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Thursday, April 25, 2024
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Eating fruit is a delicious way to satisfy hunger and meet daily nutritional needs. However, most fruits contain sugar. This has raised questions about whether fruits are suitable for people who have diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic but manageable condition in which the body struggles to control the levels of blood sugar.

Is fruit dangerous for people with diabetes? This article will suggest fruits to eat and avoid if you have diabetes, as well as examining the relationship between fruit and blood sugar.

List of fruits for diabetes

fruits for diabetes on heart shaped platter
People with diabetes can eat fruit.

Below is a list of fruits divided by GI index, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Low GI and GL fruits

Some fruits have a GI of under 55 and a GL under 10, including.

  • apples
  • avocados
  • bananas
  • berries
  • cherries
  • grapefruit
  • grapes
  • kiwi fruit
  • nectarines
  • orange
  • peaches
  • pears
  • plums
  • strawberries

Medium-GI fruits (GI of 56 to 69)

A fruit with a GI of between 56 and 69 is considered to be a medium-GI food. All fruits listed below still have GL levels under 10.

  • honeydew melon
  • figs
  • papayas
  • pineapples

High-GI fruits

Fruits with a GI higher than 70 are high-GI and a GL of greater than 20 is high GL. While these are safe to eat with diabetes, it is important to eat larger quantities of lower-GI fruits instead.

  • dates (high GL)
  • watermelon (low GL)

Fruit and diabetes

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) advises that any fruit is fine to eat for a person with diabetes, so long as that person is not allergic to a particular fruit.

A meta-analysis published in 2014 in the British Medical Journal found higher fruit intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

The preparation of fruit, however, can affect blood sugar. Fresh or frozen fruits are better than processed fruits straight from a can or jar, such as applesauce and canned fruit. Processed fruits also include dried fruit and fruit juices.

People with diabetes should eat processed foods sparingly or avoid them completely. The body absorbs processed fruits more rapidly, leading to higher blood sugar levels. Processing fruits also removes or reduces levels of certain key nutrients, including vitamins and fiber.

The National Institute of Diabetic and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends that people with diabetes should avoid fruit juices or canned fruits with added sugar.

Fruit blends like smoothies also have high sugar content and are more rapidly absorbed leading to higher spikes in blood sugar.

What is the glycemic index?

For a person with diabetes, one way to select safe and suitable fruits and other high-carbohydrate foods is to check the glycemic index (GI).

GI is a rating of foods on a scale from 1 to 100. The score indicates how quickly the food item may raise blood sugar levels.

High GI foods are absorbed faster than medium or low GI foods.

Glycemic load (GL) takes into account the GI of a food plus the number of carbohydrates in a serving. GL may be a more accurate way of assessing how food affects blood sugar management over time. Low-GI and low-GL foods are better for helping control blood sugar levels.

People may be surprised to learn that many fruits have a low glycemic index. People digest starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and grains, more rapidly, so these have a higher GI index.

The longer a carbohydrate-rich food is cooked, the higher the GI value. Fat, fiber content, and cooling carbohydrates after they have been transformed into resistant starches via cooking can all dramatically lower GI values.

Benefits for diabetes

lemon eyes
Fruit plays a key role in helping people with diabetes feel full and absorb sugar slowly.

Eating enough fiber plays an important role in managing diabetes.

A diet high in soluble fiber can slow the absorption of sugar and control its levels in the blood. Many fruits are high in fiber, especially those with the skin or pulp included.

Many fruits are filling because of their high fiber and water content.

Diets containing enough fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of obesity, heart attack, and stroke. Obesity has been linked to type 2 diabetes.

Fruits are high in fiber and nutrients, so they are a good choice in meal planning. Fruits that have been processed such as applesauce and fruit juices have had their fiber removed and should be limited.

Other health benefits of fruit

The good news is that fruit is healthy to eat for people with diabetes, according to the NIDDK.

People with diabetes should eat a balanced diet that provides enough energy and helps to maintain a healthy weight. Some fruits are high in sugar, such as mangoes, but can be part of a healthy diet in moderate amounts.

Fruits can also satisfy a sweet tooth without resorting to candy and other foods with low nutritional value. Most fruits are high in nutrients and low in fat and sodium. Fruits also often contain nutrients not found in other foods.

Bananas contain potassium and tryptophan, an important amino acid. Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are high in vitamins A and C, which are powerful antioxidants.

How much fruit should I eat?

Most guidelines recommend that adults and children eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. This does not change for people with diabetes.

The United States guidelines recommend that people fill half of their plate at each meal with fruits and vegetables.

People with diabetes should focus on non-starchy vegetables for 50 percent of the meal, rather than depending on fruit. The remaining half of the meal should be protein and high-fiber starches like beans or whole grains. Many experts also recommend including healthy fat at each meal to encourage feeling full and enhance absorption of antioxidants and vitamins.

One serving is a medium-sized fruit, or a serving the size of a baseball. Smaller fruits, such as berries, have one-cup as the serving size.

A half-cup is also the serving size for processed fruit products, such as applesauce and fruit juice. The serving for fried fruits like raisins and cherries is 2 tablespoons per serving size.

Like vegetables, it’s great for people to eat a variety of fruits to get their needed nutrients, as well as to enjoy their varied flavors.

Dietary tips

To achieve the desired five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, people should aim to have fruit or vegetables throughout the day.

Here are a few ideas to help with menu planning:

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits are versatile and easy to add to meals. Add lemons and limes to seafood, sauces, or glasses of iced tea or water.

People can make their own fruit water by adding citrus slices to a pitcher of water. Let the water sit overnight to create a refreshing drink.

Berries

Berries are tasty when eaten raw and can also be cooked into a compote to spoon into oatmeal or meat.

Put whole fresh or frozen berries into a saucepan with a tablespoon or two of water. Cook on medium or low heat until the berries have broken down into a thick sauce.

One serving is half a cup.

Apples

Apples are a popular fruit. They are delicious raw for a snack or dessert. When cooked, apples have a deeper flavor, making them a favorite in cooked desserts when spiced with cinnamon or ginger.

