Calf strain is a common injury among runners. A calf strain is a tear of the muscle fibres of the muscles at the back of the lower leg. Calf injuries usually occur as a result of a sudden pushing off movement or from excessive over-stretching of the calf muscles as demonstrated in jumping activities or […]
Recent studies have shown that physical exercise seems to prevent cognitive impairment and dementia in old age. However, how exactly exercise affects brain metabolism therefore affects the incidence of dementia is unknown. In order to understand why, gerontologists and sports physicians at Goethe University Frankfurt examined the effects of regular exercise on brain metabolism and […]
The use of herbals in North America has increased dramatically over the last decade and ginseng is one of the most widely-used ones. The name “ginseng” refers to American (Panax quinquefolius) as well as Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) — both belong to the genus Panax and have a similar chemical makeup. Both Asian […]
Goji berry, also called Lycium barbarum, Fructus lycii or Gouqizi, has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. In TCM literature, the herb is known for balancing “Yin” and “Yang” in the body, nourishing the liver and kidney and improving visual acuity. Goji berry fruits have a variety of biological […]
A stroke occurs when blood flow to brain tissues is disrupted, killing brain cells by robbing them of oxygen and nutrients. The most likely cause is blockage of an artery in the neck or head. When a portion of the brain is damaged, patients are often left with some disability, such as paralysis, loss of […]
Boswellia is a large branching tree native to India, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. The trunk is tapped for its resin, which is purified and used in herbal preparations. The resin, known as frankincense, has been used in religious and cultural ceremonies since antiquity.
Ginseng is one of the most popular herbal medicines in the world. Ginseng has traditionally been used for a variety of of medical conditions from heart disease, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms, to cancer. Modern laboratory studies have suggested that that ginseng may boost the immune system. For example, there are evidences showing that American […]
If there is one herbal supplement that you are familiar with, it is probably ginseng. Ginseng has been used for centuries in folk medicine as a tonic, stimulant and aphrodisiac. Modern research has shown that ginseng is capable of boosting cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems. In addition, researchers have shown the beneficial effects of ginseng […]
Not all sugars are created equal. A new study published by the scientists from the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) reports that trehalose, a natural sugar that can be found in mushrooms, can boost macrophages, the machinery that the immune system uses to cleanup cellular debris in the atherosclerotic plague, and therefore reduces the […]
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol produced by fungi, bacteria, and algae. According to a report published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, researchers from Tel Aviv University have found that mannitol prevents “bad” clumps of the protein, α-synuclein, from forming in the brain — a process that is characteristic of Parkinson’s disease. After identifying the […]