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The Natural Healthcare Centre, 17 Long Street, Newport (2026)

02/07/2025

While laboratory and animal studies support the potential of olive leaf extract in the context of dementia, human trials assessing its impact on cognitive impairment are to date lacking. Hence a group of Greek scientists examined, for the first time in humans, the effect of the daily consumption of a beverage containing olive leaf added to a Mediterranean diet (MeDi) on patients diagnosed with mild Alzheimer disease (AD), in addition to their regular treatment.

A randomised clinical trial compared olive leaf’s effects on cognitive and functional performance in 55 mild AD patients. Each participant was randomly assigned to two groups: (1) Group 1 was given olive leaves for making a daily beverage and MeDi instructions through monthly diet programs; (2) Group 2 received only the MeDi instructions. Participants in Group 1 were asked to prepare a daily beverage using 21 g of chopped, dry olive leaves steeped in 450 mL of room temperature water for 20 minutes. After 6 months, all participants underwent a second neuropsychological evaluation.

At 6 months, Group 1 participants had statistically significantly higher Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores compared to Group 2 with a p-value of 0.0135. Specifically, the mean MMSE change in patients receiving olive leaf was close to 0, indicating little memory deterioration, whereas in controls it was -4.1, indicative of cognitive decline. Other neuropsychological assessments also revealed better results in the olive leaf group, but without statistically significant differences between the two groups.

These are very promising results worthy of further investigation. While the dose of olive leaf at 21 g per day was relatively high, the use of a cold infusion would detract from its activity, as it is a poor way to extract phytochemicals in general. It would be interesting to examine the effects of a better preparation, preferably with a defined content of oleuropein.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39585054/

29/06/2025

A new study has found that a low omega-3 level was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and that increasing the intake of EPA and DHA might reduce the risk of developing atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD). In fact, the omega-3 Index (the relative levels of EPA and DHA determined in red blood cell membranes), smoking and cholesterol were found to be equally strong CVD risk factors.

In the study, researchers determined the omega-3 index of 2,550 participants of the Framingham Offspring cohort who were free of ASCVD at baseline, and the follow-up period lasted around 10 years on average.

The omega-3 index contributed significantly to the prediction of the future risk of CVD events, to roughly the same extent as diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking. Because the association was independent of other factors, the findings suggest that the health effects of omega-3 operate via different mechanisms than cholesterol or blood pressure, according to the authors.

Specifically, the study examined the extent to which the omega-3 index (O3I) improved the predictive capability of the Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE). The PCE is a tool used to estimate a person's 10-year risk of developing ASCVD, which includes nonfatal myocardial infarction (heart attack), coronary heart disease death, and nonfatal or fatal stroke. The 9 inputs normally used for the equation are age, s*x, race, total and HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, treatment for hypertension, diabetes and smoking status.

In the study cohort the predictive value for 10-year ASCVD events using the PCE was 0.689. It increased to 0.698 (P < 0.05) upon the addition of the O3I. The predictive weightings in the basic model were 0.028 (blood pressure, HDL-C), 0.020 (diabetes), 0.012 (O3I), 0.006 (total cholesterol), and 0.004 (smoking); all but smoking were significant (P < 0.05). Also, the O3I significantly (P < 0.05) improved the predictive ability of each of these risk factors when analysed separately.

“If people are concerned about correcting their high cholesterol level to reduce their risk for CVD, then they should be equally concerned about correcting their Omega-3 Index,” said William S. Harris, PhD, senior investigator of this study, and President of the Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI). “People can test their Omega-3 Index and if it is sub-optimal, they can take steps to correct; and those steps are very safe, cheap and simple: consume more oily fish on a regular basis and/or take omega-3 dietary supplements.”

For more information see: https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/breaking-news/omega-3-index-smoking-cholesterol-found-to-be-equally-strong-cvd-risk-factors-study/?utm_campaign=NUT%20eNewsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Fq_nFWWd1r7P0-Nd_flOh5c_yYmDUshSLOp3Y5cjXhQpWoZq0I0sg9YSpjqKNF-bXRMlx7JKmkQl2UA8bUM1Csk4CkQ&_hsmi=353948583&utm_content=353948583&utm_source=hs_email

and

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40074603/

22/06/2025

Andropause, sometimes referred to as "male menopause”, is a condition associated with a gradual decline in testosterone levels in ageing men, typically starting around the age of 40 and becoming more pronounced after 50. Unlike female menopause, which occurs relatively quickly, andropause is a slower and more subtle process. Symptoms include reduced muscle mass and strength, increased body fat, fatigue, decreased bone density, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, mood swings, irritability, depression, difficulty concentrating and decreased motivation. Insomnia or poor sleep quality are common.

