to enhance treatment response to antidepressants in middle-aged and older adults: results from the B-VITAGE randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Br J Psychiatry. 2014 Dec;205(6):450-7. 51098 Osvaldo P. Almeida, School of Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences (M573), University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. osvaldo.almeida@uwa.edu.au CONCLUSION: Citalopram (20-40 g) together with 0.5 mg vitamin B12, 2 mg folic acid and 25 mg vitamin B6 in adults aged 50 years or over with major depression showed remission of symptoms being achieved by 78.1 and 79.4% of participants treated with placebo and vitamins by week 12; by 76.5 and 85.3% at week 26; and 75.8 and 85.5% at week 52. The risk of relapse among those who had achieved remission of symptoms at week 12 was lower in the vitamins than placebo group. B vitamins did not increase the 12-week efficacy of antidepressant treatment, but enhanced and sustained antidepressant response over 1 year.

“Oral N-acetylcysteine reduces plasma homocysteine concentrations regardless of lipid or smoking status.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Nov;102(5):1014-24. 51099 Dr. Rodland Sauer, Immunochemistry and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany roland.sauer@uk-erlangen.de. CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of 1800 mg of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment significantly decreased plasma tHcy concentrations, irrespective of lipid or smoking status, and lowered systolic blood pressure in both normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic men, with significant diastolic blood pressure reductions in the hyperlipidemic group only.

“Add-on prolonged-release melatonin for cognitive function and sleep in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a 6-month, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. “ Clin Interv Aging. 2014 Jun 18;9:947-61. 51100 Alan G Wade, CPS Research, 3 Todd Campus, Glasgow, G20 0XA, UK, Tel +44 141 946 7888, alangwade@fastmail.fm CONCLUSION: Add-on prolonged release melatonin at 2 mg for 24 weeks had positive effects on cognitive functioning and sleep maintenance in Alzheimer’s disease patients, particularly in those with insomnia. These results suggest a possible causal link between poor sleep and cognitive decline.

“L-Acetylcarnitine in dysthymic disorder in elderly patients: a double-blind, multicenter, controlled randomized study vs. fluoxetine.” Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013 Oct;23(10):1219-25. 51101 Giuseppe BersanI Department of Medical–Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy +39 3381349644; fax: +39 066875237. giuseppe.bersani@uniroma1.it. CONCLUSION: L-Acetylcarnitine (LAC) orally showed significant and similar benefit in elderly subjects with dysthymic disorder as the drug fluoxetine. The difference in the latency time of clinical response (1 week LAC vs. 2 weeks fluoxetine) suggests the existence of different mechanisms of action possibly in relation to the activation of rapid support processes of neuronal activity.

“Efficacy and tolerability of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials,” Clin Interv Aging. 2014; 9: 2065–2077. 51102 Dr. Serge Gauthier, Alzheimer Disease Research Unit, Memory Clinic, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, 6825 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, QC, Canada, H4H 1R3, (514) 766 2010 / (514) 888 4050 (FAX), ac.lligcm@reihtuag.egres CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis including 7 randomized, placebo-controlled trials of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in dementia patients taking 120 mg or 240 mg per day confirmed the efficacy and good tolerability of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in patients with dementia taking the 240 mg/d dose.

“Potassium Citrate Decreases Bone Resorption In Postmenopausal Women With Osteopenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.” Endocr Pract. 2015 Dec;21(12):1380-6. 51103 Dr. Naina Sinha Gregory, Division of Endocrinology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 525 East 68th Street, Baker 2009, New York, NY 10065. sinhana@med.cornell.edu CONCLUSION: Potassium citrate (K-citrate) at 40 mEq daily over 1 year in women with postmenopausal osteopenia decreased urinary N-telopeptide of collagen type 1 (u-NTX) and amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP) both markers of bone loss starting at month 1 through month 12. Markers of bone formation showed no change. K-citrate may serve as a potential treatment for bone loss that is well tolerated and without any significant known long-term consequences. Diets rich in animal protein, such as the typical American diet, are thought to create a high acid load. An association between acid load and bone loss has led to the idea that providing positive alkaline salt therapy could have beneficial effects on bone metabolism.

“Increased intake of selected vegetables, herbs and fruit may reduce bone turnover in post-menopausal women.” Nutrients. 2015 Apr 8;7(4):2499-517. 51104 Caroline Ann Gunn School of Food and Nutrition, Massey Institute of Food Science and Technology, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand +64-9-9238702. c.gunn@auckland.ac.nz CONCLUSION: Increased consumption of selected vegetables/herbs/fruit can reduce bone turnover and urinary calcium loss in post-menopausal women by increasing the intake of polyphenols and potassium. 50 healthy post-menopausal women consuming ≥ 9 servings of different vegetables/herbs/fruit for three months with bone resorption-inhibiting properties (Scarborough Fair Diet) compared to a group of random vegetables/herbs/fruit (with similar renal acid loads), showed a reduction in markers of bone loss – procollagen type I N propeptide (PINP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) in women with osteopenia.

“The role of dietary acid load and mild metabolic acidosis in insulin resistance in humans.” Biochimie. 2015 51105 Dorit Samocha-Bonet, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. d.samochabonet@garvan.org.au CONCLUSION: A diet with a high acid load (or high potential renal net acid load, PRAL) can result in a decrease in pH towards the lower end of the normal physiological range, which may in turn lead to the development of insulin resistance. Reducing dietary acid load by an ‘alkaline diet’ may be protective and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

“Dietary magnesium and potassium intakes and circulating magnesium are associated with heel bone ultrasound attenuation and osteoporotic fracture risk in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Aug;102(2):376-84. 51106 Dr. Ailsa A Welch Department of Population Health and Primary Care, Norwich Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom a.welch@uea.ac.uk CONCLUSION: In 4000 individuals evaluated for bone density and fracture followed for 13.4 years there was statistically significant positive trends in calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) seen for women but not men with increasing quintiles of magnesium plus potassium (Mg+K) intake or potassium intake alone. Reduced hip fracture risk in both men and women was seen for individuals higher Mg+K scores compared with the lowest. Statistically significant trends in fracture risk in men across serum magnesium concentration groups were apparent for spine fractures and total hip, spine, and wrist fractures. Magnesium and potassium intake may have a protective role against bone loss and fracture.

“Effects of probiotics consumption on lowering lipids and CVD risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Ann Med. 2015;47(6):430-40. 51106 Jing Sun, School of Medicine and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parkland, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia j.sun@griffith.edu.au CONCLUSION: In a meta-analysis of 15 studies with 788 subjects probiotic intake was found a reduction in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and inflammatory markers. A significant reduction was found in LDL in trials which contained the Lactobacillus Acidophilus strain compared to other types of strains.

“Effect of probiotics on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.” Hypertension. 2014 Oct;64(4):897-903. 51107 Jing Sun, School of Medicine and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parkland, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia j.sun@griffith.edu.au CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis of 9 trials showed probiotic consumption significantly but modestly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with control groups; with a potentially greater effect when baseline blood pressure was elevated; multiple species of probiotics were consumed; the duration of intervention was ≥8 weeks, or the daily consumption dose was ≥10(11) colony-forming units.

“Improved lung function following dietary antioxidant supplementation in exercise-induced asthmatics.” Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2016 Jan;220:95-101. 51108 Dr. Stephanie P. Kurti, Department of Kinesiology, 1A Natatorium, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA. Fax: +1 785 577 4098. stephkurti@ksu.edu CONCLUSION: In eight exercised-induced asthma (EIA) subjects (22 years of age) and five healthy control subjects (28.2 years of age) consumption of vitamins C 500 mg and E ) α-tocopherol) 300IU per day or placebo daily for three weeks showed vitamins C and E supplementation led to significant improvements at minute 5 and minute 15 in FVC; FEV1; PERF; FEF25-75% and minute 30 in FEV1 and FEF25-75% post-exercise. Vitamin C and vitamin E may aid the recovery of pulmonary function in subjects with EIA.

“High-Dose versus Low-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation and Arterial Stiffness among Individuals with Prehypertension and Vitamin D Deficiency.” Dis Markers. 2015;2015:918968. 51109 Dr. Amanda Zaleski Division of Cardiology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT 06102, USA amanda.zaleski@hhchealth.org CONCLUSION: In pre-hypertensive subjects randomized to high-dose (4000 IU/d) versus low-dose (400 IU/d) oral vitamin D3 for 6 months there were no changes in resting blood pressure or pulse wave velocity regardless of vitamin D dose. High-dose vitamin D decreased the augmentation index and pressure by 12.3% and 4.0 mmHg respectively. The decreases in arterial stiffness were not associated with increases in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D over 6 months. High-dose vitamin D supplementation appears to lower surrogate measures of arterial stiffness but not indices of central pulse wave velocity.

“Calcium supplementation improves clinical outcome in intensive care unit patients: a propensity score matched analysis of a large clinical database MIMIC-II.” Springerplus. 2015 Oct 13;4:594. 51110 Dr. Zhongheng Zhang Department of Critical Care Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua Hospital of Zhejiang University, 351#, Mingyue Road, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321000 China 86-579-82552667, zh_zhang1984@hotmail.com CONCLUSION: In 32,551 adult critical care patients there were 28,062 survivors and 4489 non-survivors (28-day mortality rate: 13.8 %). Calcium supplementation was associated with improved 28- and 90-day mortality. This finding supports the use of calcium supplementation in critically ill (ICU) patients.

“Intakes of Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Other Carotenoids and Age-Related Macular Degeneration During 2 Decades of Prospective Follow-up.” JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015 Dec 1;133(12):1415-24. 51111 Dr. Juan Wu, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA juan.wu@mail.harvard.edu CONCLUSION: In a total of 63 443 women and 38 603 men followed up, from 1984 until May 31, 2010, in the Nurses’ Health Study and from 1986 until January 31, 2010, in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study there was confirmed 1361 incident intermediate and 1118 advanced age related macular degeneration (AMD) cases with a visual acuity of 20/30 or worse. Comparing the highest versus the lowest quintiles of predicted plasma lutein/zeaxanthin score, we found a risk reduction for advanced AMD of about 40% in both women and men, and, predicted plasma carotenoid scores for other carotenoids, including β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, and β-carotene, were associated with a 25% to 35% lower risk of advanced AMD when comparing the highest versus the lowest quintiles. Higher intake of bioavailable lutein/zeaxanthin is associated with a long-term reduced risk of advanced AMD. Some other carotenoids are also associated with a lower risk. A public health strategy aimed at increasing dietary consumption of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids may reduce the incidence of advanced AMD.

“Improved Health-Related Quality of Life, and More Days out of Hospital with Supplementation with Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 Combined. Results from a Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Prospective Study.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2015;19(9):870-7. 51112 Peter Johansson, RN, PhD, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Linköping, SE-581 85 Linköping, peter.johansson@aries.vokby.se. CONCLUSION: In a 48-month double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial 206 cardiac and internal medicine patients were given CoQ10 and organic selenium yeast combined, or a placebo. Those taking the CoQ10 or selenium had more days out of hospital and had significantly less decline in the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL).

“Coenzyme Q10 for the treatment of heart failure: a review of the literature.” Open Heart. 2015 Oct 19;2(1):e000326. 51113 Dr James J DiNicolantonio Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, Missouri, USA CONCLUSION: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is made in the body and is a diet-supplied lipid-soluble cofactor that functions in the mitochondrial inner membrane to transfer electrons from complexes I and II to complex III and its redox activity enables CoQ10 to act as a membrane antioxidant. Myocardial CoQ10 tends to decline as heart failure worsens. Studies show CoQ10 in heart failure can improve parameters such as ejection fraction, stroke volume and cardiac output, without side effects. Meta-analyses have confirmed these findings. A multicentre placebo-controlled Q-SYMBIO trial of 100 mg three times per day of CoQ10 in 420 heart failure subjects showed CoQ10 significantly reduced long-term endpoint of a major adverse cardiovascular event-which was observed in 15% of the treated participants compared to 26% of those receiving the placebo. CoQ10 has excellent tolerance and affordability and may be an attractive option in the management of heart failure.

“Effectiveness of CoQ10 Oral Supplements as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing in Improving Periodontal Health.” J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Aug;9(8):ZC26-8. 51114 Dr. Sathish Manthena, H.No. 23-39-50/A, Jagarlamudi Street, Lakshminagar, Vijayawada-520011, India sathishmanthena@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Coenzyme Q10 oral supplements as an adjunct to scaling and root planning in subjects with plaque induced gingival inflammation showed a significant reduction in gingival inflammation when compared to scaling and rootplaning alone.

“Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Lowers Serum FSH in Normal Weight but not Obese Women.” J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Nov 2:jc20152913. [Epub ahead of print] 51115 Alex J Polotsky, MD, MS. University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 12 631 E 17th Avenue, B198–3, Aurora, CO 80 045 USA 303–724-2037 alex.polotsky@ucdenver.edu. CONCLUSION: In 15 obese and 12 normal weight (NW) eumenorrheic women, ages 28-34 who received omega-3 fatty acids after one month the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 PUFA was significantly reduced; there was a reduction of FSH and FSH response to GnRH by 17 % on average in NW but not obese women; serum levels of IL-1 β and TNF-α were reduced in obese but not in NW women. Dietary supplementation with omega-3 PUFA decreased serum FSH levels in NW but not in obese women with normal ovarian reserve. This suggests that higher dietary omega-3 PUFA extends reproductive lifespan. This nutritional intervention should be tested in women with diminished ovarian reserve to attempt to delay ovarian aging.

“High homocysteine, low vitamin B-6, and increased oxidative stress are independently associated with the risk of chronic kidney disease.” Nutrition. 2015 Sep 25. [Epub ahead of print] 51116 Yi-Chia Huang, Ph.D., R.D Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan Intel-886-4-24730022 Ext. 12198 / fax: Intel-886-4-23248175. ych@csmu.edu.tw. CONCLUSION: In 97 patients with early stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) high homocysteine, low pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP), increased oxidative stress, and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase activity) were independent contributing factors in the development of early stage CKD.

“Nutrition and hearing loss: a neglected cause and global health burden.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Nov;102(5):987-8. 51117 Dr. Keith P. West, Jr. Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD kwest1@jhu.edu.

“High glycemic index diet as a risk factor for depression: analyses from the Women’s Health Initiative.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Aug;102(2):454-63. 51118 Dr. James E. Gangwisch, Human Nutrition Unit, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Jeg64@columbia.edu CONSUMPTION: Consumption of sweetened beverages, refined foods, and pastries has been shown to be associated with an increased risk to depression. In 87,618 women at baseline 69,954 showed 3 years later that a higher dietary glycemic index (GI) was associated with increasing odds of depression and progressively higher consumption of dietary added sugars was also associated with increasing depression. Higher consumption of lactose, fiber, nonjuice fruit, and vegetables was significantly associated with lower odds of incident depression, and non-whole/refined grain consumption was associated with increased odds of depression.

****************************************************************************************

November, 2015

“Effects of N-acetylcysteine, oral glutathione (GSH) and a novel sublingual form of GSH on oxidative stress markers: A comparative crossover study.” Redox Biol. 2015 Jul 29;6:198-205. 51034 Frédéric M. Denis Laboratoires Le Stum, 4 impasse de Kerhoas, 56260 Larmor Plage, France. infomed@labo-lestum.com CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome patients taking sublingual glutathione (GSH) compared to oral GSH and N-Acetylcysteine showed an increase of total and reduced GSH levels in plasma and a higher GSH/GSSG and a significant increase of plasma vitamin E only in sublingual GSH group. This sublingual form of GSH was supperior to the oral GSH form and NAC in terms of GSH supplementation.

“Does Supplementation with Royal Jelly Improve Oxidative Stress and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Patients?” Iran J Public Health. 2015 Jun;44(6):797-803. 51035 Basmeh Khoshpey Dept. of Nutrition, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Bkhoshpay@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In type 2 diabetics a Royal Jelly supplement 1000 mg 3 times daily showed insulin resistance decreased while serum total antioxidant capacity increased significantly.

“Fish Oil Intake and Seizure Control in Children with Medically Resistant Epilepsy.” N Am J Med Sci. 2015 Jul;7(7):317-21. 51036 Dr. Diala Mohamed Ali Reda, 2590 boulevard Poirier, Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, ridadiala@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In children with medically resistant epilepsy who received fish oil having 0 epileptic attacks increased from 0%, before starting the study, up to 57.1% at the end of the third month. Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids elevated the seizure threshold in epileptic patients and may help achieve seizure control.

“Dietary supplementation with green tea extract promotes enhanced human leukocyte activity.” J Complement Integr Med. 2015 Aug 8. 51037 Khalid Rahman School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, England, UK. Tel.: + 44 151 231 2087; fax: + 44 151 231 2170.k.rahman@ljmu.ac.uk 51036 CONCLUSION: 300 mg of the green tea extract daily for 14 days increased leukocyte activity and total plasma antioxidant status and may play a role in preventing inflammatory disease.

