Summary The present study was conducted by the Dr. Rath Research Institute in California, USA. It investigated the effects of a micronutrient mixture against inflammation. The experiments were performed with human cells and mice and demonstrated an inhibitory effect of the micronutrients on various inflammatory mediators (cytokines, PGE2, COX2 and NfkB). The researchers thus concluded…
Summary This study analyzed the anti-inflammatory effects of epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC). The study was conducted with human cells. After treatment with EGCG, the initial step in vascular inflammation (endothelial exocytosis) was measured in these cells. The resulting data indicated that ECGC decreased vascular inflammation by increasing nitric oxide (NO), a compound involved in blood vessel…
Summary This study investigated whether epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and Polyphenon E (Poly E), a mixture of green tea catechins, suppress inflammation-related colon cancer. Colonic tumors were induced in male mice aged 5 weeks. The animals received drinking water containing EGCG or Poly E for 17 weeks. The results provided evidence that the tested micronutrient combination…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of zinc supplementation on inflammation in kidney dialysis (hemodialysis) patients. Hemodialysis is the most common method used to treat kidney failure and is associated with increased inflammation. In the study, 55 hemodialysis patients were given zinc or placebo for 42 days. The results showed that zinc supplementation decreased inflammation…
Summary This study examined the effects of green tea polyphenols (natural compounds extracted from green tea, GTPs) on chronic inflammation-induced bone loss. 40 female rats were observed for 12 weeks. It was found that GTPs supplementation reduced bone mineral density loss. Based on this result, the researchers pointed out that green tea plays a potentially…
Summary This study analyzed the effect of a combination of vitamin C, amino acids and green tea extract on gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). The experiments were performed using human cells. The researchers found that the tested micronutrient combination had a great potential in preventing and treating gingivitis. Further details can be found in the…
Summary The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between zinc intake and inflammation in obese patients. Obesity is a condition associated with chronic inflammation. According to the study, individuals with low zinc levels showed signs of increased inflammation. The researchers concluded that zinc supplementation can reduce inflammation in obese patients. Further details…
Summary This study investigated whether a diet deficient in vitamin E is a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disorder that attacks the joints and other body parts. The experiments were performed using mice. The results showed that dietary deficiency of vitamin E increased inflammation. Furthermore, antioxidant supplementation (vitamin E, quercetin) was…
Summary The present study evaluated the effects of vitamin C supplementation on smoking-related inflammation. A total of 10 smokers and 11 non-smokers were given 60 mg/day of vitamin C for four weeks. The researchers concluded that the vitamin C supplementation was effective in fighting inflammation in smokers. Further details can be found in the study.…
Summary The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on colitis (inflammation of the colon). 6-week-old mice were randomly assigned to two dietary groups: one receiving a standard diet and the other one a diet enriched with resveratrol. After 30 days acute colitis was artificially induced. The results showed that the…
Summary This review collected studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found primarily in fish oil. Animal and human studies have shown that dietary fish oil consumption suppresses pro-inflammatory factors and is beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Further details can be found in the study. References Philip C Calder …
Summary This study evaluated the potential of curcumin in the treatment of tendinitis. Human cells were used to investigate the mechanism of curcumin action on the pro-inflammatory compound interleukin-1beta (IL-1β). The results demonstrated a potential benefit of curcumin in treating tendon inflammation through suppression of pro-inflammatory factors. Further details can be found in the study.…
Summary This study analyzed the effects of vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on inflammation. Inflammation is associated with abnormalities in blood vessels. It can be induced by a high-fat diet and is associated with cardiovascular diseases. The experiments were performed with 21 baboons which were fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks. The…
Summary This article provided a summary of the benefits of curcumin in osteoarthritis (OA). After evaluating recent scientific literature, it was found that curcumin can be considered as a complementary treatment for OA in humans. Further details can be found in the study. References Y Henrotin, A L Clutterbuck, D Allaway, E M Lodwig, P Harris, M Mathy-Hartert, M Shakibaei, A Mobasheri…
Summary This review evaluated the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids against coronary heart disease. Earlier studies pointed out that low rates of coronary heart disease are found in indigenous people from Greenland and in Japanese people who commonly consume a diet rich in fish oil, which is a major source of omega-3 fatty acids.…
Summary This study examined the association between vitamin C and inflammation. 3258 men without cardiovascular diseases were included. Dietary habits and vitamin C intake were assessed by a questionnaire. The results suggested that vitamin C had anti-inflammatory effects in healthy men. Further details can be found in the study. References S Goya Wannamethee, Gordon D O…
