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 diet 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 need 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 now have recognized for many years that Parkinson’s is manifested by a dopamine deficiency within the mind, why not eat a dopamine weight-reduction plan? 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 attention-grabbing knowledge 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’ll be able to eat extra of them—and could be consumed as a complete meals. Substantial scientific enhancements have been famous in sufferers after they ate fava beans, much like that of receiving a normal drug. Total, the analysis is ongoing, and, till we all know extra, Parkinson’s combo medication like Sinemet ought to stay the first-line remedy, however including beans to our weight-reduction plan can solely assist. Even only one and a half spoonsful’s value of roasted soybeans (“soynuts”) led to a big enchancment in signs as an adjunct remedy.
The Greatest Food regimen for Fibromyalgia and Different Power Ache Aid
Fibromyalgia has lengthy been dismissed as a psychological phenomenon, however it’s now understood to be a dysfunction of ache regulation and sensitization. If ache is often attributable to irritation, does an anti-inflammatory weight-reduction plan assist scale back the results of fibromyalgia? A latest examine discovered that on a plant-based weight-reduction plan, perceived ache decreased a median of three factors (on a ten-point scale), falling from a median of 5 – 6 factors down to simply two out of ten. The examine didn’t have a management group, however there’s no draw back to giving more healthy consuming a attempt—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) Therapy
Vinegar has been proven to assist speed up weight reduction, scale back ldl cholesterol, act as a disinfectant, and blunt spikes in blood sugar and insulin after meals. Since insulin resistance has been instructed as one potential reason behind polycystic ovaries and we all know vinegar can enhance insulin resistance, might it additionally profit these affected by PCOS? A tiny examine utilizing one tablespoon a day confirmed enchancment for about half of the members. The jury remains to be out, however this means that vinegar could assist, so why not give it a attempt? No matter your cause for taking a each day dose of vinegar, bear in mind to by no means drink it straight, as it could possibly trigger second-degree caustic burns down your throat.
It has been instructed that insulin resistance is likely one of 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 on daily basis for just a few months. The insulin resistance did enhance in most, however did their cycles return? Sure, in 4 out of seven. Earlier than the examine, they have been both having their durations 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, however it’s not less than enough to point the likelihood 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? Complete-food granola made with buckwheat groats, candy potatoes, and spices. Give it a attempt, and tell us what you suppose!
Tea Tree Oil for Chilly Sores and Warts?
Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties, as proven in movies reminiscent of 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, alternatively, are attributable to viruses, so does tea tree work on these situations? Possibly on warts (not 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 Food regimen 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. High teams of athletes, from historic Romans and Greeks to modern-day Olympic runners, have been recognized to eat largely plant-based diets. Total, most research have discovered little distinction between vegetarian and omnivore athletes with regards to cardio or power health. Since in depth analysis has proven {that a} plant-based weight-reduction plan has the advantage of higher long-term well being outcomes, it looks like a successful alternative.
This month’s highlight is all about bone well being. Do folks consuming plant-based have higher 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 every thing from the previous month, you should definitely try the video, weblog, and podcast pages.
