Chronic Heart Failure- was significantly helped in terms of mortality and hospitalization by one Omega 3 fish oil capsule per day. Statin drugs had no impact on this illness according to new research published in the Lancet Journal this month. See my article, Natural alternatives for high cholesterol for more information. Diabetes-Type -2 risk has been linked to high arsenic levels in the water supply, according to a very recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Risk of Type-2 Diabetes increased 400% when even low levels of arsenic were present in the water supply. While some arsenic is present naturally, it is often a result of industrial processing. This new study may affect policy for tougher environmental laws governing the water supply. Organic Pesticides?-may be a misnomer but researchers have developed a "green" pesticide which inhibits insects while is not harmful to people, animals or the environment. This natural pesticide is being developed from the herb knotweed, and is exciting!!! Stay tuned. MSG- has now been linked to obesity.  Even when controlled for caloric intake and exercise, people who consumed MSG regularly were found to be three times more overweight than controls, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina. No biochemical reason for this has been established at this time. More Good News about Chocolate! - according to the Journal of Neuro psychiatric disease and Treatment, bioflavoids, (antioxidants) in chocolate may increase blood flow to the brain, even when only eaten once or twice a week, an increase of 8-10% oxygenation was noted which may major ramifications for victims of dementia, stroke or brain injury. Blindness in seniors,    due to age-related macular degeneration has once again been shown to be completely preventable by eating antioxidants from sources such as: blueberries, greeen leafy vegetables, artichokes, and pecans according to new research from Brigham Young University. ARMD is the leading cause of age-related blindness in senior citizens in the USA.    If you are are having problems or would like to use natural means to improve your health or prevent illness please schedule an appointment @ Apple-A-Day-Clinic.COM  or by calling us @ 847-577-4455

Cancer Survivors - are very likely to use alternative or complementary medicine according to a new survey by the American Cancer Society. Over 60% used alternative or complementary therapies. In order of popularity were: Nutrition and Nutritional supplementation 60%, spiritual support or Mind/Body therapies, 40%, prayer 40%, meditation 15%, and acupuncture and Chinese medicine 2%. Canker Sores- significantly improved according to a new study when treated with licorice root a herbal remedy. Researchers found that lesions significantly dissipated within 4-5 days, without recurrence. This compared much more effectively to conventional treatments and patients were enthusiastic about the lessened mouth pain. Canker sores are conventionally thought to be due to hormone changes or food or citrus sensitivity. My experience is that they are due to low immunity. I would not treat this with licorice root, since licorice can be dangerous in some people with high blood pressure or low potassium levels leading to dangerous elevation of blood pressures or even cardiac rythum abnormalities if unsupervised. Painful Osteoarthritis- was significantly benefited by the herb Boswellia, an ayurvedic medicine. As published recently in the Journal of Biomedicine, researchers used this herb to treat people with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. They found that participants responded well,  often in as few as 7 days. This study has major ramifications to sufferers as no safe anti-inflammatory drugs are available for these conditions. This study used a standardized extract with higher levels of boswellin than are found at healthfood stores, so benefits may not be attainable with lesser products. Multiple Sclerosis Risk- has again been linked to vitamin D deficiency.  According to researchers at the New Jersey School of Medicine, MS is virtually unknown in the Equador cooridor. This has led some researchers to postulate that vitamin D-3 which is activated by sunlight somehow regulates the immune system which may then inhibit the induction of MS.  A serum D-3 test is inexpensive and should be conducted yearly as part of your biochemical blood workup.  Among all the other excitement regarding vitamin D-3, a recent report in the Journal of the American Medical Association demonstrated that low levels of vitamin D-3 were associated with a heightened death rate from all causes. FDA approves irradiation- on August 22nd, the FDA approved irradiation of lettuce and spinach to reduce food-bourne illness and microbes in these foods. This policy has been expected to be approved for some time.   September News   Please check your emails to receive this months calendar of events, promotions and specials as well as upcoming articles and events....I hope you'll visit us again soon.    Best of Health!  Dr Taryn DeCicco Nutrition News, August 31, 2008