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.