“Vitamin D in polycystic ovary syndrome: Relationship to obesity and insulin resistance.” Mol Nutr Food Res. 2015 Aug 10. 51038 Barbora de Courten Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Victoria, Australia barbora.decourten@monash.edu CONCLUSION: Vitamin D levels were lower in overweight women with PCOS. Vitamin D is associated with insulin resistance in women with PCOS. Studies are needed to determine if vitamin D supplementation can improve insulin resistance in PCOS.

“Effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in gestational diabetes: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Nutrition. 2015 Oct;31(10):1235-42. 51039 Ahmad Esmaillzadeh, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Correspondence +98 311 792 2720; fax: +98 311 668 2509. Esmaillzadeh@hlth.mui.ac.ir CONCLUSION: 200 μg of selenium tablet for 6 weeks in women with gestational diabetes from weeks 24 to 28 of gestation resulted in a significant REDUCTION in fasting plasma glucose; serum insulin levels; homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA)-insulin resistance; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and malondialdehyde levels; and a significant INCREASE in insulin sensitivity and plasma glutathione.

“Statin therapy and plasma coenzyme Q10 concentrations-A systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials.” Pharmacol Res. 2015 Sep;99:329-36. 51040 Maciej Banach, MD Department of Hypertension, WAM University Hospital in Lodz, Medical University of Lodz, Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland. Fax: +48 42 639 37 71. maciejbanach@aol.co.uk CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in plasma CoQ10 concentrations following treatment with statins studied – atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin and pravastatin.

“A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb.” Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 May;3(5):337-52. 51041 Dr. Aftab Ahmad, Health Information Technology Department, Jeddah Community College, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box-80283, Jeddah-21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel: Phone: +966-507243943; Phone: +966-02-2870026, Ext-102, Fax: +966-02-2870024 aftab786sa@hotmail.com aabdulsalam@kau.edu.sa CONCLUSION: Nigella sativa (N. sativa) (Family Ranunculaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world. It has a wide spectrum of its pharmacological actions as an antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulator, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, hepato-protective, renal protective, gastro-protective, antioxidant properties, etc.

“Marked improvement of neurocognitive impairment after treatment with compounds from Hericium erinaceum: A case study of recurrent depressive disorder,” Personalized Medicine Universe, July 2014, Vol 3; 36-48. 51043 Kazutoyo Inanaga MD, PhD Chikusuikai Institute for Neuroinformation, Chikusuikai Hospital, 1191 Yoshida, Yame, Fukuoka 834-0006, Japan Tel.: +81 943 23 5131. hospital@chikusuikai.or.jp

“Impact of equol-producing capacity and soy-isoflavone profiles of supplements on bone calcium retention in postmenopausal women: a randomized crossover trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Sep;102(3):695-703 51044 Dr. Connie M Weaver, Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human Sciences Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN weavercm@purdue.edu CONCLUSION: In postmenopausal women given 5 soy isoflavone oral supplements (2 doses of a genistein-rich soy supplement and 3 doses of mixed isoflavones in various proportions) and a bisphosphonate (risedronate), although not as potent as risedronate, soy isoflavones were effective bone-preserving agents in postmenopausal women and mixed isoflavones in their natural ratios are more effective than enriched genistein.

“Red Yeast Rice Plus Berberine: Practical Strategy for Promoting Vascular and Metabolic Health.” Altern Ther Health Med. 2015;21 Suppl 2:40-5. 51045 Mark F. McCarty, BA markfmccarty@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Red yeast rice (RYR) contains a range of monacolins, of which monacolin K-renamed lovastatin by pharmaceutical researchers-was found to be the most potent inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis. Standardized extracts of RYR, providing 10 mg of monacolins daily, have been shown to lower elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by approximately 20%. RYR very rarely induces the myopathy and hepatic damage seen with prescription statin therapy. The Chinese herbal compound berberine is used to treat diabetes and congestive heart failure in China. It increases hepatic expression of LDL receptors and lowers LDL cholesterol. The combination of RYR and berberine may achieve reductions in LDL cholesterol comparable with those achieved with prescription statin therapy, but without the associated risks such as muscle damage and diabetes. Berberine improves metabolic syndrome, improve glycemic control in diabetics, and acts directly on the vasculature to promote vascular health.

“Effect of improving dietary quality on carotid intima media thickness in subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a 12-mo randomized controlled trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;102(4):771-9. 51046 Dr. Jennifer Keogh, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences & Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia jennifer.keogh@unisa.edu.au. CONCLUSION: Improving dietary quality by eating more fruits and vegetables in people with well-controlled type 1 and type 2 diabetes may slow CCA IMT progression.

“Application of berberine on treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.” Int J Endocrinol. 2015;2015:905749. 51048 Xiao-Lin Tong, Professor, Department of Endocrinology, Guang’anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Room 432, Administration Building, 5 Beixiange Street, Xuanwu District, Beijing 100053, China. xiaolintong66@sina.com CONCLUSION: Berberine improves insulin resistance, promotes insulin secretion, inhibits gluconeogenesis in liver, stimulates glycolysis in peripheral tissue cells, modulates gut microbiota, reduces intestinal absorption of glucose, and regulates lipid metabolism.

“Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension.” J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Feb 23;161:69-81.51049 Dr. Feixia Dong Wenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenzhou 32500, China. Tel.: +86 135 876 38576. cgrsfhtd@163.com. CONCLUSION: In type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with berberine and lifestyle this intervention lowered fasting plasma glucose, post-prandial glucose and HbA1c greater than lifestyle intervention alone. Berberine had a comparable therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and hypertension with no serious side effect. Considering the relatively low cost compared with other first-line medicine and treatment, berberine might be a good alternative for low socioeconomic status patients to treat type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension over long time period.

“Berberine and monacolin effects on the cardiovascular risk profile of women with oestroprogestin-induced hypercholesterolemia.” High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev. 2014 Sep;21(3):221-6. 51050 Dr. A,F. Cicero Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy, afgcicero@cardionet.it. CONCLUSION: Forty-four women were prescribed oral oestroprogestins for PCOS, while 40 for pure contraception. Berberine 500 mg/tab and monacolins 3 mg/tab for 3 months showed a significant improvement in BMI, FPG, HOMA index, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG and hsCRP.

“Interaction between current vitamin D supplementation and menopausal hormone therapy use on breast cancer risk: evidence from the E3N cohort.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;102(4):966-73 51051 Dr. Marie-Christine Boutron Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif Cedex, France; and Gustave Roussy, Villejuif Cedex, France marie-christine.boutron@gustaveroussy.fr CONCLUSIONS: Current vitamin D supplementation, mostly taken daily and combined with calcium, was associated with a decreased postmenopausal breast cancer risk in menopausal hormone users.

“Tea and flavonoid intake predict osteoporotic fracture risk in elderly Australian women: a prospective study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;102(4):958-65. 51052 Jonathan Hodgson, MD School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; jonathan.hodgson@uwa.edu.au. CONCLUSION: Compared to ≤1 cup/wk consumption of ≥3 cups/d of tea was associated with a 30% decrease in the risk of any osteoporotic fracture. Higher intake of black tea and particular classes of flavonoids were associated with lower risk of fracture-related hospitalizations in elderly women at high risk of fracture.

“Selenoproteins and selenium status in bone physiology and pathology.” Biochim Biophys Acta. 2014 Nov;1840(11):3246-3256. 51053 Jianru Xiao, MD Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, PR China + 86 021 8188 5634 / + 86 021 6352 0020 (FAX). jianruxiao83@163.com CONCLUSION: Antioxidant selenoproteins including glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) play an important role in maintaining bone homeostasis and protecting against bone loss. Understanding the role of selenoproteins and Se status on bone pathophysiology may lead to effective prevention and treatment strategies.

“Oolong tea drinking could help prevent bone loss in postmenopausal Han Chinese women.” Cell Biochem Biophys. 2014 Nov;70(2):1289-93. 51054 Huanli Zhao Radiology Department X-Ray Room, Linyi People’s Hospital drhuanlizhao@163.com CONCLUSION: Bone densities of the greater trochanteric and Ward’s triangle bone were higher in Oolong tea drinkers compared to non-tea drinkers in postmenopausal Chinese women.

“Consumption of green tea, but not black tea or coffee, is associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline.” PLoS One. 2014 May 14;9(5):e96013. 51055 Masahito Yamada Department of Neurology and Neurobiology of Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan m-yamada@med.kanazawa-u.ac.jp CONCLUSION: In Japanese residents aged >60 years from Nakajima, Japan green tea consumption was significantly associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors.

“The impact of green tea and coffee consumption on the reduced risk of stroke incidence in Japanese population: the Japan public health center-based study cohort.” Stroke. 2013 May;44(5):1369-74. 51056 Yoshihiro Kokubo, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FESC, Department of Preventive Cardiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1, Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka, 565-8565 Japan. CONCLUSION: Higher green tea and coffee consumption were inversely associated with risk of CVD and stroke in general population.

“Selenium deficiency associated porcine and human cardiomyopathies.” J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2015 Jul;31:148-56. 51056 Dr. Marianne Oropeza-Moe, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Kyrkjevegen 332-334, 4325 Sandnes, Norway. marianne.oropeza-moe@nmbu.no. CONCLUSION: Se deficiency associated cardiomyopathy named Keshan Disease (KD) was described for the first time in China. Various manifestations of selenium deficiency are cardiogenic shock, enlarged heart, congestive heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias are common. Multifocal necrosis and fibrous replacement of myocardium are characteristic findings.

“Effects of Souvenaid on plasma micronutrient levels and fatty acid profiles in mild and mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.” Alzheimers Res Ther. 2015 Jul 24;7(1):51. 51057 Dr. Anne Rijpma, Alzheimer Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Anne Rijpma, Phone: +31 24 361 49 04, anne.rijpma@radboudumc.nl CONCLUSION: Souvenaid™ orally once daily which contains uridine; choline; selenium; folate; vitamins B6, B12 and E; and fatty acid levels of DHA and EPA showed circulating levels of nutrients known to be decreased in the Alzheimer’s Disease population can be increased in patients with mild, and mild-to-moderate AD by 24-48-weeks of oral supplementation.

“Dietary selenium in adjuvant therapy of viral and bacterial infections,” Adv Nutr. 2015 Jan 15;6(1):73-82. 51057 CONCLUSION: Dr. Helmut Sies Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I and Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and sies@uni-duesseldorf.de CONCLUSION: Supranutritional selenium promotes proliferation and favors differentiation of naive CD4-positive T lymphocytes toward T helper 1 cells, thus supporting the acute cellular immune response. This review provides an up-to-date overview on selenium in infectious diseases caused by viruses (e.g., HIV, IAV, hepatitis C virus, poliovirus, West Nile virus) and bacteria (e.g., M. tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori).

“Effect of micronutrient supplementation on disease progression in asymptomatic, antiretroviral-naive, HIV-infected adults in Botswana: a randomized clinical trial.” JAMA. 2013 Nov 27;310(20):2154-63. 51057 Marianna K. Baum, PhD, Florida International University, R. Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, 11200 SW 8th St, Room AHC-1-337, Miami, FL 33199 baumm@fiu.edu CONCLUSION: Supplementation with either B vitamins and vitamins C and E; selenium alone; or a multivitamin with selenium in ART-naive HIV-infected adults using a multivitamins and selenium was found to be safe and significantly reduced the risk of immune decline and morbidity.

“Souvenaid reduces behavioral deficits and improves social cognition skills in frontotemporal dementia: a proof-of-concept study.” Neurodegener Dis. 2015;15(1):58-62. 51059 Dr. Matteo PardiniDepartment of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. Matteo.pardini@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Souvenaid™ therapy showed benefit in the treatment of behavioral disturbances and social cognition skills in frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

“A Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention.” N Engl J Med. 2015 Oct 22;373(17):1618-26. 51060 Dr. Diona Damian, Department of Dermatology, University of Sydney at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia, diona.damian@sswahs.nsw.gov.au CONCLUSIONS: Oral nicotinamide 500 mg twice daily was safe and effective in reducing the rates of new nonmelanoma skin cancers and actinic keratoses in high-risk patients.

“The impact of thiamine supplementation on blood pressure, serum lipids and C-reactive protein in individuals with hyperglycemia: a randomised, double-blind cross-over trial.” Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2015 Apr 29. pii: S1871-4021(15)00042-9. 51061 Fariba Alaei-Shahmiri Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Technology, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, 6102, Australia. fariba.alaeishahmiri@postgrad.curtin.edu.au CONCLUSION: High dose thiamine supplementation at 100mg capsules 3 x daily reduced blood pressure in individuals with hyperglycemia at early stages, and may have a role in the prevention of further vascular complications.

“B vitamins, homocysteine and bone health.” Nutrients. 2015 Mar 30;7(4):2176-92. 51062 Vale Fratoni, MD Department of Surgery and Traslational Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6-50139 Florence, Italy. vale.frat@gmail.com.Maialuisa Brandi, MD Department of Surgery and Traslational Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6-50139 Florence, Italy. marialuisa.brandi@unifi.it. CONCLUSION: B Vitamins (B1, B6, B12, folic acid) may be factors associated with bone health. Individuals with high levels of homocysteine (hcy) have reduced bone mineral density (BMD), alteration in microarchitecture and increased bone fragility.

“The effects of fish oil capsules and vitamin B1 tablets on duration and severity of dysmenorrhea in students of high school in Urmia-Iran.” Glob J Health Sci. 2014 Sep 18;6(7 Spec No):124-9. 51063 abcdefgh1390@yahoo.com. CONCLUSION: High school students with dysmenorrhea took vitamin B1 100 mg/day, a fish oil pearl 500 mg/day, or both taken as a single dose starting at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and continuing them for 2 consecutive months had the duration of pain significantly reduced in all three experimental groups.

“The effects of vitamin B1 on ameliorating the premenstrual syndrome symptoms.” Glob J Health Sci. 2014 Jul 29;6(6):144-53. 51063 Dr. Sareh Abdollahifard, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran. sareh_abdollahyfard@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: PMS subjects took vitamin B1 100 mg in the morning and one pill at night one week before menstruation (at the end of the luteal phase) when the symptoms were most severe for three consecutive cycles reduced mean mental (35.08%) and physical (21.2%) symptoms significantly and there was a significant difference between vitamin B1 and placebo groups in terms of mean mental and physical.

“The effect of vitamin B1 on bleeding and spotting in women using an intrauterine device: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.” Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2014 Jun;19(3):180-6. 51064 Parvin Abedi, Assistant Professor, PhD, Department of Midwifery, Nursing & Midwifery School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Tel: 986113738331, 989163132793. Fax: 986113738333. E-mail: parvinabedi@ymail.com, abediparvin68@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Vitamin B1 100 mg daily for 3 months is a safe, natural and cost-effective supplement that is devoid of side effects and reduces menstrual bleeding and spotting caused by a copper bearing-IUD.

“Nutritional Impact of a Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” J Autism Dev Disord. 2015 Oct 1. [Epub ahead of print] 51065 Dr. Maria Morales Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. maria.m.morales@uv.es CONCLUSION: Those on the GFCF diet had a lower weight, body mass index, and total energy, pantothenic acid, calcium, phosphorus and sodium intake, but a higher intake of fiber, legumes, and vegetables. Further, the GFCF diet group had a better quality of fat intake, but needed supplementation with vitamin D.

“Dietary Supplementation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Common, Insufficient, and Excessive. “J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Aug;115(8):1237-48. 51066 Patricia A. Stewart, PhD, RD, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd, CU420708, Rochester, NY 14642. patricia_stewart@urmc.rochester.edu CONCLUSION: Dietary supplements, especially multivitamin/minerals, were used by 56% of children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). The most common micronutrient deficits were not corrected (vitamin D, calcium, potassium, pantothenic acid, and choline) by supplements. Almost one-third of children remained deficient for vitamin D and up to 54% for calcium. Children receiving GFCF diets had similar micronutrient intake but were more likely to use supplements (78% vs 56%). Supplementation led to excess vitamin A, folate, and zinc intake across the sample, vitamin C, and copper among children aged 2 to 3 years, and manganese and copper for children aged 4 to 8 years. Few children with ASD need most of the micronutrients they are commonly given as supplements, which often leads to excess intake. Even when supplements are used, careful attention should be given to adequacy of vitamin D and calcium intake.

Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5, favorably alters total, LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in low to moderate cardiovascular risk subjects eligible for statin therapy: a triple-blinded placebo and diet-controlled investigation.” Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2014 Feb 27;10:89-100. 51067 Malkanthi Evans, KGK Synergize Inc, 255 Queens Avenue, London, ON, N6A 5R8, Canada, Tel +1 519 438 9374 ext 239, Fax +1 519 438 8314, mevans@kgksynergize.com CONCLUSION: Pantethine 600 mg/day from weeks 1 to 8 and 900 mg/day from weeks 9 to 16 (300 mg capsules) showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol; decreasing trends in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; 11% decrease in LDL-C in low to moderate CVD risk participants eligible for statins according to National Cholesterol Educational Program guidelines.

