Wellness-uptodate

Carvacrol is a phenolic monoterpenoid found in various essential oils. Oregano, thyme, and bergamot contain carvacrol. It boasts a range of beneficial properties for potential clinical applications. This compound has shown antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. It showed antimicrobial efficacy against food-borne pathogens like Escherichia coli and Salmonella. It is attributed to a unique combination of its chemical characteristics. Carvacrol, often used alongside thymol (another phenolic monoterpenoid found in these oils), exhibits high antioxidant activity and has been employed as a dietary additive to enhance the antioxidant status in animals (I.E. in poultry nutrition) Preclinical studies suggest promising anticancer properties of carvacrol, particularly in breast, liver, and lung carcinomas, through (proapoptotic) mechanisms involving elimination of DNA abnormalities. However, despite a well-defined toxicological profile, the lack of human trials hinders conclusive ...

  A small study suggests that taking creatine as a supplement for six months may significantly improve clinical features of post–COVID-19 fatigue syndrome (long COVID). Those symptoms are: Fatigue Shortness of breath Chest pain Joint pain Cognitive difficulties often referred to as “brain fog.”  The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, found that creatine supplements led to reduced fatigue and improved scores for various long COVID-related symptoms, such as loss of taste, breathing difficulties, body aches, headaches, and concentration problems.  Creatine is a natural compound found in small amounts in certain foods and produced by the body, mainly in muscles. It plays a crucial role in the Adenosine Triphosphate -Phosphocreatine (ATP-PC) energy system, which is the primary source of energy for short bursts of intense activities lasting from 1 to 30 seconds, like weightlifting or sprinting. Supplementing with creatine has been proven to...

Researchers are exploring the potential use of MDMA, commonly known as “ecstasy” or “molly,” as a tool to treat loneliness. Amid concerns about a growing loneliness epidemic, early studies suggest that MDMA could enhance social connectedness and reduce defensiveness. In a recent small-scale study involving 18 participants, those who took MDMA reported increased feelings of connection during social interactions. While the study is limited, researchers believe it has implications for MDMA-assisted therapy, particularly in helping patients feel safe and trusting for deeper emotional exploration. MDMA is currently being investigated for its therapeutic potential and has cleared clinical trials for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The drug, along with psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, has been shown to boost social behaviors in both humans and animals. These substances may induce a sense of dissolution of the self-other boundary, leading to increased empathy and social bon...

  Decades ago, when people suffered from clinical depression, they were often given a group of antidepressants called tricyclic (TCAs) to help them feel better. These drugs had many and different side effects and weren’t safer than new drugs.  However, things changed when a new type of medication called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) came into widespread use. These SSRIs were much safer and easier for people to tolerate. But even though SSRIs were good news, they still have some limitations. They can sometimes make you feel more worried during the first days of the treatment.  It also takes a while for them to work and make you feel better. Some people taking SSRIs also experience problems with their sex drive, sleep, and the overall effectiveness of the treatment is not always very strong.  SSRIs may not work well for people who have symptoms like a lack of interest in things they used to enjoy and difficulties with thinking. There are other medicat...

  In a recent study, researchers were concerned about the impact of obesity on cognitive health,  Even knowing that obesity is linked to cognitive decline and problems with the brain, they investigated if giving overweight or obese women a zinc supplement could help. In the study participated 42 women aged 40 to 60 and were splitted into two groups. One group received a zinc supplement (30 mg per day), while the other received placebo, for 12 weeks. Information about these women, like age, weight, diet, and physical activity was collected. To measure cognitive function and mood, various tests and questionnaires were used. They also checked certain substances in women's saliva to understand what was happening in their bodies. The results showed that the women who took the zinc supplement had better scores in cognitive tests, even though they didn't lose weight.  This suggests that taking zinc might help overweight or obese women maintain better cognitive function, regardle...

  C. M. Sagasta, M.D. in Medium 10-26-2023. A 2004 study by Shih-Yi Huang and colleagues sheds light on an intriguing aspect of major depressive disorder, specifically the link between hypoalbuminemia and depression. In that research, they compared serum albumin levels in drug-free patients with major depressive disorder to a control group with similar diets. The study found that patients with major depressive disorder had significantly lower serum albumin levels, and the severity of depression was inversely related to albumin levels. Importantly, these findings suggested that hypoalbuminemia in depression is not simply a result of malnutrition. However, the authors stressed the need for more extensive research to confirm these findings. A recent article titled “Association between albumin and depression: a population-based study” by Sabah Al-Marwani and colleagues explores an intriguing connection. Again, the relationship between serum albumin levels and depression in a population...

A recent study explored the connection between what we eat and the likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The research, based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study suggests that higher consumption of three essential minerals—magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and potassium (K)—is linked to a reduced risk of RA. People who get more of these minerals in their diets might be less likely to develop this autoimmune condition. What’s good about the study is that it involved a large and diverse group of U.S. adults, making the results more relevant to the general population. The researchers also analyzed other factors that could influence the results, which adds credibility to their findings. The study also examined how the risk of RA changes with different levels of mineral intake, which provides a more nuanced understanding. However, there are some limitations to keep in mind. First, this research is a “cross-sectional” study, which mea...