Dr. Greger’s High Takeaways on Parkinson’s, Fibromyalgia, and Tea Tree Oil

Each month, we publish round eight new movies, 4 Friday Favorites, eight blogs, and 4 podcasts on NutritionFacts.org. We’re bursting on the seams with well being and diet data! Beginning now, we’re taking all of that data and wrapping up the juiciest bits into a pleasant, bite-sized weblog as an end-of-month recap in case you missed something or simply need a refresher. So, what had been the highlights in February?

Treating Parkinson’s Illness with Velvet Beans and Fava Beans

Our two new movies on Parkinson’s illness launched this month addressed the query, If we now have identified for many years that Parkinson’s is manifested by a dopamine deficiency within the mind, why not eat a dopamine weight-reduction plan? The dopamine in meals can’t truly cross the blood-brain barrier, however its precursor, levodopa (L-dopa), can and is then in a position to be transformed into dopamine. Dr. Greger discovered attention-grabbing knowledge on velvet and fava (or broad) beans, which each comprise L-dopa. The data on velvet beans appeared promising at first, however there are some hurdles to its use—together with its nasty style.

What about fava beans? They comprise much less L-dopa than velvet beans, however they’re tasty—so you possibly can eat extra of them—and will be consumed as an entire meals. Substantial scientific enhancements had been famous in sufferers after they ate fava beans, much like that of receiving an ordinary drug. General, the analysis is ongoing, and, till we all know extra, Parkinson’s combo medication like Sinemet ought to stay the first-line remedy, however including beans to our weight-reduction plan can solely assist. Even only one and a half spoonsful’s price of roasted soybeans (“soynuts”) led to a big enchancment in signs as an adjunct therapy.

The Finest Eating regimen for Fibromyalgia and Different Persistent Ache Reduction

Fibromyalgia has lengthy been dismissed as a psychological phenomenon, however it’s now understood to be a dysfunction of ache regulation and sensitization. If ache is usually brought on by irritation, does an anti-inflammatory weight-reduction plan assist cut back the results of fibromyalgia? A current examine discovered that on a plant-based weight-reduction plan, perceived ache decreased a median of three factors (on a ten-point scale), falling from a median of 5 or 6 factors down to only two out of ten. The examine didn’t have a management group, however there’s no draw back to giving more healthy consuming a strive—not solely to assist with fibromyalgia ache, however for an entire host of different issues.

Vinegar for Blood Sugar Management and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Therapy

Vinegar has been proven to assist speed up weight reduction, cut back ldl cholesterol, act as a disinfectant, and blunt spikes in blood sugar and insulin after meals. Since insulin resistance has been steered as one doable explanation for polycystic ovaries and we all know vinegar can enhance insulin resistance, might it additionally profit these affected by PCOS? A tiny examine utilizing one tablespoon a day confirmed enchancment for about half of the contributors. The jury continues to be out, however this implies that vinegar could assist, so why not give it a strive? No matter your motive for taking a day by day dose of vinegar, bear in mind to by no means drink it straight, as it may trigger second-degree caustic burns down your throat.

It has been steered that insulin resistance is likely one of the causes of polycystic ovaries and we all know that vinegar can enhance insulin resistance, so researchers determined to check the impact of vinegar for PCOS. Seven sufferers in search of a non-pharmacological therapy for PCOS got a beverage containing a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar every single day for a number of months. The insulin resistance did enhance in most, however did their cycles return? Sure, in 4 out of seven. Earlier than the examine, they had been both having their durations each 50 or so days or in no way, or they weren’t ovulating, however most resumed inside 40 days on the vinegar. Now, this doesn’t show something, however it’s not less than adequate to point the chance that it could assist. And, what’s the draw back? A tablespoon of vinegar would price lower than 10 cents a day. (One other reminder to by no means drink vinegar straight.)

Dr. Greger within the Kitchen: Groatnola

Two years in the past, Dr. Greger made a video about his then-favorite breakfast, the Cran-Chocolate Pomegranate BROL Bowl. He nonetheless loves it, however with pomegranate season waning as soon as once more, he’s on a brand new kick: groatnola! What’s that? Complete-food granola made with buckwheat groats, candy potatoes, and spices. Give it a strive, and tell us what you suppose!

Tea Tree Oil for Chilly Sores and Warts?

Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties, as proven in movies resembling Does Tea Tree Oil Work for Dandruff and Athlete’s Foot? and Do Pure and DIY Tea Tree Oil Cleansing Merchandise Disinfect as Properly as Bleach?. Warts and chilly sores, alternatively, are brought on by viruses, so does tea tree work on these circumstances? Perhaps on warts (not less than in a singular case report), however not on chilly sores.

Vegetarian Athletes

On this three-blog sequence, beginning with What Is the Gladiator Eating regimen and How Do Vegetarian Athletes Stack Up?, Dr. Greger appeared on the historical past of vegetarian athletes and the way they stacked as much as their omnivorous competitors. High teams of athletes, from historic Romans and Greeks to modern-day Olympic runners, have been identified to eat largely plant-based diets. General, most research have discovered little distinction between vegetarian and omnivore athletes in the case of cardio or energy health. Since in depth analysis has proven {that a} plant-based weight-reduction plan has the advantage of better long-term well being outcomes, it looks like a successful selection. 

Wholesome Bones

This month’s highlight is all about bone well being. Do individuals consuming plant-based have better bone loss? Does animal protein consumption result in bone loss? What’s the relationship between milk consumption and charges of hip fractures? Try the podcast for solutions to these questions and extra. In a nutshell, although, for the strongest bones, eat loads of phytonutrient-packed plant meals and incorporate weight-bearing train.

This has been a wrap-up of only a small sampling of our current content material. To see every little thing from the previous month, you should definitely take a look at the video, weblog, and podcast pages.