Catherine – Page 26 – News by Nature

Psilocybin May Help Some Who Battle Anorexia

13Aug

By CatherineNo Comments

Botanicals

Psilocybin May Help Some Who Battle Anorexia

TUESDAY, Aug. 1, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- One dose of the hallucinogenic ingredient in "magic mushrooms" may help some people with anorexia move past their preoccupation with body image, an early study suggests. The study, of just 10 women with anorexia, tested the effects of a single dose of psilocybin plus psychological counseling sessions. Researchers found that the treatment appeared safe, with patients rating the experience as a positive one. And within three months, four of 10 women had a significant improvement in their eating disorder "pathology." That meant certain eating-disorder behaviors — including preoccupation with weight and body shape — improved to the degree that they were close to what's typical of people without an eating disorder. ...

A dietitian’s guide to the best foods for lowering your cholesterol levels

6Aug

By CatherineNo Comments

Diet

A dietitian’s guide to the best foods for lowering your cholesterol levels

More than 1.5 million Australians now have high blood cholesterol, so chances are you know someone whose blood results have returned with a little asterisk when their GP or cardiologist checked their cholesterol levels. In isolation, elevated cholesterol may not be cause for concern, but high cholesterol levels – in particular high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels – are one of the risk factors for heart disease. And with heart disease still Australia’s No.1 cause of death, especially for older Australians, why would you not make some dietary changes to help lower your risk? What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy substance made by the liver and plays a key role in hormone production as well as the natural function of the body’s cells and nervous system. Read m...

Chew on this: Wellness gummies gain popularity among millennials

2Aug

By CatherineNo Comments

Wellness

Chew on this: Wellness gummies gain popularity among millennials

It could be the year of the gummy. Cute, colourful and easy on the palate, the rise of nutraceutical players is because of a number of factors, especially a surge in interest for wellness products. An Accenture survey across 16 countries found that consumers are considering health and fitness an “essential”. About 80% said they intend to maintain or increase their spend on areas related to health. There have also been investments by MNCs in a bid to enter the space: Marico’s recent acquisitions of sizable stake in True Elements and Unilever’s investment in Oziva are cases in point. “It is growing at a CAGR of 21%,” says Ananya Agarwal, founder of Nyumi. “The pandemic has led to a demand for immune-boosting products, which has fuelled growth in this market,” says Saurabh Kapoor, co-fo...

Peppermint tea: A natural remedy for sore throat & constipation

30Jul

By CatherineNo Comments

Remedies

Peppermint tea: A natural remedy for sore throat & constipation

Peppermint tea, a delightful and aromatic herbal infusion, has been cherished for centuries for its refreshing taste and numerous health benefits. With its natural soothing properties, this popular beverage has found a place in the hearts of tea enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals. In this article, we explore how this tea can be an effective remedy for two common health issues: sore throat and constipation. Power of peppermint tea Peppermint leaf tea is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant (mentha piperita), which contains essential oils with potent medicinal properties. These essential oils primarily include menthol, menthone and limonene, responsible for the tea's distinctive taste and aroma. The presence of these compounds gives peppermint green tea its thera...

Landmark trial to treat debilitating grief with magic mushrooms

26Jul

By CatherineNo Comments

Botanicals

Landmark trial to treat debilitating grief with magic mushrooms

A world-first Queensland trial is to use an ingredient from “magic mushrooms” to treat prolonged and overwhelming grief. QIMR Berghofer researchers are leading the landmark trial of a new psychedelic treatment in combination with psychotherapy. It will be first time psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in about 200 species of mushroom, will be used in the grief project. Psilocybin has already been approved in Australia for use in relation to treatment-resistant depression. Up to 15 participants are being sought for the pilot study, which will investigate whether the new treatment is acceptable to and safe for people with prolonged grief, specifically in people who have lost a loved one to any form of cancer. Principal investigator, Associate Professor Vanessa B...

