The amount of radiation exposure that astronauts experience during deep space missions carries the major risks of cancer due to exposure of cancer prone tissues to strong radiation and the risk of radiation induced decreases in physical and mental performance due to neurological damage. Scientists are searching for effective yet safe ways to protect from radiation. In this study, rats were placed on a control diet alone, or the same diet plus 2% blueberry extract, or 2% strawberry extract for 8 weeks.

Ulcerative colitis affects the large intestine resulting in severe pain, bloody diarrhea, fatigue, and fever. Some research indicates it could be an unhealthy ratio of bad to friendly (probiotic flora) bacteria that somehow triggers the disease. 32 people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis that was not responding to medication were placed on a large serving of friendly flora twice a day for 6 weeks in an open trial.

Activated natural killer (NK) cells attack and help destroy infectious bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. NK cells that are activated by a particular immune system messenger known as IL-12 have been reported to recognize and kill tumor cells. The polysaccharide derived from the Maitake Mushroom activates immune system attack cells such as macrophages and T cells and inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

In this study, 60 female mice who had developed spontaneous hair loss on their head and neck areas were given either a green tea supplement in thier drinking water along with their mouse chow or plain water plus mouse chow, the mice were housed individually. The results showed that 33% of the mice who received the Green Tea Extract had significant hair regrowth in the six months of supplementation, whereas the other group of mice had no hair regrowth. The study was performed at the Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, in Los Angeles, and is published in the June 2005 issue of the Journal of the National Medical Association.

Chromium is a mineral needed for carnbohydrate and fat metabolism. Chromium intake imroves insulin sensitivity, improves glucose tolerance, and a lack of chromium leads to elevated blood sugar that cannot be controlled with insulin. In other words, chromium is improtant for decreasing the risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.