“Meta-analysis of clinical trials of folic acid, vitamin B12 and B6 supplementation on plasma homocysteine level and risk of cardiovascular disease.” Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi. 2015 Jun;43(6):554-61. 51067 Dr. B. Shen, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou 317000, China; Email: shenb@enzemed.com CONCLUSIONS: Folic acid combined with vitamin B(6) and B(12) treatment significantly reduced plasma homocysteine level, but did not affect the risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus, folic acid combined with vitamin B(6) and B(12) should not be recommended as secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

“Nutrition attributes and health effects of pistachio nuts.” Br J Nutr. 2015 Apr;113 Suppl 2:S79-93. 51068 Dr M. Bulló, CIBERobn (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain fax +34 977759322, email monica.bullo@urv.cat; Dr J. Salas-Salvadó, fax +34 977759322, E-mail: jordi.salas@urv.cat CONCLUSION: Pistachios have a lower fat and energy content and the highest levels of potassium, γ-tocopherol, vitamin K, phytosterols, xanthophyll carotenoids, certain minerals (Cu, Fe and Mg), vitamin B₆ and thiamin. Pistachios have a high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

“The Association of Dietary Lutein plus Zeaxanthin and B Vitamins with Cataracts in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study: AREDS Report No. 37.” Ophthalmology. 2015 Jul;122(7):1471-9. 51069 Emily Y. Chew, MD, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1204, BG 10-CRC Room 3-2531, Bethesda, MD 20814-1204 echew@nei.nih.gov. CONCLUSION: Dietary intake of B vitamins in general (except folic acid) may reduce the occurrence of age-related lens opacities.

“Non-pharmacologic therapy of age-related macular degeneration, based on the etiopathogenesis of the disease”. Orv Hetil. 2015 Jul 12;156(28):1128-32. 51070 Dr. T. fischer, Budapest, Körvasút sor 75/B, 1158; E-mail: t.fischer.med@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Chronic inflammation is closely linked to diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction and age-related macular degeneration is accompanied by a general inflammatory response. Non-pharmacological interventions which may have beneficial effect on endothelial dysfunction include (1) smoking cessation; (2) reduction of increased body weight; (3) adequate physical activity; (4) appropriate diet (a) proper dose of flavonoids, polyphenols and kurcumin; (b) omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid; (c) carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthins), (d) management of dietary glycemic index, (e) caloric restriction, and (5) elimination of stressful lifestyle.

“B-vitamins and bone health–a review of the current evidence.” Nutrients. 2015 May 7;7(5):3322-46. 51071 Dr. Zhaoli Dai Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Block MD1, 12 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117549, Singapore. zhaoli_dai@nus.edu.sg. Dr. Woon-Puay Koh Office of Clinical Sciences, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore, 8 College Road Level 4, Singapore 169857, Singapore. woonpuay.koh@duke-nus.edu.sg. CONCLUSION: These data support a possible protective role of B vitamins, particularly, B2, B6, folate and B12, in bone health.

“Interdependence and contributions of sun exposure and vitamin D to MRI measures in multiple sclerosis.” J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2013 Oct;84(10):1075-81. 51071 Professor Murali Ramanathan Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, 355 Kapoor Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214-8033, Feb 5. USA; Murali@Buffalo.Edu CONCLUSION: Sun exposure may have direct effects on MRI measures of neurodegeneration in MS, independently of vitamin D.

“Brain atrophy in cognitively impaired elderly: the importance of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids and B vitamin status in a randomized controlled trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Jul;102(1):215-21. 51072 From the Dr. Fredrik Jerneren, Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Ageing (OPTIMA), Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; fredrik.jerneren@pharm.ox.ac.uk. CONCLUSION: Elderly subjects greater than 70 with mild cognitive impairment received daily high-dose B vitamin supplementation (folic acid, 0.8 mg; vitamin B-6, 20 mg; vitamin B-12, 0.5 mg) showed in subjects with high baseline ω-3 fatty acids (>590 μmol/L), B vitamin treatment slowed the mean atrophy rate by 40.0% compared with placebo but B vitamin treatment had no significant effect on the rate of atrophy among subjects with low baseline ω-3 fatty acids (<390 μmol/L).

“Effects of dietary folate intake on migraine disability and frequency.” Headache, 2015 Feb;55(2):301-9. 51073 Dr. Lyn R. Griffiths, Genomics Research Centre, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia, email: lyn.griffiths@qut.edu.au CONCLUSION: The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T variant has been associated with increased levels of homocysteine and risk of migraine with aura (MA). Folic acid (FA), vitamin B6 , and B12 supplementation has been previously shown to reduce increased levels of homocysteine and decrease migraine symptoms. Folate intake in the form of FA was inversely associated with migraine frequency in female MA sufferers.

“Effect of probiotic VSL#3 in the treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy: A non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.” Hepatol Res. 2015 Aug;45(8):880-9. 51074 Dr Yogendra Kumar Joshi, Department of Hepatology and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D-1, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070, India. Email: ykj2511@usa.net CONCLUSION: The probiotic VSL#3 in capsules at 450 billion CFU/day was equal to standard lactulose therapy in the treatment of MHE (minimal hepatic encephalopathy) and improvement correlated with reduction of ammonia levels.

“Induction with NCB-02 (curcumin) enema for mild-to-moderate distal ulcerative colitis – a randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study.” J Crohns Colitis. 2014 Mar;8(3):208-14. 51075 Vikas Singla Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India vikaspisces@yahoo.co.in CONCLUSION: The use of a NCB-02 (standardized curcumin preparation) enema along with oral 5-ASA may tend to result in greater improvements in disease activity compared to placebo in patients with mild-to-moderate distal ulcerative colitis.

“Intensive lifestyle intervention reduces urinary incontinence in overweight/obese men with type 2 diabetes: results from the Look AHEAD trial.” J Urol. 2014 Jul;192(1):144-9 51076 Benjamin N. Breyer, MD Correspondence: Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Ave., A610, San Francisco, California 94143 415-353-2207 / 415-206-5153 (FAX) bbreyer@urology.ucsf.edu CONCLUSION: Intensive lifestyle intervention in overweight/obese type 2 diabetic men that led to significant weight reduction reduced urinary incontinence at 1 year from 11.3% to 9.0% (38% reduction) and should be considered for the treatment of urinary incontinence in overweight diabetic men. There was no change in nocturia or daytime urinary frequency.

“Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on heavy menstrual bleeding: a placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.” Phytother Res. 2015 Jan;29(1):114-9. 51077 Marjan Khajehei, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia mar_far76@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) during high school dramatically reduced menstrual blood loss during three intervention cycles. There were minimal adverse effects.

“Comparison of the effect of ginger and zinc sulfate on primary dysmenorrhea: a placebo-controlled randomized trial.” Pain Manag Nurs. 2014 Dec;15(4):826-33. 51078 Dr. F. Kashefi, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. kashefimidwife@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Ginger and zinc sulfate tablets individually for four days from the day before the commencement of menstruation to the third day of their menstrual bleeding more alleviation of pain than placebo.

“The effect of mefenamic acid and ginger on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized clinical trial.” Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015 Jun;291(6):1277-81. 51078 Dr. Narges Motahari-Tabari, Dr. Marjan Ahmad Shirvani, Department of Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery Department of Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Amir Mazandarani Boulevard, Vesal St., Sari, Iran, narges_mth@yahoo.com shirvani44@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: Ginger 250 mg capsules (zintoma) every 6 hours and mefenamic 250 mg every 8 hours showed ginger is as effective as mefenamic acid on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea. Ginger does not have adverse effects and is an alternative treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.

“Efficacy of honey in reduction of post tonsillectomy pain, randomized clinical trial.” Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Nov;78(11):1886-9. 51079 Dr. Saleh Mohebbi Keshavarz Blvd, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Neurological Research Center Building, Brain and Spinal Injury Research Center (BASIR), 61-14185 Tehran, Iran. Tel.: +98 21 66591321; fax: +98 21 66591318; mobile: +98 9198055420/+49 15163253792 mohebbi54@gmail.com mohebbi.saleh@mh-hannover.de CONCLUSION: Honey after tonsillectomy in children 5-15 years old showed a reduced average time required for pain relief and be used as an adjunctive regimen after surgery for better pain control.

“Coenzyme Q10 depletion in medical and neuropsychiatric disorders: potential repercussions and therapeutic implications.” Mol Neurobiol. 2013 Dec;48(3):883-903. 51080 Dr. Michael Maes, School of Medicine, Deakin University, 75 Pigdon’s Road, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia dr.michaelmaes@hotmail.com CONCLUSION: CoQ10 treatment improves quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s; has antidepressive effects; and can significantly reduce fatigue and improves ergonomic performance during exercise and thus may have potential in alleviating the exercise intolerance and exhaustion displayed by people with myalgic encepholamyletis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

“Evidence supporting a link between dental amalgams and chronic illness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and suicide.” Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2014;35(7):537-52. 51081 Mark R. Geiger, MD Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA. mgeier@comcast.net CONCLUSION: The purpose of this review is to examine the evidence for a relationship between mercury (Hg) exposure from dental amalgams and certain idiopathic chronic illnesses–chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), depression, anxiety, and suicide. Dental amalgam is a commonly used dental restorative material that contains approximately 50% elemental mercury (Hg0) by weight and releases Hg0 vapor. Studies have shown that chronic Hg exposure from various sources including dental amalgams is associated with numerous health complaints, including fatigue, anxiety, and depression–and these are among the main symptoms that are associated with CFS and FM. In addition, several studies have shown that the removal of amalgams is associated with improvement in these symptoms. Although the issue of amalgam safety is still under debate, the preponderance of evidence suggests that Hg exposure from dental amalgams may cause or contribute to many chronic conditions. Thus, consideration of Hg toxicity may be central to the effective clinical investigation of many chronic illnesses, particularly those involving fatigue and depression.

“Metals as a common trigger of inflammation resulting in non-specific symptoms: diagnosis and treatment.” Isr Med Assoc J. 2014 Dec;16(12):753-8. 51082 dr.v. stejskal August Wahlströmsväg 10, 182 31 Danderyd, Stockholm, Sweden (46-8)753-2322 / (44-20) 8711-5958 (FAX) email: vera@melisa.org CONCLUSION: Patients with CFS and fibromyalgia are frequently sensitized to metals found in the environment or used in dentistry and surgery. This allergy to metals might initiate or aggravate non-specific symptoms in metal-sensitized patients.

“A coconut extra virgin oil-rich diet increases HDL cholesterol and decreases waist circumference and body mass in coronary artery disease patients.” Nutr Hosp. Nutr Hosp. 2015 Nov 1;32(n05):2144-2152. 51083 Dr. Annie Bello Moreira, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, Pavilhão João Lyra Filho, 12.º andar, Bloco D, Cep: 20559-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ – Brasil. E-mail: anniebello@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Extra virgin coconut oil consumption reduced the CC and increased HDL-C levels in patients with CAD.

“Are strict vegetarians protected against prostate cancer?” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Nov 11. pii: ajcn106450. [Epub ahead of print] 51084 Dr. Yessenia Tantamango-Bartley School of Public Health, Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle and Disease Prevention, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA ytantamango@hotmail.com CONCLUSION: Vegan diets may confer a lower risk of prostate cancer. This lower estimated risk is seen in both white and black vegan subjects, although in the latter, the CI is wider and includes the null.

****************************************************************************************

October, 2015

“Effects of N-acetylcysteine, oral glutathione (GSH) and a novel sublingual form of GSH on oxidative stress markers: A comparative crossover study.” Redox Biol. 2015 Jul 29;6:198-205. 51034 Frédéric M. Denis Laboratoires Le Stum, 4 impasse de Kerhoas, 56260 Larmor Plage, France. infomed@labo-lestum.com CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome patients taking sublingual glutathione (GSH) compared to oral GSH and N-Acetylcysteine showed an increase of total and reduced GSH levels in plasma and a higher GSH/GSSG and a significant increase of plasma vitamin E only in sublingual GSH group. This sublingual form of GSH was supperior to the oral GSH form and NAC in terms of GSH supplementation.

“Does Supplementation with Royal Jelly Improve Oxidative Stress and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Patients?” Iran J Public Health. 2015 Jun;44(6):797-803. 51035 Basmeh Khoshpey Dept. of Nutrition, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Bkhoshpay@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In type 2 diabetics a Royal Jelly supplement 1000 mg 3 times daily showed insulin resistance decreased while serum total antioxidant capacity increased.

“Fish Oil Intake and Seizure Control in Children with Medically Resistant Epilepsy.” N Am J Med Sci. 2015 Jul;7(7):317-21. 51036 Dr. Diala Mohamed Ali Reda, 2590 boulevard Poirier, Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, ridadiala@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In children with medically resistant epilepsy who received fish oil having 0 epileptic attacks increased from 0%, before starting the study, up to 57.1% at the end of the third month. Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids elevated the seizure threshold in epileptic patients and may help achieve seizure control.

“Dietary supplementation with green tea extract promotes enhanced human leukocyte activity.” J Complement Integr Med. 2015 Aug 8. 51037 Khalid Rahman School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, England, UK. Tel.: + 44 151 231 2087; fax: + 44 151 231 2170.k.rahman@ljmu.ac.uk 51036 CONCLUSION: 300 mg of the green tea extract daily for 14 days increased leukocyte activity and total plasma antioxidant status and may play a role in preventing inflammatory disease.

“Vitamin D in polycystic ovary syndrome: Relationship to obesity and insulin resistance.” Mol Nutr Food Res. 2015 Aug 10. 51038 Barbora de Courten Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Victoria, Australia barbora.decourten@monash.edu CONCLUSION: Vitamin D levels were lower in overweight women with PCOS. Vitamin D is associated with insulin resistance in women with PCOS. Studies are needed to determine if vitamin D supplementation can improve insulin resistance in PCOS.

“Effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in gestational diabetes: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Nutrition. 2015 Oct;31(10):1235-42. 51039 Ahmad Esmaillzadeh, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Correspondence +98 311 792 2720; fax: +98 311 668 2509. Esmaillzadeh@hlth.mui.ac.ir CONCLUSION: 200 μg of a selenium tablet for 6 weeks in women with gestational diabetes from weeks 24 to 28 of gestation resulted in a significant REDUCTION in fasting plasma glucose; serum insulin levels; homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA)-insulin resistance; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and malondialdehyde levels; and a significant INCREASE in insulin sensitivity and plasma glutathione.

“Statin therapy and plasma coenzyme Q10 concentrations-A systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials.” Pharmacol Res. 2015 Sep;99:329-36. 51040 Maciej Banach, MD Department of Hypertension, WAM University Hospital in Lodz, Medical University of Lodz, Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland. Fax: +48 42 639 37 71. maciejbanach@aol.co.uk CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in plasma CoQ10 concentrations following treatment with statins studied – atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin and pravastatin.

“A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb.” Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 May;3(5):337-52. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60075-1. 51041 Dr. Aftab Ahmad, Health Information Technology Department, Jeddah Community College, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box-80283, Jeddah-21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel: Phone: +966-507243943; Phone: +966-02-2870026, Ext-102, Fax: +966-02-2870024 aftab786sa@hotmail.com aabdulsalam@kau.edu.sa CONCLUSION: Nigella sativa (N. sativa) (Family Ranunculaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world. It has a wide spectrum of its pharmacological actions as an antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulator, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, hepato-protective, renal protective, gastro-protective, antioxidant properties, etc.

“Marked improvement of neurocognitive impairment after treatment with compounds from Hericium erinaceum: A case study of recurrent depressive disorder,” Personalized Medicine Universe, July 2014, Vol 3; 36-48. 51043 Kazutoyo Inanaga MD, PhD Chikusuikai Institute for Neuroinformation, Chikusuikai Hospital, 1191 Yoshida, Yame, Fukuoka 834-0006, Japan Tel.: +81 943 23 5131. hospital@chikusuikai.or.jp

“Impact of equol-producing capacity and soy-isoflavone profiles of supplements on bone calcium retention in postmenopausal women: a randomized crossover trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Sep;102(3):695-703 51044 Dr. Connie M Weaver, Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human Sciences Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN weavercm@purdue.edu CONCLUSION: In postmenopausal women given 5 soy isoflavone oral supplements (2 doses of a genistein-rich soy supplement and 3 doses of mixed isoflavones in various proportions) and a bisphosphonate (risedronate), although not as potent as risedronate, soy isoflavones were effective bone-preserving agents in postmenopausal women and mixed isoflavones in their natural ratios are more effective than enriched genistein.

