Can Mitochondrial Cofactors Alleviate Fatigue?
The link between targeted nutrients and energy production Fatigue can be a drain on one’s life, and many people suffer from it on a daily basis. Fatigue is often described by patients as a lack of energy, mental or physical tiredness, diminished endurance, and the need for prolonged recovery after physical activity.[1],[2] Of course,…
Lyme Disease and Biofilm
A cause of persistent infections Tick-borne diseases pose a significant threat to human health, with the number of cases rising threefold in the U.S. in recent years.[1] The most common tick-borne illness is Lyme disease. According to a recent estimate, approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year.[2] Lyme disease…
The Truth About Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Are vegetarians and vegans really at risk? Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is receiving much attention these days. Vitamin B12 is one of the B vitamins implicated in brain and heart health, and it is one of the vitamins most likely to be deficient in the diets of vegetarians and vegans.[1] The consequences of vitamin B12…
Butyrate: A Postbiotic for Colon Health
How butyrate modulates inflammation and overall health Our gut depends on trillions of bacteria to facilitate digestion, immunity, and many other functions. Until recently, however, the mechanisms by which the microbiome regulates so many aspects of human health have remained elusive. There are at least three nutritional strategies to support the microbiome and overall…
Can Probiotics Soothe IBS?
Evidence supports the use of probiotics for IBS and enhanced quality of life Constipation, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea and other digestive problems are not fun, especially for people who suffer from them frequently. The results of a recent international survey of over 73,000 adults are striking: 40% of participants said they suffered from one or…
Chios Mastiha in the News
Scientists discover further infection-fighting properties of Chios mastic gum Chios mastic gum (CMG) is an aromatic resin produced from the mastic tree, Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, which is mainly grown on the island of Chios, Greece. It has been used as a natural remedy for stomach and intestinal disorders for more than 2500 years.[1]…
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: A Probiotic for All Ages
The benefits of L. rhamnosus GG for gut health and immunity Today’s probiotic story began in 1983, when Drs. Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin, colleagues at Tufts University, were poring over stool specimens from healthy adults – a task few of us would envy. They managed to isolate “a strain of bacteria of a…
The Forgotten Man: Male Infertility and Its Causes
Can antioxidants improve male fertility? Infertility affects one in six couples, and it can be a devastating experience for those who wish to conceive.[1] Half of all infertility cases are due to male factors,[2],[3],[4] yet men have been largely forgotten when it comes to the treatment of infertility.[1],[5] With the development of assisted reproductive…
Combating Age-Related Immune Decline: Can Nutrition Help?
A look at nutritional factors that keep immune defenses strong, even in older adults The immune system is a critical component of health throughout life. However, on the front and back end of the years we spend on this planet, our immune defenses aren’t particularly impressive. In infancy, while the immune system is developing,…
Vaccine Efficacy, Part 2 of 2: Can a Healthy Gut Microbiome Improve It?
The influence of probiotics on the immune response Vaccines are among the greatest successes of modern medicine, helping to protect entire populations against a wide range of infectious diseases.[1] However, there is considerable variation in the efficacy of vaccines amongst individuals.[2] The magnitude of antibody titers induced in individuals receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine,…
Vaccine Efficacy, Part 1 of 2: Can a Healthy Diet Improve It?
The influence of dietary fiber, prebiotics, beta-glucan, and fucoidan Vaccines are one of the greatest successes of modern medicine, helping to protect entire populations against a wide range of infectious diseases.[1] A vaccine works by training the immune system to recognize and combat pathogens, either viruses or bacteria. To do this, certain molecules (antigens)…
Magnesium Deficiency and the Brain
The importance of magnesium for memory, mood, migraines, and fibromyalgia Magnesium is essential for the healthy functioning of every organ in the human body.[1],[2],[3],[4] Unfortunately, nationwide surveys have shown that two-thirds of all adults, and up to 90% of the elderly, are not achieving the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for this mineral.[5],[6] Magnesium insufficiency…
