Integrative Medicine Alert – April 1, 2013
April 1, 2013
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Plant-based Diets for Cardiovascular Disease: A Brief Review
Although very interesting research exists for the effects of isolated phytonutrients on many different disease processes, just as compelling is the resurgence in research on whole plants or whole food approaches to promoting health or treating disease (e.g., investigating a multi-component, plant-based dietary pattern and disease vs investigating the consumption of beta-carotene and disease). -
Large Systematic Review of Vitamin and Antioxidant Supplements Finds No Impact on Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 50 randomized controlled trials did not find that vitamin and antioxidant supplements reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Numerous subgroup analyses similarly found no benefit from daily supplementation, but also no adverse effects. -
Another Intriguing Antioxidant Tropical Plant: Moringa
In vitro and an in vivo animal model show that an extract of Moringa oleifera leaves has antioxidant effects, decreasing liver damage from a high-fat diet. -
Longevity in Olympic Medalists: Competitive Edge?
Using a retrospective cohort study with passive follow-up and relative conditional survival analysis, authors demonstrated that Olympic medalists from nine major country groups live longer than the general population, regardless of country, medal, or sport.