“Red Yeast Rice Plus Berberine: Practical Strategy for Promoting Vascular and Metabolic Health.” Altern Ther Health Med. 2015;21 Suppl 2:40-5. 51045 Mark F. McCarty, BA markfmccarty@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Red yeast rice (RYR) contains a range of monacolins, of which monacolin K-renamed lovastatin by pharmaceutical researchers-was found to be the most potent inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis. Standardized extracts of RYR, providing 10 mg of monacolins daily, have been shown to lower elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by approximately 20%. RYR very rarely induces the myopathy and hepatic damage seen with prescription statin therapy. The Chinese herbal compound berberine is used to treat diabetes and congestive heart failure in China. It increases hepatic expression of LDL receptors and lowers LDL cholesterol. The combination of RYR and berberine may achieve reductions in LDL cholesterol comparable with those achieved with prescription statin therapy, but without the associated risks such as muscle damage and diabetes. Berberine improve metabolic syndrome, improve glycemic control in diabetics, and acts directly on the vasculature to promote vascular health.

“Effect of improving dietary quality on carotid intima media thickness in subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a 12-mo randomized controlled trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;102(4):771-9. 51046 Dr. Jennifer Keogh, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences & Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia jennifer.keogh@unisa.edu.au. CONCLUSION: Improving dietary quality by eating more fruits and vegetables in people with well-controlled type 1 and type 2 diabetes may slow CCA IMT progression.

“Application of berberine on treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.” Int J Endocrinol. 2015;2015:905749. 51048 Xiao-Lin Tong, Professor, Department of Endocrinology, Guang’anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Room 432, Administration Building, 5 Beixiange Street, Xuanwu District, Beijing 100053, China. xiaolintong66@sina.com CONCLUSION: Berberine improves insulin resistance, promotes insulin secretion, inhibits gluconeogenesis in liver, stimulates glycolysis in peripheral tissue cells, modulates gut microbiota, reduces intestinal absorption of glucose, and regulates lipid metabolism.

“Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension.” J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Feb 23;161:69-81.51049 Dr. Feixia Dong Wenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenzhou 32500, China. Tel.: +86 135 876 38576. cgrsfhtd@163.com. CONCLUSION: In type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with berberine and lifestyle this intervention lowered fasting plasma glucose, post-prandial glucose and HbA1c greater than lifestyle intervention alone. Berberine had a comparable therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and hypertension with no serious side effect. Considering the relatively low cost compared with other first-line medicine and treatment, berberine might be a good alternative for low socioeconomic status patients to treat type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension over long time period.

“Berberine and monacolin effects on the cardiovascular risk profile of women with oestroprogestin-induced hypercholesterolemia.” High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev. 2014 Sep;21(3):221-6. 51050 Dr. A,F. Cicero Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy, afgcicero@cardionet.it. CONCLUSION: Forty-four women were prescribed oral oestroprogestins for PCOS, while 40 for pure contraception. Berberine 500 mg/tab and monacolins 3 mg/tab for 3 months showed a significant improvement in BMI, FPG, HOMA index, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG and hsCRP.

“Interaction between current vitamin D supplementation and menopausal hormone therapy use on breast cancer risk: evidence from the E3N cohort.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;102(4):966-73 51051 Dr. Marie-Christine Boutron Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif Cedex, France; and Gustave Roussy, Villejuif Cedex, France marie-christine.boutron@gustaveroussy.fr CONCLUSIONS: Current vitamin D supplementation, mostly taken daily and combined with calcium, was associated with a decreased postmenopausal breast cancer risk in menopausal hormone users.

“Tea and flavonoid intake predict osteoporotic fracture risk in elderly Australian women: a prospective study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;102(4):958-65. 51052 Jonathan Hodgson, MD School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; jonathan.hodgson@uwa.edu.au. CONCLUSION: Compared to ≤1 cup/wk consumption of ≥3 cups/d of tea was associated with a 30% decrease in the risk of any osteoporotic fracture. Higher intake of black tea and particular classes of flavonoids were associated with lower risk of fracture-related hospitalizations in elderly women at high risk of fracture.

“Selenoproteins and selenium status in bone physiology and pathology.” Biochim Biophys Acta. 2014 Nov;1840(11):3246-3256. 51053 Jianru Xiao, MD Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, PR China + 86 021 8188 5634 / + 86 021 6352 0020 (FAX). jianruxiao83@163.com CONCLUSION: Antioxidant selenoproteins including glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) play an important role in maintaining bone homeostasis and protecting against bone loss. Understanding the role of selenoproteins and Se status on bone pathophysiology may lead to effective prevention and treatment strategies.

“Oolong tea drinking could help prevent bone loss in postmenopausal Han Chinese women.” Cell Biochem Biophys. 2014 Nov;70(2):1289-93. 51054 Huanli Zhao Radiology Department X-Ray Room, Linyi People’s Hospital drhuanlizhao@163.com CONCLUSION: Bone densities of the greater trochanteric and Ward’s triangle bone were higher in Oolong tea drinkers compared to non-tea drinkers in postmenopausal Chinese women.

“Consumption of green tea, but not black tea or coffee, is associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline.” PLoS One. 2014 May 14;9(5):e96013. 51055 Masahito Yamada Department of Neurology and Neurobiology of Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan m-yamada@med.kanazawa-u.ac.jp CONCLUSION: In Japanese residents aged >60 years from Nakajima, Japan green tea consumption was significantly associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors.

“The impact of green tea and coffee consumption on the reduced risk of stroke incidence in Japanese population: the Japan public health center-based study cohort.” Stroke. 2013 May;44(5):1369-74. 51056 Yoshihiro Kokubo, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FESC, Department of Preventive Cardiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1, Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka, 565-8565 Japan. CONCLUSION: Higher green tea and coffee consumption were inversely associated with risk of CVD and stroke in general population.

“Selenium deficiency associated porcine and human cardiomyopathies.” J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2015 Jul;31:148-56. 51056 Dr. Marianne Oropeza-Moe, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Kyrkjevegen 332-334, 4325 Sandnes, Norway. marianne.oropeza-moe@nmbu.no.CONCLUSION: Se deficiency associated cardiomyopathy named Keshan Disease (KD) was described for the first time in China. Various manifestations of selenium deficiency are cardiogenic shock, enlarged heart, congestive heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias are common. Multifocal necrosis and fibrous replacement of myocardium are characteristic findings.

“Effects of Souvenaid on plasma micronutrient levels and fatty acid profiles in mild and mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.” Alzheimers Res Ther. 2015 Jul 24;7(1):51. 51057 Dr. Anne Rijpma, Alzheimer Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Anne Rijpma, Phone: +31 24 361 49 04, anne.rijpma@radboudumc.nl CONCLUSION: Souvenaid™ orally once daily which contains uridine; choline; selenium; folate; vitamins B6, B12 and E; and fatty acid levels of DHA and EPA showed circulating levels of nutrients known to be decreased in the Alzheimer’s Disease population can be increased in patients with mild, and mild-to-moderate AD by 24-48-weeks of oral supplementation.

“Dietary selenium in adjuvant therapy of viral and bacterial infections,” Adv Nutr. 2015 Jan 15;6(1):73-82. 51057 CONCLUSION: Dr. Helmut Sies Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I and Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and sies@uni-duesseldorf.de CONCLUSION: Supranutritional selenium promotes proliferation and favors differentiation of naive CD4-positive T lymphocytes toward T helper 1 cells, thus supporting the acute cellular immune response. This review provides an up-to-date overview on selenium in infectious diseases caused by viruses (e.g., HIV, IAV, hepatitis C virus, poliovirus, West Nile virus) and bacteria (e.g., M. tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori).

“Effect of micronutrient supplementation on disease progression in asymptomatic, antiretroviral-naive, HIV-infected adults in Botswana: a randomized clinical trial.” JAMA. 2013 Nov 27;310(20):2154-63. 51057 Marianna K. Baum, PhD, Florida International University, R. Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, 11200 SW 8th St, Room AHC-1-337, Miami, FL 33199 baumm@fiu.edu CONCLUSION: Supplementation with either B vitamins and vitamins C and E; selenium alone; or a multivitamin with selenium in ART-naive HIV-infected adults using a multivitamins and selenium was found to be safe and significantly reduced the risk of immune decline and morbidity.

“Souvenaid reduces behavioral deficits and improves social cognition skills in frontotemporal dementia: a proof-of-concept study.” Neurodegener Dis. 2015;15(1):58-62. 51059 Dr. Matteo PardiniDepartment of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. Matteo.pardini@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Souvenaid™ therapy showed benefit in the treatment of behavioral disturbances and social cognition skills in frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

“A Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention.” N Engl J Med. 2015 Oct 22;373(17):1618-26. 51060 Dr. Diona Damian, Department of Dermatology, University of Sydney at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia, diona.damian@sswahs.nsw.gov.au CONCLUSIONS: Oral nicotinamide 500 mg twice daily was safe and effective in reducing the rates of new nonmelanoma skin cancers and actinic keratoses in high-risk patients.

“The impact of thiamine supplementation on blood pressure, serum lipids and C-reactive protein in individuals with hyperglycemia: a randomised, double-blind cross-over trial.” Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2015 Apr 29. pii: S1871-4021(15)00042-9. 51061 Fariba Alaei-Shahmiri Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Technology, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, 6102, Australia. fariba.alaeishahmiri@postgrad.curtin.edu.au CONCLUSION: High dose thiamine supplementation at 100mg capsules 3 x daily reduced blood pressure in individuals with hyperglycemia at early stages, and may have a role in the prevention of further vascular complications.

“B vitamins, homocysteine and bone health.” Nutrients. 2015 Mar 30;7(4):2176-92. 51062 Vale Fratoni, MD Department of Surgery and Traslational Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6-50139 Florence, Italy. vale.frat@gmail.com.Maialuisa Brandi, MD Department of Surgery and Traslational Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6-50139 Florence, Italy. marialuisa.brandi@unifi.it. CONCLUSION: B Vitamins (B1, B6, B12, folic acid) may be factors associated with bone health. Individuals with high levels of homocysteine (hcy) have reduced bone mineral density (BMD), alteration in microarchitecture and increased bone fragility.

“The effects of fish oil capsules and vitamin B1 tablets on duration and severity of dysmenorrhea in students of high school in Urmia-Iran.” Glob J Health Sci. 2014 Sep 18;6(7 Spec No):124-9. 51063 abcdefgh1390@yahoo.com. CONCLUSION: High school students with dysmenorrhea took vitamin B1 100 mg/day, a fish oil pearl 500 mg/day, or both taken as a single dose starting at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and continuing them for 2 consecutive months had the duration of pain significantly reduced in all three experimental groups.

“The effects of vitamin B1 on ameliorating the premenstrual syndrome symptoms.” Glob J Health Sci. 2014 Jul 29;6(6):144-53. 51063 Dr. Sareh Abdollahifard, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran. sareh_abdollahyfard@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: PMS subjects took vitamin B1 100 mg in the morning and one pill at night one week before menstruation (at the end of the luteal phase) when the symptoms were most severe for three consecutive cycles reduced mean mental (35.08%) and physical (21.2%) symptoms significantly and there was a significant difference between vitamin B1 and placebo groups in terms of mean mental and physical.

“The effect of vitamin B1 on bleeding and spotting in women using an intrauterine device: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.” Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2014 Jun;19(3):180-6. 51064 Parvin Abedi, Assistant Professor, PhD, Department of Midwifery, Nursing & Midwifery School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Tel: 986113738331, 989163132793. Fax: 986113738333. E-mail: parvinabedi@ymail.com, abediparvin68@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Vitamin B1 100 mg daily for 3 months is a safe, natural and cost-effective supplement that is devoid of side effects and reduces menstrual bleeding and spotting caused by a copper bearing-IUD.

“Nutritional Impact of a Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” J Autism Dev Disord. 2015 Oct 1. [Epub ahead of print] 51065 Dr. Maria Morales Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. maria.m.morales@uv.es CONCLUSION: Those on the GFCF diet had a lower weight, body mass index, and total energy, pantothenic acid, calcium, phosphorus and sodium intake, but a higher intake of fiber, legumes, and vegetables. Further, the GFCF diet group had a better quality of fat intake, but needed supplementation with vitamin D.

“Dietary Supplementation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Common, Insufficient, and Excessive. “J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Aug;115(8):1237-48. 51066 Patricia A. Stewart, PhD, RD, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd, CU420708, Rochester, NY 14642. patricia_stewart@urmc.rochester.edu CONCLUSION: Dietary supplements, especially multivitamin/minerals, were used by 56% of children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). The most common micronutrient deficits were not corrected (vitamin D, calcium, potassium, pantothenic acid, and choline) by supplements. Almost one-third of children remained deficient for vitamin D and up to 54% for calcium. Children receiving GFCF diets had similar micronutrient intake but were more likely to use supplements (78% vs 56%). Supplementation led to excess vitamin A, folate, and zinc intake across the sample, vitamin C, and copper among children aged 2 to 3 years, and manganese and copper for children aged 4 to 8 years. Few children with ASD need most of the micronutrients they are commonly given as supplements, which often leads to excess intake. Even when supplements are used, careful attention should be given to adequacy of vitamin D and calcium intake.

“Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5, favorably alters total, LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in low to moderate cardiovascular risk subjects eligible for statin therapy: a triple-blinded placebo and diet-controlled investigation.” Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2014 Feb 27;10:89-100. 51067 Malkanthi Evans, KGK Synergize Inc, 255 Queens Avenue, London, ON, N6A 5R8, Canada, Tel +1 519 438 9374 ext 239, Fax +1 519 438 8314, mevans@kgksynergize.com CONCLUSION: Pantethine 600 mg/day from weeks 1 to 8 and 900 mg/day from weeks 9 to 16 (300 mg capsules) showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol; decreasing trends in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; 11% decrease in LDL-C in low to moderate CVD risk participants eligible for statins according to National Cholesterol Educational Program guidelines.

“Meta-analysis of clinical trials of folic acid, vitamin B12 and B6 supplementation on plasma homocysteine level and risk of cardiovascular disease.” Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi. 2015 Jun;43(6):554-61. 51067 CONCLUSION: Dr. B. Shen, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou 317000, China; Email: shenb@enzemed.com CONCLUSIONS: Folic acid combined with vitamin B(6) and B(12) treatment significantly reduced plasma homocysteine level, but did not affect the risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus, folic acid combined with vitamin B(6) and B(12) should not be recommended as secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

“Nutrition attributes and health effects of pistachio nuts.” Br J Nutr. 2015 Apr;113 Suppl 2:S79-93. 51068 Dr M. Bulló, CIBERobn (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain fax +34 977759322, email monica.bullo@urv.cat; Dr J. Salas-Salvadó, fax +34 977759322, E-mail: jordi.salas@urv.cat CONCLUSION: Pistachios have a lower fat and energy content and the highest levels of potassium, γ-tocopherol, vitamin K, phytosterols, xanthophyll carotenoids, certain minerals (Cu, Fe and Mg), vitamin B₆ and thiamin. Pistachios have a high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

“The Association of Dietary Lutein plus Zeaxanthin and B Vitamins with Cataracts in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study: AREDS Report No. 37.” Ophthalmology. 2015 Jul;122(7):1471-9. 51069 Emily Y. Chew, MD, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1204, BG 10-CRC Room 3-2531, Bethesda, MD 20814-1204 echew@nei.nih.gov. CONCLUSION: Dietary intake of B vitamins in general (except folic acid) may reduce the occurrence of age-related lens opacities.

“Non-pharmacologic therapy of age-related macular degeneration, based on the etiopathogenesis of the disease”. Orv Hetil. 2015 Jul 12;156(28):1128-32. 51070 Dr. T. fischer, Budapest, Körvasút sor 75/B, 1158; E-mail: t.fischer.med@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Chronic inflammation is closely linked to diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction and age-related macular degeneration is accompanied by a general inflammatory response. Non-pharmacological interventions which may have beneficial effect on endothelial dysfunction include (1) smoking cessation; (2) reduction of increased body weight; (3) adequate physical activity; (4) appropriate diet (a) proper dose of flavonoids, polyphenols and kurcumin; (b) omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid; (c) carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthins), (d) management of dietary glycemic index, (e) caloric restriction, and (5) elimination of stressful lifestyle.

“B-vitamins and bone health–a review of the current evidence.” Nutrients. 2015 May 7;7(5):3322-46. 51071 Dr. Zhaoli Dai Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Block MD1, 12 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117549, Singapore. zhaoli_dai@nus.edu.sg. Dr. Woon-Puay Koh Office of Clinical Sciences, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore, 8 College Road Level 4, Singapore 169857, Singapore. woonpuay.koh@duke-nus.edu.sg. CONCLUSION: These data support a possible protective role of B vitamins, particularly, B2, B6, folate and B12, in bone health.

“Interdependence and contributions of sun exposure and vitamin D to MRI measures in multiple sclerosis.” J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2013 Oct;84(10):1075-81. 51071 Professor Murali Ramanathan Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, 355 Kapoor Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214-8033, Feb 5. USA; Murali@Buffalo.Edu CONCLUSION: Sun exposure may have direct effects on MRI measures of neurodegeneration in MS, independently of vitamin D.

