Oral health is extremely important to overall health, as studies have linked poor oral conditions to heart disease and diabetes. A recent study suggests that aloe vera mouthwash may be as effective as at reducing plaque and gingivitis as chlorhexidene, a prescription medication.

Participants in the study included 345 students who were assigned one of three interventions over the course of 30 days: an aloe vera mouthwash, chlorhexidene (a prescription-only mouthwash) with distilled water, or a placebo.

The researchers examined the effectiveness of all three interventions at 15 days and again at 30 days. At both points, the aloe vera mouthwash performed as well as the chlorhexidene in reducing gingivitis and plaque. Both performed better than the placebo.

Chlorhexidene is available only by prescription and prolonged use can result in side effects such as tooth and/or tongue staining, increased tartar, mouth and/or throat irritation and changes in food taste. No side effects of the aloe vera mouthwash were observed during this study.

Researchers from Teerthankar Mahaveer University in India conducted the study. It was published in the March 2014 issue of Oral Health Dental Management.

Aloe vera has been linked to a number of health benefits, including joint pain relief, decreased inflammation, helping to heal burns and insect bites, improved oral health, helping with kidney stones, and easing dry skin.

For skin benefits, aloe vera can be applied directly to the skin. For internal health benefits, it can be taken orally. Aloe vera supplements that use the entire plant rather than just the gel have been shown to have greater health benefits.

A recent study suggests that patients with the highest blood levels of vitamin D are twice as likely to survive breast cancer than those with the lowest levels.

Participants in the study included 4,443 breast cancer patients. The researchers analyzed their blood serum levels of vitamin D at the time of diagnosis and then followed up for an average of nine years.

They found that the women with the highest blood levels of vitamin D (30 ng/ml) were twice as likely to survive as those with the lowest levels (17 ng/mL). Based on these conclusions, the researchers recommended that vitamin D be added to breast cancer treatments.

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine conducted the study. It was published in the March 2014 issue of Anticancer Research.

Previous studies have associated vitamin D with reducing the risk of skin cancer, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, combating diabetes, and improving age related macular degeneration.

Vitamin D can be found in milk, fortified cereals, fish, and eggs. Your body also processes vitamin D from the sun but it becomes harder for our bodies to process it as we age. A high quality vitamin D supplement is always a good option if you feel that you’re not getting enough through diet and sun.

As we age, it becomes harder for our bodies to process protein. A new study from Japan suggests that it may be important for mature adults to consume a diet high in animal protein in order to maintain optimal physical, psychological, and social functioning.

Participants in the study included 1,007 adults with an average age of 67.4. All were asked to complete food frequency questionnaires at the beginning of the study and then seven years later. The researchers then split them into four groups based on the amount of total, animal, and plant protein they consumed.

All of the participants also underwent higher-level functional capacity tests that examined social, intellectual, and daily living aspects.

24.4% of the participants reported declines in higher-level functional capacity during the study period. The researchers found that the men in the highest quartile of animal protein intake had 39% decreased odds of higher-level functional decline than those in the lowest quartile.

There was no observed association between animal protein intake and functional decline in women and no consistent association between plant protein intake and functional decline in either sex.

Researchers from the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Japan conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on February 27, 2014, in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Protein functions as a building block for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. It is also a building block for enzymes, hormones, and vitamins. To get the optimal benefit from protein, it’s important to choose the right type. Some good sources of animal protein include fish, poultry, and lean meat.

Over time, the heart’s physiological reactions to stress can take a toll on the cardiovascular system, and possibly increase the risk of heart disease. A recent study suggests that taking a daily supplement of vitamin D may improve the heart’s response to a stressor.

Participants in the study included 13 healthy men and women with vitamin D deficiency. Over the course of 28 days, they were given a daily dose of 5,000 IU of vitamin D. Blood levels of vitamin D increased to sufficient levels after 28 days.

Before starting the supplementation, the participants were exposed to a heart stressor which resulted in an unfavorable shift in the sympatho-vagal balance. The sympatho-vagal balance is the interaction between the part of the nervous system that raises blood pressure and heart rate and the vagus nerve. Disruption of this balance can lead to the development of a serious cardiovascular event.