‘DNA diet’ discovery paves the way for ‘personalized’ weight loss menu

23Jul

By CatherineNo Comments

Diet

‘DNA diet’ discovery paves the way for ‘personalized’ weight loss menu

The discovery of hundreds of genes that directly influence what we choose to eat paves the way for personalized healthy diet plans, say scientists. They believe new insights into the genetic basis for food preferences could help improve nutrition on an individual basis. In one of the first large-scale studies of genes related to diet, researchers uncovered almost 500 genes that appear to directly influence the foods we eat. They say their findings represent an important step toward using a person’s genetics to develop precision nutrition strategies that help improve health or prevent disease. Research team leader Dr. Joanne Cole told South West News Service, “Some genes we identified are related to sensory pathways — including those for taste, smell, and texture — and may also ...

Confidence boosting journal prompts that wellness experts swear by

19Jul

By CatherineNo Comments

Wellness

Confidence boosting journal prompts that wellness experts swear by

Aclinical study in to the health benefits of journalling saw 70 people complete a thrice weekly 15-minute writing task for 12 weeks. Researchers, who were looking to see if it could lessen psychological distress and increase quality of life in general medical patients found that regular journaling “decreased mental distress and increased well-being… it was also associated with less depressive symptoms and anxiety after 1 month and greater resilience after the first and second month, relative to usual care.” So, in other words, writing down how you feel can help you get your thoughts in order, lessen feelings of anxiousness and help you handle unexpected or difficult situations in your daily life. Keep reading at MSN

10 natural remedies for insect bites: Expert-approved tips to soothe itching and reduce swelling

17Jul

By CatherineNo Comments

Remedies

10 natural remedies for insect bites: Expert-approved tips to soothe itching and reduce swelling

Some of the best natural remedies for insect bites might already be in your kitchen cupboard or bathroom cabinet - here's what the experts have to say about them... The arrival of summer brings with it plenty to look forward to - from lighter evenings and days spent with the paddling pool out to family holidays and beach trips. But as we get into the summer months, you might find yourself wondering why there are so many flying ants and how to get rid of ants as the warmer climate causes these bugs to swarm, and with them comes uncomfortable insect bites. And it's not just ants - mosquitos and horseflies often cause trouble at this time of year too. Dr Johannes Uys, a GP at Broadgate General Practice told us: "The effectiveness of natural remedies for insect bites compared to over-the...

Psilocybin-assisted therapy may provide more cost-effective solution to treating major depression disorder

12Jul

By CatherineNo Comments

Botanicals

Psilocybin-assisted therapy may provide more cost-effective solution to treating major depression disorder

A new study by leading academics in the psychedelics space finds that psilocybin combined with therapy could be more cost-effective at treating major depression disorders than currently used methods. The study, ‘Cost-effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe depression: exploratory findings from a decision analytic model’, published by Cambridge University Press, found that when psilocybin was costed at £1200 and combined with therapy from one therapist, the cost of treatment was £5239. Psilocybin-based treatment was also found to provide stronger returns in terms of the quality of life of patients following treatment, with psilocybin’s treatment returning a QALY nearly 10% larger than the next most effective treatment, CBT. Read more at News Medical Life Sciences...

The 6 Best Natural Diuretic Foods and Drinks, According to a Dietitian

10Jul

By CatherineNo Comments

Diet

The 6 Best Natural Diuretic Foods and Drinks, According to a Dietitian

Swollen arms, legs or ankles can be telltale signs your body is carrying more water and salt than normal, making moving pretty uncomfortable. About 60% of your body is water, and maintaining a healthy balance of fluids is critical for optimal health and normal function, per a 2018 article in BMC Public Health. High blood pressure, heart failure and kidney dysfunction disrupt your body's fluid balance and may require water pills for treatment. Water pills, or diuretics, help eliminate fluids from your body by making you pee more frequently. Without diuretics, extra water can make your organs work overtime, create electrolyte imbalances, and overall become life-threatening, according to a 2022 review in StatsPearls. Diuretics are among the most often used drugs in the medical field, accor...