“Brain atrophy in cognitively impaired elderly: the importance of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids and B vitamin status in a randomized controlled trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Jul;102(1):215-21. 51072 From the Dr. Fredrik Jerneren, Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Ageing (OPTIMA), Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; fredrik.jerneren@pharm.ox.ac.uk. CONCLUSION: Elderly subjects greater than 70 with mild cognitive impairment received daily high-dose B vitamin supplementation (folic acid, 0.8 mg; vitamin B-6, 20 mg; vitamin B-12, 0.5 mg) showed in subjects with high baseline ω-3 fatty acids (>590 μmol/L), B vitamin treatment slowed the mean atrophy rate by 40.0% compared with placebo but B vitamin treatment had no significant effect on the rate of atrophy among subjects with low baseline ω-3 fatty acids (<390 μmol/L).

“Effects of dietary folate intake on migraine disability and frequency.” Headache, 2015 Feb;55(2):301-9. 51073 Dr. Lyn R. Griffiths, Genomics Research Centre, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia, email: lyn.griffiths@qut.edu.au CONCLUSION: The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T variant has been associated with increased levels of homocysteine and risk of migraine with aura (MA). Folic acid (FA), vitamin B6 , and B12 supplementation has been previously shown to reduce increased levels of homocysteine and decrease migraine symptoms. Folate intake in the form of FA was inversely associated with migraine frequency in female MA sufferers.

“Effect of probiotic VSL#3 in the treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy: A non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.” Hepatol Res. 2015 Aug;45(8):880-9. 51074 Dr Yogendra Kumar Joshi, Department of Hepatology and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D-1, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070, India. Email: ykj2511@usa.net CONCLUSION: The probiotic VSL#3 in capsules at 450 billion CFU/day was equal to standard lactulose therapy in the treatment of MHE (minimal hepatic encephalopathy) and improvement correlated with reduction of ammonia levels.

“Induction with NCB-02 (curcumin) enema for mild-to-moderate distal ulcerative colitis – a randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study.” J Crohns Colitis. 2014 Mar;8(3):208-14. 51075 Vikas Singla Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India vikaspisces@yahoo.co.in CONCLUSION: The use of a NCB-02 (standardized curcumin preparation) enema along with oral 5-ASA may tend to result in greater improvements in disease activity compared to placebo in patients with mild-to-moderate distal ulcerative colitis.

“Intensive lifestyle intervention reduces urinary incontinence in overweight/obese men with type 2 diabetes: results from the Look AHEAD trial.” J Urol. 2014 Jul;192(1):144-9 51076 Benjamin N. Breyer, MD Correspondence: Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Ave., A610, San Francisco, California 94143 415-353-2207 / 415-206-5153 (FAX) bbreyer@urology.ucsf.edu CONCLUSION: Intensive lifestyle intervention in overweight/obese type 2 diabetic men that led to significant weight reduction reduced urinary incontinence at 1 year from 11.3% to 9.0% (38% reduction) and should be considered for the treatment of urinary incontinence in overweight diabetic men. There was no change in nocturia or daytime urinary frequency.

“Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on heavy menstrual bleeding: a placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.” Phytother Res. 2015 Jan;29(1):114-9. 51077 Marjan Khajehei, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia mar_far76@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) during high school dramatically reduced menstrual blood loss during three intervention cycles. There were minimal adverse effects.

“Comparison of the effect of ginger and zinc sulfate on primary dysmenorrhea: a placebo-controlled randomized trial.” Pain Manag Nurs. 2014 Dec;15(4):826-33. 51078 Dr. F. Kashefi, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. kashefimidwife@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Ginger and zinc sulfate tablets individually for four days from the day before the commencement of menstruation to the third day of their menstrual bleeding more alleviation of pain than placebo.

“The effect of mefenamic acid and ginger on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized clinical trial.” Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015 Jun;291(6):1277-81. 51078 Dr. Narges Motahari-Tabari, Dr. Marjan Ahmad Shirvani, Department of Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery Department of Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Amir Mazandarani Boulevard, Vesal St., Sari, Iran, narges_mth@yahoo.com shirvani44@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: Ginger 250 mg capsules (zintoma) every 6 hours and mefenamic 250 mg every 8 hours showed ginger is as effective as mefenamic acid on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea. Ginger does not have adverse effects and is an alternative treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.

“Efficacy of honey in reduction of post tonsillectomy pain, randomized clinical trial.” Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Nov;78(11):1886-9. 51079 Dr. Saleh Mohebbi Keshavarz Blvd, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Neurological Research Center Building, Brain and Spinal Injury Research Center (BASIR), 61-14185 Tehran, Iran. Tel.: +98 21 66591321; fax: +98 21 66591318; mobile: +98 9198055420/+49 15163253792 mohebbi54@gmail.com mohebbi.saleh@mh-hannover.de CONCLUSION: Honey after tonsillectomy in children 5-15 years old showed a reduced average time required for pain relief and be used as an adjunctive regimen after surgery for better pain control.

****************************************************************************************
September, 2015

September 29, 2015 – “The Effects of Ginger on Fasting Blood Sugar, Hemoglobin A1c, Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein A-I and Malondialdehyde in Type 2 Diabetic Patients” Iran J Pharm Res. 2015 Winter; 14(1): 131–140. 50998 Dr. Farzad Shidfar, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. farzadshidfar@yahoo.com. Ginger powder 2 g/day in type 2 diabetes significantly reduced the levels of fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I and malondialdehyde and increased the level of apolipoprotein A-I.

September 29, 2015 – “The effect of ginger powder supplementation on insulin resistance and glycemic indices in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Complement Ther Med. 2014 Feb;22(1):9-16. 50999 Hassan Mozaffari-Khosravi, MD, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health, Yazd Diabetes Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. mozaffari.kh@gmail.com. Three one-gram capsules daily of ginger powder reduced fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c and improved insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics.

September 29, 2015 – “Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.” Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2015 Jan;23(1):13-21. 51000 Else Marie Bartels, MD The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark. Electronic address: Else.Marie.Bartels@regionh.dk. A meta-analysis of ginger in osteoarthritis (OA) showed a significant reduction in pain and disability, and ginger supplemented patient were more than twice as likely to discontinue treatment. Ginger was modestly efficacious and reasonably safe for treatment of OA.

September 29, 2015 – “Vitamin K2 influences several diseases.” Ugeskr Laeger. 2015 Aug 3;177(32). 51002. Dr. Henrik Hey Medicinsk Afdeling, Vejle Sygehus Sygehus, Lillebælt, Kabbeltoft 25, 7100 henrik.hey@slb.rsyd.dk Vitamin K2 deficiency is a risk factor for diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. This deficiency is very common and rarely treated by physicians. Clinical trials have shown patients with osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and cancer can benefit from vitamin K2 supplement.

September 29, 2015 – “Does vitamin K2 play a role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis for postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Osteoporos Int. 2015 Mar;26(3):1175-86. 51003 Dr. S.-L. Wan Department of Orthopaedics, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, wanshuanglin@aliyun.com This meta-analysis supports the hypothesis that vitamin K2 plays a role in the maintenance and improvement of vertebral BMD and the prevention of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The reduction of undercarboxylated osteocalcin and increment of osteocalcin may be part of the mechanism.

September 29, 2015 – “Vitamin K₂ therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis.” Nutrients. 2014 May 16;6(5):1971-80. 51004 Jun Iwamoto, MD Institute for Integrated Sports Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan jp +81-3-3353-1211 / +81-3-3352-9467 (FAX) jiwamoto@a8.keio.jp Menatetrenone is the brand name of a synthetic vitamin K2 that is chemically identical to menaquinone-4. This review provides evidence for the benefit of menatetrenone monotherapy on fracture incidence in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

September 29, 2015 – “Menatetrenone versus alfacalcidol in the treatment of Chinese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, double-dummy, positive drug-controlled clinical trial.” Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:121-7. 51005 Xiao-Ping Xing, MD Department of Endocrinology, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 10 6915 5084, Fax +86 10 6915 1552, xingxp2006@126.com Jian-Li Liu, MD Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, People’s Republic of China, 1316167397@qq.com Menatetrenone 45 mg/day is an effective and safe choice in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Chinese women.

September 29, 2015 – “Plausible ergogenic effects of vitamin D on athletic performance and recovery.” J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Aug 19;12:33. 51006 Dylan T. Dahlquist UBC Environmental Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada. (604)710-4800, dyl.dahlquist@gmail.com Vitamin D levels above the normal reference range (up to 100 nmol/L, 40 ng/ml) might increase skeletal muscle function, decrease recovery time from training, increase both force and power production, and increase testosterone production enhancing athletic performance. Vitamin D (i.e. dosages up to 4000-5000 IU/day), in combination with 50 to 1000 mcg/day of vitamin K1 and K2 may aid athletic performance.

September 29, 2015 – “Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial examining the effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplement on the spermatogram and seminal oxidative stress in infertile men.” Fertil Steril. 2015 Aug;104(2):318-24. 51007 Fatemeh Haidari, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Golestan Street, Ahvaz, Iran. haidari58@gmail.com. Alpha lipoic acid at 600 mg per day improved the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and sperm motility and improved seminal levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde.

September 29, 2015 – “An interim safety analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients administrating oral vitamin K with or without sorafenib,” Korean J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg. 2015 Feb; 19(1): 1–5. Published online 2015 Feb 28. 51008 Shin Hwang, MD Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-736, Korea. Tel: +82-2-3010-3930, Fax: +82-2-3010-6701, shwang@amc.seoul.kr Vitamin K2 45 mg/d along with Sorafenib appear to have synergistic therapeutic effects in treating hepatocellular cancer (HCC).

September 29, 2015 – “Synergistic effect of sorafenib and vitamin K on suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and metastasis.” Anticancer Res. 2015 Apr;35(4):1985-95. 51009 Shin Hwang, MD, Ph.D., Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea. Tel: +82 230103930, Fax: +82 230106701, e-mail: shwang@amc.seoul.kr Vitamin K plays a role in controlling cell growth. In hepatocellular carcinoma Combination therapy with sorafenib and vitamin K appears to be worthy of clinical trial with expectation of synergistic therapeutic effects.

September 29, 2015 – “Copper, magnesium, zinc and calcium status in osteopenic and osteoporotic post-menopausal women,” Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab. 2015 Jan-Apr; 12(1): 18–21. 51010 Marjan Mahdavi-Roshan, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Science, Rasht, Iran,: marjan_mahdaviroshan@yahoo.com Dietary intake of magnesium, zinc and calcium in post-menopausal women with low bone density were significantly lower than recommended dietary allowance. Serum levels of zinc, copper and magnesium levels were lower than normal range. Supplementation with magnesium, calcium, zinc and perhaps copper is recommended in postmenopausal women with low bone density.

September 29, 2015 – “Consumption of strawberries on a daily basis increases the non-urate 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of fasting plasma in healthy subjects” J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2014 Jul; 55(1): 48–55. 51011 Dariusz Nowak Department of Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland dariusz.nowak@umed.lodz.pl Abstract Strawberries contain anthocyanins and ellagitanins which have antioxidant properties. 500 g of strawberries daily for 9 days showed increased non-urate plasma antioxidant activity which may decrease the risk of systemic oxidants overactivity.

September 29, 2015 – “Vitamin K Dependent Proteins and the Role of Vitamin K2 in the Modulation of Vascular Calcification: A Review.” Oman Med J. 2014 May; 29(3): 172–177. 51012 Dr. Elias J. Arbid, Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University Medical Center Rizk Hospital, Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 11-3288, Beirut, Lebanon. elias.arbid@umcrh.com Vascular calcification, a cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, is an actively regulated process involving vitamin K dependent proteins (VKDPs). Vitamin K is an essential micronutrient, present in plants and animal fermented products. Vitamin K dependent proteins (VKDPs) require carboxylation to become biologically active, and they have been identified as having an active role in vascular cell migration, angiogenesis and vascular calcification.

September 29, 2015 – “Vitamin K Deficiency Is Associated with Incident Knee Osteoarthritis” Am J Med. 2013 Mar, 126(3): 243–248. 51013 BACKGROUND Devyani Misra, MD, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, 650 Albany St, Suite X-200, Boston, MA 02118 devyani.misra@BMC.org subclinical vitamin K deficiency was associated with incident radiographic knee and cartilage lesions. Subclinical vitamin K deficiency was associated with increased risk of developing radiographic knee osteoarthritis and MRI-based cartilage lesions.

September 29, 2015 – “High-Dose Vitamin C Promotes Regression of Multiple Pulmonary Metastases Originating from Hepatocellular Carcinoma” Yonsei Med J. 2015 Sep 1; 56(5): 1449–1452. 51014 Dr. Jae-Yong Shim, Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-720, Korea. Tel: 82-2-2019-3482, Fax: 82-2-3463-3287, hope@yuhs.ac A 74 year old women had regression of multiple pulmonary metastases originating from hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment with intravenous administration of 70 grams I.V. vitamin C 2 x week for 10 months. She then underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) which resulted in remission of her primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

September 29, 2015 – “Vitamin D and Inflammatory Bowel Disease” Biomed Res Int. 2015; 2015: 470805. 51015 Walter Fries Clinical Unit for Chronic Bowel Disorders, IBD-UNIT, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy fwalter@unime.it There is a growing body of evidence showing vitamin D/synthetic vitamin D receptor agonists benefit in clinical and experimental models of inflammatory bowel disease beyond the role of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism.

September 29, 2015 – “Role of dietary polyphenols in the management of peptic ulcer,” World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Jun 7; 21(21): 6499–6517. 51016 Roja Rahimi, PhD, Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Amir Abad, Keshavarz Boulevard, Tehran 1114733114, Iran. +98-215-5693523 / +98-215-5693523 (FAX) rojarahimi@gmail.com Dietary polyphenols have protective and therapeutic potential in peptic ulcer mediated. Taking therapeutic amounts of dietary polyphenols in the human diet, or as part of dietary supplementation, along with conventional treatment, can result in perfect security and treatment of peptic ulcer.

September 29, 2015 – “Zinc and gastrointestinal disease,” World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014 Nov 15; 5(4): 496–513. 51017 James M Mullin, PhD, Director of Research, Division of Gastroenterology, Lankenau Medical Center, 100 Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096, United States. +1-484-4762708 / +1-484-4762205 mullinj@mlhs.org Zinc enhancement of gastrointestinal epithelial barrier function may be the reason it has significant therapeutic potential in treating several gastrointestinal diseases.

September 29, 2015 – “Effect of licorice versus bismuth on eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with peptic ulcer disease.” Pharmacognosy Res. 2014 Oct;6(4):341-4. 51018 Dr. Ghorbanali Rahimian, Department of Internal Medicine, Hajar Hospital, Parastar Street, Shahrekord, Iran dr_rahimian29638@yahoo.com H. Pylori treatment of licorice, amoxicillin, metronidazole and omeprazole compared to bismuth subsalicylate, amoxicillin, metronidazole and omeprazole showed licorice was as effective as bismuth in H. pylori eradication. Licorice can be used safely instead of bismuth.

September 29, 2015 – “The effect of zinc lactate and magnolia bark extract added tablets on volatile sulfur-containing compounds in the oral cavity.” J Clin Dent. 2014;25(3):53-6. 51020 Dr. PF Porciani PF, University of Siena, Tuscan School of Dental Medicine, Siena, Italy. piercateadsl@libero.it The test tablet (0.7 g) contained 0.17 mg of zinc, in the form of zinc lactate, and 0.84 mg magnolia bark extract. Tablets containing zinc lactate (.17 mg of zinc) and magnolia bark extract (.84 mg) can statistically significantly reduce the oral VSC levels for over two hours and were statistically significantly more effective than a control tablet.

September 29, 2015 – “The effect of ubiquinone and combined antioxidant therapy on oxidative stress markers in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy: A phase IIa, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study.” Redox Rep. 2015 Aug 31. [Epub ahead of print] 51021 Dr. Adolfo Daniel Rodríguez-Carrizalez Department of Physiology, Clinical and Experimental Treatment Institute, University Health Sciences Centre, University of Guadalajara, Mexico (Instituto de Terapéutica Experimental y Clínica, Departamento de Fisiología) : kindalex1@outlook.com Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) and combined antioxidant therapy (CAT) decreased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitrites/nitrates while the total Antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase levels were increased.

September 29, 2015 – “Oral coenzyme Q10 supplementation in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: effects on serum vaspin, chemerin, pentraxin 3, insulin resistance and oxidative stress.” Arch Med Res. 2014 Oct;45(7):589-95. 51022 Dr. Beytollah Alipour, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran alipourb@tbzmed.ac.ir Coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) 100 mg daily for 4 weeks reduced waist circumference (WC) and serum AST and total antioxidant capacity. The study shows the potential for CoQ10 therapy in improving several anthropometric and biochemical variables in NAFLD.

September 29, 2015 – “Coenzyme Q10 supplementation decreases statin-related mild-to-moderate muscle symptoms: a randomized clinical study.” Med Sci Monit. 2014 Nov 6;20:2183-8. 51023 Mišo Šabovič Department of Vascular Diseases, University of Ljubljana Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia. miso.sabovic@kclj.si Coenzyme Q10 supplementation 50 mg twice daily effectively reduced statin-related mild-to-moderate muscular symptoms, causing lower interference of statin-related muscle pain with daily activities.