After completing the supplement period, participants were again exposed to the same heart stressor. This time the sympatho-vagal balance was maintained following exposure. Additionally, improvements were seen in the cardiac autonomic tone, which refers to the heart’s ability to return to normal following a stressor.

Researchers form the University of Calgary, the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and the Alberta Kidney Disease Network conducted the study. It was published on March 6, 2014, in American Journal of Hypertension.

Previous studies have associated vitamin D with reducing the risk of skin cancer, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, combating diabetes, and improving age related macular degeneration.

Vitamin D can be found in milk, fortified cereals, fish, and eggs. Your body also processes vitamin D from the sun but it becomes harder for our bodies to process it as we age. A high quality vitamin D supplement is always a good option if you feel that you’re not getting enough through diet and sun.

High blood pressure greatly increases the risk of an adverse cardiovascular event. A recent study suggests that taking an omega-3 supplement or eating omega-3-rich foods may be as effective for lowering blood pressure as making lifestyle changes such as reducing sodium intake or alcohol or increasing exercise.

The researchers examined data from 70 clinical trials and found that consumption of omega-3s resulted in an average reduction of 1.52 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 0.99 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure. In individuals with normal blood pressure, reductions of 1.25 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 0.62 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure were observed.

Untreated hypertensive participants had even greater reductions of 4.51 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 3.05 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure.

Previous studies have shown that dietary sodium reduction is associated with a 3.6 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure, physical activity with a 4.6 mmHG reduction, and cutting out alcohol with a 3.8 mmHg reduction.

Each 2 mmHg reduction in blood pressure reduces stroke mortality by 6%, coronary heart disease mortality by 4% and total mortality by 3%. Additionally, a 1.25 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure could prevent a pre-hypertensive person from becoming hypertensive.

Researchers from Exponent Inc. and Van Elswyck Consulting, Inc., conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on March 6, 2104, in American Journal of Hypertension.

Omega-3s have been linked to a number of health benefits, including alleviating arthritis pain, better moods, improved joint mobility, helping with age related macular degeneration, and aiding your immune system.
Because omega-3 fatty-acids are not found naturally in the human body, it is especially important to make sure that they are a part of your daily diet. Oily, dark fish such as tuna and salmon are high in omega-3s.

Obesity and reduced muscle strength are associated with increased blood pressure. A recent study suggests that taking a milk protein supplement while also undergoing exercise training may result in significant improvements in blood pressure and arterial stiffness in hypertensive obese women.

Participants in the study included 33 obese and sedentary women with an average age of 30. Over the course of four weeks, all of the women took part in moderate intensity exercise training three times per week. Om addition, one third of the group took 30 grams of whey protein daily, one third took 30 grams of casein, and one third took a placebo.

At the conclusion of the study, both the casein and whey protein groups had decreases in brachial systolic blood pressure of approximately 5 mmgHg, as well as a reduction in aortic systolic blood pressure of 6 mmHg and 7 mmHg, respectively.

Both groups also had significant improvements in arterial stiffness. The control group had no changes in blood pressure or arterial stiffness.

Researchers from Florida State University conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on December 3, 2014, in American Journal of Hypertension.

Whey protein is one of the two proteins found in milk, but it is only approximately 1% of the composition of milk. It is obtained as a byproduct of cheese making and can be purchased in powder form from health food stores. Additionally, it can be found in ricotta cheese, which is one of the only cheeses that do not have the whey removed.

When shopping for a whey protein, pay attention to the source of the milk, the production method, manufacturer specifications, and any added ingredients.

Casein is the other, more abundant, protein found in milk and has been linked in previous studies with building muscle and improved weight loss.

Malnourishment – especially in children – is linked with impaired mental functioning. A recent study suggests that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may improve a range of cognitive measures in malnourished children.

Participants in the study included 50 malnourished 8 to 12 year old children who took either an omega-3 supplement containing 180 mg of DHA and 270 mg of EPA omega-3s or a placebo daily for three months. Neuropsychological performance was measured at the beginning of the study and after 3 months of supplmentation.

At the conclusion of the study, more than 50% of the omega-3 group showed improvement in 11 of the 18 neuropsychological variables studied. The researchers noted that coordination, processing speed, attention, perceptual integration, and executive function were improved in more than 70% of the omega-3 group.