Summary This study investigated the association among omega-3 fatty acids, C-reactive protein (CRP) and exposure to mercury, an environmental contaminant in fish. CRP is a marker for inflammation and higher levels are associated with an increased risk to develop diseases. Data from 1395 healthy men were analyzed. The results showed that high omega-3 fatty acid…
Summary This review described the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of curcumin, its mode of action and its therapeutic usage against different diseases. The plant turmeric is a source of curcumin, which is commonly used as a spice and food-coloring agent. The review stated that curcumin modulates enzymes involved in inflammatory processes and exerts chemopreventive effects…
Summary This study assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin D on gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) at various doses. Over a period of 3 months, vitamin D supplementation was given in doses of either 2000 IU, 1000 IU and 500 IU to one of three study groups (group A, B and C). An additional group…
Summary Obesity is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fat (adipose) tissue and is associated with chronic inflammation. Against this background, the present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol in human fat tissue. The experiments were performed on human adipose tissue explants and highlighted the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol, thus suggesting health benefits for…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of an extract from Polygonum cuspidatum (PCE), commonly called Japanese knotweed, on inflammation. This plant is an important source of resveratrol. During the study, 20 normal-weight healthy individuals were given either a placebo or PCE containing 40 mg resveratrol daily for 6 weeks. The researchers found that the PCE…
Summary The underlying disease process of coronary artery disease (CAD) is called arteriosclerosis. This process starts with a weakening of the blood vessel walls, most frequently caused by an insufficient dietary intake of vitamins and other micronutrients. This leads to an underproduction of collagen and other reinforcement molecules in the artery walls and to the…
Summary Diabetic persons have an increased propensity to atherosclerosis, which is a chronic inflammatory condition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin E supplementation on inflammation in diabetic patients and healthy people. The researchers found that vitamin E decreased inflammation in both groups. It was therefore concluded that vitamin…
Summary This review analyzed scientific studies on the impact of vitamin E on age-associated changes in inflammation. Among other things, the following was pointed out: The dysfunction of the cells, which occur in the elderly, leads to an impaired immune system and increased inflammation. Vitamin E can improve the cell function and reduce inflammation at…
Summary This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of curcumin with piperine (plant-derived compound) on oxidative stress (imbalance between free radicals production and the body antioxidant defenses) in patients with tropical pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas, TP). 20 patients with TP were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg of curcumin with 5 mg…
Summary This study investigated whether a special nutrient mixture is able to fight inflammation. The experiments were performed using human cells. The results showed that the mixture of vitamin C, tea-derived compounds and selected amino acids had a strong potential against inflammation. Further details can be found in the study. References Lesley E Rhodes, Hassan Shahbakhti, Richard…
Summary In this study, omega-3 fatty acids were evaluated for their protective effect against skin cancer induced by sunlight, i.e. ultraviolet radiation. The study included 42 healthy participants who were given 4 g daily of purified omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, (EPA) or monounsaturated, oleic acid, for 3 months. Supplementation of the omega-3 fatty…
Summary In this study, researchers of the Harvard School of Public Health investigated the relations between intakes of nutrients and the risk of bladder cancer among men. Higher intakes of vitamin E were associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer. Vitamin C was also found to play a role in cancer risk. References D…
Summary This study examined the benefits of vitamin supplements in the prevention of bladder cancer. 65 bladder cancer patients receiving Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination for cancer treatment were enrolled in the study. In addition to this treatment, the participants were given multiple vitamins in the recommended daily allowance (RDA) or RDA multivitamins plus 40,000 units…
Summary The present study was conducted to evaluate the biological effect of the natural amino acid lysine (i.e. its isopeptides) on tumor growth. To this end, the compound was tested on human leukemia cells (in vitro) and on leukemia tumors in mice (in vivo). It was found that lysine inhibited cancer cell growth (proliferation) both…
Summary This placebo-controlled double-blind study carried out by the Harvard Medical School investigated whether long-term multivitamin supplementation decreases the risk of cancer among men. 14,641 men aged 50 years or older, including 1312 men with a history of cancer, were included. In the study of 14 years, participants were given daily doses of a multivitamin…
Summary This pilot study was conducted by the Mayo Clinic / Foundation in Minnesota, USA, to explore the effect of American ginseng, a plant that grows on forest floors in Eastern North America, on cancer-related fatigue. Over 8 weeks, an unspecified number of adults with a history of cancer-related fatigue received American ginseng in doses…
Summary This study evaluated oxidative stress (imbalance between free radicals production and the body’s antioxidant defenses) in diabetic patients by estimating the effect of vitamin E. A total of 40 children (20 diabetic patients plus 20 healthy controls) were examined in the study. The results demonstrated that vitamin E ameliorates oxidative stress in diabetic patients…
