Group items tagged

Blueberry Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults (dagger).\nKrikorian R, Shidler MD, Nash TA, Kalt W, Vinqvist-Tymchuk MR, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA.\nJ Agric Food Chem. 2010 Jan 4. [Epub ahead of print]\nPMID: 20047325\nDOI: 10.1021/jf9029332\n\nThe findings of this preliminary study suggest that moderate-term blueberry supplementation can confer neurocognitive benefit and establish a basis for more comprehensive human trials to study preventive potential and neuronal mechanisms.

"Formulations of dietary supplements and herbal extracts for relaxation and anxiolytic action: Relarian."

"Bioactive components of tea: cancer, inflammation and behavior."

It is the aim of this review to summarize recent findings on the anticancer and medicinal properties of green tea, focusing on the biologic properties of the major tea catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin and its antitumor properties.

Green tea contains a unique set of catechins that possess biological activity in antioxidant, anti-angiogenesis, and antiproliferative assays potentially relevant to the prevention and treatment of various forms of cancer. Although there has been much focus on the biological properties of the major tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) and its antitumor properties, tea offers other health benefits; some due to the presence of other important constituents. Characteristics unrelated to the antioxidant properties of green and black teas may be responsible for tea's anticancer activity and improvement in cardiac health and atherosclerosis. Theanine in green tea may play a role in reducing stress. Oxidized catechins (theaflavins in black tea) may reduce cholesterol levels in blood. Synergistic properties of green tea extracts with other sources of polyphenolic constituents are increasingly recognized as being potentially important to the medicinal benefits of black and green teas. Furthermore, due to presumed antioxidant and antiaging properties, tea is now finding its way into topical preparations. Each of these aspects is surveyed.

CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence for herbal medicines in the treatment of depression and anxiety only supports the use of Hypericum perforatum for depression, and Piper methysticum for generalized anxiety.