Magnesium cream found to successfully treat high blood pressure without resorting to dangerous prescription medications

Using a magnesium cream may serve as an alternative or an add-on to drug treatment against high blood pressure, a study in PLOS One revealed.

According to the researchers at the University of Hertfordshire in the U.K., only 86 percent of the general population meet the recommended magnesium intake. The health experts noted that the essential mineral boosts immune function and heart health.

The scientists also stressed that adequate magnesium levels help prevent the onset of metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by a combination of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

To carry out the study, the researchers teamed up with the Centre for Magnesium Education and Research in Hawaii to examine a group of participants who were given either a magnesium cream or a placebo. The participants were instructed to apply two five ml spoonfuls of cream each daily for two weeks.

The experts then collected the participants’ urine sample after 12 to 14 days. The results showed that volunteers who applied magnesium cream exhibited a significant increase in magnesium levels in the blood. The scientists did not observe a similar increase in those who applied the placebo cream.

The findings may show potential in alleviating hypertension, which puts people at an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and vascular dementia. Hypertension currently affects 75 million Americans and 16 million people in the U.K.

“This study is the first to look at the absorbency of transdermal magnesium creams in human subjects, so is a significant step in determining whether or not these creams could potentially be used as an alternative to oral supplements. Our initial findings indicate that magnesium creams could well be a viable and effective alternative to taking oral magnesium supplements in tablet form,” study author Lindsy Kass told Daily Mail online.

“Low magnesium intake has been shown to cause many health problems, including high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues, so these creams could potentially be a good way to contribute to the increase in magnesium levels and therefore help in reducing the associated health problems. Many people do not like taking pills or have difficulty ingesting them, whereas a cream could be used easily on a daily basis – for example by rubbing it into the skin after showering,” Kass added.

However, the research team noted that these findings warranted further investigation.

Previous study shows magnesium intake promotes heart health

The recent findings on magnesium’s efficacy as a topical treatment were reflective of previous studies demonstrating the mineral’s cardiovascular benefits.

For instance, a meta-analysis published in December 2016 showed that a diet rich in magnesium may reduce the odds of developing heart disease and diabetes.(Related: Magnesium can improve heart health and prevent heart attack deaths (Opinion).)

As part of the study, a team of Chinese researchers pooled data on dietary magnesium intake and chronic disease prevalence from 40 studies published between 19999 and 2016.

The results showed that people with the highest dietary magnesium intake were 10 percent less likely to develop heart disease, 12 percent less likely to have a stroke, and 26 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those who had lower magnesium levels.

However, increasing magnesium levels by up to 100 milligrams a day helped reduce the odds of these adverse events. The research team noted that raising magnesium levels by the said amount slashed the risk of heart failure and stroke by 22 and sevent percent, respectively.

The health experts also said that increasing magnesium intake may result in a 19 percent reduction in diabetes risk and a 10 percent decrease in all-cause mortality risk.

“Increasing dietary magnesium intake is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, heart failure, diabetes, and all-cause mortality, but not CHD [coronary heart disease] or total CVD [cardiovascular disease]. These findings support the notion that increasing dietary magnesium might provide health benefits,” the researchers wrote in BMC Medicine.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Reuters.com

Journals.PLOS.org

BMCMedicine.BioMedCentral.com

Reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes with your daily cup of coffee

Your morning cup of coffee could be doing more than just waking you up. A team of Danish scientists have put out a study claiming that four cups of coffee a day can cut down your risk of type-2 diabetes by as much as 25 percent. Although this benefit is only applicable to unfiltered coffee — e.g. espressos, decaffeinated coffee, and cafetieres — it adds to the mounting evidence that coffee truly is good for the health.

According to ScienceDaily.com, caffeine was initially believed to be the substance that produced this beneficial effect, but later studies found otherwise. One such study was conducted by the team behind these findings: the researchers discovered that a coffee compound called cafestol encouraged pancreatic cells to secret more insulin when exposed to blood sugar or glucose. Going off on this, the researchers tested the possible impact that cafestol would have on type-2 diabetes in mice.

