Smartfeed
Recent Research Extracts
A. Three Teas That Combat Cholesterol
Huang, H.C., et al., "Pu-erh tea, green tea, and black tea suppresses hyperlipidemia, hyperleptinemia and fatty acid synthase through activating AMPK in rats fed a high- fructose diet," Food Funct., Nov. 30, 2011.
B. Fight Diabetes with Fiber (1,2,3)
Fiber lowers blood glucose by either blocking glucose absorption from the gut and/or increasing the transit time through the gut. Psyllium is a soluble fiber from a shrub-like herb called "Plantago." Guar gum is a water-soluble fiber that comes from guar seeds, grown mostly in India and Pakistan. Glucommannan, which comes from the konjac plant mostly grown in China, is used as a dietary fiber. Fiber supplements come in tablets, capsules and powder.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that all diabetic patients get 14 grams per 1,000 kilocalories/day of fiber in order to improve their blood sugar control. Take the fiber supplement with a full eight- ounce glass of water and drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day. Take fiber supplements at least one hour before or two to four hours after taking other medications.
1. Vuorinen-Markkola, H., et al., "Guar gum in insulin- dependent diabetes: effects on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins," Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 1992; 56: 1,056-60.
2. Ziai, S.A., et al., "Psyllium decreased serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin significantly in diabetic outpatients," J. Ethnopharmacol., 2005; 102: 202-7. Anderson, J.W., et al., "Effects of psyllium on glucose and serum lipid responses in men with type 2 diabetes and hypercholestereamia," Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 1999; 70: 466- 73.
3. Sood, N., et al., "Effect of glucommannan on plasma lipid and glucose concentrations, body weight, and blood pressure: systematic review and meta-analysis," Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 2008; 88: 1,167-75.
C. Knee Pain and Hip Pain treated successfully with Chinese Herbs.
Lechner, M., et al., "Efficacy of individualized Chinese herbal medication in osteoarthrosis of hip and knee: a double-blind, randomized-controlled clinical study," J. Altern. Complement. Med., June 2011; 17(6): 539-47