Cranberry Fights Herpes

A new study shows that a polyphenol present in Cranberries fights HSV-2 infection in many ways. HSV-2 is the abreviation for herpes type 2 infection, one of the most common viral infection in humans. HSV-2 is a life long disease once you catch it and during an outbreak sores and ulcers appeare on the genitals. HSV-2 is increasing in incidence worldwide. The polyphenol is a Procyanidin. The study is published in the October 18th 2004 issue of the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

Cranberry joins the list of phytochemicals that inhibit herpes 2 infection. These include Green Tea EGCG, Indole-3-Carbinol, Resveratrol, and Lemon Balm.

Weather Really Does Affect Arthritis Pain

New research supports what we already knew, cold-damp weather increases the pain of arthritis. Researchers at Tufts-New England Medical Center analyzed information from the three-year long On-LIne Glucosamine Trial. This trial included approximately two hundred people from 41 states.The researchers noted the time and place wherre increased pain severity occured and compared this to regional information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A drop in barometric pressure (generaly associated with cloudy-damp weather), and cooler temperatures were correlated with increased joint pain, The study was presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology 68th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio.

Low Levels of Vitamin D Are Connected to Worsening Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Researchers at Boston University have found that patients who have osteoarthritis of the knee have worsening pain and knee function when vitamin D levels are lower. 221 individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee had their blood levels of vitamin D checked at the start of the study, at 15 months, and again at 30 months, the end of the study. They compared changes in blood vitamn D levels with knee pain, knee function and muscle strength. Lower levels of vitamin D were connected to worse knee pain, poorer knee function and greater disability, and to slightly weaker muscles. Additionally, 50% of the patients were depleted of vitamin D. The study was presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology 68th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio.