True Health magazine

A recent study, published in the journal Brain, Behaviour and Immunity, suggests that a high-fat diet destroys synapses- connections that aid communication between neurons or brain cells- in the hippocampus of the brain, which may impair learning and memory. The researchers explained that when there is too much fat in the body it leads to chronic inflammation, triggering an autoimmune response from microglia- glial cells that form the primary immune defence in the central nervous system. Microglia usually helps rid…

Read More Read More

According to oral health experts, sugar-free drinks are not tooth-friendly. Researchers at the Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre tested 23 varieties of sugar-free drinks, including soft and sports drinks, and found those that contain acidic additives and those with low pH levels cause measurable damage to tooth enamel. “Many people are not aware that while reducing your sugar intake does reduce your risk of dental decay, the chemical mix of acids in some foods and drinks can cause the equally…

Read More Read More

New research has discovered that diets rich in potassium may help protect the heart and kidney of patients with type 2 diabetes. The research carried out by Shiga University of Medical Science studied 623 participants with type 2 diabetics. The long-term research measured potassium and sodium excretion through urine sampling. The amount of these elements excreted in urine is an accurate indicator of the amount consumed. The results showed that higher levels of potassium in the participants’ urine indicated a…

Read More Read More

Findings from a recent study have revealed that active women are likely to have iron deficiency. The report published in Network Health Dietitians has found that one in three female athletes have low iron stores, putting them at high risk of anaemia. The athletes have low ferritin levels, which is an intracellular protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled fashion. Low levels of this protein can leave an individual susceptible to anaemia. The study also showed that…

Read More Read More

New evidence has revealed that vitamin D deficiency could be a major cause of dementia. A five year study of 382 older people found that brain function decline in people who are vitamin D deficient is three times faster than in those with adequate levels. The scientists studied the link between vitamin D levels and changes in cognitive function among the group of ethnically diverse adults, who had an average age of 75. Further research is needed to determine whether…

Read More Read More

According to a recent 2-year study, a glass of red wine a day can improve cardiac health and help manage cholesterol levels for patients with type 2 diabetes. 224 alcohol-abstaining men and women took part in the study, all aged between 40 to 75 years old with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. They were randomly assigned 150ml of mineral water, white wine or red wine to drink with their evening meal over a period of 2 years. The scientists, from Ben-Gurion…

Read More Read More

We can all feel run down, lacklustre and a touch of the winter blues post holiday season, plus cold and flu season can really take its toll. Thankfully, Nature’s Answer are here to help you stay well this winter. Here, we give you the lowdown of the best products to for you and your customers to keep immune systems strong! Astragalus – an adaptogenic herb which has been associated with a significant age-reversal effect in the immune system and helps…

Read More Read More

A study published in British Journal of Nutrition demonstrates that consuming cocoa flavanols improves cardiovascular function, lowers blood pressure and increases blood vessel function. The BJN study, along with a related study published by the same group of researchers in the journal Age, indicate that intake of cocoa flavanols reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Therefore flavanol-containing foods could help maintain the health of the heart and blood vessels. Coco flavanols are plant-derived bioactives from the cacao bean. In…

Read More Read More

Scientists have found that chemicals present in apple peel and green tomatoes can prevent muscle wastage. The medical research carried out by scientists at the University of Iowa revealed that both apple peel and green tomatoes contain natural chemical properties which can revive muscles. Muscle wastage is caused by a type of protein called ATF4; it changes the formation of genes by starving muscles of the proteins they need to remain strong. In turn, this leads to loss of mass…

Read More Read More

A woman’s body is a complex, finely tuned machine. Each day, it accomplishes many miraculous tasks and for the most part, is fairly self-sufficient. The regulation of hormones, maintenance of bone density, reproductive health, urinary tract health and immune function are just some of the areas of health that concern all women. An increasing number of women are taking proactive measures in an attempt to ward off or delay the effects that ageing and hormone imbalances can have on the…

Read More Read More