With the increase in average life expectancy, age-related testosterone decline has become a cause of decreased quality of life in men. A study from Japan has investigated a novel solution: the enoki mushroom. An extract of the mushroom containing adenosine was tested in middle-aged and elderly men, based on an evaluation of Heinemann's Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scores. The mushroom and placebo were administered to healthy men with AMS scores of 27 to 49 for 12 weeks. AMS score (primary endpoint) and testosterone level (secondary endpoint) were evaluated before and at 12 weeks. Enoki for 12 weeks significantly but moderately improved the s*xual subscale of the AMS. The number of participants with increases in total testosterone levels ≥0.5 ng/mL was significantly higher in the mushroom group than in the placebo group (17 versus 9).

The daily oral dose (1250 mg) of enoki mushroom extract contained 5.6 mg of adenosine. Given the modest degree of changes, enoki mushroom cannot be proposed as a core treatment, but certainly has a role as a dietary add-on.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40218966/

28/04/2025

New research suggests that current vitamin B12 guidelines might be outdated, as even “normal” levels could still risk optimal brain function, with scientists warning that a subtle cognitive decline linked to B12 insufficiency might affect more people than expected.

A study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) found that healthy older adults with lower B12 levels showed more signs of neurological and cognitive decline. These people had more damage to the brain’s white matter and performed worse on tests measuring cognitive and visual processing speeds, compared to those with higher B12 levels.

Senior study author Dr. Ari J. Green, from UCSF’s Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology and the Weill Institute for Neurosciences, says the findings raise concerns about current B12 recommendations.

“Previous studies that defined healthy amounts of B12 may have missed subtle functional manifestations of high or low levels that can affect people without causing overt symptoms,” said Green. “Revisiting the definition of B12 deficiency to incorporate functional biomarkers could lead to earlier intervention and prevention of cognitive decline.”

In the study, researchers enrolled 231 healthy participants without dementia or mild cognitive impairment, whose average age was 71. They were recruited through the Brain Aging Network for Cognitive Health (BrANCH) study at UCSF. Their blood B12 amounts averaged 414.8 pmol/L, well above the accepted minimum of 148 pmol/L. Participants with lower active B12 were found to have slower processing speed, relating to subtle cognitive decline. Such impact was amplified by older age. They also showed significant delays responding to visual stimuli, indicating slower visual processing speeds and generally slower brain conductivity. MRI revealed a higher volume of lesions in the participants’ white matter, which may be associated with cognitive decline, dementia or stroke.

“In addition to redefining B12 deficiency, clinicians should consider supplementation in older patients with neurological symptoms even if their levels are within normal limits,” co-first author Alexandra Beaudry-Richard said. “Ultimately, we need to invest in more research about the underlying biology of B12 insufficiency, since it may be a preventable cause of cognitive decline.”

These days, many biomedical scientists are speaking the same language as natural therapists.

For more information see: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-just-found-a-major-problem-with-vitamin-b12-guidelines-and-your-brain-might-be-at-risk/

03/04/2025

Although osteoarthritis (OA) is primarily diagnosed by structural changes in the articular cartilage, subchondral bone and ligaments, its pathology can also be observed in the surrounding joint-associated tissues, accompanied by inflammation. In progressive OA, a cytokine imbalance enhances proinflammatory cytokine levels, which subsequently induce cartilage degradation, resulting in inflammation, pain and deterioration of the joint structure. In modern medical thinking this cartilage degradation is an irreversible process. Indeed, no conventional drugs are available to date that stop or reduce cartilage degradation, improve the joint architecture or prevent or delay the progression of pathology (that is, current drug treatments are not disease modifying). Even worse, many of the currently used drugs have only modest symptomatic efficacy and carry a significant burden of serious side effects.

In this context, a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical study (n = 80, 180 days) aimed to evaluate cartilage morphology using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pain and joint function, and long-term safety of a Boswellia serrata gum resin extract in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

At the end of treatment, Boswellia significantly reduced symptoms (p < 0.001; vs. baseline and placebo) on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analogue Scale and Lequesne's Functional Index evaluations. These effects were substantial, for example Boswellia reduced the total WOMAC score by 71%, compared to 19% for placebo. Significant and substantial improvements were also noted for the six-minute walk and stair climb tests.

