The following articles provide an unbiased and evidence-based analysis of top health stories that make the news. Links are provided for both the news story and original research.
Academic performance at school linked to exercise
Researchers demonstrate the anti-cancer effects of mushrooms
The potential for broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables to target cancer cells
Dark chocolate ‘can reduce risk of brain damage after stroke’
Researchers link soy beans with production of sperm
Unborn children at risk as ‘majority of pregnant women not getting enough vitamin D’
The psychology of food cravings
Low carb diet better than weight loss drug (Orlistat)
A new study from the US shows that a low-carbohydrate diet was just as effective at helping people lose significant amounts of weight as a medical treatment using the weight-loss drug orlistat plus a low-fat diet. The two diets were equally effective at improving cholesterol and glucose levels. Plus, the low-carb diet also helped patients lower blood pressure; almost half the participants on the low-carb diet either reduced their blood pressure medication or were able to come off it altogether. The result of the study showed that the average weight loss for participants in both groups was nearly 10% of their body weight. The researchers suggested that level of weight loss is unusually high and it was thought the result was partly due to the group counselling the participants received for 48 weeks. Orlistat interferes with the way fat is digested and absorbed into the body. Originally it was available only on prescription but since 2009 it has been available in a low-dose form from UK pharmacies under the brand name Alli, from GlaxoSmithKline.
Tricia Robinson, one of Natural Healthcare College's recent graduates carried out a fascinating research project as to the effectiveness of Alli. Please click here to download her report.