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Herbal cigarette brands from Europe and the US are generally natural and offer habitual smokers a nicotine-free alternative to traditional tobacco. Some herbs are better flavored than tobacco, and most are non-habit-forming. So what is the problem? https://t.co/GYdRSU5FN9
Cranberry
Cranberry has a history of traditional use in dyes, food, and medicine among Native Americans and later European settlers. Cranberry products may decrease the overall risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women who have had previous UTIs; however, it isn’t recommended as a treatment for existing UTIs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows claims about this potential benefit to appear on labels of cranberry dietary supplements and cranberry juice beverages.
What Does the Research Show?
In general, cranberry products may decrease the overall risk of symptomatic, recurrent UTIs in women by 25 percent, and in some cases, by more than 30 percent, according to a 2023 Cochrane review. However, the effectiveness of cranberry is still in question because of inconsistent findings.
While cranberry may assist in preventing symptomatic UTIs in some women, it isn’t recommended as a treatment for existing UTIs in any population.
According to the American Urological Association, the mechanisms of action are thought to be related to the proanthocyanidins (PACs) present in cranberries that prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall, thus preventing the start of a UTI. Processing cranberries into various products, like tablets or capsules, can reduce the concentration of PACs, which can reduce the potential effectiveness of a product.
Studies in certain populations at increased risk for UTIs, such as elderly people in long-term care and pregnant women, have had inconsistent results. Studies in other high-risk populations, such as women undergoing gynecological surgeries or people with multiple sclerosis, have not found cranberry to be beneficial in reducing the risk for UTIs.
Starting in 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has allowed manufacturers to claim on product labels that there is “limited” evidence that daily consumption of specified amounts of cranberry dietary supplements may reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in healthy women. A similar claim may be made for cranberry juice beverages, but the evidence must be described as “limited and inconsistent.”
Safety
Cranberry taken orally is generally thought to be safe. However, if consumed in very large amounts, cranberry can cause stomach upset and diarrhea, particularly in young children.
There is conflicting evidence about whether cranberry interacts with the anticoagulant warfarin.
Some studies of the use of cranberry during pregnancy or while breastfeeding suggest it is safe in amounts commonly found in food, but the evidence is not conclusive for use in larger amounts. - NCCIH Clinical Digest
The NCCIH Clinical Digest @NIH_NCCIH part of the National Institutes of Health offers a monthly newsletter providing evidence-based summaries on complementary and integrative health practices.
Hey @retromauro you did a heck of a job. Sorry to hear communities are shutting down. This piece is a masterful example of minimalist black-and-white line art in the classic newspaper comic strip tradition. Clean, bold outlines, strategic hatching for texture, and subtle stippling. Anybody recognize this guy?
Vigorous exercise, even for short periods, can have surprising health benefits.
An expansive study by UK Biobank over a seven-year period found that strenuous workouts (to the point that it is hard to speak) for even a short period daily can reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 60%, and premature death by 46%.
The study also found significant reductions in heart, liver, and kidney disease and more. The benefits are attributed to improved use of oxygen, lower inflammation, a stronger heart, and overall better metabolism.
This is basically the strategy I use with my workouts. For example, running a mile and a half in deep sand as opposed to running five miles. Glad to hear there are benefits to it.
Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Star Brandi Glanville Ends Up in the Hospital After Cramming Garlic in Her Ear.
Brandi Glanville, who also competed on Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump in 2015, caught a cold and went on TikTok to find a natural remedy. She came across a video that suggested cramming a clove of garlic up her nose to relieve congestion. She decided to cram it in her ear and wound up in the hospital after it got stuck. She is fully recovered and recently shared the story on her podcast with a clear warning not to take medical advice from social media.
Thankfully she is ok; this could have gone bad in several ways. We cannot decide if this was a publicity stunt or an honest mistake.
Trump to Sign Executive Order Funding Research Into Natural Psychedelic Ibogaine
President Trump is expected to sign an executive order directing federal agencies to expand research into ibogaine's safety and effectiveness for treating veterans PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
A big win for VETS (Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions), who have been working hard to make this treatment available for veterans.
Ibogaine is a natural psychedelic extracted from the iboga plant (Tabernanthe iboga), which is native to Central Africa.
Ibogaine therapy is common practice in Mexico; several high-profile people have sought treatment there. Conor McGregor (MMA) recently received ibogaine treatment and claims it was effective in helping him address trauma. Lamar Odom (NBA) and Jordan Belfort (Wolf of Wall Street) both credit ibogaine treatments for helping them overcome drug addiction.
A contractor in the Pacific Northwest has purchased a large shipment of the Cannabix marijuana breath test. The first order for the new, first-of-its-kind breath test that can test for recent cannabis use (within 2-4 hours), whether consumed by vape, smoked, or through edibles, by detecting delta-9 THC in breath above 5 pg/L.
Cannabix is also marketing the test as a complementary testing tool for Law enforcement during traffic stops.
How it works:
The person blows into the Breath Collection Unit (BCU) for around 2 minutes. The sample is captured by a breath cartridge, which is then sent to Omega Laboratories for LC-MS/MS analysis. The results are available online via a secure portal, typically within 1-3 days plus shipping time.
Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Star Brandi Glanville Ends Up in the Hospital After Cramming Garlic in Her Ear.
Brandi Glanville, who also competed on Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump in 2015, caught a cold and went on TikTok to find a natural remedy. She came across a video that suggested cramming a clove of garlic up her nose to relieve congestion. She decided to cram it in her ear and wound up in the hospital after it got stuck. She is fully recovered and recently shared the story on her podcast with a clear warning not to take medical advice from social media.
Thankfully she is ok; this could have gone bad in several ways. We cannot decide if this was a publicity stunt or an honest mistake.