Evidence Based Research | Patient Resources

Prophylactic use of a green tea constituent significantly reduced the incidence and severity of radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) in breast cancer patients in a randomised trial, researchers say. The incidence of grade 2 or worse RID was significantly lower in patients treated with the green tea constituent - epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG - than in the placebo group (50.5% vs 72.2%;P=0.008), Dr. Hanxi Zhao and colleagues from the Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute in China reporte...

Just like you can’t drive a car without fuel, your body needs fuel to function. Instead of petrol, however, what gives us energy is certain nutrients from the diet. Nutrients can give us energy either as a substrate converted to ATP in our cells or by otherwise contributing to ATP production. Just like gasoline, the quality of the food you eat will have an effect on the performance of your “vehicle”.  If you’d like to know what to eat for energy, and which foods...

Numerous studies have investigated the influence of omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in people with depression. While various combinations of EPA and DHA have displayed positive effects on mood, those composed mainly of EPA have shown more consistent benefits compared to mainly-DHA formulations. EPA and DHA are known to play distinct roles in neurological and immune function, and the results of several clinical trials suggest that an EPA-to-DHA intake ratio...

Time-restricted eating reduced cardiovascular risk among older breast cancer survivors, a single-group feasibility study suggests. The results show a 15% relative decline in cardiovascular risk, measured using the Framingham Risk Score, among at-risk breast cancer survivors (BCS) after only 8 weeks of following a time-restricted eating regimen, reported Amy A. Kirkham, PhD, assistant professor of kinesiology and physical education, University of Toronto, and colleagues. "Time-restricte...

Research studies have indicated that plasma concentrations of the soy isoflavones daidzein and genistein reach their highest peak six hours after intake, preceded by a smaller initial peak one-hour post-meal (Franke, Lai & Halm, 2014). The initial peak reflects isoflavone absorption in the small intestine after its transformation into an aglycones, while the second peak corresponds the aglycone being absorbed in the colon. Hence, the gut microbiome influences the biological effects of is...