Acupuncture & Massage Blog

Individuals with asthma may experience a worsening in asthmatic symptoms if they have a vitamin D deficiency, according to a new study.
Vitamin D can affect lung function and asthmatic treatment. “Our findings suggest that low vitamin D levels are associated with worse asthma,” says lead researcher Dr. E. Rand Sutherland, from the division of pulmonary [...]

Individuals who follow the Mediterranean dietary pattern, rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and fish, appear less likely to develop depression, according to a study in a recent issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
Previous research has suggested that the monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil, used abundantly in the Mediterranean diet, may be associated [...]

A traditional Chinese herbal remedy called “thunder god vine” reduces inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a new study. The herbal remedy is an extract of the medicinal plant known in China as “lei gong teng,” and has been used for centuries to treat a variety of inflammatory disorders.
The study compared reduction [...]

Folic acid, or vitamin B9, can aid in the management of allergic reactions and allergy symptoms, according to a new study from the Johns Hopkins Center.
Folate occurs in food while folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin. Natural sources of folate include leafy vegetables, fruits, legumes, mushrooms, and cereals.
There are several health [...]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) comprises a complete health care system consisting of several integrated modalities, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tai chi and qigong, and food therapy.
Contrary to Western diets, TCM dietary therapy considers the energetic qualities of the foods and how the food can influence the long term health of the individual.
Energy (qi) and [...]

Individuals who consume excess amounts of cheese, low-fiber grains, eggs, fried potatoes, tomato products, and red meat have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published in Diabetes Care.
Study results found that a diet pattern containing these particular foods can produce increased levels of two proteins in the blood, [...]

With origins dating back over 4,000 years, green tea has long been a popular beverage in Asian culture, and is increasingly gaining popularity in the United States. And while ancient Chinese and Japanese medicine believed green tea consumption could cure disease and heal wounds, recent scientific studies are beginning to establish the potential health benefits [...]

A new study appearing in The Archives of Internal Medicine indicates vitamin D may effectively prevent colds and flu. Study findings were based on an assessment of nutritional habits, vitamin D levels and respiratory infection rates among approximately 19,000 study participants.
The study, the largest of its kind to date, links lower levels of vitamin D [...]

Red berry fruits — such as the elderberry, chokeberry and bilberry — have been used in folk medicine in Europe and North America for centuries. Hippocrates referred to the elderberry tree as his “medicine chest” while less famous healers have used the fruit as anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, diuretic, and laxative agents, as well as for the [...]

Brain foods improve cognitive fitness and enhance mental power. It’s possible to improve the brain’s performance by including brain foods in our diet. Eating the right foods can boost IQ, improve mood and concentration and sharpen memory.
A diet containing specific brain foods also helps to decrease the effects of oxidation and inflammation on the brain. [...]