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Berberine, Chitosan, and Red Yeast Rice: Managing Dyslipidemia

In recent posts, this author has covered red yeast rice (RYR) and its beneficial effects upon dyslipidemia and clinical outcomes. Additional posts began exploring RYR with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to counteract potential CoQ10-lowering effects of RYR. In the following sections, research will be provided which considers the potential synergistic and lipid-lowering effects of concurrent supplementation…

Red Yeast Rice, Dyslipidemia, and CoQ10 Depletion

In this author’s last post, dyslipidemia was explored as well as its relationship to the lipid-lowering capacity of red yeast rice (RYR). In addition to outlining the cardiovascular benefits of RYR, research was also considered that identified the potential of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) induced deficiency from RYR intake, and physiological consequences of the same. Thus,…

Red Yeast Rice, Dyslipidemia, and CoQ10 Depletion

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a condition which has multiple rick factors to include lack of exercise, obesity, hypertension, smoking, ethnicity, gender age, and dyslipidemia.1 The latter factor, dyslipidemia, has a particularly potent contribution to cardiovascular risk, defined as the probability of an unwanted event such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or death.2 Ultimately, controlling the progression…

Cardiovascular Disease: Potential Support With CBD Oil

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term describing a group of conditions negatively affecting the health and function of the heart.1 Such conditions include coronary artery disease, heart defects, arrhythmias, and hypertension.1 Often, individuals are unaware of the presence of CVD until said condition manifests into a more serious complication such as stroke, heart attack,…

Managing Osteoarthritis and Inflammation With Saunas

Knee osteoarthritis (KO) is one of the most common conditions affecting approximately 30-50% of individuals over 65 years of age.1 KO is a chronic and degenerative process which is characterized by articular cartilage degeneration, injury, narrowing of articular space, and inflammation.1(1-2) In recent years, researchers have placed particular focus upon the inflammatory cascades associated with…

Supporting Sleep Hygiene With Ashwagandha

Consistent sleep quality and duration are cornerstones of both health and quality of life. Humans require appropriate sleep, each night, in order to synthesize hormones, repair tissues, grow tissues, and maintain cognitive function, memory, and mood.1 Thus, disruptions in sleep quality and duration can induce aberrations in health and homeostasis, demanding interventions to help restore…

Hyperinsulinemia: An Early Warning to Type 2 Diabetes

Insulin resistance (IR) is an early marker, and important factor, in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).1 Furthermore, and most relevantly, IR is likely to be present years preceding the manifestation of alterations in glycemic levels/control (i.e., hyperglycemia).1(100) As such, tracking and monitoring said biomarker could serve as a means of…

Ginger: Can It Contain Heavy Metals?

Ginger is a plant recognized for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic capabilities, and such a botanical has been suggested to manage pain.1 Considering that North America has been experiencing an opioid epidemic, such alternatives to pain management has become an increasingly appealing, safe, and cost-effective option. However, ginger has particular vulnerabilities from the environment it is…

Botanicals: Exploring Risks of Toxicity

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially introduced traditional medicine as a therapeutic intervention; an approach embraced and implemented by Syrian, Indian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Chinese societies for approximately 5000 years.1 Despite traditional medicine’s long history, misapplication, like any intervention, can be found in the use of botanicals. In the following sections, this author…

Botanical Products: Toxicity and Safety

Botanical dietary supplement consumption has been experiencing continued growth within the United States, especially within the first decade of 21st century.1 Such a statement is supported by the US National Health Statistics Reports; the purchase and use of dietary supplements, to include botanicals, has consistently held first place position amongst the most popular complimentary health…