Category: Nutrition

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Natural Products

    April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month—a good time to take a look at natural products that have been promoted or studied for this condition. Probiotics may improve IBS symptoms such as bloating and flatulence, but there are uncertainties about the most helpful species, strains, preparations, and doses. Peppermint oil capsules may be modestly helpful…

  • Regular Ol’ Fish Oil Linked to Benefits in Study

    This article published in the British Journal of Medicine showed that the people who took regular fish oils from the store, versus taking a prescription fish oil, on average, lived longer and were less likely to develop heart disease. ~ Dr. Broussard — CVD events, deaths down with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation by Nicole Lou,…

  • Eating Eggs and Blood Pressure

    This article found that eating eggs does not seem to have a significant effect on blood pressure in adults, so they could not come to any firm conclusions as to whether eggs are good or bad for your blood pressure. ~ Dr. Broussard Effect of egg consumption on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis…

  • Differences Between Drugs and Supplements

    Is that product on the shelf an over-the-counter drug or a dietary supplement? The difference is important. Dietary supplements are intended to supplement the diet, not to treat diseases. The labels on dietary supplement products cannot claim that the product can diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease. Claims like these are only permitted…

  • The Low-FODMAP Diet Helps IBS Symptoms, but Questions Remain

    February 26, 2020 Anita Slomski, MA JAMA. Published online February 26, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.0691 People looking for “low-FODMAP” salsa, granola, or flatbread need only search on Amazon, which offers a few hundred packaged foods promoted to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Shopping at the grocery store and uncertain whether it’s safe to eat apples,…

  • Eating More Nuts May Reduce Digestive System Cancers

    This article suggests that you can reduce your risk of digestive system cancers by eating more nuts in your diet. ~ Dr. Broussard Nut consumption and risk of cancer: A meta-analysis of prospective studies Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention — Long J, Ji Z, Yuan P, et al. | February 14, 2020 In this meta-analysis…

  • Are Diabetics Being Cheated?

    Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S. A recent patient was concerned that despite watching her diet and taking her diabetes medication her hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) keeps going up. Remember, HbA1c is a lab test that shows the average level of blood sugar (glucose) over the previous 3 months. It shows how well you are controlling…

  • What Kind of Diet Helps Knee Arthritis Pain?

    This article reports that the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of pain worsening in knee arthritis. ~ Dr. Broussard Mediterranean diet and knee osteoarthritis outcomes: A longitudinal cohort study Clinical Nutrition Volume 38, Issue 6, December 2019, Pages 2735-2739 NicolaVeronese Summary Objectives Mediterranean diet has several beneficial effects on health, but data regarding…

  • Multiple type 2 diabetes benefits achievable through low-carb diets

    November 14, 2019 LAS VEGAS — Adults with type 2 diabetes can experience multiple diabetes-specific benefits beyond weight loss by undertaking a low-carbohydrate diet, although potential risks must be addressed, according to a speaker at ObesityWeek. “Carbohydrate restriction is a viable option for patients with type 2 diabetes,” Jeff Stanley, MD, medical director and practicing physician at Virta…

  • Magnesium, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure

    Does your doctor ever test your blood mineral levels?  What if you have a subclinical mineral deficiency?  This article shows that a subclinical magnesium deficiency is linked to diabetes, prediabetes, and high blood pressure. ~ Dr. Broussard Association of low serum magnesium with diabetes and hypertension: Findings from Qatar Biobank Study Diabetes Research and Clinical…