To accomplish that, they utilized mice who were genetically-engineered to become prone to type-2 diabetes. These mice were split into three groups: two groups were given varying doses of cafestol (1.1 mg for one group and 0.4 mg for another), while the last group served as the control group and received none.

After 10 weeks had passed, the two groups of cafestol-fed mice had reduced blood sugar levels within the 28 to 30 percent range. Moreover, insulin sensitivity improved in the high-dosage or 1.1 mg group by 42 percent.

Lead author and researcher Fredrik Brustad Mellbye noted that his team’s study “adds further knowledge about mechanisms of action of bioactive substances in coffee.” Mellbye has also called cafestol a “good candidate” for future medication that could be used to treat or prevent type-2 diabetes. Unlike other anti-diabetic medicines, cafestol was not observed to induce hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. (Related: Daily coffee consumption lowers diabetes risk.)

Coffee protects against liver disease too

A separate published in June of this year suggested one more advantage of drinking four cups of coffee a day. Researchers from the Netherlands claimed that four cups of coffee or one cup of tea a day can help prevent liver scarring that can in turn lead to liver cirrhosis. While the exact mechanism behind remains unknown, the researchers believe that it may be due to antioxidant compounds entering the bloodstream and protecting the liver.

For their study, the researchers enlisted the aid of volunteers who gave blood samples and went through liver imaging procedures. The volunteers then answered questionnaires about how frequently they consumed particular drinks and beverages, such as tea and coffee. Tea consumption was divided into four groups (herbal, green, black, and none), while coffee consumption was segregated into three categories (none, moderate or three cups, and frequent or four cups).

Those who drank coffee frequently had decreased risk of liver stiffness, one of the factors that can result in liver scarring. The same effect was found in herbal tea consumption. Furthermore, the researchers found that coffee drinking seemed to reduce liver stiffness in patients diagnosed with non-alcohol fatty liver disease.

How much coffee can we drink in a day?

Healthy adults can drink as much as 400 mg of caffeine or four cups of coffee a day without issue. Going beyond that can be detrimental to one’s health, but as long as you don’t go above this number on a regular basis then you need not worry about side effects too much. Overdosing on caffeine can result in feelings of restlessness, irritability, tremors, dizziness, and an upset stomach. Individuals who experience these symptoms are recommended to cut down on their caffeine intake or check with a medical professional to see if they have caffeine sensitivity.

Visit FoodScience.news to read up on more foods that can boost your overall health.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk 1
DailyMail.co.uk 2
ScienceDaily.com

Is this why so many city dwellers have health issues? Air pollution found to radically increase stress hormones and alter metabolism

There really is something to be said for getting out into the fresh country air for a day. There is a tangible difference in how much better one feels in the country than in the city, especially if you have a very demanding job. While the stresses and strains of fast-paced city life may partly explain this feeling, new research by Dr. Haidong Kan and colleagues from Fudan University in Shanghai, China, indicates that the air pollution found in industrialized cities also causes a spike in stress hormones, resulting in the development of diseases like stroke, diabetes and heart disease, and ultimately shortening lifespan.

Reuters is reporting that the study, which was published in the journal Circulation, focused specifically on the long-term health effects of the inhalation of particulate matter (PM) smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter from industrial pollution. While the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the level of 2.5 PM be kept below 10 to maintain the health of city residents, in some cities these levels exceed 50.

For their study, researchers divided 55 healthy college students from the city of Shanghai, which has moderate pollution levels compared to other Chinese cities, into two groups. Functioning air purifiers were placed in the dorm rooms of one group, while non-working units were placed in the remaining students’ rooms for nine days. After a 12-day gap the machines were swapped and another nine-day test was conducted. The participants were given blood and urine tests at the end of each nine-day period to determine their exposure to PM.