A recipe from the ADA suggests marinating apples in a small amount of honey and spices and then cooking them on a grill. To finish, roll the apples in crushed walnuts or pecans.

While still containing honey, this is a healthier alternative to many apple-based baked goods.

Avocados

Avocados are high in fat, but they contain monounsaturated fat, the type of fat that is beneficial for the body.

They are eaten raw and can be served sliced, in salsas, or as guacamole. Avocados are easy to prepare by slicing them in half around the pit. Discard the pit and mash the avocado.

Add herbs and vegetables to taste. Lime or lemon can also be added to avocado for a citrus boost.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer accounted for 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020. Globally, it is a leading cause of death.

In the United States, an estimated 39.5% of people will receive a cancer diagnosis within their lifetime.

Myths tend to develop around particularly prevalent conditions. It is no surprise, therefore, that people often misunderstand cancer.

“Cancer” is a generic term for a group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. This variety adds fuel to the fire of confusion.

In this article, we hope to dispel some myths and clarify this common and varied group of diseases.

1. Cancer is a death sentence

Cancer is not a death sentence. Despite the sobering statistics quoted above, cancer is not always terminal.

As scientists understand cancer better and develop improved treatments, recovery rates continue to improve.

For instance, in January 2019, an estimated 16.9 million cancer survivors were living in the United States. In the United Kingdom, survival rates have doubled in the last 40 years.

It is also worth noting that survival rates vary significantly depending on the type of cancer. For instance, in the U.K., survival rates for testicular cancer are 98%, whereas survival rates for pancreatic cancer are just 1%.

According to the National Cancer Institute:

“In the United States, the likelihood of dying from cancer has dropped steadily since the 1990s. Now, 5-year survival rates for some cancers, such as breast, prostate, and thyroid cancers, are 90% or better. The 5-year survival rate for all cancers combined is currently about 67%.”

Overall, cancer death rates are slowly declining, although the survival rates of some cancers are increasing more than others. An annual report on the status of cancer in the U.S., which appears in Cancer in 2020, concludes:

“[C]ancer death rates decreased 1.5% on average per year during 2001 through 2017.”

2. Cancer is contagious

This is a myth. Cancer is not contagious. Someone with cancer cannot spread it to others.

However, some sexually transmitted diseases, including human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B and C, can cause cancers in the cervix and the liver. In these cases, an infectious agent causes the cancer, but the cancer itself is not contagious.

As an interesting aside, scientists have documented that cancers in some animals, including Tasmanian devils and dogs, can cause fatal transmissible cancers: devil facial tumor disease and canine transmissible venereal tumor, respectively.

3. Cell phones cause cancer

To date, there is no evidence that cell phones cause cancer. One of the reasons this myth developed is that these devices emit radiofrequency radiation (radio waves), a form of non-ionizing radiation. The body absorbs this radiation.

Scientists know that exposure to ionizing radiation, for instance, X-rays, increases the risk of cancer. However, radiofrequency radiation is non-ionizing radiation, which does not increase cancer risk. The National Cancer Institute writes:

“[A]lthough many studies have examined the potential health effects of non-ionizing radiation from radar, microwave ovens, cell phones, and other sources, there is currently no consistent evidence that non-ionizing radiation increases cancer risk in humans.”

4. Power lines cause cancer

This is also a myth. The extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields produced by power lines are non-ionizing and, therefore, do not cause cancer.

The American Cancer Society writes:

“Several large studies have looked at the possible effects of ELF magnetic fields on cancer in rats and mice. These studies expose the animals to magnetic fields much stronger than what people are normally exposed to at home […]. Most of these studies have found no increase in the risk of any type of cancer. In fact, the risk of some types of cancer was actually lower in the animals exposed to the ELF radiation.”

However, the American Cancer Society also explains that some studies have found a slight increase in leukemia risk for children who live close to power lines. However, the reasons for this remain unclear.

Medical News Today spoke with Dr. Joel Newman, a consultant hematologist and specialty lead for pathology at East Sussex Healthcare Trust in the U.K. He puts the risk into perspective:

“We don’t have any real evidence that cell phones or power lines cause cancer, and there are many other things that we do daily that put us at a much greater risk than these ever could, including smoking and alcohol consumption.”

5. Artificial sweeteners cause cancer

To date, there is no good evidence that artificial sweeteners increase the risk of developing cancer.

The National Cancer Institute explains why this myth may have arisen:

“Questions about artificial sweeteners and cancer arose when early studies showed that cyclamate in combination with saccharin caused bladder cancer in laboratory animals.”

However, they explain that further studies “have not provided clear evidence of an association with cancer in humans. Similarly, studies of other [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)]-approved sweeteners have not demonstrated clear evidence of an association with cancer in humans.”

Similarly, a study investigating aspartame and cancer, which included data from more than half a million participants, found no links between “aspartame consumption and lymphoma, leukemia, or brain cancer.”

6. Cancer surgery causes cancer to spread

This is only a partial myth. It is true that cancer surgery can cause the cancer to spread, but this is rare. As the American Cancer Society explains:

“Advances in equipment used during surgery and more detailed imaging tests have helped make this risk very low.”

A related myth indicates that a tumor will grow faster or spread to other parts of the body when exposed to the air. This is untrue.

7. Herbal medicines can cure cancer

There is no evidence that any herbal medicines can cure or treat cancer.

However, some people find certain alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, meditation, and yoga, help with the psychological stress associated with cancer and some of the side effects of cancer treatment.

As the National Cancer points out, just because something is “natural” does not mean it is safe. In some circumstances, herbal supplements can harm a person’s health; they provide a couple of examples:

“[S]ome studies have shown that kava kava, a herb that some people use to help with stress and anxiety, may cause liver damage. And St. John’s wort, which some people use for depression, may cause certain cancer drugs not to work as well as they should.”

It is important that people with cancer speak with a doctor about supplements and vitamins before taking them.

8. Cancer runs in families

Although some cancers are passed on genetically through families, they are the minority of cases: an estimated 3–10% of cancers result from mutations inherited from parents.

Because people are more likely to develop cancer as they age, and people today live longer lives, it is not uncommon for people to have some relatives who develop cancer. This might help explain why this myth persists.

