THE SCIENCE
Antioxidant capacity and hydrophilic phytochemicals in commercially grown native Australian fruits
This study tested the hydrophilic phytochemicals and antioxidant capacities of eight commercially grown Australian native fruits. Results found that kakadu plum contained a 6 times higher level of phenolic compounds (antioxidants) than blueberries – an antioxidant rich ‘superfood’, and quandong contained a 1.9 times higher level. Both fruits also showed superior free-radical scavenging capacity when compared with the blueberry.
Aguas, P., Dunstan, M., Konczak, I., Zabaras, D. (2010) Antioxidant capacity and hydrophilic phytochemicals in commercially grown native Australian fruits. Food Chemistry. Vol. 123, Issue 4, 1048-1054
Anti-inflammatory potential of native Australian herbs polyphenols
This study tested the anti-inflammatory potential of hydrophilic polyphenolic-rich extracts obtained from native Australian herbs. Results found that anise myrtle and lemon myrtle selectively inhibited COX-2 and iNOS enzymes, making them potentially efficient anti-inflammatory agents.
Guo, Y., Konczak, I., Sakulnarmrat, K. (2014) Anti-inflammatory potential of native Australian herbs polyphenols. TOxicolody Reports. Vol.1, 385-390
The link between vitamin D metabolism and sleep medicine
This review found that abnormally low levels of vitamin D are common among populations seeking care for sleep-medicine complains and may cause or contribute to common sleep disorder symptoms including chronic pain, reduced sleep quality and impaired experience of wakefulness. Emerging evidence suggest that low vitamin D levels increase the risk for autoimmune disease, chronic rhinitis, tonsillar hypertrophy, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Persistent inadequacy of vitamin D may also increase the risk for obstructive sleep apnea via promotion of adenotonsillar hypertrophy, airway muscle myopathy, and/or chronic rhinitis.
Chesson, A.L. Jr, Jain, S., McCarty, D.E., Marino, A.A. (2014) The link between vitamin D metabolism and sleep medicine. Sleep Medicine Reviews. Vol. 4, 311-9
In this randomised, controlled trial study by Huang et al., patients were given supplements based on their vitamin D status. Overall, their vitamin D status improved from a mean of 18.57 ng/mL up to 26 ng/mL post-intervention, and their sleep time increased by approx 45 minutes on average. It was concluded that standard vitamin D supplementation can be effective in improving sleep in addition to pain levels and quality of life.
Crankshaw, A.K., Huang, W., Long, Q., Shah, S., Tangpricha, V. (2013) Improvement of pain, sleep and quality of life in chonic pain patients with vitamin D supplementation. Clinical Journal of Pain, Vol 29, Issue 4, 341-347
The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health
This review discusses the potential roles for vitamin C in skin health and summarises the research to date. It compares the efficacy of nutritional intake of vitamin C versus topical application, identifies the areas where lack of evidence limits our understanding of the potential benefits of vitamin C on skin health, and suggest which skin functions – including collagen synthesis and assisting in antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage - are most likely to benefit from improved nutritional vitamin C intake.
Carr, A.C., Pullar, J.M., Vissers, M.C.M. (2017) The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, Vol. 9 (8), 866
Vitamin D and the skin: Focus on a complex relationship
This review sheds light on the “sunshine” vitamin and the increasing evidence that supports its vital role in the functioning of our immune system and photoprotection of the skin from UV damage, along with reducing the risk and incidence of skin cancer, psoriasis, acne and rosacea, pigmentation, dermatitis and hair loss.
Mostafa, W.Z., Hegazy, R.A. (2015) Vitamin D and the skin: Focus on a complex relationship: A review. Journal of Advanced Research, Vol. 6(6), 793-804