Interestingly, the scientists determined that even over just the nine-day period, levels of the stress hormones cortisone, cortisol, norepinephrine and epinephrine rose when the participants were exposed to the dirtier air. Their blood sugar, amino acid, fatty acid and lipid levels also rose, as did their blood pressure levels. The students also exhibited other indicators of molecular body tissue stress. This combination of stressors would likely lead to heart disease, diabetes and other health problems over time. (Related: Discover other ways in which our environment affects our health at Enviro.news)

“This research adds new evidence on how exposure to PM could affect our bodies, which may (ultimately) lead to higher cardiovascular risk,” Dr. Kan told Reuters Health. “Our result may indicate that particulate matter could affect the human body in more ways than we currently know. Thus, it is increasingly necessary for people to understand the importance of reducing their PM exposure.” (Related: Deep breathing of polluted air puts bike riders at higher risk of lung cancer and strokes.)

Exposure to pollution may not be the only way in which cities can negatively impact our health.

A 2014 study by researchers from the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, Germany, set out to determine the impact of stress on city dwellers’ brains. They discovered that in comparison to their country cousins, city slickers did not handle stress well at all.

The researchers purposely induced stress in study participants and then studied its effects on two areas of the brain: The amygdalas and the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC).

The Guardian explains their findings:

The amygdalas are known to be involved in assessing threats and generating fear, while the pACC in turn helps to regulate the amygdalas. In stressed citydwellers, the amygdalas appeared more active on the scanner; in people who lived in small towns, less so; in people who lived in the countryside, least of all.

And something even more intriguing was happening in the pACC. … Again, those with rural childhoods showed the least active pACCs, those with urban ones the most. In the urban group moreover, there seemed not to be the same smooth connection between the behaviour of the two brain regions that was observed in the others. An erratic link between the pACC and the amygdalas is often seen in those with schizophrenia too. And schizophrenic people are much more likely to live in cities.

Clearly, living in the city is not the best choice when it comes to either our mental or physical health. For those of us who have no option, however, it is important to get out into the country and breathe that fresh, clean air as often as possible.

Sources include:

Reuters.com

TheGuardian.com

Swapping out SODA for WATER can help you lose 14 pounds a year

Cutting back on soda intake and replacing them with water may lead to significant weight loss within a year, a recent Consumer Reports study revealed.

According to the report, drinking 20 ounces of water in place of the same amount of soda may help a person ward off as much as 119 cups of refined sugar within a year. This, in turn, prevents the body from absorbing 52 extra pounds of refined sugar over the same period. The report also showed that swapping out soda with water may lead to a total weight loss of 14 pounds within one year.

The report also revealed that consuming less-sugary beverages — such as milk, orange juice, and energy drinks — instead of soda may result in a significant weight loss between three to more than nine pounds. This also reduces refined sugar consumption between 47 to 97 cups per year.

Researchers said adopting these changes could make a difference in today’s worsening obesity epidemic. According to the experts, an average American consumes between 150 calories from soda each day, which was a big part of the 300 extra calories that the general population has apparently added to their daily diets over the years.

“Take away one can of soda, which would be about 150 calories, and you’re halfway there to offsetting that,” Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said in a Daily Mail article.

The experts also noted that young people are more likely to benefit from this method, as doing so would readily stem childhood obesity that usually persists in adulthood.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may result in a plethora of adverse health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, and tooth decay as well as gout, cavities, and non-alcoholic liver disease.

Replacing soda with water may facilitate weight loss, studies show

Previous studies have already established that replacing soda with water may significantly improve body weight.

Just last year, a study carried out by Virginia Tech and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill revealed that replacing one eight-ounce sugary drink with the same amount of water may help reduce calorie intake in adults aged 19 years and older. (Related: Water before meals helps with weight loss, say researchers.)

The experts also noted that adopting the one-for-one drink swap method helped improve the participants’ scores on the Healthy Beverage Index. “Regardless of how many servings of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume, replacing even just one serving can be of benefit …We found that among U.S. adults who consume one serving of sugar-sweetened beverages per day, replacing that drink with water lowered the percent of calories coming from drinks from 17 to 11 percent. Even those who consumed more sugary drinks per day could still benefit from water replacement,” researcher  Kiyah J. Duffey told Science Daily online.