Summary The objective of this study was to determine whether vitamin D deficiency was associated with type 2 diabetes among HIV-infected patients. Data were obtained from all participants enrolled in the prospective Modena (Italy) HIV Metabolic Clinic Cohort. Results showed that HIV-infected patients with diabetes had lower vitamin D levels compared with those without diabetes.…
Summary This study examined the relationships between vitamin D and diabetes risk factors (i.e. blood sugar levels) in obese children. Data of 411 obese American children were recorded. The results showed that lower vitamin D levels were associated with increased risk factors for diabetes in obese children. Further details can be found in the study.…
Summary The aim of this review was to examine the association between vitamin D status and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. A total of 19 studies was included. This analysis showed that individuals with the highest vitamin D status (>25 ng/ml) had a 43% lower risk of developing diabetes. Further details can be found in…
Summary This study investigated the relationship between vitamin D and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. 961 patients were followed over a period of 11 years. The results showed a significantly reduced risk for diabetes in people with higher vitamin D levels. Further details can be found in the study. References Deep Dutta, Indira Maisnam, Ankit Shrivastava, Anirban…
Summary The aim of this study was to identify vitamin D deficiency among 157 patients with prediabetes (high blood sugar levels but not in the diabetes range) and to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status and insulin resistance (the diminished ability of the body to respond to the action of insulin in decreasing blood…
Summary This study investigated the protective effect of the natural compound resveratrol on diabetic nephropathy, a kidney disease that occurs in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of this complication. In order to examine the effect of resveratrol on kidney function and oxidative stress,…
Summary This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of resveratrol in early-stage diabetes-induced kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy, DN). The experiment was performed in diabetic rats. The results suggested that resveratrol protects against oxidative stress, i.e. an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract their harmful effects…
Summary The present study explored the protective effects of resveratrol in diabetes-induced kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy) by assessing markers of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals production and the body’s antioxidant defenses. The analysis demonstrated the protective nature of resveratrol by attenuating markers of oxidative stress in renal tissues of diabetic…
Summary This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of resveratrol in type 2 diabetic patients. Resveratrol is a plant polyphenol that has been found to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. 19 diabetes patients were randomly assigned into two groups: a resveratrol group receiving 5 mg resveratrol twice daily and a control group receiving…
Summary The present study examined the beneficial effects of the natural compound resveratrol on diabetic changes of blood vessel walls (diabetic vasculopathy). The study was conducted with rats suffering from (artificially induced) diabetes. In the study, the animals were treated with or without resveratrol (at 0.75 mg/kg body weight) three times a day for 4-8…
Summary This study examined the beneficial effects of resveratrol on diabetes-induced kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy). Diabetic rats were treated with or without resveratrol at 0.75mg/kg body weight 3 times a day for 8 weeks. The results revealed that resveratrol ameliorates changes associated with early diabetic nephropathy. Further details can be found in the study. References…
Summary This study was performed to test the effects of two Mediterranean diets on the incidence of diabetes. 418 non-diabetic adults aged 55-80 years were randomly assigned to a control group or to one of two Mediterranean Diets, supplemented with either free virgin olive oil or nuts. The researchers found that Mediterranean Diets were effective…
Summary Oxidative stress (imbalance between free radicals production and the body´s antioxidant defenses) is one of the major mechanisms involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy. This study examined the link between quercetin (antioxidant), diabetes and diabetic nephropathy (renal dysfunction). Quercetin (10 mg/kg per day) was given for 4 weeks in both control and diabetic…
Summary This study examined whether vitamin C levels, fruit and vegetable intake are associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. Participants were men and women aged 40 to 75 years. Food intake was evaluated by means of a questionnaire. Vitamin C levels and the habitual intake of fruit and vegetables were then assessed. It…
Summary The present study examined the relation between omega-3 fatty acids and diabetes in 3088 men and women with an average age of 75 years. The results showed that individuals with the highest blood concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids had a lower risk of diabetes. Further details can be found in the study. References Shu…
Summary This study analyzed the relation between vitamin D and anemia (low levels of red blood cells/hemoglobin in the blood) in patients with type 2 diabetes. After hemoglobin and vitamin D concentrations were evaluated in male patients with type 2 diabetes, it was found that vitamin D is associated with higher hemoglobin levels and a…
Summary C-reactive protein is a marker for inflammation and higher concentrations are associated with an increased risk for diabetes. This study determined whether magnesium supplementation modifies C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in healthy adults with prediabetes (high blood sugar levels but not in the diabetes range) and low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia). A total of 62 men…