Purple passion fruit peel reduces asthma symptoms

Oral administration of the purple passion fruit peel extract reduces wheeze and cough and improves shortness of breath in adults with asthma – Passion fruit peel can significantly improve the symptoms of asthma. Patients given an extract from the Purple passion fruit’s peel had reduced wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, due to anti-oxidant, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties of Purple passion fruit.

Way to increase metabolism for weight loss

Scientists have discovered a way to aid weight loss and reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes by manipulating fat cells to increase the body?s metabolism. – Scientists from Melbourne’s Howard Florey Institute have discovered a way to aid weight loss and reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes by manipulating fat cells to increase the body’s metabolism. As well as metabolising fat, fat cells help regulate blood pressure and blood volume through the renin-angiotensin system.

Cholesterol and blood pressure control may reverse atherosclerosis

Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels below current targets in adults with type 2 diabetes may help to prevent ? and possibly reverse ? hardening of the arteries. – Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels below current targets in adults with type 2 diabetes may help to prevent ? and possibly reverse ? hardening of the arteries, according to new research supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Hardening of the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, is the number one cause of heart disease and can lead to heart attack, stroke, and death.

Gene variant CHI3L1 increases risk of asthma

A tiny variation in a gene known as CHI3L1 increases susceptibility to asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and decline in lung function, researchers report early online in the New England Journal of Medicine. – A tiny variation in a gene known as CHI3L1 increases susceptibility to asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and decline in lung function, researchers report early online in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Lowering cholesterol reduces heart attack and stroke risk

Even small reductions in cholesterol can substantially reduce heart attacks and strokes. – New research by the Nutrition and Lifestyle team at The George Institute has indicated that even small reductions in cholesterol can substantially reduce heart attacks and strokes. This occurs across a broad range of individuals, irrespective of age, sex or initial cholesterol level.

High GI diets lead to common lifestyle diseases

In the world’s first study of its kind, University of Sydney researchers have found conclusive evidence that diets with a high GI (Glycemic Index – a measure of how different foods affect your blood glucose levels) leads to a higher risk of common lifestyle diseases. – In the world’s first study of its kind, University of Sydney researchers have found conclusive evidence that diets with a high GI (Glycemic Index) leads to a higher risk of common lifestyle diseases.

American adults may not get enough rest or sleep

About 10 percent of American adults report not getting enough rest or sleep every day in the past month, according to a new four-state study. – About 10 percent of adults report not getting enough rest or sleep every day in the past month, according to a new four-state study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Vitamin supplements may increase lung cancer risk

Supplemental multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate are unlikely to decrease the risk of developing lung cancer. Use of supplemental vitamin E at high doses for a prolonged period of time may slightly increase this risk. – Vitamin supplements do not protect against lung cancer, according to a study of more than 77,000 vitamin users. In fact, some supplements may even increase the risk of developing it. The findings were published in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Software helps diagnosing diabetic patients earlier

This research could potentially identify over half a million people who are undiagnosed or at increased risk of developing the condition. – Researchers have developed software which could potentially identify over 600,000 people who are undiagnosed or at increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. The software can highlight people whose higher blood glucose levels have not been followed up.

Improved cognitive health among older Americans

Rates of cognitive impairment among older Americans are on the decline, according to a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) comparing the cognitive health of older people in 1993 and 2002. Higher levels of education were associated with better cognitive health. – Higher levels of health education improved cognitive health among older Americans. Rates of cognitive impairment among older Americans are on the decline, according to a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) comparing the cognitive health of older people in 1993 and 2002.

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