September 29, 2015 – “Effect of a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic statin on cardiac salvage after ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction – a pilot study.” Atherosclerosis. 2014 Nov;237(1):251-8. 51024 Seigo Sugiyama Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City 860-8556, Japan ssugiyam@kumamoto-u.ac.jp Rosuvastatin shows better beneficial effects on myocardial salvage than atorvastatin in ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, including long-term cardiac function, associated with increasing CoQ10/LDL-C.

September 29, 2015 – “Coenzyme Q supplementation in pulmonary arterial hypertension.” Redox Biol. 2014 Jul 31;2:884-91. 51025 Jacqueline Sharp: 9500 Euclid Avenue, A90, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States pylej@ccf.org Serpil C. Erzurum: The Alfred Lerner Memorial Chair in Biomedical Research, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, NC22, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States. erzurus@ccf.org In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients 12 weeks of oral CoQ improved cardiac parameters and hemoglobin increased and red cell distribution width (RDW) decreased which implies maturation of the red blood cell.

September 29, 2015 – “Statins’ effect on plasma levels of Coenzyme Q10 and improvement in myopathy with supplementation.” J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2014 Feb;26(2):85-90. 51026 Renea L. Beckstrand, PhD, RN, CCRN, CNE, College of Nursing, Brigham Young University, P.O. Box 25432, 422 SWKT, Provo, UT 84602. Tel: 801-422-3873 / Fax: 801-422-0538; renea@byu.edu CoQ10 supplementation between 30 and 200 mg per day may benefit patients suffering from statin-induced myopathy with no side effects.

September 29, 2015 – “Effect of coenzyme Q10 plus nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide supplementation on maximum heart rate after exercise testing in chronic fatigue syndrome – A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.” Clin Nutr. 2015 Jul 17. 51027 Jesus Castro-Marrero CFS Clinical Unit (Box 145 – Floor 1), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital Research Institute, Passeig de Vall d’Hebron 119-129 E-08035, Barcelona, Spain. Tel.: +34 93 4893000×4927; fax: +34 93 2746708. jesus.castro@vhir.org Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) showed a significant reduction in maximum heart rate during a cycle ergometer testing and a reduction in the perception of fatigue. Pain and sleep did not improve. Coenzyme Q10 plus NADH were safe and well tolerated.

September 29, 2015 – “Statins stimulate atherosclerosis and heart failure: pharmacological mechanisms.” Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2015 Mar;8(2):189-99. 51028 Dr. H. Okuyama H Nagoya City University and Institute for Consumer Science and Human Life, Kinjo Gakuin University, 2-1723 Omori, Moriyama, Nagoya 463-8521, Japan. okuyamah@kinjo-u.ac.jp Statins may be causative in coronary artery calcification and can function as mitochondrial toxins that impair muscle function in the heart and blood vessels through the depletion of coenzyme Q10 and ‘heme A’, and thereby ATP generation. Statins inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K2 which protects arteries from calcification. Statins inhibit the biosynthesis of selenium containing proteins which can suppress peroxidative stress which may increase the risk to congestive heart failure. The epidemic of heart failure and atherosclerosis that plagues the modern world may paradoxically be aggravated by the wide spread use statin drugs.

September 29, 2015 – “Analysis of vitamin D levels in patients with and without statin-associated myalgia – a systematic review and meta-analysis of 7 studies with 2420 patients.” Int J Cardiol. 2015 Jan 15;178:111-6. 51028 Dr. Maciej Banach Department of Hypertension, Chair of Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. maciejbanach@aol.co.uk In a meta-analysis low vit D levels were associated with myalgia in patients on statin therapy.

September 29, 2015 – “Pathogenesis and management of the diabetogenic effect of statins: a role for adiponectin and coenzyme Q10?” Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2015 Jan;17(1):472. 51029 Gerald F. Watts Gerald F. Watts Metabolic Research Centre, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia Cardiometabolic Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital gerald.watts@uwa.edu.au Statin therapy has been associated with an increased risk of incident diabetes. The diabetogenic effects of statins may alter islet ß-cell function and in part mediated by a statin-induced decrease in circulating adiponectin and coenzyme Q10.

September 29, 2015 – “Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on exercise-induced response of inflammatory indicators and blood lactate in male runners.” Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2015 Apr 20;29:202. 51030 Mostafa Armanfar PhD Student of Exercise Physiology, Exercise Physiology Department, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. Mostafaarmanfar@yahoo.com; marmanfar@tabrizu.ac.ir Coenzyme Q10 supplementation at 5mg/kg/day for 14 days was more effective than the acute supplementation to overcome the exercise-induced inflammation, oxidative and biochemical response that may cause tissue damage and slow recovery. Short-term coenzyme Q10 supplementation is recommended to reduce exercise-induced adverse consequences.

September 29, 2015 – “Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation (300 mg/day) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in coronary artery disease patients during statins therapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.” Nutr J. 2013 Nov 6;12(1):142. 51031 Dr. Ping-Ting Lin School of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan. apt810@csmu.edu.tw Coenzyme Q10 supplementation at 300 mg/d significantly enhances antioxidant enzymes activities and lowers inflammation in patients who have CAD during statins therapy.

September 29, 2015 – “Cardiovascular mortality and N-terminal-proBNP reduced after combined selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation: a 5-year prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial among elderly Swedish citizens.” Int J Cardiol. 2013 Sep 1;167(5):1860-6. 51032 Urban Alehagen MD, Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. Urban.Alehagen@liu.se Long-term supplementation of selenium/coenzyme Q10 reduces cardiovascular mortality. The positive effects could also be seen in NT-proBNP levels and on echocardiography.

September 29, 2015 – “The effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on metabolic status of type 2 diabetic patients.” Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 2013 Jun;59(2):231-6. 51033 Dr. M. J. Hosseinzadeh-Attar Department of clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran – hosseinzadeh.md.phd@gmail.com Q10 treatment at 200 mg per day improved glycemic control, total and LDL cholesterol in type 2 diabetics.

September 4, 2015 – “Effect of niacin on erectile function in men suffering erectile dysfunction and dyslipidemia.” Niacin up to 1500 mg/d can improve the erectile function in patients suffering from moderate to severe ED and dyslipidemia.

September 4, 2015 – “What do most erectile dysfunction guidelines have in common? No evidence-based discussion or recommendation of heart-healthy lifestyle changes and/or Panax ginseng,” Individual and comprehensive lifestyle changes can prevent and potentially improve ED. Panax ginseng may also have benefit in ED.

September 4, 2015 – “L-citrulline provides a novel strategy for treating chronic pulmonary hypertension in newborn infants.” Increasing the supply and transport of L-citrulline may be a novel approach to managing infants with chronic, progressive pulmonary hypertension.

September 4, 2015 – “Effects of Oral L-Citrulline Supplementation on Lipoprotein Oxidation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Humans with Vasospastic Angina.” L-Citrulline at 800 mg per day improved endothelial dysfunction, probably due to potentiating nitric oxide-dependent reactions and decreasing the state of lipid oxidation in humans in patients with vasospastic angina.

September 4, 2015 – “Effects of Korean ginseng berry extract on sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction: a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study.” Standardized Korean ginseng berry (SKGB, 350 mg ginseng berry extract per tablet) at 4 tablet per day improved all parameters of sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction and can be used as an alternative medicine to improve sexual life in men with sexual dysfunction.

September 4, 2015 – “High-Dose Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Preliminary Report.” Panax Ginseng (PG) at 800 mg orally daily is safe and improved cancer-related fatigue (CRF) as well as overall quality of life, appetite, and sleep at night.

September 4, 2015 – “The effect of fermented red ginseng on depression is mediated by lipids.” Postmenopausal women received fermented red ginseng (FRG) capsules for 2 weeks and the structural regression path of the energy factor on cognitive depression (CD) showed a benefit via the energy factor, which is mainly attributable to cholesterol.

September 4, 2015 – “Maintenance Therapy Containing Metformin and/or Zyflamend for Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Case Series.” Zyflamend is a combination of herbal extracts that reduces inflammation and comprises of turmeric, holy basil, green tea, oregano, ginger, rosemary, Chinese goldthread, hu zhang, barberry, and basil skullcap and/or metformin benefitted four prostate cancer patients.

September 4, 2015 – “Dietary influence on pain via the immune system.” Data supports the use of diet interventions (e.g., broccoli, ginger, grapes, fish oils, soy proteins, tomatoes, etc.) to reduce pain and inflammation in patients suffering from chronic pain or other inflammation-mediated disorders.

September 4, 2015 – “Dietary interventions in asthma.” Dietary intake can modulate inflammation in asthma. Saturated fatty acids can induce an inflammatory response; omega-3 fatty acids can be anti-inflammatory; antioxidants can be anti-inflammatory by scavenging free radicals; chronic excess energy intake can lead to obesity, which enhances inflammation.

September 4, 2015 – “[6]-gingerol as a cancer chemopreventive agent: a review of its activity on different steps of the metastatic process.” Evidence that ginger-derived compounds have inhibitory effects on various cancer cell types is increasingly being reported in the scientific literature. In this review we focused on the cancer chemopreventive effects of [6]-gingerol, the major pungent component of ginger, and its impact on different steps of the metastatic process.

September 4, 2015 – “Pilot clinical study of the effects of ginger root extract on eicosanoids in colonic mucosa of subjects at increased risk for colorectal cancer.” Ginger 2.0 grams per day orally in patients at risk for colon cancer decreased arachidonic acid and increased in LTB4 with no total adverse events. Ginger did not decrease eicosanoid levels in people at increased risk for CRC. Ginger could have chemopreventive effects through other mechanisms.

September 4, 2015 – “The effect of ginger consumption on glycemic status, lipid profile and some inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.” Ginger at 1600 mg in type 2 diabetics reduced fasting plasma glucose, HbA1C, insulin, HOMA, insulin sensitivity, triglycerides, total cholesterol, CRP and PGE₂ significantly.

September 4, 2015 – “Effect of conjugated linoleic Acid, vitamin E, alone or combined on immunity and inflammatory parameters in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial.” In rheumatoid arthritics 2.5 g conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) plus 400 milligrams of vitamin E may be effective in reducing levels of some inflammatory markers in RA patients.

****************************************************************************************

August, 2015

August 31, 2015 – “Role of vitamins in gastrointestinal diseases.” There is a therapeutic role of vitamin E in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; the additive role of vitamins B12 and D to the standard therapy of the chronic hepatitis C virus; the role of vitamin C in reducing the risk of gallstones; the positive outcome with vitamin B12 in patients with aphthous stomatitis; and the beneficial effect of vitamin D and B1 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Other potential uses are on celiac disease, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis and cholestasis.

August 31, 2015 – “Berberine: a potential multipotent natural product to combat Alzheimer’s disease.” Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid that possesses a wide range of pharmacological effects including antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory, monoamine oxidase inhibitory, amyloid-b peptide level-reducing and cholesterol-lowering activities, which suggests that berberine may act as a promising multipotent agent to combat Alzheimer’s disease.

August 31, 2015 – “Beta-carotene antioxidant use during radiation therapy and prostate cancer outcome in the Physicians’ Health Study,” The use of the supplemental antioxidant beta-carotene at 50 mg every other day during radiation therapy (RT) was not associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer death or metastases. This study suggests a lack of harm from supplemental beta-carotene during RT for prostate cancer.

August 31, 2015 – “Randomised clinical trial: The beneficial effects of VSL#3 in obese children with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.” VSL#3 at 450 billion organism per day (1 sachet) for four months significantly improved non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children.

August 31, 2015 – “Childhood obesity: a role for gut microbiota?” Prebiotics and probiotics have physiologic functions that contribute to changes in the composition of gut microbiota, maintenance of a healthy body weight, and control of factors associated with childhood obesity through their effects on mechanisms controlling food intake, fat storage and alterations in gut microbiota.

August 31, 2015 – “Targeting gut microbiota as a possible therapy for diabetes.” Accumulating evidence suggests that gut microbiota contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes. The gut microbiota effect energy metabolism, inflammation, the immune system, gut permeability and insulin resistance, energy metabolism, inflammation, the innate immune system, and the bowel function of the intestinal barrier.

August 31, 2015 – “A phase II clinical trial of a natural formulation containing tea catechins for xerostomia.” Tea catechins in patients with xerostomia, including patients with Sjögren syndrome, partially restored salivary function in showed improvement in saliva output.

August 31, 2015 – “Comparison of the efficacies of oral iron and pramipexole for the treatment of restless legs syndrome patients with low serum ferritin.” Oral iron and Pramipexole given individually had similar benefit and improvement in restless legs syndrome in patients with a low-normal serum ferritin.

August 31, 2015 – “Fish oil (n-3 fatty acids) in drug resistant epilepsy: a randomised placebo-controlled crossover study.” In low-dose and high-dose fish oil in patients with drug resistant epilepsy the low-dose fish oil at 3 capsules/day (1080 mg EPA/DHA) was associated with a 33.6% reduction in seizure frequency compared with placebo and was associated with a mild but significant reduction in blood pressure. High-dose fish oil was no different than placebo in reducing seizures or improving cardiac risk factors.

August 31, 2015 – “The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence: a double-blind controlled, crossover study.” N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 1200 mg per day in 32 METH-dependent the mean score of CCQ-Brief was reduced in four consecutive weeks with NAC treatment and showed good efficacy in suppressing METH craving, and may be a useful pharmacological treatment for METH dependency.

August 31, 2015 – “A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of cocaine dependence.” N-acetylcysteine at 2400 mg/d may be useful in preventing relapse in abstinent cocaine-dependent individuals even though it failed to demonstrate a reduction in cocaine use in cocaine-dependent individuals actively using.

August 31, 2015 – “Clinical trials of N-acetylcysteine in psychiatry and neurology: A systematic review.” N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may be valuable in treating psychiatric and neurological disorders by reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, glutamate and dopamine dysregulation. NAC may be beneficial in autism, Alzheimer’s disease, cocaine and cannabis addiction, bipolar disorder, depression, trichotillomania, nail biting, skin picking, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, drug-induced neuropathy and progressive myoclonic epilepsy.

August 31, 2015 – “N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in neurological disorders: mechanisms of action and therapeutic opportunities.” N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione modulates glutamatergic, neurotrophic, and inflammatory pathways. NAC may be beneficial in neurodegenerative diseases including spinocerebellar ataxia, Parkinson’s disease, tardive dyskinesia, myoclonus epilepsy of the Unverricht-Lundbor type as well as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, and, the potential application in recovery after traumatic brain injury, cerebral ischemia, and in treatment of cerebrovascular vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

August 31, 2015 – “Vitamin D3 increases in abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue after supplementation with vitamin D3.” Vitamin D3 at 20 000 IU per week resulted in a blood level of 99 nmol/l (40 ng/ml) 209 ng/g in the subcutaneous tissue. Subcutaneous adipose tissue may store large amounts of vitamin D3.

August 31, 2015 – “Fruit and vegetable consumption and all-cause, cancer and CVD mortality: analysis of Health Survey for England data.” Vegetables had a stronger association with mortality reduction than fruit though both reduced mortality. Consumption of vegetables or salad were most protective, while frozen/canned fruit consumption was associated with increased mortality. A significant inverse association exists between fruit and vegetable consumption and mortality, with benefits seen in up to 7+ portions daily.

August 31, 2015 – “The multifaceted role of curcumin in cancer prevention and treatment.” Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound derived from turmeric (Curcumin longa). Curcumin has been found to suppress initiation, progression, and metastasis of a variety of tumors. It also inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells by arresting them at different phases of the cell cycle and/or by inducing their apoptosis.

August 31, 2015 – “The immunological benefit of higher dose N-acetyl cysteine following mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients.” In multiple trauma critically ill patients who were mechanically ventilated who received intravenous NAC 3 grams every 6 hours for 72 hours in addition to standard therapies high dose of NAC administration not only did not improve patients’ outcome, but also raised the risk of inflammation and was associated with increased serum creatinine.

August 31, 2015 – “Nutrition intervention for migraine: a randomized crossover trial.” In migraine sufferers a low fat vegan diet for 4 weeks reduced headache pain, headache intensity and headache frequency.

August 31, 2015 – “Improvement of migraine symptoms with a proprietary supplement containing riboflavin, magnesium and Q10: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial,” A fixed combination of magnesium (600 mg), riboflavin (400 mg) and Q10 (150 mg) in the context of multivitamin/mineral platform (Migravent® in Germany, Dolovent® in USA) for 3 months in migraine migraineurs (age 18 – 65 years) with ≥ three migraine attacks per month, after 3 months showed migraine frequency, intensity and headache score being reduced.

August 31, 2015 – “Vitamin D and erectile dysfunction.” In 50 patients classified as arteriogenic (A-ED), borderline (BL-ED), and non-arteriogenic (NA-ED) ED a significant proportion of ED patients had vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D deficiency was more frequent in patients with the arteriogenic ED. Low levels of vitamin D might increase the ED risk by promoting endothelial dysfunction. Men with ED should be evaluated for vitamin D levels and particularly in A-ED patients with a low level, a vitamin D supplementation is warranted.