Most cases of cancer are due to a buildup of mutations in genes that accumulate over time. As the American Cancer Society explains:

“Some types of cancer run in certain families, but most cancers are not clearly linked to the genes we inherit from our parents. Gene changes that start in a single cell over the course of a person’s life cause most cancers.”

9. Cancer always comes back

To address this question, MNT spoke with Dr. Collin Vu, a medical oncologist and hematologist at MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. He said:

“Fortunately for all of us, this statement is a myth and entirely not true. The current therapies for cancers are improving to the point where the cure of cancer — that is, treatments that will kill cancer completely — are improving continuously.”

However, he explains that the subject is complicated because “different cancer types have a markedly different ability to be cured, and different cancer types also have different time frames for which a cancer may typically recur. [This] makes it very difficult for patients to know when they may be truly ‘cured’ or when they still have a high risk of cancer recurrence.”

Dr. Vu has great hopes for the future of cancer treatment; he told MNT:

“In the future, with current scientific progress in better treatments for cancer, and improved population awareness of cancer risks and diagnosis, the statement that ‘cancer always comes back’ may become even more of a myth.”

10. There is no cure for cancer

Thankfully, this is also a myth. As medical science delves deeper into the mechanisms behind cancer, treatments steadily grow more effective.

According to Dr. Vu, some cancers, such as testicular and thyroid cancer, have a 60% cure rate. Dr. Vu defines the cure rate as “the population of cancer patients that has the same life expectancy as the general population.”

Breast, prostate, and bladder also have cure rates of around 50%. Dr. Vu concludes:

“As can be seen by the above data, some cancers can be eradicated, but, unfortunately, not all cancers can be cured completely. There is ongoing optimism that cure rates are increasing given the ongoing focus on screening and better treatments for cancer.”

MNT also spoke with Dr. Anton Bilchik, Ph.D., a surgical oncologist, professor of surgery, chief of gastrointestinal research, and chief of medicine at Saint John’s Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. He also leads with a message of hope:

“It is imperative that patients who are diagnosed with cancer, even at an advanced stage, do not lose hope: there are many effective, novel therapies, as well as more effective surgical techniques. A good example is with the use of modern immunotherapy, up to 40% of patients with stage 4 melanoma are curable, and 50% of patients with stage 4 colon cancer metastatic to the liver can be cured with a combination of chemotherapy and surgery.”

In short: although the battle with cancer is ongoing, science is making significant headway.

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The miracle tree, Moringa, Moringa Oleifera, or the drumstick is a plant recognized for its medical properties. It is used to treat more than 300 conditions. All parts of the Moringa tree possess some medicinal or nutritional value” says Amrit Walia ( Amritpal Singh Walia ) Co-Founder of Pioneer Sustainable Agriculture PSA organic farm located in Nigeria.

One cup of fresh, chopped leaves contains protein, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, Riboflavin, and Vitamin A.

In this article, you will be able to understand the five prime uses of Moringa leaf that clearly distinguished it as an extraordinary species:

1. Moringa Leaf is Rich in Antioxidants
Moringa acts to reduce high levels of free radicals which may cause oxidative stress leading to diseases like type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

The basic antioxidants in Moringa are beta-carotene and Vitamin C. The exact figure of the number of antioxidants in the Moringa herb is staggering.

A few antioxidants present include propyl gallate, tocopherols (Vitamin E), ascorbic acid, chlorogenic acid, hydroxyanisole (BHT) citric acid, vanillin, potassium, reduced glutathione, and more. Quercetin is also present and crucial in the regulation of blood pressure.

2. Moringa Leaf Regulates Blood Sugar
Moringa herb produces effects similar to isothiocyanates plant compounds able to regulate blood sugar.
Sufficient research shows a significant reduction in blood sugar after short-term use of the herb with meals.

For instance, it was discovered that a group of diabetics who added 50 grams of moringa leaves to a meal reduced the rise in blood sugar by 21%.

3. Moringa Leaf Works to Reduce Inflammation
If you incur injury and develop wounds, Moringa can help you to stop inflammation.

Moringa is stocked with nutrients and antioxidants which are found in other anti-inflammatory foods like tomatoes, fatty fish, olive oil, and certain fruits.

By fighting harmful free radicals, the herb prevents sustained inflammation which can result in chronic problems like cancer or heart disease.

4. Moringa Leaf Promotes Prostate Health and Cure ED
The leaves and seeds of the Moringa plant are rich sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinolates, which fight cancer in the body, more specifically, benign prostate hyperplasias.

The condition which is prone to attack elderly man is characterized by enlargement of the prostate which makes urination difficult. Moringa can reverse the effects of prostate cancer by significantly reducing prostate weight.

The herb also reduces levels of prostate-specific antigen which is produced by the prostate gland.

Moringa can also cure erectile dysfunction. Its leaves contain useful plant compounds called polyphenols which enhance blood flow by increasing nitric oxide production while simultaneously lowering blood pressure.

Conclusion
The points discussed above show how versatile Moringa leaf is in the fields of health and medical care. The plant can be used for detoxification and in the treatment of digestive disorders.

The list of other ailments this wonder plant can treat include the following – scurvy, kidney stones, Athlete’s foot, dandruff, epilepsy, paralysis, convulsions, splenomegaly, epilepsy, antispasmodic, joint pain, edema, rheumatism, arthritis, cardiac hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and many more.

Do you have any experience with the Moringa Leaf extracts? Kindly share with us in the comments below.

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Stressful events — such as sitting an exam, giving a presentation, or attending a job interview — temporarily increase heart rate and blood pressure and dilate arteries.

This is a normal part of the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, but the lining of blood vessels, known as the endothelium, can take up to 90 minutes to recover after this kind of stress.

This may help to explain why a single episode of stress temporarily increases the risk of an acute cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack.

On the other hand, experts know that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables reduces a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and cardiovascular mortality.

Among the healthy nutrients found in fruits and vegetables are polyphenolic compounds known as flavanols. In the long term, these improve endothelial function and lower blood pressure.

The effects of flavanols during stress and in its immediate aftermath are unknown, however.

Scientists at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom have conducted the first study to investigate this question.

