Disease: cardiovascular disease

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial on the Effect of a Dietary Supplement Containing Dry Artichoke and Bergamot Extracts on Metabolic and Vascular Risk Factors in Individuals with Suboptimal Cholesterol Levels

Researchers tested a daily pill combining dried extracts from artichoke and bergamot plants to see if it could improve cholesterol levels and heart health in people with elevated cholesterol. After 12 weeks, people taking the supplement showed significant improvements in cholesterol levels, triglycerides, inflammation markers, and blood vessel function compared to those taking a placebo. The supplement was safe and well-tolerated, with minimal side effects, suggesting it could be a useful natural approach for managing cholesterol and related cardiovascular risk factors.

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Decoding of novel umami-enhancing peptides from Hericium Erinaceus and its mechanisms by virtual screening, multisensory techniques, and molecular simulation approaches

Researchers discovered four special proteins (peptides) from lion’s mane mushrooms that can enhance the savory umami taste of foods while potentially allowing for less salt in products. These peptides work by helping salt compounds stick better to taste receptors in your mouth. This discovery could help food companies create healthier products with better flavor but lower sodium content, reducing the health risks associated with excessive salt consumption.

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Therapeutic and Nutraceutical Potential of Sargassum Species: A Narrative Review

Sargassum is a type of ocean seaweed that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and contains compounds that may help fight inflammation, oxidative stress, viruses, and bacteria. Scientists have discovered that different Sargassum species produce nearly 200 different bioactive compounds with potential health benefits ranging from reducing arthritis symptoms to supporting immune function. While Sargassum can accumulate harmful heavy metals like arsenic from seawater, researchers have developed effective cleaning methods to remove these contaminants while preserving the beneficial compounds. This makes Sargassum a promising sustainable source of natural medicines and health supplements.

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Clinical Implementation of Sustainable Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in Metabolic Health: A Feasibility Study

Researchers tested a combination of special foods and supplements made from Mediterranean plants like tomatoes, pomegranates, and hazelnuts to see if they could help people with metabolic health problems. Over 4 weeks, older adults who consumed these foods daily showed improvements in muscle, bone quality, and liver health. The products tasted good and people stuck with them easily, suggesting this approach could be a practical way to improve health through diet.

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Olive mill solid waste induces beneficial mushroom-specialized metabolite diversity revealed by computational metabolomics strategies

This study shows how adding olive mill waste to mushroom growing substrate can increase beneficial compounds in mushrooms while reducing harmful toxins. Researchers grew two types of edible mushrooms (lion’s mane and king oyster) on substrate containing different amounts of olive mill waste and used advanced chemical analysis to identify how the waste affected the mushrooms’ medicinal compounds. Adding olive mill waste increased healthy compounds like hericenones and erinacerins while decreasing toxic enniatin compounds, potentially creating safer and more nutritious mushrooms for consumers.

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The Antioxidant Properties of Mushroom Polysaccharides can Potentially Mitigate Oxidative Stress, Beta-Cell Dysfunction and Insulin Resistance

This research review explores how mushroom compounds called polysaccharides may help manage diabetes by reducing harmful stress on cells caused by high glucose levels. Scientists found that 104 different mushroom polysaccharides have anti-diabetic properties and can protect insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. These natural compounds show promise as a complementary treatment to conventional diabetes medications, potentially with fewer side effects than synthetic drugs.

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Gut-Brain Axis in Obesity: How Dietary Patterns Influence Psychological Well-Being and Metabolic Health

This review explains how our diet affects both our gut bacteria and our mental health through the gut-brain axis, a communication system between our digestive system and brain. Mediterranean diets rich in fiber and healthy foods support beneficial bacteria and mental well-being, while Western diets high in processed foods harm gut health and increase obesity risk. Emotional eating driven by stress and depression worsens obesity, but targeted dietary interventions with prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber can help restore balance and improve both physical and mental health.

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Medicinal Mushrooms as Multicomponent Mixtures—Demonstrated with the Example of Lentinula edodes

Shiitake mushrooms are more than just tasty food—they contain numerous compounds that work together to improve health. Unlike single isolated drugs, whole mushroom preparations offer multiple benefits including boosting immunity, protecting the heart, and potentially supporting cancer treatment. These mushrooms have been used safely in Asian medicine for over 2000 years and are becoming recognized worldwide for their health-promoting properties.

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Metabolomics Profiling of White Button, Crimini, Portabella, Lion’s Mane, Maitake, Oyster, and Shiitake Mushrooms Using Untargeted Metabolomics and Targeted Amino Acid Analysis

Researchers analyzed seven popular mushroom varieties to understand their chemical makeup. They found over 10,000 different compounds across all mushrooms, with each variety having its own unique set of chemicals. Lion’s mane and oyster mushrooms were particularly rich in L-ergothioneine, a special amino acid thought to have antioxidant and anti-aging properties. The common white button, crimini, and portabella mushrooms had similar nutrient profiles, while specialty mushrooms had distinct chemical signatures.

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Harnessing mushrooms for poultry nutrition: Boosting health, immunity, and productivity

Mushrooms and mushroom stems are emerging as natural feed additives that can significantly improve poultry health, growth, and egg/meat quality while reducing the need for antibiotics. These fungi contain beneficial compounds that boost immune function, reduce harmful bacteria, and protect against cellular damage. By using mushroom byproducts that are typically discarded, farmers can create more sustainable and environmentally friendly poultry production systems while improving overall bird health and productivity.

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