August 31, 2015 – “Treatment of erectile dysfunction due to C677T mutation of the MTHFR gene with vitamin B6 and folic acid in patients non responders to PDE5i.” In erectile dysfunction patients with elevated homocysteine and homozygotes for the C677T mutation and low folate levels, after a combination of B6 and folic acid treatment patients reported improvement in ED. In case of hyperhomocysteinemia associated with low levels of folates, the administration of PDE5 inhibitors may fail if abnormal levels of Hcy and folates have not been corrected.

August 22, 2015 – “Associations between Vitamin D Status, Supplementation, Outdoor Work and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis Assessment Nutrients.” 2015 Jun; 7(6): 4817–4827. 50963 Subjects with deficient and insufficient vitamin D levels had increased PD risks; vitamin D supplementation was associated with significantly reduced risk of PD; and outdoor work was related to reduced risk of PD.

August 22, 2015 – “Associations between Homocysteine, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 and Alzheimer’s Disease: Insights from Meta-Analyses.” This meta-analyses confirmed higher homocysteine, lower folic acid, and vitamin B12 levels in Alzheimer’s disease patients and suggests that high homocysteine and low folic acid levels may be risk factors of AD.

August 22, 2015 – “Buccal Cytome Biomarkers and Their Association with Plasma Folate, Vitamin B12 and Homocysteine in Alzheimer’s Disease.” Homocysteine (Hcy) was significantly increased in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cases relative to controls. The lower frequency of basal cells and karyorrhectic cells observed in AD cases may be explained by lower vitamin B12 and higher Hcy levels, respectively.

August 20, 2015 – “Selenium and the thyroid,” Selenium administration in autoimmune thyroiditis (M. Hashimoto) and mild Graves’ disease improves symptoms and well-being of patients and reduces autoimmune antibody titers. Selenium, iodine and iron are required for a healthy thyroid function.

August 20, 2015 –“The adjuvant effect of metformin and N-acetylcysteine to clomiphene citrate in induction of ovulation in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.” N-acetylcysteine (NAC) added to clomiphene citrate (CC) for induction of ovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) improved ovulation and pregnancy rates in PCOS patients with beneficial impacts on endometrial thickness.

August 20, 2015 –“Salivary progesterone and cervical length measurement as predictors of spontaneous preterm birth.” Reduced salivary progesterone and cervical length increase the risk for development of preterm birth.

August 20, 2015 – “N-Acetylcysteine improves oocyte and embryo quality in polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection: an alternative to metformin.” In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) N-acetylcysteine (NAC) at 1800 mg per day improved oocyte and embryo quality and could be administered as an alternative to metformin.

August 20, 2015 –“Effect of N-acetylcysteine in COPD patients with different microsomal epoxide hydrolase genotypes.” N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) 600 mg BID in COPD patients with extremely slow/slow EPHX1 enzyme activity improved FEV1 and the SGRQ symptom scores, especially in those with mild-to-moderate COPD. The polymorphism in the EPHX1(microsomal epoxide hydrolase) gene may have a significant role in differential responses to treatment with NAC in patients with COPD.

August 20, 2015 – “Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected?” ED is associated with a pro-inflammatory state that results in endothelial dysfunction by decreasing the availability of nitric oxide (NO), which increases genital blood flow. Lifestyle and nutrition influence vascular NO production, testosterone levels and erectile function. Lifestyle modifications (diet, smoking cessation, exercise, weight reduction, alcohol cessation) have been effective in reducing ED or restoring absent ED in people with obesity or metabolic syndrome.

August 20, 2015 – “Higher dietary anthocyanin and flavonol intakes are associated with anti-inflammatory effects in a population of US adults.” Higher consumption of anthocyanin and flavonol rich foods like apples, pears, red wine and strawberries, is associated with reduced inflammatory scores and possible chronic disease reduction.

August 20, 2015 – “Magnesium supplementation affects metabolic status and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Magnesium oxide at 250 mg daily in women with gestational diabetes reduced glucose, insulin, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde, newborn hyperbilirubinemia and newborn hospitalization.

August 20, 2015 – “Intravenous magnesium sulfate for treating adults with acute asthma in the emergency department.” A single infusion of 1.2 g or 2 g IV MgSO4 over 15 to 30 minutes reduced hospital admissions and improves lung function in adults with acute asthma who had not responded sufficiently to oxygen, nebulised short-acting beta2-agonists and IV corticosteroids.

August 20, 2015 – “Effects and safety of magnesium sulfate on propofol-induced injection pain, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Pretreatment with magnesium sulfate intravenously before injecting propofol allowed more patients to experiencing no pain during propofol injection without causing any adverse effect.

August 20, 2015 – “High glycemic index diet as a risk factor for depression: analyses from the Women’s Health Initiative.” High-GI diets could be a risk factor for depression in postmenopausal women. Higher dietary GI and consumption of dietary added sugars was associated with increasing odds of depression. Higher consumption of lactose, fiber, nonjuice fruit, and vegetables were significantly associated with lower odds of depression. Non-whole/refined grain consumption was associated with increased odds of depression.

August 20, 2015 – “Dietary glycemic index and glycemic load and risk of colorectal cancer: results from the EPIC-Italy study.” High dietary GI and high carbohydrate intake from high GI foods are associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer while low GI carbohydrates reduce risk.

August 20, 2015 – “The relationship between obesity and exposure to light at night: cross-sectional analyses of over 100,000 women in the Breakthrough Generations Study.” Light at night exposure causes weight gain, even when calorie intake and physical activity are held constant. Disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms by exposure to light at night (LAN) might be one cause. In over 100,000 women studied the odds of obesity increased with LAN exposure not explained by any measured variables.

August 9, 2015 – “The importance of selenium in Hashimoto’s disease,” – There is an increased frequency of autoimmine thyroiditis and selenium supplementation may be an effective option in the treatment of this disease.

August 8, 2015 – “Magnesium metabolism in 4-year-old to 8-year-old children.” – Children 4 to 8 years of age. Mg intake to estimated Mg retention showed that an intake of 133 mg/d, slightly above the current estimated average requirement (EAR) of 110 mg/d, led to a net average retention of 10 mg/d. Mg intake and total Mg absorption, but not calcium intake or total absorption were significantly associated with both total body BMC and BMD.

August 8, 2015 – “Microencapsulated sodium butyrate administered to patients with diverticulosis decreases incidence of diverticulitis–a prospective randomized study.”– Microencapsulated sodium butyrate (MSB) at 300 mg per day reduced the frequency of diverticulitis episodes (in patients with diverticulosis), is safe, and improves the quality of life. It can play a role in the prevention of diverticulitis.

August 8, 2015 – “Supplementation with a blend of krill and salmon oil is associated with increased metabolic risk in overweight men.” – In healthy overweight men mean age of 46.5 years five 1-g capsules of krill and salmon oil (KS-oli) unexpectedly resulted in reduced insulin sensitivity (not good) by 14%.

August 8, 2015 – “Dietary intake of minerals and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: results from the Golestan Cohort Study.” – Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cases calcium intake was significantly inversely associated with the risk of ESCC and zinc was non-significantly associated with reduced risk.

August 8, 2015 – “Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and survival in women with ovarian cancer.” – Higher serum vitamin D concentrations at diagnosis were associated with longer survival among women with ovarian cancer.

August 8, 2015 – “Fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA therapy increases muscle mass and function in healthy older adults.” – Sixty healthy 60-85-year-olds received n-3 fatty acids for 6 month slowed the normal decline in muscle mass and function in older adults and should be considered a therapeutic approach for preventing sarcopenia and maintaining physical independence in older adults.

August 8, 2015 – “Flavanones protect from arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women consuming grapefruit juice for 6 mo: a randomized, controlled, crossover trial.” – Regular grapefruit juice consumption (GFJ) at 340 mL/d, providing 210 mg naringenin glycosides, lowered carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity significantly (i.e. lowering arterial stiffness) which may be due to the flavanones present in grapefruit.

August 8, 2015 – “Replacement of saturated with unsaturated fats had no impact on vascular function but beneficial effects on lipid biomarkers, E-selectin, and blood pressure: results from the randomized, controlled Dietary Intervention and VAScular function (DIVAS) study.” – 195 men and women with moderate CVD risk substituted dietary saturated fats (animal foods) with either mono- or omega-6 PUF and reduced serum lipids (17-20% CVD reduction), blood pressure, and E-selectin.

August 8, 2015 – “Higher usual alcohol consumption was associated with a lower 41-y mortality risk from coronary artery disease in men independent of genetic and common environmental factors: the prospective NHLBI Twin Study.” – In 843 male twins aged 42-55 years of age without baseline cardiovascular disease higher usual alcohol consumption was associated with lower CAD mortality risk.

August 8, 2015 – “Association of coffee intake with total and cause-specific mortality in a Japanese population: the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study.” – In 90,914 Japanese adults without a history of cancer, cerebrovascular disease, or ischemic heart disease at baseline followed for 18.7 years as coffee consumption went up total mortality (death) in both men and women and the 3 leading causes of death in Japan; heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and respiratory disease went down.

August 8, 2015 – “The effect of tree nut, peanut, and soy nut consumption on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.”– In a meta-analysis of 21 studies total nut consumption lowered systolic blood pressure in subjects without type 2 diabetes. Pistachios seemed to have the strongest effect on reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Mixed nuts also reduced diastolic blood pressure.

August 8, 2015 – “Effects of the pure flavonoids epicatechin and quercetin on vascular function and cardiometabolic health: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.” – In healthy subjects aged 40-80 years of age receiving (-)-epicatechin (100 mg/d) or quercetin-3-glucoside (160 mg/d), epicatechin improved fasting plasma insulin and insulin resistance while quercetin had no effect. Epicatechin may in part contribute to the cardioprotective effects of cocoa and tea by improving insulin resistance.

August 8, 2015 – “A 2 year multidomain intervention of diet, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk monitoring versus control to prevent cognitive decline in at-risk elderly people (FINGER): a randomised controlled trial.” In a 2 year multidomain intervention of diet, exercise, cognitive training, vascular risk monitoring in 60-77 year old subjects at risk for dementia there was improvement or a maintenance of cognitive functioning.

August 8, 2015 – “Selenium and Iodine in Autoimmune Thyroiditis.” – Selenium as selenocysteine is found in enzymes that protect the thyroid gland from free radicals and in three different iodothyronine deiodinases involved in the activation and the inactivation of thyroid hormones. Iodine is an essential constituent of thyroid hormones. These two micronutrients may be involved in the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, post-partum thyroiditis, so-called painless thyroiditis, Graves’ disease and Graves’ ophthalmopathy.

August 8, 2015 – “The importance of selenium in Hashimoto’s disease,”– There is an increased frequency of autoimmine thyroiditis and selenium supplementation may be an effective option in the treatment of this disease.

****************************************************************************************

July, 2015

July 30, 2015 – Coffee Consumption Reduces Death Rate – In 90,914 Japanese adults between 40 and 69 years of age studied for 19 years there was an inverse association between coffee intake and total mortality with the greatest reduction in mortality in those consuming 3-4 cups per day. Coffee was inversely associated with mortality from heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and respiratory disease.

July 30, 2015 – “Magnesium and Bone Health in 4-year-old to 8-year-old children.” . Magnesium intake and total magnesium absorption, but not calcium intake or total absorption were significantly associated with both total body bone mineral content and density.

July 30, 2015 – “Microencapsulated sodium butyrate administered to patients with diverticulosis decreases incidence of diverticulitis–a prospective randomized study.” Microencapsulated sodium butyrate (MSB) at 300 mg per day reduced the frequency of diverticulitis episodes (in patients with diverticulosis), is safe, and improves the quality of life. It can play a role in the prevention of diverticulitis.

July 30, 2015 – “Brain atrophy in cognitively impaired elderly: the importance of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids and B vitamin status in a randomized controlled trial.” In 168 elderly with mild cognitive impairment B vitamin treatment of folic acid, 0.8 mg; vitamin B-6, 20 mg; vitamin B-12, 0.5 mg had a positive effect on brain atrophy only in those with high plasma ω-3 fatty acids (>590 umol/L). The beneficial effect of ω-3 fatty acids on brain atrophy was seen in those with good B vitamin status.

July 30, 2015 – “Is achlorhydria a cause of iron deficiency anemia?”- Gastritis-induced achlorhydria can be an independent cause of IDA.

July 24, 2015 – Coenzyme Q10 Protects Arteries – CoQ10 at 100 mg two timer per day in healthy individuals was atheroprotective by inducing ABCG1 expression and enhancing HDL-mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux in healthy individuals.

July 24, 2015 – Coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson’s disease?- CoQ10 as ubiquinol-10 at 300 mg per day for 48 or 96 weeks improved PD scores but the benefit wore off. It was safe and well tolerated.

June 24, 2015 – N-3 Fatty Acids Reduce Blood Pressure – 4 grams of n-3 fatty acid reduced plasma 20-HETE in patients with chronic kidney disease and was associated with reduced blood pressure.

July 24, 2015 – Probiotics Help infantile eczema – Infants with eczema took Bifidobacterium bifidum triple viable capsules and stool levels of B. bifidum increased sharply and the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index reduced significantly.

July 22, 2015 – More Meat Intake Increased Diabetes Risk – Eat more unprocessed plant food and less or no meat to wipe out diabetes. Every day I get confused people eating more meat less carbs, even good carbs. Watch the science.

July 19, 2015 – Is Fiber Anti-Aging? – Fiber intake increases lifespan (reduces mortality – death). In more than 980,000 people studied for every 10 grams of fiber consumed mortality (death) risk was reduced by 10 percent. Fiber is in beans, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts and seeds. Animal foods have no fiber. See fiber check list!

July 19, 2015 – Plant-based dietary pattern improved Dietary Inflammatory Index scores and macronutrient intake compared to diets that contain meat.

July 19, 2015 – Erectile dysfunction may be the first indicator for most men of pre-existing atherosclerosis and heart disease.

July 19, 2015 – A CoQ10 and carnitine oral jelly, Inner Power^® (IP), improved fatigue in breast cancer patients.

July 19, 2015 – Decreased levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) were found in septic patients. 200 mg of ubiquinol twice daily for 7 days increased CoQ10 levels, CoQ10 levels relative to cholesterol levels, and levels of oxidized and reduced CoQ10.

July 19, 2015 – CoQ10 (200 mg per day) reduces asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) plasma levels reducing cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetics.

July 18, 2015 – Transfats Worsen Memory – Trans fats worsen memory in a study of men 40-65 years of age. Golomb BA, Bui AK. Trans fat consumption is adversely linked to memory in working-age adults. Research presented at: American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2014; November 18, 2014: Chicago, Ill. Trans fats are found in processed foods mainly. Trans fats are easy to avoid…just don’t eat processed foods with add oils.

July 14, 2015 – CoQ10 Benefits Type 2 Diabetes – CoQ10 200 mg/d reduces cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetics. BUT THE REAL CURE to type 2 diabetics is diet. Remember the Marshall Island slide show.

July 12, 2015 – Alpha-Lipoic Acid Aids in Weight Loss – I’m not into single nutrients for weight loss…it’s the total diet, BUT lipoic acid 300 mg per day was helpful in overweight/obese women. Simple, reasonably cheap, powerful antioxidant. A reasonable add-on to a whole food, unprocessed, low allergy, mainly plant-food diet.

July 11, 2015 – Vitamin D Might Protect Against Influenza – In high school students given 2000 IU per day of vitamin D influenza A occurred significantly less in the vitamin D3 group in the first month but in the second month, the vitamin D3 group experienced more events and effectively caught up with the placebo group.

July 11, 2015 – Can Zinc in atopic dermatitis patients with low hair zinc levels help! – Zinc hair levels were significantly reduced in children with atopic dermatitis. After 8 weeks of supplementation hair zinc level increased significantly and both visual scores and general itching had improved.

July 11, 2015 – Iron Therapy Helps Chronic Hives – Oral iron therapy was found to help chronic hives (urticaria) not responding to treatment, especially if the individuals had low serum iron levels. Also a low allergy diet (no dairy, eggs, wheat, corn, soy, sugar, caffeine, etc.) has helped many of my patients.

July 10, 2015 – Low Hair Zinc with Oral Zinc Supplementation Improved Atopic Dermatitis – After 8 weeks of supplementation hair zinc levels increased significantly and symptom scores both visual and general improved along with reduced itching.

July 10, 2015 – Hepatitis C Standard Treatment More Effective with Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 supplementation along with pegylated interferon α plus ribavirin (standard-of-care; SOC) improved rates of sustained viral response in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus.