Their research suggests that drinking cocoa, which is rich in flavanols, in the hours before a stressful event can improve blood flow during the experience and help restore endothelial function in males aged under 45 years old afterward.

“Our findings are significant for everyday diet, given that the daily dosage administered could be achieved by consuming a variety of foods rich in flavanols — particularly apples, black grapes, blackberries, cherries, raspberries, pears, pulses, green tea, and unprocessed cocoa,” says senior author Dr. Catarina Rendeiro, Ph.D., of the university’s School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences.

“This has important implications for measures to protect the blood vessels of those individuals who are more vulnerable to the effects of mental stress,” she adds.

The research, conducted by postgraduate student Rosalind Baynham, appears in the journal Nutrients.

Stress tests

The scientists recruited 30 healthy males between 18 and 45 years who underwent tests at the lab on two separate occasions at least 7 days apart.

The research involved them fasting for 12 hours before each session and abstaining from alcohol, vigorous exercise, and polyphenol-rich food and drink for 24 hours beforehand.

At the start of each visit, while the participants were relaxed, researchers assessed their “brachial flow-mediated dilatation,” which is a measure of endothelial function.

They also measured their blood pressure, heart rate, and blood flow.

On one of these visits, the participants drank regular cocoa, which is rich in flavanols, and on the other visit, they drank a special cocoa drink that was low in flavanols.

About 90 minutes later, they took a competitive test of mental arithmetic designed to elicit stress.

For example, during the test, the researchers filmed the participants, and they had to watch their performance on a screen. The researchers told the participants that “body language assessors” would assess them.

The arithmetic task got progressively faster, and the participants lost points whenever they got an answer wrong.

An experimenter in the room marked their responses and sounded an alarm when they made a mistake, or once every 10 answers if they did not.

At 30 and 90 minutes after the stress test, the researchers remeasured the participants’ endothelial function and blood pressure.

The results showed that 30 minutes after the stress test, all participants had impaired endothelial function. This measure remained significantly higher 90 minutes after the stress test.

However, participants who drank the high-flavanol cocoa saw smaller declines in endothelial function than those who consumed the low-flavanol cocoa.

In addition, high-flavanol cocoa increased blood flow during and after the test compared with low-flavanol cocoa.

Other cardiovascular and blood pressure measures were similar for both conditions.

Future investigations

The researchers note that the main limitation of their study was that it excluded females.

They report that, for the sake of consistency, they wanted to avoid the impact of hormonal fluctuations during the female menstrual cycle on the vascular changes under investigation.

This means that it is not possible to apply the outcomes of this study to females. Researchers remain unclear on the impact of flavanols on stress response in females.

However, existing evidence shows there are gender differences in how a body responds to stress. So, future studies should focus on females.

The researchers also write that a more in-depth investigation would include molecular measures of cardiovascular function. These should consist of nitric oxide, which is a signaling molecule that dilates blood vessels, and the stress hormone cortisol.

Finally, they write that future research should explore the effect of flavanol intake on stress responses in individuals at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, and people who experience mental stress, such as care workers.

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Various common chemicals may harm the immune system, causing it to malfunction. This is known as immunotoxicity. These harmful effects may be temporary or permanent.

Possible immunotoxic effects include:

  • hypersensitivity
  • chronic inflammation
  • immunosuppression, or an impairment of the body’s ability to fight off infections
  • immunostimulation, which can cause tissue damage through immune responses
  • autoimmunity

In particular, if an immunotoxic substance causes the body to produce fewer antibodies, it can have an effect on the fight against active infections and the protection against future ones.

The FDA currently require immunotoxicity testing for food additives. However, most food additives received approval decades ago, and the FDA do not mandate updated testing on previously approved additives.

TBHQ and PFAS

TBHQ is a common preservative that manufacturers use to prolong their products’ shelf lives.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), it is present in almost 1,250 processed foods, including Cheez-It crackers, Pop-Tarts, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Little Debbie Swiss Rolls.

However, this chemical has had immunotoxic effects in animal studies.

Chemicals may also leach from packaging or food processing equipment into food. Some bags, boxes, and food wrappers are coated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS-based materials are also common in non-stick coatings on cookware, gaskets in food processing equipment, and repeat-use plastics.

The FDATrusted Source require immunotoxicity testing only for food contact substances with a high daily exposure. The immunotoxicity of many food additives and food contact substances is largely unknown.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) use high throughput in-vitro testing in their ToxCast program. This type of testing exposes living cells, proteins, or biological molecules in a laboratory environment to chemicals to assess and identify any potential toxic effects. This potentially limits the need for animal testing.

The sparsity of current immunotoxicity data prompted the researchers from the EWG to conduct a study to evaluate the immunotoxic effects of common food additives and food contact substances. They also assessed the utility of ToxCast data in screening for immunotoxicity.

Lead study author Dr. Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., EWG’s vice president for science investigations, emphasizes the urgency of this research:

“The pandemic has focused public and scientific attention on environmental factors that can impact the immune system. Before the pandemic, chemicals that may harm the immune system’s defense against infection or cancer did not receive sufficient attention from public health agencies. To protect public health, this must change.”

The researchers analyzed a total of 63 direct food additives present on more than 10 product labels sold in the U.S. in 2018–2020. They also specifically assessed nine identified PFAS that migrate from food packaging to food.

The findings now appear in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

The study evaluated these substances, concentrating on those with the highest number of active ToxCast assays. It focused further analyses on those substances with activity toward multiple immune-related targets and proteins involved in immune response, inflammation, and defense mechanisms.

The study compared the results of high throughput ToxCast data with available data from animal and epidemiological studies.

Altered immune responses

Strong data from both ToxCast testing and immunological laboratory animal studies indicate that TBHQ may cause immune functioning changes.

However, ToxCast screening yielded data that did not always agree with existing data: There were cases wherein ToxCast data conflicted with previous data or indicated risks that previous data had not found.

Three different situations happened with the food colorant FD&C Red 3 and PFAS such as perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

In the study, the ToxCast data indicated that FD&C Red 3 affected multiple immune parameters, but the researchers did not find reference to any animal or epidemiological study into the immunotoxicity of this food colorant.

