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Association between dietary antioxidants and low back pain in American women

Chinese researchers recently conducted a study to see if a health measure called CDAI has any connection to the occurrence of low back pain. CDAI is like a score that helps gauge a person’s health status. After considering various factors that could influence the results, the researchers found that, on the whole, there wasn’t a strong link between CDAI and low back pain. However, they noticed something interesting. People with higher CDAI scores (indicating better health) were found to be less likely to experience low back pain compared to those with lower scores. This association, which was statistically significant, meant it’s not likely that it can be explained by chance. They also checked this trend across different groups, like men and women. Interestingly, the link between higher CDAI scores and lower likelihood of low back pain was stronger in women. Women with higher CDAI scores had a significantly lower chance of having low back pain compared to those with lower scores. The st

Light Therapy holds promise as a treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

A new article, conducted by Lili Zang and colleagues from Weifang Medical University School of Nursing in Shandong Province, China, discusses a meta-analysis of 15 high-quality trials that investigated the impact of light therapy on individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The meta-analysis included 598 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, and it covered 15 randomized controlled trials conducted in seven different countries. Those trials were published between 2005 and 2022. Sleep Improvement Light therapy led to significant improvements in several sleep measures. It notably enhanced sleep efficiency, increased interdaily stability, and reduced intradaily variability, all of which are indicators of better sleep quality. Light therapy was associated with a reduction in agitation, depression, and caregiver burden among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. A significant advantage over usual care was shown in reducing the severity of psychobehavioral symptoms, as assessed

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus may help in periodontal disease

A new study explores how a specific probiotic, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), might help improve the regeneration of bones in the gums affected by periodontal disease, especially in the presence of high cholesterol levels (hyperlipidemia).  Periodontal disease can lead to the loss of bone in the jaw, making it challenging for the bone to regenerate. The researchers used a rat model with conditions mimicking periodontal disease, high cholesterol, and a defect in the gums. The rats were given LGG for six weeks, and then various measurements were taken after sacrificing the rats to understand the effects. They found that the bone density, volume, and thickness in the affected area increased after the rats were given LGG.  Interestingly, these improvements were not due to direct effects on the oral bacteria but were linked to changes in the gut microbiota.  When fecal matter containing the altered gut bacteria from LGG-treated rats was transplanted into other rats, similar improvem

Carvacrol: Health benefits from aromatic herbs (oregano, thyme)

Carvacrol is a phenolic monoterpenoid found in various essential oils. Oregano, thyme, and bergamot contain carvacrol. It boasts a range of beneficial properties for potential clinical applications. This compound has shown antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. It showed antimicrobial efficacy against food-borne pathogens like Escherichia coli and Salmonella. It is attributed to a unique combination of its chemical characteristics. Carvacrol, often used alongside thymol (another phenolic monoterpenoid found in these oils), exhibits high antioxidant activity and has been employed as a dietary additive to enhance the antioxidant status in animals (I.E. in poultry nutrition) Preclinical studies suggest promising anticancer properties of carvacrol, particularly in breast, liver, and lung carcinomas, through (proapoptotic) mechanisms involving elimination of DNA abnormalities. However, despite a well-defined toxicological profile, the lack of human trials hinders conclusive

Creatine for six months can improve long COVID fatigue

  A small study suggests that taking creatine as a supplement for six months may significantly improve clinical features of post–COVID-19 fatigue syndrome (long COVID). Those symptoms are: Fatigue Shortness of breath Chest pain Joint pain Cognitive difficulties often referred to as “brain fog.”  The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, found that creatine supplements led to reduced fatigue and improved scores for various long COVID-related symptoms, such as loss of taste, breathing difficulties, body aches, headaches, and concentration problems.  Creatine is a natural compound found in small amounts in certain foods and produced by the body, mainly in muscles. It plays a crucial role in the Adenosine Triphosphate -Phosphocreatine (ATP-PC) energy system, which is the primary source of energy for short bursts of intense activities lasting from 1 to 30 seconds, like weightlifting or sprinting. Supplementing with creatine has been proven to increase the

Potential role of MDMA in the treatment of loneliness

Researchers are exploring the potential use of MDMA, commonly known as “ecstasy” or “molly,” as a tool to treat loneliness. Amid concerns about a growing loneliness epidemic, early studies suggest that MDMA could enhance social connectedness and reduce defensiveness. In a recent small-scale study involving 18 participants, those who took MDMA reported increased feelings of connection during social interactions. While the study is limited, researchers believe it has implications for MDMA-assisted therapy, particularly in helping patients feel safe and trusting for deeper emotional exploration. MDMA is currently being investigated for its therapeutic potential and has cleared clinical trials for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The drug, along with psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, has been shown to boost social behaviors in both humans and animals. These substances may induce a sense of dissolution of the self-other boundary, leading to increased empathy and social bon