July 9, 2015 – Intravenous Vitamin C Helps with Sepsis in Hospital – Been waiting long time for this. 3500-14,000 mg of intravenous vitamin C in hospitalized patients with sepsis showed benefit and safety. (i.e. we use 30,000-100,000 mg of vitamin C IV for infections and cancer). But its a great first study! Thank you Dr. Fowler & Co.

July 8, 2015 – Is intravenous ascorbic acid safe and useful in patients with severe sepsis? – Intravenous ascorbic acid infusion at 50 mg/kg/24/hrs and 200 mg/kg/24 hours, given every 6 hours for four day was safe and well tolerated and positively impacted the extent of multiple organ failure and biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial injury. Intravenous AA rapidly reduced Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA); proinflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein and procalcitonin; and thrombomodulin in ascorbic acid infused patients exhibited no significant rise, suggesting protection against vascular endothelial injury.

July 8, 2015 – Arachidonic acid is useful as adjunctive treatment for treatment of school-age children in Schistosoma mansoni high-endemicity regions – In 268 schoolchildren with light, moderate, or heavy S. mansoni infection PZQ (40 mg/kg once) and ARA 10 mg/kg/d x 15 days elicited 83% and 78% cure rates in children with light and heavy infection, respectively. Combination of PZQ and ARA might be useful for treatment of children with schistosomiasis in high-endemicity regions.

July 7, 2015 – Gazpacho soup consumption lowers high blood pressure – Gazpacho consumption was inversely associated blood pressure and of hypertension in a cross-sectional Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk. This blood pressure lowering effect is due to synergy among several bioactive compounds present in the vegetable ingredients used to make the recipe.

July 7, 2015 – Blueberries improve blood pressure and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with high blood pressure – 22 g freeze-dried blueberry powder (11 grams mixed with 1 cup of water twice daily) daily for 8 weeks reduced blood pressure and arterial stiffness and increased nitric oxide production in postmenopausal women.

July 7, 2015 – Cranberry juice lowers blood pressure and circulating C-reactive protein, triglyceride, and glucose concentrations in adults – Low-calorie cranberry juice (LCCJ) at 240 mL containing 173 mg of phenolic compounds and 6.5 g of total sugars twice daily improved risk factors of cardiovascular disease including reducing circulating triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose, insulin resistance and diastolic BP.

July 7, 2015 – L-Carnitine supplementation improve pain in knee osteoarthritis – L-carnitine at 750 mg/d improved clinical status without changing oxidative stress and the lipid profile significantly in overweight or obese women with knee osteoarthritis.

July 5, 2015 – Vitamin K2 Decreases Bone Loss – MK-7 (menaquinone-7; vitamin K2) 180 ug/d in postmenopausal women improved vitamin K status and decreased age related decline in bone mineral density in the spine and femoral neck and improved bone strength. MK-7 supplements may help postmenopausal women to prevent bone loss.

July 5, 2015 – Silymarin Cream Helps Melasma – Silymarin cream applied topically twice daily showed tremendous improvement of melasma in a dose-dependent manner, and was effective in prevention of skin damage caused by U.V. sunlight. It is a safe and effective treatment for melasma.

July 5, 2015 – Magnesium Improves Premature Heart Beats – Oral Mg pidolate at 3 grams per day for 30 days decreased premature complex density (PCD) per hour significantly (premature ventricular and supraventricular complexes (PVC and PsVC) resulting in symptom improvement.

July 5, 2015 – Stroke Risk Reduced with Magnesium and Potassium But Not Calcium Intake – In more than a 150,000 women studied for more than 20 years a combined mineral diet score (magnesium, potassium, calcium) was inversely associated with risk of stroke. High intakes of magnesium and potassium BUT NOT calcium were also significantly associated with reduced risk of stroke in women.

July 5, 2015 – Before Bed Protein Helps Muscles and Strength – A protein supplement before before bed in young men doing strength training increased muscle mass and strength. I would use plant proteins – pea, rice or soy, and avoid dairy, whey, egg protein sources, if I was going to try it. If you want to see how plants build plenty of muscle get a subscription to “Vegan Health and Fitness.” I keep the newest issue in my office to show people powerful athletes who eat plants.

July 4, 2015 – Heart Disease is a Foodborne Illness – Watch Dr. Esselstyn’s videos on proof of reversing heart disease with a whole food plant-based diet.

July 4, 2015 – Saturated Fat Intake Increases Vascular Disease Death – Easy on the burgers and dogs (saturated fat) today (the 4th)!…Saturated fat intake (animal products) increased the risk of atherosclerotic disease (blood vessel disease) death in elderly.

July 4, 2015 – Fruit & Veggies, Burgers & Dogs, and Breast Cancer! – Eat your fruits and veggies with your July 4th burgers and dogs! Higher blood levels of carotenoids (in fruit and vegetables) over 20 years in 20,000 women reduce breast cancer incidence, recurrence and death. About Carotenoids and Foods That Contain Them.

July 3, 2015 – Can Probiotics Improve the Immune Response to Flu Vaccine – L. casei 431, a probiotic, given 3 weeks before healthy adults received the flu vaccine didn’t improve the immune response to the vaccine but did shorten the duration of respiratory infections.

July 1, 2015 – High Fructose Corn Syrup Containing Beverages and Heart Disease Risk – As the percentage of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) goes up in beverages so does cardiovascular disease (heart) disease risk. High fructose corn syrup is made up of varying percentages of the two monosaccharides – fructose and glucose (from corn syrup).

****************************************************************************************

June, 2015

June 30, 2015 – Fruits and Vegetables Protect Against Death – In this meta-analysis there was a significant protective effect of fruit and vegetable consumption with all cause mortality (death), especially for cardiovascular mortality, but no more protective effect after 5 servings of fruit and vegetables daily. There was no appreciable protective effect of fruits and vegetables on rates of cancer death.

June 30, 2015 – Exercise and Belly Fat – Any fixed time of regular exercise, high or low, reduces belly fat. Just make time daily to do any exercise and be consistent to reduce central weight gain. Just build the habit of exercise more than a specific type. High intensity exercise did reduce blood sugar better.

June 30, 2015 – Sedentary Lifestyle and Death – A sedentary lifestyle, whether you do regular physical activity or not increases the risk of death from all causes…move every 1/2 hour!

June 28, 2015 – Resources for Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients – If you, a loved one, or acquaintance has a diagnosis of breast cancer I recommend two things to help you be in control of your journey: 1) A virtual consult with former plastic surgeon Christine Horner, MD who specialized in breast cancer reconstruction, now breast cancer advocate with and expertise in integrative medicine approaches to breast cancer, and 2) a consult with Dr. Michael Lagios to make sure your cancer diagnoses is correct and a second opinion on the best traditional therapies. I have interviewed both Dr. Horner and Lagios. My patients have been very appreciative that I have recommended them to both of these individuals. (Interviews – Dr. Horner, Dr. Lagios)

June 28, 2015 – Beta-Thalassemia in Children Benefited by N-Acetylcysteine and Vitamin E – N-acetylcysteine 10 mg/kg/day or vitamin E 10 IU/kg/day in beta-thalassemic children resulted in N-acetylcysteine and vitamin E reducing serum oxidative stress and increasing pre-transfusion Hb levels and N-acetylcysteine reduced DNA damage.

June 27, 2015 – Can N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) Help Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Fertility? – N-acetylcysteine (NAC) helps polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients achieve pregnancy, balance hormones and blood sugar. WebMD – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Overview

June 26, 2015 – Citrulline and Whole Body Vibration Training Can Help Arterial Stiffness and Leg Strength – Leg muscle strength and arterial stiffness improved after whole body vibration training (WBVT), but its combination with L-citrulline supplementation enhanced benefits on aortic stiffness and leg muscle strength. WBVT and L-citrulline could be therapy for improving arterial stiffness and leg muscle function in obese postmenopausal women with pre-hypertension or hypertension, thereby reducing their cardiovascular and disability risk.

June 26, 2015- N-Acetylcysteine Can Treat Some Liver Failures – N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a glutathione precursor that detoxifies the reactive metabolites of acetaminophen and replenishes hepatic glutathione stores and is a highly effective drug for the prevention of acute liver failure (ALF) caused by acetaminophen. In studies of NAC in non-acetaminophen-induced ALF (NAI-ALF) including alcohol intoxication, hepatitis virus infection, or drug and toxin-related hepatotoxicity there was prolonged patients’ survival with native liver without transplantation and survival after transplantation, but it did improve the overall survival.

June 26, 2015 – N-Acetylcysteine Helps with Obsessive Compulsive Disorders – Obsessive compulsive and related disorders are a collection of debilitating psychiatric disorders in which the role of glutamate dysfunction is a key factor. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a glutamate modulator. Studies using NAC at 2400-3000 mg/d for 12 weeks reduced the severity of symptoms with a good tolerability profile and minimal adverse effects.

June 26, 2015 – Does Saturated (animal) Fat Increase Diabetes – It’s popular to say carbs are bad for diabetes and there’s no problem with saturated (animal) fat. The reverse is true. Eating unprocessed, low allergy carbs (lentils, beans, peas, squash, yams, sweet potatoes, whole grains, etc.) reduce diabetes risk and high saturated fat diets increase diabetes risk.

June 25, 2015 – Emergency “Natural” Migraine Therapy – You’ll get a laugh out of my impromptu, but practical, “Emergency ‘Natural’ Migraine Therapy”…it works! I’ll give you a hint…the therapy “bubbles,” smells good and is tasty!…(watch video)…

June 25, 2015 – Cancer Caused by Arsenic in Your Chicken – Arsenic containing antibiotics not only get into your chicken probably causing cancers, but also contaminate your rice and the environment.

June 24, 2015 – Chronic Illness, The Early Years and Classic Medical History – The importance of repeated infections treated with antibiotics that may times was initiated by food intolerance leading to later life chronic diseases and complaints is so important to understand…the medical history in the first two decades of life is the key… watch…listen…see yourself (watch video)…

June 23, 2015 – Can Watermelon Lower Blood Pressure? – Watermelon supplementation reduced aortic blood pressure and myocardial oxygen demand during cold pressure testing in obese adults with hypertension. Watermelon may provide cardioprotection by attenuating cold-induced aortic hemodynamic responses.

June 22, 2015 – Can Fiber Reduce Hiatal Hernias and Heart Burn? – A high fiber diet (whole grains, beans, root vegetables, i.e. unprocessed plant foods), increase easy BMs, lower pressure which can push stomach up through diaphragm causing a hiatal hernia and sometimes acid reflux and more problems. Excellent video. Worth watching and sharing. BTW animal foods have no fiber :-))!

June 22, 2015 – Does Citicoline Help With Cognition From Poor Blood Flow? – After diet and exercise citicoline 500 mg twice daily is a reasonable supplement to take for cognitive impairment from poor blood flow. Make sure to take it at least six months to see benefit.

June 22, 2015 – Does A Daily Multivitamin/Mineral Reduce the Risk of Death to Heart and Blood Vessel Disease in Women? – Though there has been much debate this recent study suggests that a daily multivitamin/mineral in women is not only safe but is beneficial in reducing the risk of death from cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) disease.

June 19, 2015 – Preventing Diverticulitis with Sodium Butyrate Capsules – Diverticulosis is “pockets” in the large bowel ‘waiting’ to be infected and turned into diverticulitis – painful, needs immediate antibiotics, and sometimes hospitalization. Sodium butyrate capsules 300 mg per day prevented diverticulitis. High fiber, low processed sugar diets are the real preventive. Probiotics can help.

June 19, 2015 – Can Music Work as Medicine? – Maybe this is why I DON’T listen to music when I work out! “Music as Medicine“…well worth the 6 minutes…Enjoy!

June 18, 2015 – Breast Cancer Risk and GMOs – My sentiments exactly. First eat whole foods (mostly plants) we know reduce the risk or reverse the major killers (heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, obesity, etc.). Then worry about eating non-GMO foods. Watch this video.

June 17, 2015 – Can A Low Fructose Diet Can Help Abdominal Pain? – Recurrent abdominal pain and/or diarrhea in children may be due to fructose malapsorption. Most importantly is to first not eat processed foods (and drinks) which are generally the source of added fructose and other sugars which all can go into the bowel and be worked on by bacteria and/or fungus and produce gas and/or create osmotic diarrhea. A low fructose diet can help.

June 17, 2015 – Can Probiotics Keep Preschoolers Healthy? – Probiotics (Lactobacillus reuteri at 10(8) colony forming units per day) reduced diarrhea and upper respiratory infections in healthy preschoolers, as well as doctor visits, antibiotic use, school absenteeism…etc. Add a little vitamin D (1000 IU/d) in children with the probiotic and this would reduce infections more. Cut our dairy foods and sugar laden junk foods and we would save millions of dollars.

June 14, 2015 – Vitamin D, Food Elimination and Gallbladder Health – Vitamin D is low in women with “sluggish” gallbladders (stasis and low ejection fraction) and food intolerance is responsible for most gallbladder attacks. (Allergy elimination diet as the most effective gallbladder diet).

June 13, 2015 – Guten-Free Diet Helps Irritable Bowel with Diarrhea – Irritable bowel syndrome with the main symptom of diarrhea responded to a gluten-free diet especially in those with genotype HLA-DQ2/8. I would try a gluten-free diet with or without this genotype and/or my BED Diet, but still eat a whole food, high fiber diet.

June 13, 2015 – Vitamin B1 Can Reduce Psychiatric Distress in Male Alcoholics – Benfotiamine (vitamin B1) 600 mg per day reduced psychiatric distress and may facilitate recovery in severely affected males with a lifetime alcohol use disorder and should be considered as an additional therapy in alcohol rehabilitation.

June 13, 2015 – Can Probiotics Lower Cholesterol? – While lowering cholesterol by a high fiber, antioxidant rich, low allergy, plant-based diet is the best way to reverse heart disease taking a probiotic is helpful in lowering cholesterol….and reducing body inflammation….

June 12, 2015 – Does Taking Probiotics Help Diabetes? – While an unprocessed, high fiber, plant-based diet is best for diabetes, taking a probiotic, especially the lactobacillus strain, appears to be beneficial for blood sugar control.

June 12, 2015 – A Diet Low in FODMAPs Helps Irritable Bowel – If you struggle with irritable bowel syndrome you can follow a diet l ow in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs). I would do the veg version or at least keep the dairy out as well. But it can help many. See Wikipedia reference for food list.

June 7, 2015 – Do Dairy Foods Increase Death Rate (Mortality) in Prostate Cancer? – Among men diagnosed with prostate cancer without metastases when diagnosed, men consuming ≥3 servings/day of total dairy products had a 76% higher risk of total mortality and a 141% higher risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality compared to men who consumed less than 1 dairy product/day. The association between high-fat dairy and mortality risk appeared to be stronger than that of low-fat dairy. 1) Dairy products, calcium, and prostate cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. 2) Whole milk intake is associated with prostate cancer-specific mortality among U.S. male physicians.

June 7, 2015 – Can Iron From Meat Cause Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease? – Iron from meat (heme) can increase risk to heart disease, diabetes, cancer…get iron (non-heme) from plants (whole grains, beans, greens, dried fruit, nuts, seeds).

June 6, 2015 – The Prudent Diet Better Than Western Diet for Prostate Cancer – In men with prostate cancer following a Western dietary pattern (higher intake of processed and red meats, high-fat dairy and refined grains) 10 years after diagnosis showed a higher all-cause mortality, whereas a Prudent dietary pattern (higher intake of vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, and whole grains) was related to lower all-cause mortality after prostate cancer diagnosis.

June 6, 2015 – Eating More Plants, Less Meat Reduces Breast Cancer Risk – Following a plant-based diet that limits red meat intake may be associated with reduced risk of breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal women.

June 5, 2015 – Low Carb Diets Not Good for Blood Flow to the Heart! – Low carb diets aren’t good for blood flow to the heart. Unprocessed plant-based diets increase blood flow to heart. Great book, “Stop Inflammation Now” by cardiologist Richard Fleming MD. Recommend it to patients for years.

June 5, 2015 – B Vitamins Reduce Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms – Diabetic peripheral neuropathy symptoms improved with L-methylfolate calcium 3 mg, methylcobalamin 2 mg, and pyridoxal-5′-phosphate 35 mg (Metanx). Related Interview

June 4, 2105 – Tetrahydrobiopterin Improves Autism Symptoms – Autism symptoms were reduced in children with BH4 (tetrahydrobiopterin), a natural compound in our bodies used for neurotransmitter and nitric oxide creation, at 20 mg/kg/day over 16 weeks.

June 2, 2015 – Melatonin Improves Sleep in Those on Beta-Blockers! – Beta-blockers taken by 22 million in U.S., mainly for hypertension, block night-time melatonin secretion. 2.5 milligrams of melatonin helped sleep quality in hypertensives on beta-blockers.

June 2, 2015 – Vitamin D Helps Pain in Nursing Home Patients – 5000 IU (125 mcg) per day of vitamin D placed in bread in nursing home patients reduced pain and improved quality of life. For chronic pain check vitamin D or take 5000-10,000 IU for a month then get level checked. 40-60 ng/ml is good.