Ginkgo May Not Boost Brain Health
Taking ginkgo biloba may not shield your brain from the negative effects of aging, a recent study shows. Said to increase blood flow to the brain, ginkgo is one of the most widely used herbal treatments consumed specifically to prevent age-related cognitive decline, according to the study’s authors.
For the study, researchers recruited 3,069 older adults (ages 72 to 96) who had normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment. About half the participants received 120 mg of ginkgo twice daily, while the remaining study members received a placebo.
At a median follow-up of 6.1 years, the researchers used a number of tests to measure changes in cognition. Results revealed no evidence that ginkgo slows the rate of cognitive decline in older adults.
To preserve your brain health as you age, health professionals recommend following a balanced diet (high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in saturated fats), keeping mentally active (by doing crossword puzzles or learning new skills or languages, for example), and getting regular exercise.
Ginkgo May Not Boost Brain Health originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 06:00:52.
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St. John’s Wort May Not Ease IBS Symptoms
If you’re looking to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) naturally, St. John’s wort may not be your best bet. A recent study found that the herb was less effective than a placebo when it came to alleviating IBS symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.
The study included 70 IBS patients. For three months, half the participants received St. John’s wort, while the other half received a placebo. After observing the patients’ symptoms throughout the treatment period, researchers determined that the placebo group had a better response than study members taking St. John’s wort.
A popular natural remedy for IBS, St. John’s wort is thought to affect neurotransmitters found in the colon. In past studies, St. John’s wort has been found to benefit people with depression, as well as individuals attempting to quit smoking.
St. John’s Wort May Not Ease IBS Symptoms originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 06:00:33.
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Myrrh May Lower Cholesterol Levels
Resin extracted from myrrh trees may help fight high cholesterol, according to a recent study.
The study involved a group of rodents with high cholesterol. In a series of lab experiments, researchers tested the effects of several natural substances (including fenugreek and esparto grass leaves, in addition to resin from the Commiphora Myrrha species of myrrh tree). When consuming a blend of these substances as part of their normal daily diet, the rodents experienced a decrease in their levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats linked to the occurrence of coronary artery disease in some individuals).
In previous research, scientists have found that another variety of myrrh resin (known as guggul) may also help lower cholesterol levels. A small study published earlier in 2009, for instance, showed that adults taking guggul in capsule form daily had a greater drop in total cholesterol levels than those who took a placebo. However, the study members who used guggul showed no significant reduction in their levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
Myrrh May Lower Cholesterol Levels originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Thursday, January 7th, 2010 at 21:36:09.
