Dear Friends,
Welcome to my August news update with the pick of the most interesting stories in health and wellbeing over the last month. Please explore these new findings and be sure to share them with your friends, families and colleagues.
With warmest good wishes,
Dr Rosy Daniel
Acupuncture for Cancer
Is Acupuncture Helpful for Easing Cancer Pain?
Treating cancer is a team effort. Now, recent research suggests recruiting an acupuncturist may be beneficial. Cleveland Clinic acupuncturist, Jamie Starkey, did not take part in the study but said results show acupuncture may be useful for easing cancer pain. “It’s safe, it’s effective and it’s quite helpful in terms of bringing your cancer-related pain scores down without a significant amount of side effects,” she said. The study reviews 17 trials looking at acupuncture and acupressure.
Read the full Newsroom Article:
Nutrition
Best vitamin B12 foods: Supplements and RDA
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for good health. Most people can obtain it from a varied diet that includes animal products. However, people eating a plant-based diet can only get vitamin B12 from fortified foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is important for proper red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anaemia, as well as neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
Read the full MedicalNewsToday Article:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vitamin-b12-foods
As more go hungry and malnutrition persists, achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 in doubt, UN report warns
Rome – More people are going hungry, an annual study by the United Nations has found. Tens of millions have joined the ranks of the chronically undernourished over the past five years, and countries around the world continue to struggle with multiple forms of malnutrition. The latest edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, published today, estimates that almost 690 million people went hungry in 2019 – up by 10 million from 2018, and by nearly 60 million in five years.
Read the full BBC News article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53493550
Hesperidin: The Citrus Bioflavonoid Powerhouse You Haven’t Heard Of
Hesperidin, a polyphenolic compound extracted from citrus fruits and known for its anti-inflammatory properties, may have beneficial effects in the prevention of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Further study indicates that hesperidin may prevent varicose vein formation and be useful in the treatment of hemorrhoids and diabetes, yet many have yet to hear about this powerful flavonoid.
Read the full Green Med Info Article:
https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/hesperidin-citrus-bioflavonoid-powerhouse-you-havent-heard
Yoga Mental Health Benefits
Cinnamon may improve blood sugar control in people with prediabetes
Cinnamon improves blood sugar control in people with prediabetes and could slow the progression to type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. It is estimated that nearly 90 million people in the United States have prediabetes, which occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal and often leads to type 2 diabetes. Identifying strategies to prevent the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes is challenging, yet important for a large population.
Read the full Science Daily Article:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200721102143.htm
Positive News for Air Pollution
UK air pollution still down despite return to normal traffic – study
Air pollution has remained at lower levels in UK towns and cities despite a return to near-normal traffic levels after the easing of coronavirus restrictions, according to research. Analysis of data from more than 100 urban roadside locations shows nitrogen dioxide pollution levels were 30% below normal at the end of June, despite HGV traffic being back at 95% of normal levels, vans at 90% and cars at 75%. Scientists think the small reduction in traffic that remains is enough to cut congestion on the roads and that this has an outsized impact in reducing dirty air. People may be staggering their commutes to work, which would also cut congestion, they said.
Read an extract from this Guardian Article:
To see lots more exciting news and evidence go to www.health-e-learning.org.uk and see the health-e-information platform.
Researcher – Sophie Daniel, Health and Wellbeing Trust
Images bought from iStock Getty images – https://www.istockphoto.com