In another study, researchers at The University of Nottingham and Tehran University of Medical Sciences found that replacing diet soda with water helped improve body weight and insulin sensitivity in obese women with type-2 diabetes.

“Our results are very interesting. They show that the women drinking water after their main meal at lunch time over 24 weeks lost on average 1.16kg more than the women who drank diet drinks after their meal. We think that by drinking water instead of sweet-tasting diet drinks, the women may be adhering better to the weight loss diet because artificial sweeteners may increase desire for sweetened and more energy dense foods,” researcher Dr. Hamid Farshchi said in a university release.

Sources include: 

DailyMail.co.uk

ScienceDaily.com

Nottingham.ac.uk

Mangoes might be the ultimate superfood for diabetes: New science finds they control both blood sugar and blood pressure

Eating mangoes may hold potential in preventing metabolic disorders and diabetes, according to four separate studies presented at the 2017 Experimental Biology Conference.

In one of the studies, a team of researchers at the Texas A&M University’s Department of Nutrition and Food Science examined how lean and obese individuals absorbed, metabolized, and excreted gallic acid, galloyl glycosides, and gallotannin following mango consumption for six weeks. According to the researchers, eating mangoes for an extended period can increase the fruit’s anti-inflammatory effects compared with irregular consumption.

In another randomized study, health experts from the same university assessed how mango consumption affects the gut microbiota in both lean and obese individuals. The research team also investigated the fruit’s potential in containing galloyl metabolites and anti-inflammatory activities. It affirmed that galloyl-derivatives from mango may contain therapeutic potential in addressing obesity and metabolic disorder. However, the experts noted that larger-scale studies are warranted to confirm the findings.

In yet another study from the same university, a team of scientists evaluated the metabolic effects of daily mango consumption for six weeks among lean and obese participants. The researchers noted that eating mangoes daily during study period helped reduce blood pressure levels in lean participants. They also found that daily consumption helped obese participants maintain long-term glucose homeostasis. (Related: Mango, the new diabetes and cancer buster)

On the other hand, a study carried out by researchers at the Oklahoma State University assessed the post-prandial responses of otherwise healthy men after eating a high-fat breakfast with or without a mango shake. The experts found that drinking the mango shake made a modest difference in the participants’ post-meal response.

Previous study supports mangoes’ potential in diabetes management

The recent findings were reflective of past research that demonstrated the beneficial effects of mangoes on patients with diabetes. For instance, a study carried out by researchers at the Oklahoma State University’s College of Human Sciences found that mango consumption may lower blood glucose levels in obese adults. As part of the study, the researchers examined 20 obese adults who were instructed to eat 10 grams of freeze-dried mango for 12 weeks.

The study showed that the patients displayed relatively lower blood sugar levels by the end of the study. Male participants also showed marked reductions in waist circumference, the experts noted.

“We are excited about these promising findings for mangoes, which contain many bioactive compounds, including mangiferin, an antioxidant that may contribute to the beneficial effects of mango on blood glucose. In addition, mangoes contain fiber, which can help lower glucose absorption into the bloodstream. Our results indicate that daily consumption of 10 g of freeze-dried mango, which is equivalent to about one-half of a fresh mango (about 100 g), may help lower blood sugar in obese individuals…We believe this research suggests that mangoes may give obese individuals a dietary option in helping them maintain or lower their blood sugar. However, the precise component and mechanism has yet to be found and further clinical trials are necessary, particularly in those that have problems with sugar control, such as diabetics, are necessary,” said lead author Edralin Lucas.

“The results of this study support what we learned in our recent animal model, which found that mango improved blood glucose in mice fed a high-fat diet. Although the mechanism by which mango exerts its effects warrants further investigation, we do know that mangoes contain a complex mixture of polyphenolic compounds. Research has shown that several other plants and their polyphenolic compounds…have a positive effect on [fat] tissue,” Lucas said in a separate article on the Diabetes Self Management website.

Sources include:

Sci-News.com

Eurekalert.org

DiabetesSelfManagement.com

Is that late night snack putting you at risk for diabetes and heart disease?