Particularly noteworthy was the finding that post-trial MRI assessments of the tibiofemoral joints revealed that cartilage volume, thickness and joint space width were all increased (p < 0.001; vs. placebo) after Boswellia treatment. The inflammatory and tissue degradation markers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), matrix metalloproteinase-3, Fibulin-3, type II collagen degradation peptide in serum, and cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen in urine were all also significantly reduced (p < 0.001; vs. baseline and placebo). Haematology, complete serum biochemistry, urine analysis and the participants' vital signs did not alter between the groups.

The dose of Boswellia used was 100 mg per day after breakfast of an extract containing 20% AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid). The AKBA content of Boswellia serrata resin is typically around 1%, so this dose correlates to about 2 g per day of resin.

This study is the first to objectively show that treatment of KOA with Boswellia is likely to be disease modifying, a finding that has been implied by other clinical trial results for the herb.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39700461/

22/03/2025

A key component of my microcirculation phytonutrient diet is beetroot juice, because its nitrate content improves nitric oxide production and hence microvascular flow and endothelial health. Several studies have found that it can thereby boost physical performance. Now beetroot juice has been shown to improve fitness gains in postmenopausal women. Those who drank a half-glass of beetroot juice before working out saw significantly greater improvements in fitness measures over eight weeks.

Late postmenopausal women, defined as at least six years past their final menstrual period, often find it harder to build strength and improve fitness compared to premenopausal women and men of the same age. Reduced nitric oxide availability may diminish the responsiveness of skeletal muscle and fine blood vessels during exercise. Beetroot juice is rich in dietary nitrate, which is stored only in limited amounts in muscle and is converted to nitric oxide during physical exertion.
In the study, 24 late postmenopausal women completed supervised, circuit-based exercise training three times per week for eight weeks. Half of the participants drank 140 mL of beetroot juice two to three hours before each workout. Before and after the training period, all participants underwent physical fitness assessments, including a six-minute walk test.

The participants who drank beetroot juice prior to exercise showed greater improvements in several aspects of physical function, including aerobic capacity and recovery, compared to the control group. For example, beetroot juice increased the six-minute walk test by 40 metres, while the exercise-only group improved by just 8 metres.

Those who took beetroot juice before working out also had significantly greater aerobic capacity measures, as well as heart rate recovery, with a 10-beats-per-minute decrease after the six-minute walk test for the beetroot juice group compared to a one-beat-per-minute decrease in the control group.
The researchers concluded that the study provided preliminary evidence that consuming beetroot juice before exercise could be uniquely beneficial for late postmenopausal women, helping this population to sustain mobility independence and quality of life.

For more information see: https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/breaking-news/beetroot-juice-improves-fitness-gains-in-postmenopausal-women-study/?utm_campaign=NUT%20eNewsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8LCays33FE1adq4kJWxhlQXf6FQBt8GDZwTRP-Xc32imtMjDOwbXmhWzPCFoFqBKhAvua-Z292DfgrnQpqBZD-k6BO9Q&_hsmi=337934310&utm_content=337934310&utm_source=hs_email

and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39250543/

02/09/2024

There are several clinical trials showing positive results for Calendula flowers in the topical treatment of wound and burn injuries. However, the herb is not generally regarded as an internal treatment for such problems. In an Iranian clinical trial, 60 patients hospitalised in a burn ward who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to two groups: intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30). In addition to standard treatments, the intervention group received one capsule (2 g) of Calendula officinalis daily, for two weeks, and the control group received a placebo. Wound status was assessed with the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days of the study in both groups.

The mean total scores of wound status using BWAT at the 1st, 7th, and 14th days in the intervention group were 48.23, 35.93, and 22.97, respectively, and in the control group were 48.90, 42.57, and 37.8. Results at days 7 and 14 for the herbal intervention were statistically significant compared to placebo (p < 0.001), indicating that the oral intake of Calendula substantially accelerated the burn healing rate.
Clinical evidence for the oral intake of herbs improving healing rates is generally scant. The main exception is gotu kola. If this result can be confirmed by other trials, it represents a significant breakthrough in herbal therapy.

