100g of cranberries a day improves cardiovascular health, study finds
A new clinical trial found daily consumption of cranberries for one month improved cardiovascular function in healthy men. The new study, published today in Food & Function, included 45 healthy men who consumed whole cranberry powder equivalent to 100g of fresh cranberries per day (9 g powder) or a placebo for one month. Those consuming […]
Trial testing cocoa flavanol supplement shows promise for reducing cardiovascular risk
The first large-scale trial to test the long-term effects of a cocoa flavanol supplement to prevent cardiovascular disease offers promising signals that cocoa flavanols could have protective cardiovascular effects. In papers published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a team led by Howard Sesso, ScD, MPH, and JoAnn Manson, MD, DrPH, both of the […]
Cellular therapy improves signs and symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Clinical trial results promising for people with the debilitating disorder
A clinical trial at UC Davis Health and six other sites showed that a cellular therapy offers promise for patients with late-stage Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disorder causing muscle loss and physical impairments in young people. The therapy appears to be safe and effective in stopping the deterioration of upper limb and […]
Mindfulness therapy reduces opioid misuse and chronic pain in primary care, according to new research
Results from a new clinical trial demonstrate that an eight-week mindfulness-based therapy — Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) — decreased opioid use and misuse while reducing chronic pain symptoms, with effects lasting as long as nine months. This is the first large-scale clinical trial to demonstrate that a psychological intervention can simultaneously reduce opioid misuse and […]
Taking high-dose vitamin D supplements for five years did not affect the incidence of cardiovascular disease or cancer
A trial by the University of Eastern Finland found that taking a much higher dose of vitamin D than recommended for five years did not affect total mortality or the incidence of cardiovascular disease or cancer in older men and women. In population studies, low levels of vitamin D in the body have been linked […]
Daytime meals may reduce health risks linked to night shift work
A small clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health has found that eating during the nighttime — like many shift workers do — can increase glucose levels, while eating only during the daytime might prevent the higher glucose levels now linked with a nocturnal work life. The findings, the study authors said, could […]
Brief 5:2 diet advice is as effective as traditional GP advice, but people like it better, according to new study
A clinical trial has found people prefer receiving information on the 5:2 diet than standard GP weight management advice despite both interventions achieving similar modest weight loss results. The trial, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and led by Queen Mary University of London, is the first randomised evaluation of the 5:2 diet, a […]
Coffee Causes This One Arrhythmia, Trial Shows
Coffee consumption had a complex relationship with arrhythmias, a randomized trial with real-time electrocardiography patch monitoring showed. Premature atrial contractions weren’t caused by coffee consumption, whereas premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) were, reported Gregory Marcus, MD, of the University of California San Francisco, at the American Heart Association (AHA) virtual meeting. PVCs were 54% more likely […]
Ripretinib Continues to Demonstrate Benefit in Advanced GIST
An updated analysis of the phase III INVICTUS trial showed improved survival in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) treated with ripretinib (Qinlock) as later-line therapy, a researcher reported. At 19 months after the primary analysis, median progression-free survival (PFS) with the fourth- or later-line therapy remained stable, at 6.3 months with ripretinib versus […]
Do vitamin D supplements offer kidney-related benefits for individuals with high diabetes risk? Trial shows no significant effects on kidney outcomes
A recent clinical trial described in CJASN has examined the potential of vitamin D supplementation for protecting the kidney health of individuals with pre-diabetes. In the general population, low blood vitamin D levels have been associated with higher risks of various diseases, including type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. Sun H. Kim, MD, MS (Stanford […]