 A recent study conducted by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania revealed that snacking late at night may increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. To carry out the study, the research team examined nine healthy-weight adults who were instructed to consume three meals and two snacks between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for eight weeks. The participants were also instructed to eat the same meals, but this time between noon and 11:00 p.m. for another eight weeks. In order to control for sleep, the participants were instructed to sleep between 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. during the study’s duration.

The study revealed that the participants produced appetite-stimulating hormones when they ate during the day, which made them feel fuller for longer. However, the research team found that late-night eating not only spurred weight gain, but also resulted in higher insulin, blood glucose, and blood cholesterol levels among the participants. Late-night snacking was also associated with increased risk of heart disease or heart attack among participants.

“These early findings, which control for sleep, give a more comprehensive picture of the benefits of eating earlier in the same. Eating later can promote a negative profile of weight, energy and hormone markers – such as higher glucose and insulin, which are implicated in diabetes, and cholesterol and triglycerides, which are linked with cardiovascular problems and other health conditions,” lead author Namni Goel said in Telegraph.co.uk.

Another study links meal timing to diabetes and heart disease

Another study, published early this year revealed that people who skipped breakfast and those who ate late in the evening were at an increased risk of suffering heart attack or stroke. The study also revealed that people who had irregular meal schedules were likely to put on excess weight. According to researchers, the timing of meals remain important as long fasting periods between meals may tempt people to binge on unhealthy food items such as junk foods high in sugar and fat. (Related: Eating breakfast may actually slash heart risk)

“Eating patterns are increasingly varied. Typical breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals are difficult to distinguish because skipping meals and snacking have become more prevalent. Such eating styles can have various effects on cardiometabolic health markers, namely obesity, lipid profile, insulin resistance, and blood pressure. Meal timing may affect health due to its impact on the body’s internal clock. In animal studies, it appears that when animals receive food while in an inactive phase, such as when they are sleeping, their internal clocks are reset in a way that can alter nutrient metabolism, resulting in greater weight gain, insulin resistance and inflammation. However, more research would need to be done in humans before that can be stated as a fact. We suggest eating mindfully, by paying attention to planning both what you eat and when you eat meals and snacks, to combat emotional eating,” Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, associate professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia University, said in Express.co.uk.

However, Prof. St-Onge noted that the findings warrant further investigation. The findings were published in Circulation, the flagship journal of the American Heart Association. 

Sources include: 

Telegraph.co.uk

Express.co.uk

Circ.AHAJournals.org

Boost your mood with Saffron – Mother Nature’s Prozac

More and more people suffer from depression today than ever before. Reports reveal that 1 in 10 US adults say they are suffering from depression and by 2020, depression is anticipated to be the world’s second-leading cause of disability. Negative side effects and dangers of psychiatric medications are two main drawbacks to conventional treatment programs for depression. Also, they do not often work. In fact, about 90% of patients endure at least one of the many serious side effects from these medications.

Therefore, natural healthcare providers and their patients are looking for a safer way to fight mood disorders. Saffron is a popular natural depression treatment. In fact, it seems to be as effective as common antidepressant pills like Prozac and Imipramine but without the adverse side effects.

This fascinating spice has been used to treat more than 90 diseases over 4,000 years. Saffron is the most costly spice in the world. Price estimates range from $1,000 to $5,000 per pound. The cost is extraordinary because it takes about 80,000 crocus flowers and a quarter million dried stigmas to deliver one pound of saffron. Moreover, the harvesting is not easy as well. It is done entirely by hand during just one to three weeks a year.

Saffron as Natural Antidepressant:

In traditional Persian medicine, saffron is used for depression. Several studies state that saffron relieves many psychiatric conditions.
Iranian researchers say that saffron may work in the same way that many antidepressants do. Two compounds in saffron (safranal and crocin) protect levels of several brain chemicals that boost and stabilize mood. These compounds may exert anti-depressant effects by keeping balanced levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Chinese scientist concluded that crocin was the active compound and should be considered as new plant substance for curing depression.

