Probiotics and Heart Health

The American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2012 currently underway in Los Angeles, researchers have announced taking a probiotic supplement might help prevent heart disease.

According to Mitchell L. Jones, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the study and a research assistant in the faculty of medicine at McGill University in Montreal, taking twice daily doses of a probiotic lowered key cholesterol-bearing molecules in the blood, caused “bad” cholesterol level (the kind that clogs arteries) to plunge and made the total cholesterol count healthier.

This is a particularly important study for mainstream medicine to be aware of because of two reasons. First, it involved a double blind study in humans. And second, it shows that a natural substance can lower LDL without causing negative side effects. There were 127 adult research subjects who all had high cholesterol. Approximately half of the patients took the probiotic twice a day, and the others  were given a placebo. After  nine weeks, subjects taking the probiotic had LDL levels 11.6%  lower than those on placebo. Furthermore, unlike with statin drugs, the users of the probiotic had no side effects. (Sources: newsroom.heart.org, www.naturalnews.com/026265.html#ixzz2BHr2nAlk)

Citrus Fruit for Diabetics

According to researchers from China’s State Agriculture Ministry and Zheijang University, flavonoids naringin and neohesperidin from citrus fruit is effective in reducing blood sugar levels while simultaneously increasing insulin sensitivity within cells. These two constituents are of great benefit for Type II Diabetes sufferers and have been used as anti-diabetic medications in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurvedic Medicine, and Asian medicine. The best sources for these two flavonoids are mandarin oranges, grapefruits including both red and blond varieties, and sweeties a hybrid of pummelo and blond grapefruits.

Check weekly for more Health Briefs by Dr. Gary Eshanov, a Montclair chiropractor. The Montclair chiropractic office offers patients chiropractic care, clinical nutrition, physical therapy, and yoga. Dr. Eshanov, is a family chiropractor and works with patients of all ages. Schedule your appointment today!