Each month, we publish round eight new movies, 4 Friday Favorites, eight blogs, and 4 podcasts on NutritionFacts.org. We’re bursting on the seams with well being and vitamin info! Beginning now, we’re taking all of that info and wrapping up the juiciest bits into a pleasant, bite-sized weblog as an end-of-month recap in case you missed something or simply desire a refresher. So, what have been the highlights in February?
Treating Parkinson’s Illness with Velvet Beans and Fava Beans
Our two new movies on Parkinson’s illness launched this month addressed the query, If we have now identified for many years that Parkinson’s is manifested by a dopamine deficiency within the mind, why not eat a dopamine eating regimen? The dopamine in meals can’t truly cross the blood-brain barrier, however its precursor, levodopa (L-dopa), can and is then capable of be transformed into dopamine. Dr. Greger discovered fascinating information on velvet and fava (or broad) beans, which each comprise L-dopa. The data on velvet beans appeared promising at first, however there are some hurdles to its use—together with its nasty style.
What about fava beans? They comprise much less L-dopa than velvet beans, however they’re tasty—so you may eat extra of them—and will be consumed as a complete meals. Substantial medical enhancements have been famous in sufferers after they ate fava beans, just like that of receiving a typical drug. Total, the analysis is ongoing, and, till we all know extra, Parkinson’s combo medicine like Sinemet ought to stay the first-line remedy, however including beans to our eating regimen can solely assist. Even only one and a half spoonsful’s price of roasted soybeans (“soynuts”) led to a big enchancment in signs as an adjunct remedy.
The Finest Weight-reduction plan for Fibromyalgia and Different Continual Ache Reduction
Fibromyalgia has lengthy been dismissed as a psychological phenomenon, but it surely’s now understood to be a dysfunction of ache regulation and sensitization. If ache is usually brought on by irritation, does an anti-inflammatory eating regimen assist cut back the results of fibromyalgia? A latest research discovered that on a plant-based eating regimen, perceived ache decreased a mean of three factors (on a ten-point scale), falling from a mean of 5 – 6 factors down to only two out of ten. The research didn’t have a management group, however there’s no draw back to giving more healthy consuming a strive—not solely to assist with fibromyalgia ache, however for a complete host of different issues.
Vinegar for Blood Sugar Management and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Remedy
Vinegar has been proven to assist speed up weight reduction, cut back ldl cholesterol, act as a disinfectant, and blunt spikes in blood sugar and insulin after meals. Since insulin resistance has been recommended as one potential reason for polycystic ovaries and we all know vinegar can enhance insulin resistance, might it additionally profit these affected by PCOS? A tiny research utilizing one tablespoon a day confirmed enchancment for about half of the members. The jury continues to be out, however this implies that vinegar could assist, so why not give it a strive? No matter your cause for taking a every day dose of vinegar, keep in mind to by no means drink it straight, as it will possibly trigger second-degree caustic burns down your throat.
It has been recommended that insulin resistance is among the causes of polycystic ovaries and we all know that vinegar can enhance insulin resistance, so researchers determined to review the impact of vinegar for PCOS. Seven sufferers in search of a non-pharmacological remedy for PCOS got a beverage containing a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar day-after-day for a couple of months. The insulin resistance did enhance in most, however did their cycles return? Sure, in 4 out of seven. Earlier than the research, they have been both having their intervals each 50 or so days or in no way, or they weren’t ovulating, however most resumed inside 40 days on the vinegar. Now, this doesn’t show something, but it surely’s no less than adequate to point the chance that it could assist. And, what’s the draw back? A tablespoon of vinegar would price lower than 10 cents a day. (One other reminder to by no means drink vinegar straight.)
Dr. Greger within the Kitchen: Groatnola
Two years in the past, Dr. Greger made a video about his then-favorite breakfast, the Cran-Chocolate Pomegranate BROL Bowl. He nonetheless loves it, however with pomegranate season waning as soon as once more, he’s on a brand new kick: groatnola! What’s that? Entire-food granola made with buckwheat groats, candy potatoes, and spices. Give it a strive, and tell us what you assume!
Tea Tree Oil for Chilly Sores and Warts?
Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties, as proven in movies akin to Does Tea Tree Oil Work for Dandruff and Athlete’s Foot? and Do Pure and DIY Tea Tree Oil Cleansing Merchandise Disinfect as Effectively as Bleach?. Warts and chilly sores, then again, are brought on by viruses, so does tea tree work on these circumstances? Possibly on warts (no less than in a singular case report), however not on chilly sores.
Vegetarian Athletes
On this three-blog sequence, beginning with What Is the Gladiator Weight-reduction plan and How Do Vegetarian Athletes Stack Up?, Dr. Greger appeared on the historical past of vegetarian athletes and the way they stacked as much as their omnivorous competitors. Prime teams of athletes, from historical Romans and Greeks to modern-day Olympic runners, have been identified to eat largely plant-based diets. Total, most research have discovered little distinction between vegetarian and omnivore athletes in the case of cardio or power health. Since intensive analysis has proven {that a} plant-based eating regimen has the advantage of better long-term well being outcomes, it looks like a profitable alternative.
This month’s highlight is all about bone well being. Do individuals consuming plant-based have better bone loss? Does animal protein consumption result in bone loss? What’s the relationship between milk consumption and charges of hip fractures? Take a look at the podcast for solutions to these questions and extra. In a nutshell, although, for the strongest bones, eat loads of phytonutrient-packed plant meals and incorporate weight-bearing train.
This has been a wrap-up of only a small sampling of our latest content material. To see all the things from the previous month, make sure to try the video, weblog, and podcast pages.