ToxCast, laboratory animal, and human study data demonstrated that PFUnDA affected multiple immune parameters and increased immune suppression risk.

However, the ToxCast data did not show strong activity for immune targets with PFOA, whereas animal and human studies demonstrated immunosuppressive effects.

The study attributed the lack of consistency in the findings to a lack of understanding of the exact mechanism of PFAS toxicity. The limitations of currently available high throughput testing to capture the full extent of the potential mechanism for immunotoxicity may also have had an impact.

The researchers conclude that both ToxCast and study data suggest that chemicals indirectly or directly added to foods, such as THBQ and PFAS, may adversely affect immune system functioning.

The EWG stress that the FDA should prioritize and integrate updated immunotoxicity testing to identify harmful chemicals into standard safety assessments to protect public health and well-being.

Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs at the EWG, adds, “Food manufacturers have no incentive to change their formulas. Too often, the FDA [allow] the food and chemical industry to determine which ingredients are safe for consumption.”

“Our research shows how important it is that the FDA take a second look at these ingredients and test all food chemicals for safety.”

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High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that can damage your heart. It affects one in three people in the US and 1 billion people worldwide (1Trusted Source, 2).

If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.

But there’s good news. There are a number of things you can do to lower your blood pressure naturally, even without medication.

Here are 15 natural ways to combat high blood pressure.

1. Walk and exercise regularly

senior ladies doing exercises in a swimming pool as a one of the natural ways to lower blood pressure
Regular exercise can help lower your blood pressure.

Exercise is one of the best things you can do to lower high blood pressure.

Regular exercise helps make your heart stronger and more efficient at pumping blood, which lowers the pressure in your arteries.

In fact, 150 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as running, per week, can help lower blood pressure and improve your heart health (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).

What’s more, doing even more exercise than this reduces your blood pressure even further, according to the National Walkers’ Health Study (5Trusted Source).

Bottom line: Walking just 30 minutes a day can help lower your blood pressure. More exercise helps reduce it even further.

2. Reduce your sodium intake

Salt intake is high around the world. In large part, this is due to processed and prepared foods.

For this reason, many public health efforts are aimed at lowering salt in the food industry (6Trusted Source).

Many studies have linked high salt intake with high blood pressure and heart events, including stroke (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).

However, more recent research indicates that the relationship between sodium and high blood pressure is less clear (9Trusted Source, 10).

One reason for this may be genetic differences in how people process sodium. About half of people with high blood pressure and a quarter of people with normal levels seem to have a sensitivity to salt (11Trusted Source).

If you already have high blood pressure, it’s worth cutting back your sodium intake to see if it makes a difference. Swap out processed foods with fresh ones and try seasoning with herbs and spices rather than salt.

Bottom line: Most guidelines for lowering blood pressure recommend reducing sodium intake. However, that recommendation might make the most sense for people who are salt-sensitive.

3. Drink less alcohol

Drinking alcohol can raise blood pressure. In fact, alcohol is linked to 16% of high blood pressure cases around the world (12Trusted Source).

While some research has suggested that low-to-moderate amounts of alcohol may protect the heart, those benefits may be offset by adverse effects (12Trusted Source).

In the U.S., moderate alcohol consumption is defined as no more than one drink a day for women and two for men. If you drink more than that, cut back.

Bottom line: Drinking alcohol in any quantity may raise your blood pressure. Limit your drinking in line with the recommendations.

4. Eat more potassium-rich foods

Potassium is an important mineral.

It helps your body get rid of sodium and eases pressure on your blood vessels.

Modern diets have increased most people’s sodium intake while decreasing potassium intake (13Trusted Source).

To get a better balance of potassium to sodium in your diet, focus on eating fewer processed foods and more fresh, whole foods.

Foods that are particularly high in potassium include:

  • vegetables, especially leafy greens, tomatoes, potatoes, and sweet potatoes
  • fruit, including melons, bananas, avocados, oranges, and apricots
  • dairy, such as milk and yogurt
  • tuna and salmon
  • nuts and seeds
  • beans

Bottom line: Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in potassium, can help lower blood pressure.

5. Cut back on caffeine

If you’ve ever downed a cup of coffee before you’ve had your blood pressure taken, you’ll know that caffeine causes an instant boost.

However, there’s not a lot of evidence to suggest that drinking caffeine regularly can cause a lasting increase (14Trusted Source).

In fact, people who drink caffeinated coffee and tea tend to have a lower risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, than those who don’t drink it (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).

Caffeine may have a stronger effect on people who don’t consume it regularly (19).

If you suspect you’re caffeine-sensitive, cut back to see if it lowers your blood pressure (20Trusted Source).

Bottom line: Caffeine can cause a short-term spike in blood pressure, although for many people, it does not cause a lasting increase.

6. Learn to manage stress

a woman listening to music as a way to lower stress
Listening to soothing music may help lower stress.

Stress is a key driver of high blood pressure.

When you’re chronically stressed, your body is in a constant fight-or-flight mode. On a physical level, that means a faster heart rate and constricted blood vessels.

When you experience stress, you might also be more likely to engage in other behaviors, such as drinking alcohol or eating unhealthful food that can adversely affect blood pressure.

Several studies have explored how reducing stress can help lower blood pressure. Here are two evidence-based tips to try:

  • Listen to soothing music: Calming music can help relax your nervous system. Research has shown it’s an effective complement to other blood pressure therapies (21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).
  • Work less: Working a lot, and stressful work situations, in general, are linked to high blood pressure (23Trusted Source, 24).

Bottom line: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Finding ways to manage stress can help.

7. Eat dark chocolate or cocoa

Here’s a piece of advice you can really get behind.

While eating massive amounts of dark chocolate probably won’t help your heart, small amounts may.

That’s because dark chocolate and cocoa powder are rich in flavonoids, which are plant compounds that cause blood vessels to dilate (25Trusted Source).

A review of studies found that flavonoid-rich cocoa improved several markers of heart health over the short term, including lowering blood pressure (25Trusted Source).

For the strongest effects, use non-alkalized cocoa powder, which is especially high in flavonoids and has no added sugars.

Bottom line: Dark chocolate and cocoa powder contain plant compounds that help relax blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.

