The Art of Healing Vol 2 Issue 79

As I was finalising this issue, I found myself double-checking some of the articles I was publishing – the half glass empty vs. the half glass full scenario for example. Yes, the glass is refillable but by saying that, does it downplay the fact that looking at things more positively is better for your overall health? I hope not. Ultimately, as you read this magazine you know that all the articles presented do have someone else’s bias (mine), but they have been carefully collated and written with the aim of giving you some really solid information for making good decisions about your health and wellness going forward. And I do hope you enjoy some of the latest research we have found. When I am working on the magazine I get so…

Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the research questions the efficacy of statins when prescribed with the aim of lowering LDL-C and therefore reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous research has suggested that using statins to lower LDL-C positively affects health outcomes, and this is reflected in the various iterations of expert guidelines for the prevention of CVD. Statins are now commonly prescribed by doctors, with one third of Irish adults over the age of 50 taking statins, according to previous research. The new findings contradict this theory, finding that this relationship was not as strong as previously thought. Instead, the research demonstrates that lowering LDL-C using statins had an inconsistent and inconclusive impact on CVD outcomes such as myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and all-cause mortality. In addition, it indicates that…

A new study shows that components of Neem bark may target a wide range of viral proteins, suggesting its potential as an antiviral agent against emerging variants of coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2). Extract from the bark of the Neem tree may help treat and reduce the spread of coronavirus, according to a new study led by scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, and reported recently in the journal Virology. The Neem tree, indigenous to India, has been used for thousands of years for its anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial and antiviral properties. The bark extract has helped treat malaria, stomach and intestinal ulcers, skin diseases and many other diseases. “The goal of this research is to develop a Neem-based medication that can reduce the…

In a twist for solar energy, a Filipino inventor has created resinous panels that harvest solar energy from recycled vegetables, and they can work when it’s cloudy, rainy, or out of direct sunlight. It turns out there are extremely sensitive chemicals in vegetables that turn UV light from the sun into visible light which can in turn be used to generate electricity from photovoltaic cells. When placed between the glass of a double-glazed window, the different coloured panels push sunlight into the edges of the window pane where PV cells then turn it into electricity - enough to charge two smartphones. But if used to clad an entire building, it can power major systems as well as delight onlookers with its ‘Andy Warhol-like’ visage of bright colours. Carvey says there’s nothing to…

Oh the dreaded 3 p.m. slump. We’ve all been there, that post-lunch haze when all you want to do is curl into bed and succumb to the energy dip. Tempting, but you still have a mountain of tasks to take care of, so you might brew a second (or third) cup of coffee, matcha, or tea to put back some pep in your step - but according to functional medicine doctor Taz Bhatia, M.D., there may be a better way to recharge midday. Bhatia says if you’re feeling sluggish in the afternoon, you should actually steer clear of caffeine. No, this doesn’t mean you must give up your favourite brew forever (coffee fans, no need to panic). That sluggish feeling is likely due to a blood sugar crash, and that second…

As a three to four cups of coffee a day kind of person, I’ll be the first to admit that my caffeine habits can occasionally affect my sleep quality. In general, I don’t become highly energetic or jittery, but when my coffee consumption slips well into the evening, tossing and turning can ensue. I know that a late afternoon pick-me-up or an espresso with dessert will never be totally off the table for me, so I’m always on the lookout for small ways to ways to consume caffeine a little more mindfully and healthily. And I recently learned about one that was way too good not to share. The Link Between Broccoli Intake And Caffeine Levels According to clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep specialist Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., aka “the sleep doctor,” caffeine…