Wellness-uptodate

C.M.Sagasta-Medium.com 9/20/2023 Curcumin is a natural compound found in turmeric known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It has been traditionally used in Asia for medicinal purposes, particularly for treating dyspepsia. Curcumin has various beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. Recent studies have explored the potential of curcumin in different health contexts: Dyspepsia: Curcumin was found to be as effective as the medication omeprazole in relieving indigestion symptoms in a study involving 206 patients with functional dyspepsia. This suggests it could be a natural alternative for managing indigestion. Peptic Ulcers: Another study showed that curcumin was as effective as omeprazole in treating peptic ulcers. All three groups in the study experienced significant symptom improvements. COVID-19: A clinical trial investigated nanocurcumin, a nanoparticle version of curcumin, as an add-on treatment

A recent study published in the field of Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery in September 2023 has explored the potential of mind-body therapies (MBTs) as supplementary treatments for various ear, nose, and throat diseases.  MBTs encompass practices like meditation, yoga, aromatherapy, and biofeedback, which aim to improve health by connecting the mind and body.  The study involved a thorough review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the past decade, focusing on cost-effective MBTs. The findings revealed that MBTs were effective in reducing distress associated with otolaryngologic conditions such as septoplasty, head and neck cancer, facial palsy, and tinnitus. (see more)

  Carbamate and Alzheimer Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that mostly affects older people. It gets worse over time and causes problems with memory and thinking. We still don't fully understand why Alzheimer's disease happens, but it seems to be caused by a lot of different things going wrong. There are some important signs that we often see in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. These include the loss of certain brain cells, the buildup of abnormal substances like plaques, problems with metals in the brain, changes in a protein called tau, too much stress inside brain cells, swelling and problems with the immune system in the brain, and issues with the energy centers in brain cells. Current treatments, right now, is based in some medicines that can help with the symptoms of Alzheimer's, but they don't fix the main problems in the brain.  These medicines are called donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine. There's a need for better drug

A recent placebo-controlled trial presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2023 Congress has revealed promising results regarding the use of a traditional Chinese herbal remedy, Qiliqiangxin, in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). HFrEF is a condition where the heart's left ventricle loses its ability to contract effectively, leading to insufficient blood circulation. The study, known as QUEST, involved over 3,000 HFrEF patients who were randomly assigned to take Qiliqiangxin or a placebo in addition to their standard triple-therapy regimen for heart failure. Qiliqiangxin, composed of 11 plant-based ingredients known for their diuretic and cardiotonic effects, demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization due to heart failure by more than 20%. This reduction was consistent across various patient groups. While these findings are promising, some questions remain, including the limited enrol

Researchers have conducted a study focusing on specific brain cells called GABRA5 neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) of male rats to understand their role in managing obesity.  These neurons have connections to both white and brown fat tissues in the body.  When obese mice had their GABRA5 neurons suppressed, they experienced metabolic impairments and weight gain, whereas reducing the activity of an enzyme called MAO-B in nearby astrocytes led to increased fat burning and less weight gain.  This suggests that these neurons may help prevent fat accumulation, offering potential insights into obesity treatment strategies.  Additionally, brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been associated with lower risks of cardiometabolic diseases, and a drug called KDS2010, which inhibits MAO-B, has shown promise in promoting weight loss and is in Phase 1 clinical trials as a potential obesity treatment.  Read Original Article

A potential therapeutic target for ameliorating insulin resistance Carlos Martínez Sagasta-Medium.com   Insulin resistance is a common issue associated with conditions like metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.It means that your body's cells have difficulty letting in the fuel they need, which can lead to health problems. Recent research has focused on the role of gut microbiota, the bacteria in our digestive tract, in insulin resistance. These bacteria can impact how our bodies process carbohydrates and energy intake, which is relevant to conditions like obesity and prediabetes. A study in Nature examined human data and found that insulin resistance is linked to certain carbohydrates in stool samples, which are influenced by how gut bacteria process them. (see more)

Hypnosis as a Tool for Managing Fibromyalgia Pain "Harnessing Hypnosis: A Promising Approach to Tackle Fibromyalgia Pain" Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and emotional challenges. The exact cause of FMS is not fully understood, but there's evidence suggesting a link between childhood/adulthood abuse or neglect and its development. Treating FMS can be difficult due to its resistance to most treatments. However, a recent review suggests that hypnotherapy, a psychological intervention, could be effective in managing FMS pain. This technique aims to reduce pain, fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety, and depression by using hypnosis to address emotional conflicts and unresolved traumas associated with FMS. This non-invasive approach might offer relief to those struggling with fibromyalgia. De Benedittis G. The Challenge of Fibromyalgia Efficacy of Hypnosis in Alleviating the Invisibl