8. Lose weight

In people with overweight, losing weight can make a big difference to heart health.

According to a 2016 study, losing 5% of your body mass could significantly lower high blood pressure (26Trusted Source).

In previous studies, losing 17.64 pounds (8 kilograms) was linked to lowering systolic blood pressure by 8.5 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 6.5 mm Hg (27Trusted Source).

To put that in perspective, a healthy reading should be less than 120/80 mm Hg (4Trusted Source).

The effect is even greater when weight loss is paired with exercise (27Trusted Source).

Losing weight can help your blood vessels do a better job of expanding and contracting, making it easier for the left ventricle of the heart to pump blood.

Bottom line: Losing weight can significantly lower high blood pressure. This effect is even more significant when you exercise.

9. Quit smoking

Among the many reasons to quit smoking is that the habit is a strong risk factor for heart disease.

Every puff of cigarette smoke causes a slight, temporary increase in blood pressure. The chemicals in tobacco are also known to damage blood vessels.

Surprisingly, studies haven’t found a conclusive link between smoking and high blood pressure. Perhaps this is because smokers develop a tolerance over time (28).

Still, since both smoking and high blood pressure raise the risk of heart disease, quitting smoking can help lessen that risk.

Bottom line: There’s conflicting research about smoking and high blood pressure, but what is clear is that both increase the risk of heart disease.

10. Cut added sugar and refined carbs

There’s a growing body of research showing a link between added sugar and high blood pressure (29, 30, 31).

In the Framingham Women’s Health Study, women who drank even one soda per day had higher levels than those who drank less than one soda per day (32).

Another study found that having one less sugar-sweetened beverage per day was linked to lower blood pressure (33Trusted Source).

And it’s not just sugar — all refined carbs, such as the kind found in white flour — convert rapidly to sugar in your bloodstream and may cause problems.

Some studies have shown that low carb diets may also help reduce blood pressure.

One study on people undergoing statin therapy found that those who went on a 6-week, carb-restricted diet saw a greater improvement in blood pressure and other heart disease markers than people who did not restrict carbs (34Trusted Source).

Bottom line: Refined carbs, especially sugar, may raise blood pressure. Some studies have shown that low carb diets may help reduce your levels.

11. Eat berries

Berries are full of more than just juicy flavor.

They’re also packed with polyphenols, natural plant compounds that are good for your heart.

Polyphenols can reduce the risk of stroke, heart conditions, and diabetes, as well as improving blood pressure, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation (34).

One study assigned people with high blood pressure to a low-polyphenol diet or a high-polyphenol diet containing berries, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables (35).

Those consuming berries and polyphenol-rich foods experienced improved markers of heart disease risk.

Bottom line: Berries are rich in polyphenols, which can help lower blood pressure and the overall risk of heart disease.

12. Try meditation or deep breathing

While these two behaviors could also fall under “stress reduction techniques,” meditation and deep breathing deserve specific mention.

Both meditation and deep breathing may activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This system is engaged when the body relaxes, slowing the heart rate, and lowering blood pressure.

There’s quite a bit of research in this area, with studies showing that different styles of meditation appear to have benefits for lowering blood pressure (36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source).

Deep breathing techniques can also be quite effective.

In one study, participants were asked to either take six deep breaths over the course of 30 seconds or simply sit still for 30 seconds. Those who took breaths lowered their blood pressure more than those who just sat (38Trusted Source).

Try guided meditation or deep breathing. Here’s a video to get you started.

Bottom line: Both meditation and deep breathing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps slow your heart rate and lower blood pressure.

13. Eat calcium-rich foods

People with low calcium intake often have high blood pressure.

While calcium supplements haven’t been conclusively shown to lower blood pressure, calcium-rich diets do seem linked to healthful levels (39Trusted Source, 40Trusted Source).

For most adults, the calcium recommendation is 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day. For women over 50 and men over 70, it’s 1,200 mg per day (41).

In addition to dairy, you can get calcium from collard greens and other leafy greens, beans, sardines, and tofu. Here is a list of calcium-rich plant-based foods.

Bottom line: Calcium-rich diets are linked to healthy blood pressure levels. You can get calcium through eating dark leafy greens and tofu, as well as dairy.

14. Take natural supplements

Some natural supplements may also help lower blood pressure. Here are some of the main supplements that have evidence behind them:

  • Aged garlic extract: Researchers have used aged garlic extract successfully as a stand-alone treatment and along with conventional therapies for lowering blood pressure (42Trusted Source, 43Trusted Source).
  • Berberine: Traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, berberine may increase nitric oxide production, which helps decrease blood pressure (44Trusted Source, 45Trusted Source).
  • Whey protein: A 2016 study found that whey protein improved blood pressure and blood vessel function in 38 participants (46Trusted Source).
  • Fish oil: Long credited with improving heart health, fish oil may benefit people with high blood pressure the most (47Trusted Source, 48).
  • Hibiscus: Hibiscus flowers make a tasty tea. They’re rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols that are good for your heart and may lower blood pressure (49Trusted Source).

Bottom line: Researchers have investigated several natural supplements for their ability to lower blood pressure.

15. Eat foods rich in magnesium

Magnesium is an important mineral that helps blood vessels relax.

While magnesium deficiency is pretty rare, many people don’t get enough.

Some studies have suggested that getting too little magnesium is linked with high blood pressure, but evidence from clinical studies has been less clear (50Trusted Source, 51Trusted Source).

Still, eating a magnesium-rich diet is a recommended way to ward off high blood pressure (51Trusted Source).

You can incorporate magnesium into your diet by consuming vegetables, dairy products, legumes, chicken, meat, and whole grains.

Bottom line: Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. Find it in whole foods, such as legumes and whole grains.

Take home message

High blood pressure affects a large proportion of the world’s population.

While drugs are one way to treat the condition, there are many other natural techniques, including eating certain foods that can help.

Controlling your blood pressure through the methods in this article may, ultimately, help you lower your risk of heart disease.

SHOP FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER REMEDIES

If you want to buy any of the over-the-counter remedies listed in this article, then they are available online.