For more information see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31145533/

18/03/2024

Polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS) is a major cause of infertility around the world. The disorder is characterised by elevated secretion of androgens resulting in of ovarian enlargement with accumulation of fluid filled cysts, irregular menstrual cycles and hirsutism. A single-arm study assessed the efficacy of proprietary standardised fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed extract (1,000 mg/day) in 107 female volunteers (aged 18 to 45 years) over a period of 12 consecutive weeks.

The herbal treatment induced a greater than 40% reduction of mean cyst sizes in both ovaries, with a corresponding reduction in ovarian volumes. The LH:FSH ratio was also significantly improved, with a corresponding reduction in total testosterone and prolactin levels. As a result of this improvement in endocrine function, menstrual cycles became more regular in the trial participants. PCOS is also characterised by insulin resistance, and the fenugreek treatment also reduced its severity, together with significantly correcting dyslipidaemia and improving liver function.

For more information see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36441141/

01/03/2024

Early this century St John’s wort (SJW) was challenging conventional drugs as a viable alternative in the management of mild to moderate major depression. Then concerns about herb-drug interactions, several of them concocted and/or spurious (see my Grumpy Old Herbalist video on this topic), caused interest in SJW to wane in this context.

So a recent analysis of the accumulated clinical data for SJW in depression is highly relevant, especially as serious concerns regarding the addictive nature of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have recently been uncovered.

Fourteen clinical trials with a total of 2270 depression patients were included. All analysed papers were published between 2000 and 2022. Meta-analysis of the trial data demonstrated that treatment with SJW was superior to both placebo and SSRIs.

The authors concluded that their analysis supports the clinical use of SJW in mild to moderate depression, as it reduced the number of depressive patients and their depression scores, while having fewer risks and side effects than conventional medications.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36226689/

23/02/2024

A recent clinical study investigated whether pomegranate seed extract at 500 mg/day influences clinical symptoms, eosinophil, basophil and neutrophil counts in patients with allergic asthma. Participants (n = 64) suffering from mild to moderate allergic asthma were randomly divided into two groups: the control group received placebo capsules and the intervention group received 250 mg pomegranate extract capsules twice a day (for 8 weeks).

Pomegranate extract markedly improved patients' clinical symptoms such as daily breath shortness, nocturnal breath shortness and limitation of asthma-related activity, compared with the control group. Furthermore, eosinophil, basophil and neutrophil counts decreased in the herb group, with changes in neutrophils and eosinophils being statistically significant.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36762119/

22/01/2024

I have long advocated my microcirculation dietary protocol that includes beetroot juice. Its boost to microvascular function should improve several body functions via the increased production of nitric oxide.

Recently, daily consumption of beetroot juice for 12 weeks was found to significantly improve blood pressure, vascular function and exercise capacity in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“This is one of the longest-duration studies in this area so far. The results are very promising, but will need to be confirmed in larger, longer-term studies” said Professor Nick Hopkinson the study lead.

COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a serious lung condition affecting around 400 million people worldwide. It causes breathing difficulties and severely limits capacity for physical activity. It also increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The new research tested a 12-week course of a concentrated beetroot juice supplement that was high in nitrate (400 mg) against a beetroot juice placebo that looked and tasted the same, but had the nitrate removed. It included 81 people with COPD who were being treated at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK,
Professor Hopkinson commented: “There is some evidence that beetroot juice as a source of nitrate supplementation could be used by athletes to improve their performance, as well as a few short-term studies looking at blood pressure. Higher levels of nitrate in the blood can increase the availability of nitric oxide, a chemical that helps blood vessels relax. It also increases the efficiency of muscles, meaning they need less oxygen to do the same work.”

Researchers found that those taking the nitrate-rich supplement experienced an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 4.5 mmHg compared to the placebo. There was also an average increase of around 30 metres in how far patients could walk in six minutes.

Plasma nitric oxide (NOx) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) data were available for 24 patients in the active group and 20 in the placebo group; plasma NOx increased from baseline in the treatment group, but not the placebo group, and the increase in FeNO was significantly greater from baseline in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. Beneficial changes in endothelial function, consistent with the increased NOx, were also observed.

No significant changes were noted between the groups in terms of platelet aggregation.

For more information see:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38123239/

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/250376/beetroot-juice-lowers-blood-pressure-people/ #:~:text=An%20Imperial%20led%20study%20has,in%20the%20European%20Respiratory%20Journal.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/beetroot-juice-improves-fitness-and-function-patients-copd-2023a1000wzt

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