Evidence Based Research | Patient Resources

Cheese often gets a bad rap for its high calorie count and fat content. But when consumed in small portions, cheese — particularly Jarlsberg cheese — can help preserve bone health. A small comparative clinical trial, published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, shows that a small daily portion of Jarlsberg cheese helps ward off bone thinning (osteopenia/osteoporosis) — without raising harmful low-density cholesterol. The benefits appear to be limited to Jarlsberg che...

What Is Folate?
Folate is a water-soluble B-vitamin that occurs naturally in foods such as spinach. Its synthetic form-folic acid-is found in dietary supplements and fortified foods - this form makes up a large part of the dietary intake in the United States. The body absorbs and utilises folic acid twice as efficiently as it does food sources of folate. Because they play an integral part in making DNA and RNA, folate and folic acid are responsible for producing and maintaining red blood cel...

In 1984, Bernard Bihari, MD, a Harvard University physician and researcher, observed that while naltrexone successfully blocked heroin’s ability to bind the opioid receptors, the complete blockage led to such severe side effects that the former addicts would not comply with continued use. With his knowledge of naltrexone’s effect on the immune system, he turned his research attention in that direction. Realising that naltrexone’s effects included increasing endorphins and t...

A new blood test that analyses DNA shed by metastatic cancers could reveal characteristics unique to each patient's tumour and help develop a more personalised treatment plans. The blood test focuses on circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). By sequencing the complete genome of ctDNA, researchers can learn about the different metastases spread throughout the body. "A key goal in cancer research is to better understand metastatic cancer in each affected person so we can select the best tre...

For people with existing hypertension, containing cocoa flavonoids helped reduce blood pressure and arterial stiffness, according to a small study in Frontiers in Nutrition. Is cacoa the same as cacao? The cacao bean is the source of both cacao and cocoa powders. Cacao beans are found inside the fruit of the Theobroma cacao tree in fleshy, oval-shaped pods. When you see cacao nibs, powdered cacao (or cacao powder) in the Grocery stores, the bean is in its raw state uncooked, additive free, ...