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Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (DVT/PE) are often under-diagnosed and serious, but preventable medical conditions. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. These clots usually develop in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis, but they can also occur in the arm.

It is important to know about DVT because it can happen to anybody and can cause serious illness, disability, and in some cases, death. The good news is that DVT is preventable and treatable if discovered

Risk Factors for DVT
Almost anyone can have a DVT. However, certain factors can increase the chance of having this condition. The chance increases even more for someone who has more than one of these factors at the same time.
Following is a list of factors that increase the risk of developing DVT:
*Injury to a vein often caused by: fractures, severe muscle injury, or major surgery (particularly involving the abdomen, pelvis, hip, or legs).

*Slow blood flow, often caused by: Confinement to bed (example, due to a medical condition or after surgery); Limited movement (example, a cast on a leg to help heal an injured bone); sitting for a long time, especially with crossed legs; or paralysis.
*Increased estrogen, often caused by: birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, sometimes used after menopause, pregnancy, for up to three months after giving birth
*Certain chronic medical illnesses, such as: heart disease, lung disease, cancer and its treatment, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)

Other factors that increase the risk of DVT include: Previous DVT or PE, family history of DVT or PE, age (risk increases as age increases), obesity, a catheter located in a central vein, inherited clotting disorders
Preventing DVT

The following tips can help prevent DVT:
*Move around as soon as possible after having been confined to bed, such as after surgery, illness, or injury.
If you’re at risk for DVT, talk to your doctor about:
*Graduated compression stockings (sometimes called “medical compression stockings”)
*Medication (anticoagulants) to prevent DVT.
When sitting for long periods of time, such as when traveling for more than four hours:
*Get up and walk around every two to three hours.
Exercise your legs while you’re sitting by:
*Raising and lowering your heels while keeping your toes on the floor
*Raising and lowering your toes while keeping your heels on the floor
*Tightening and releasing your leg muscles
Wear loose-fitting clothes.
You can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, and following your doctor’s recommendations based on your individual risk factors.
Symptoms
About half of people with DVT have no symptoms at all. The following are the most common symptoms of DVT that occur in the affected part of the body: swelling, pain, tenderness, redness of the skin. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
PE: You can have a PE without any symptoms of a DVT.
Signs and symptoms of PE can include:
*Difficulty breathing
*Faster than normal or irregular heart beat
*Chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing
*Coughing up blood
*Very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting

If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help immediately.
Diagnosis of DVT /PE

The diagnosis of DVT or PE requires special tests that can only be performed by a doctor. That is why it is important for you to seek medical care if you experience any of the symptoms of DVT or PE.

Treatments for DVT /PE
Medication is used to prevent and treat DVT. Compression stockings (also called graduated compression stockings) are sometimes recommended to prevent DVT and relieve pain and swelling. These might need to be worn for two years or more after having DVT. In severe cases, the clot might need to be removed surgically.

PE: Immediate medical attention is necessary to treat PE. In cases of severe, life-threatening PE, there are medicines called thrombolytics that can dissolve the clot. Other medicines, called anticoagulants, may be prescribed to prevent more clots from forming. Some people may need to be on medication long-term to prevent future blood clots.

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481320392 Image credit: _lolik_ / Getty Images.

A study in mice suggests that a diet high in the sugar fructose worsens inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Changes in gut bacteria appeared to mediate the effect.

IBD is an umbrella term for several conditions that feature chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. The two most common types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Common symptoms of IBD include:

  • persistent diarrhea
  • stomach pain
  • rectal bleeding, or bloody stools
  • unexplained weight loss
  • fatigue

The incidence of IBD has been increasing worldwide.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of adults receiving an IBD diagnosis each year in the United States increased from 2 million in 1999 to 3 million in 2015.

Previous research in animals has found that a diet high in fructose can damage the colon and cause inflammation. This finding suggests that a higher fructose intake may have played a role in the increased incidence of IBD in recent decades.

Population studies have not always shown an association between refined sugar intake and IBD. One large study found no association between any specific dietary pattern and IBD. However, the results showed that a diet high in sugar and soft drinks did increase the risk of ulcerative colitis in cases where vegetable intake was low.

Manufacturers add high fructose corn syrup to sodas, candy, baked goods, and other processed foods.

The consumption of fructose has increased by almost one-third in the U.S. over the past 3 decades, according to some estimates.

“The increasing incidence of IBD parallels higher levels of fructose consumption in the U.S. and other countries,” says David Montrose, Ph.D., of the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, NY, who led the new research.

Montrose and his colleagues at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, NY, wanted to investigate whether fructose worsens inflammation in mouse models of IBD.

They also tested the idea that changes in the community of microorganisms living in the gut, known as its “microbiota,” mediate the inflammatory effects of fructose.

“Our findings provide evidence of a direct link between dietary fructose and IBD and support the concept that high consumption of fructose could worsen disease in people with IBD. This is important because it has the potential to provide guidance on diet choices for IBD patients — something that is currently lacking.” – David Montrose

The team’s study features online in the journal Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Mimicking the effects of IBD

The scientists performed a range of experiments with the aim of investigating the effects of a high fructose diet on three different mouse models of IBD.

In the first model, which uses a chemical called dextran sodium sulfate to provoke the kind of inflammatory response that occurs in IBD, a high fructose diet increased the severity of this inflammation.

In contrast, a high glucose diet did not exacerbate inflammation.

The researchers noted that giving the mice antibiotics reduced the harmful effects of a high fructose diet on the colon, which suggests that bacteria in the gut were mediating the damage.

Conversely, transplants of fecal material from mice that the researchers fed a high fructose diet exacerbated inflammation in the mice that received them. This adds further evidence of the role of gut bacteria.

When the researchers looked more closely at the layer of mucus protecting the cells that line the colon, they found that the high fructose diet reduced its thickness by about one-fifth.

Bacteria had infiltrated the mucus and were in direct contact with the cells.

The team also discovered that the diet changed the prevalence of several species of bacteria living in the gut.

In particular, it boosted populations of a species called Akkermansia muciniphila. In previous studies, scientists have shown that this species can degrade mucus and that it is linked to inflammation of the colon.

