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 data! Beginning now, we’re taking all of that data 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 had 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 now we have recognized for many years that Parkinson’s is manifested by a dopamine deficiency within the mind, why not eat a dopamine food plan? The dopamine in meals can’t truly cross the blood-brain barrier, however its precursor, levodopa (L-dopa), can and is then in a position to be transformed into dopamine. Dr. Greger discovered attention-grabbing knowledge on velvet and fava (or broad) beans, which each include 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 include 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 had 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 medication like Sinemet ought to stay the first-line remedy, however including beans to our food plan can solely assist. Even only one and a half spoonsful’s price of roasted soybeans (“soynuts”) led to a major enchancment in signs as an adjunct therapy.
The Best Diet for Fibromyalgia and Other Chronic Pain Relief
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 brought on by irritation, does an anti-inflammatory food plan assist cut back the consequences of fibromyalgia? A current examine discovered that on a plant-based food plan, perceived ache decreased a mean of three factors (on a ten-point scale), falling from a mean 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 strive—not solely to assist with fibromyalgia ache, however for a complete host of different issues.
Vinegar for Blood Sugar Control and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Treatment
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 advised as one doable reason for polycystic ovaries and we all know vinegar can enhance insulin resistance, may it additionally profit these affected by PCOS? A tiny examine utilizing one tablespoon a day confirmed enchancment for about half of the individuals. The jury continues to be out, however this means that vinegar might assist, so why not give it a strive? No matter your purpose 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 advised 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 looking for a non-pharmacological therapy for PCOS got a beverage containing a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar day by day for a number of months. The insulin resistance did enhance in most, however did their cycles return? Sure, in 4 out of seven. Earlier than the examine, they had been both having their intervals each 50 or so days or by no means, or they weren’t ovulating, however most resumed inside 40 days on the vinegar. Now, this doesn’t show something, however it’s at the least enough to point the likelihood that it might assist. And, what’s the draw back? A tablespoon of vinegar would value lower than 10 cents a day. (One other reminder to by no means drink vinegar straight.)
Dr. Greger in 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 try, and tell us what you assume!
Tea Tree Oil for Cold Sores and Warts?
Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties, as proven in movies corresponding to Does Tea Tree Oil Work for Dandruff and Athlete’s Foot? and Do Natural and DIY Tea Tree Oil Cleaning Products Disinfect as Well as Bleach?. Warts and chilly sores, then again, are brought on by viruses, so does tea tree work on these situations? Possibly on warts (at the least in a singular case report), however not on chilly sores.
Vegetarian Athletes
On this three-blog collection, beginning with What Is the Gladiator Diet 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 in terms of cardio or energy health. Since intensive analysis has proven {that a} plant-based food plan has the good thing about higher long-term well being outcomes, it looks as if a profitable 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? Try 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 current content material. To see every part from the previous month, be sure you take a look at the video, blog, and podcast pages.
