Diet and Lifestyle

Inflammatory polyarthritis (IP) is a form of rheumatoid arthritis that affects more than one joint. Research appearing in the July, 2004 issue of the Annals of Rheumatic Disease [63(7):843-7] shows a connection between low consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and the development of IP. The research is based on a survey of over 20,000 […]

According to a study of cognitive function funded by the National Institute on Aging, the brain is vulnerable to free radicals, which cause oxidative damage. Free radicals are like chemical “bullets” that can damage tissue (oxidative damage). The study followed change in mental function in 3000 people over the age of 64 living in Cache

A study that was published in Family Practice News (February 1, 2005:48) looked at 85 women suffering with menopausal hot flashes or night sweats. The subjects selected had at least five hot flash or night sweat episodes per day. The women were divided into two groups and for a period of three months were given

Fish oil, (omega-3 fatty acids from fish) has been shown to have cardiac benefits. It can help to decrease blood triglyceride levels, improve the functions of blood vessels and reduce blood clot formation. These benefits have been known for the general population; now it seems that the cardiac benefits of fish oil holds true for

The type of fat in the diet does affect the immune system and inflammatory processes. To quote research appearing in the British Journal of Nutrition (2002; 87 Suppl 1:S59-67) “Due to the regulatory impact on different processes of inflammatory and immune cell activation n-3 fatty acids provide positive effects on various states of immune deficiencies

Exercise may be more beneficial for treating depression. There is research to support this idea. Research appearing in British Journal of Sports Medicine(April 2001;35:114-117) showed the benefit of exercise to depressed patients. It was a small study, involving 12 subjects. Each subject had a depressive episode as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of

TexasA&MUniversity psychologist Mary W. Meagher, who has conducted pain research for 16 years, says that fear and anxiety affect how a person experiences pain. Fear tends to reduce pain, anxiety increases it. She says, “From a clinical perspective, these data suggest that a patient anticipating an unpredictable threatening event will experience enhanced pain,” she says.

German scientists, publishing research in the November, 2006 issue of the online journal, Nature have found that stimulating the brain during sleep improves memory. The subjects were asked to memorize pairs of words before sleep. During sleep, one group of the subjects received slow, oscillating electrical current that mimicked brain waves. The stimulation was low

There is a connection between obesity and PMS, according to a study appearing in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2005; 26(1):33-9). Researchers interviewed 874 women between the ages of 18 and 44. They answered questions on the Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form. Obesity was assessed by body mass index (BMI). Overall prevalence of PMS

Eating More Vegetables and Olive Oil may Benefit Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Researchers at the University of Athens Medical School found that development of RA (rheumatoid arthritis) was closely associated with a low consumption of cooked vegetables and olive oil. Both items are common in the Greek diet. In general, southern Mediterranean populations consume a diet