Bacterial model

The second model of IBD that the researchers used in their experiments involved infecting mice with a bacterium called Citrobacter rodentium, which also mimics the inflammation that characterizes the disease.

Feeding these mice lots of fructose promoted the growth of the bacteria and worsened inflammation.

Finally, the scientists confirmed the link between fructose and IBD in a genetic model of the disease. This model recreates the type of immune response that can make some people more likely to develop inflammation of the colon.

Once again, eating large amounts of fructose exacerbated colon inflammation in these animals.

Looking to the future

The researchers acknowledge that the models of the disease that they used may not accurately reflect the complex interaction of diet, microbiota, and disease in humans.

This chemically induced form of colitis is a scientifically valid way of studying IBD in humans, but in this study, the experimenters used very high doses of fructose with few other nutrients.

Therefore, the findings may not translate to humans except in highly specific circumstances.

Looking to the future, the researchers plan to investigate ways to prevent the inflammatory effects of dietary fructose.

People with IBD are at increased risk of colon cancer as a result of a lifetime of chronic inflammation in their gut. The team also plans to evaluate whether eating a diet high in fructose further increases this risk.

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Developed in Israel, where it has been available for eight years, Vigore treatment is said not only to assist men with erectile dysfunction (ED) but also to help those who are just not as good as they were in their 20s and 30s.

The treatment normally involves four blasts of sound waves lasting about five minutes each, with an interval of one week between each session. The idea is that the sound waves kick-start the growth of new blood vessels, which boosts blood supply and so improves, reduced erections.

Some studies suggest there is a benefit. One, carried out by researchers in Spain, and published in the World Journal Of Urology in July, looked at 76 men with erectile dysfunction who had failed to improve on drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra), taken just before intercourse, or tadalafil, a similar, but daily, tablet.

Shockwave treatment, such as Vigore, involves a doctor passing a wand-like device along the penis while it emits gentle pulses for 15 to 20 minutes. This stimulates the growth of new blood vessels to increase blood supply to the penis and is also thought to promote the release of nitric oxide, which helps dilate blood vessels.

Meanwhile, scientists say a quick blast with a laser can boost a woman’s sex drive. Experts found a painless five-minute zap increased libido and the number of orgasms.

The “fractional CO2 laser” involves rotating the device in the vagina, sending pulses of heat to tissue. It causes tiny wounds that trigger collagen production and boost blood flow.

The study, in 50 older women, compared regular hormonal cream with three laser sessions, which cost from £1,000.

It found sexual desire soared by 45 per cent and arousal by 56 per cent with the laser. The cream scores only went up 30 per cent and 27 per cent.

Post-laser satisfaction also rose by 40 per cent, with orgasms up 46 per cent, reported the Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences.

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GettyImages-1173123246 [Converted]

Although antianxiety medications target the nervous system, one new study suggests that anxiety disorders may stem more from the endocrine system.

Most people have brief periods of anxiety from time to time, such as when they experience stressful situations in which the outcome is unknown.

For many individuals, however, anxiety is an acute, frequent, and persistent emotional state that adversely affects quality of life. In fact, experts estimate that anxiety disorders affect around 264 million people worldwide.

Antianxiety medications, which typically target the central nervous system, can be helpful, but they often fail to provide permanent relief.

Now, a new study suggests that anxiety disorders may stem, at least in part, from malfunctions in the body’s endocrine system.

The results demonstrate that inflammation of the thyroid gland is associated with anxiety disorders, suggesting new avenues of treatment.

The researchers presented their findings at the European and International Conference on Obesity in September 2020. Juliya Onofriichuk, from Kyiv City Clinical Hospital in Ukraine, led the research.

She explains: “These findings indicate that the endocrine system may play an important role in anxiety. Doctors should also consider the thyroid gland and the rest of the endocrine system, as well as the nervous system, when examining [people] with anxiety.”

The thyroid gland

The thyroid gland produces two important hormones — T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) — that are involved in maintaining heart and muscle function, digestion, brain development, and bone health.

T4 and T3 help produce and regulate the hormones adrenaline and dopamine.

Adrenaline is sometimes known as the fight-or-flight hormone. It is associated with a sudden burst of energy, such as that which occurs in response to a threat.

Dopamine is the brain’s pleasure and reward hormone, and too much (or too little) of it can affect a person’s sense of well-being and quality of judgment.

Inflammation of the thyroid gland typically occurs when the body mistakenly targets the gland as an unwelcome invader. When this occurs, the body produces antibodies that attack the gland. These antibodies may damage the thyroid and can cause it to malfunction.

The study

Onofriichuk and colleagues studied 29 men and 27 women. Their average ages were 33.9 years and 31.7 years, respectively. Doctors had diagnosed anxiety in these individuals, and they all experienced anxiety attacks.

The scientists examined the participants’ thyroid glands using ultrasound. They also measured their levels of T4 and T3.

The researchers found that the thyroids of people with anxiety disorders exhibited signs of inflammation. They also detected thyroid antibodies in these individuals.

Even though the participants’ thyroid glands were inflamed, they were not significantly malfunctioning. Their T4 and T3 levels were slightly elevated but remained within a normal range.

To treat the inflammation, the researchers gave the participants a 14-day course of ibuprofen and thyroxine. This treatment successfully reduced thyroid inflammation.

Once the inflammation had resolved, the individuals experienced lower levels of anxiety, according to tests that the researchers carried out.

The implications of the study

The researchers did not investigate the role of sex and adrenal gland hormones in anxiety, though other research has noted the possible influence of the latter. Even so, the team’s findings offer new hope for people with anxiety.

Anxiety treatments may be more effective when they take into account the role of the endocrine system. The new study suggests that anxiety is not exclusively a disorder of the central nervous system.

It is worth noting that, to date, this particular study has not undergone peer review and does not appear in a medical journal.

Also, the study was relatively small, so scientists will need to replicate the findings in large-scale, placebo-controlled studies before drawing any solid conclusions.

Next up for the researchers is a wider investigation of the endocrine system’s role in anxiety disorders. They plan to explore the influence of sex and adrenal gland hormones — including estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, progesterone, and prolactin — in people with diagnosed anxiety disorders and inflamed thyroid glands.

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