Although the study participants were Mexican children, the researchers pointed out that the results have implications for the US as well. 14.% of households in the US were designated “food insecure” at some point in 2012 and 5.7% were “very food insecure” according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Researchers from the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, the University of Granada in Spain and the University of North Carolina conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on February 6, 2014, in Research in Developmental Disabilities.

Omega-3s have been linked to a number of health benefits, including alleviating arthritis pain, better moods, improved joint mobility, helping with age related macular degeneration, and aiding your immune system.

Because omega-3 fatty-acids are not found naturally in the human body, it is especially important to make sure that they are a part of your daily diet. Oily, dark fish such as tuna and salmon are high in omega-3s.

Diabetes is an increasing problem worldwide, and researchers are constantly searching for new ways to treat it. A recent study suggests that taking a supplement of ginger powder may noticeably improve fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance.

Participants in the study included 88 individuals with type-2 diabetes. They were given either three one-gram capsules of ginger powder or a placebo daily for eight weeks.

At the conclusion of the study, the ginger powder supplement group saw a 10.5% reduction in fasting blood glucose levels, reduced blood sugar levels as measured by the HbA1c lab test, and improved insulin sensitivity indices.

In comparison, the placebo group had a 21% increase in fasting blood glucose and similar increase in blood sugar levels as measured by the HbA1c lab test.

Researchers from Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Iran conducted the study. It was published in the February 2014 issue of Complementary Therapies in Medicine.

Ginger is used as a folk remedy for upset stomach in cultures across the globe. It has also been linked to easing arthritis pain, calming headaches, and relieving intense menstrual cramps. It can be consumed raw, cooked, or in tea form.

High cholesterol has been shown to contribute to heart disease. The most common treatment – statins – is associated with negative side effects, including lower CoQ10 levels. A recent study found that taking daily supplements of pantethine (a vitamin B5 derivative) may lower LDL cholesterol by 11% and total cholesterol by 6%.

Participants in the study included 32 North Americans who were eligible for statin therapy. They took either 600 mg/day from weeks 1 to 8 of the trial and then 900 mg/day from weeks 9 to 16 or a placebo.

At the conclusion of the study the supplement group showed a 6% decrease in total cholesterol as well as an 11% decrease in LDL cholesterol. In comparison, the placebo group had a 3% increase in LDL cholesterol.

Homocysteine levels stayed level in both groups while CoQ10 levels increased by the four week mark and stayed high for the remainder of the trial for both groups. Statin therapy has been shown to reduce CoQ10 to detrimental levels.

Researchers from KGK Synergize, The Princeton Longevity Center, Daiichi Fine Chemical Co and Kyowa Hakko USA conducted the study. It was published on February 27, 2014 in Vascular Health and Risk Management.

Vitamin B5 has been linked to stress reduction, clearing acne, improving allergies, and hormone regulation. This vitamin can be found in many foods, including meats, eggs, milk, yeast, legumes, mushrooms, and whole wheat. If you think you’re not getting enough vitamin B though diet alone, try a high quality daily supplement.

A recent study suggests that taking a supplement of the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei LP-33 may significantly improve the quality of life for people suffering from hay fever who are also taking an antihistamine.

Participants in the study included 425 people with hay fever who were being treated with the antihistamine loratadine. Over the course of five weeks they were assigned either a placebo or the LP-33 supplement. Severity of hay fever was measured using the Rhinitis Quality of Life (RQLQ) global score.

At the conclusion of the study, the supplement group had significantly lower RQLQ scores when compared with the placebo. While no difference was seen in nasal symptoms, symptoms related to the eyes were significantly improved.

Researchers from the French institutions Montpellier I University, University Paris Diderot, Biofortis, and Merck Consumer Health as well as Ruhr-University Bochum in Germany and the Danish institutions Copenhagen University Hospital at Gentofte and Chr. Hansen A/S conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on February 26, 2014, in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The researchers cautioned that the results found here could not be extrapolated to probiotics in general because probiotics have strain-specific effects. However, previous studies suggest that the probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota may also provide relief to hay fever sufferers.

In addition to the aforementioned probiotics, French maritime bark has been found to relieve symptoms of birch-related hay fever while beta-glucan has been associated with reduced suffering for individuals with ragweed allergies.

All of these interventions can be taken in supplement form but be sure to purchase ones that have been sealed to protect them from light, which can destroy probiotics.