The Latest 2014 review of studies examined 14 studies which used saffron as an anti-depressant. Human studies show there is a benefit to both anxiety and depression.
In one study, researchers studied 40 people with mild to moderate depression divided into two groups; one took saffron (15mg x2 daily), the other fluoxetine (Prozac). As a result, after two months, saffron was as effective as Prozac.

In another study from Iran, one group took 30mg of saffron daily; the other received a placebo. After 6-weeks, the ‘saffron group’ had much lower score on the standard test for depression.
Another study saw an even stronger anti-depressant effect of this spice.
Saffron was even compared to a tricyclic antidepressant imipramine (Tofranil) and was shown to be just as effective as the drug and without the negative side effects.

”Findings from clinical trials conducted to date indicate that saffron supplementation can improve symptoms of depression in adults with major depression.”
”Findings from initial clinical trials suggest that saffron may improve the symptoms and the effects of depression, anxiety, premenstrual syndrome, sexual dysfunction, and infertility.”

More Uses and Benefits:

• Sexual Dysfunction (Studies show that saffron is effective in treating erectile dysfunction).
• Macular Degeneration (A study from Australian and Italian researchers shows that it helps slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration and improves vision; also, it prevents retinal damage in animal studies).
• Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells (Researchers found that crocetinic acid inhibited the growth of human pancreatic cancer cells).
• Alzheimer’s Disease (Saffron is as effective as the Alzheimer drug donepezil based on studies).
• Metabolic Syndrome (Saffron may significantly reduce the symptoms of metabolic syndrome).
• PMS (A study found saffron relieves symptoms of premenstrual syndrome).
• Menstrual Cramps (Significant reduction).
• Atherosclerosis
• Infertility (from Urology Journal – 50mg of saffron daily for three months, result: percentage of normally shaped sperm rose by 21%).
• Multiple Sclerosis (Pakistan researchers state that saffron may be potentially useful for the treatment of MS).
• Parkinson’s (Crocetin, a compound isolated from saffron is helpful in preventing Parkinsonism and has therapeutic potential in fighting this neurological disorder).
• Anxiety and Insomnia (In animal study, scientist found that saffron reduced anxiety-like activity and increased total sleep time).
• Memory loss (Saffron improved memory in animals – Findings from Behavioral Brain Research).
• Cancer (Researchers reviewed more than 30 studied on saffron and cancer and concluded that it may have potential to prevent and treat certain forms of cancer).
• Weight Loss (A 2010 study published by Elsevier found that taking saffron could help people control their compulsive eating – significant reduction in their snacking).
• Some More Possible Uses And Benefits: Inflammation, Stomach Problems, Pain Relief, Diabetes, Heart Health, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Potent Antioxidant, Asthma, Cough

Safety, Side Effects and Dosing:

Consuming saffron in higher doses can be dangerous.
For the treatment of mild to moderate depression and in premenstrual syndrome 30 mg daily in two divided doses is effective. Doses of up to 1.5 g per day of saffron appears to be safe; saffron poisoning symptoms appear after you take more than 5 g in a single dose; it may be lethal if taken as a 10-20 g dose.
Also, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid intake of saffron. As always, consult a medical professional or qualified herbalist before adding a powerful new component like this to your herbal regimen.

Conclusion:

Remember, that in spite of saffron benefits, high doses can be potentially dangerous – you do not need much. Just a pinch is all you need for most dishes.
Avoid the ‘powder form’ and look for the complete stigmas or threads. The powders are often mixed with poor quality or other spices like turmeric. Saffron fakes are also quite common so be sure to get a genuine one.
If you would like to try saffron for depression, please talk to your doctor before changing or trying anything new. It would be best to work with a natural medicine practitioner who is well-educated on using herbals alongside medications.

Sources:

1. Healing Spices, Bharat B. Aggarwal, PhD
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4643654/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26165367
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3731881/
5. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/8-proven-health-benefits-saffron
6. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/inner-source/201601/saffron-emotional-health