Our trademark is the Ginkgo Biloba leaf, also called the Maidenhair tree. The Ginkgo biloba is the world's oldest living tree species. It can be traced back to more than 200 million years. It was revered by the Chinese and often planted around temples, which probably saved it from extinction. It is a deciduous tree that can grow to a height of 100 or more feet with a 3-4 feet diameter trunk. It is very resistant to insects, disease and pollution. The extracts from the leaves are used medicinally. Learn more...

FOR WOMEN, EARLY CHEMICAL EXPOSURE RISKIEST: Women might increase twoto seven-fold, their post-menopausal breast cancer risk - by exposure to certain workplace chemicals before their mid-thirties. A study published April 1, 2010 in Occupational and Environmental Medicine found women occupationally exposed to acrylic fibers had a seven-fold risk of breast cancer, while those exposed to nylon fibers doubled their risk. Other risky chemicals included rayon fibers and some petroleum products. The Canadian team admits findings could be due to chance but they're consistent with theories that breast cells are more chemical-sensitive when they're still active - before a woman reaches her 40s.

SLEEP DEPRIVATION INCREASES MEN'S FOOD INTAKE: Sleep deprivation raises the blood level of the compound ghrelin and lowers the level of leptin. A French study examined the effects of these changes on men 's net calorie intake. In comparison to an 8-hour sleep group, men limited to a 4-hour sleep for one night only, consumed 22 percent more calories the next day and were more active despite sleepiness. Increased calorie intake substantially exceeded increased output, suggesting sleep deprivation could be an obesity factor. Just released, this study is expected to appear in the June, 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

FISH LINKED TO FEWER HEART-RELATED DEATHS: After studying a large population with a low fish intake, Dutch scientists have identified a link between comparatively higher intakes of either fish or omega-3 fatty acids, and a lower risk of fatal heart attacks and fatal coronary heart disease. There was no link to nonfatal heart attacks. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in supplements; oily fish, including salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, and to a lesser extent, tuna; flaxseeds; and some fruits and vegetables, including strawberries and broccoli. This newly disclosed study is expected to appear in the June, 2010 issue of the Journal of Nutrition.

ESSENTIAL OILS COULD BE CHEAP ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBIOTICS: Some effective and inexpensive essential oils might be used to combat drug-resistant hospital superbugs, according to not-yet-published research just presented at the Society for General Microbiology's meeting in Edinburgh. Thyme essential oil was the most effective and was able to almost completely eliminate bacteria within 60 minutes. Almost as effective was cinnamon oil. The therapeutic value of essential oils has been shown previously for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including acne, dandruff, head lice and oral infections. These oils are being included in food stuffs to replace synthetic chemicals that act as preservatives.

PISTACHIOS IMPROVE CHOLESTEROL AND ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS: Compared to other nuts, pistachios are high in the antioxidants lutein, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol. Pennsylvania researchers studied the effect of adding pistachios to the diets of patients with high LDL, or bad, cholesterol. After adding one or two daily servings to different diets, both groups experienced a moderate decrease in LDL cholesterol and an increase in antioxidants in the blood. This suggests pistachios help lower bad cholesterol and offer added benefits from antioxidants. A serving is 32-63 grams. The just-released study will appear in a future issue of the Journal of Nutrition, likely June, 2010.

EXERCISE IN PREGNANCY LINKED TO BABY'S BIRTH WEIGHT: A study released online today found pregnant women regularly performing moderately strenuous, aerobic - but not weight-bearing - exercise gave birth to babies with modestly reduced weight. Increased weight at birth is considered to increase the risk of an individual developing obesity during childhood. Even a modest reduction in birth weight may have long-term health benefits for offspring by lowering this risk. Participants were assigned five 40-minute sessions a week of stationary cycling. The study was released online early and will be published in the May, 2010 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WEAKLY LINKED TO CANCER PREVENTION: A large study has found that the link between a high consumption of fruits and vegetables and a reduced overall risk of cancer is not as strong as commonly believed. An increase of 200 grams a day of produce reduced cancer risk by only three percent. Numerous previous studies have strongly linked produce consumption with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, as well as some specific cancers. The new study was released April 6 but will be published in a future issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

CUT SATURATED FATS PROPERLY: A study concludes that replacing dietary saturated fat with carbohydrates can increase or decrease heart risks, depending on what foods are selected as replacements. Those who replaced saturated fats with carbohydrates scoring low on the "glycemic index" (GI) reduced their heart attack risk. Those who replaced saturated fats with high-GI carbohydrates increased heart attack risk. Low-GI foods digest slowly, causing gradual fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin; high-GI foods digest quickly, causing sudden fluctuations. For GI scores, check http://www.glycemicindex.com/. Released April 7, the study will publish in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

HEART DEFECTS LINKED TO MOTHER'S WEIGHT: A study concludes the more obese a woman is when conceiving, the greater the risk her baby will have a congenital heart defect. Risk for obese women is 15 percent greater; for morbidly obese women, 33 percent greater; and for merely overweight women, no increased risk. Overweight is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9; obese means a BMI of 30 and up. Calculate your BMI by visiting http:// www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/index.html. Released late on April 7, this National Institutes of Health study will publish in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

ALCOHOL AND OBESITY - GREATER EFFECT TOGETHER: Two studies published April 10, 2010 in the British Medical Journal conclude that the combined risk of liver disease from alcohol consumption and from obesity is far greater than the sum of these two effects together. Both obesity and alcohol are linked - separately - to cirrhosis of the liver and death from cirrhosis. But together, the effect is far greater. Obese men who consumed 15 or more alcoholic drinks per week experienced nearly 18 times the relative risk of dying from chronic liver disease as compared to their obese counterparts who drank significantly less alcohol.

HARDENING OF ARTERIES NOW COMMON IN YOUNG: A new study suggests an unsettling conclusion: that atherosclerosis, also called peripheral vascular disease or hardening of the arteries, now afflicts many younger men and women. Research on 994 patients under age 56 who were treated at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Vascular Center, found severe, premature artery disease - to the extent of causing "advanced damage " - in over 88 percent. In atherosclerosis, arteries narrow when the walls thicken with a build-up of fatty materials, such as cholesterol. The study was presented April 10 at the American Heart Association conference in San Francisco.

SPICES REDUCE MEAT RISK: A study concludes that adding antioxidant-rich spices to hamburger meat during cooking reduces levels of malondialdehyde, a product of fat oxidation that increases the risk of hardening of the arteries and cancer. Cooked fat can oxidize in meat itself or in the stomach but spices were found to cut the levels of this risky compound detected in the burger and in subjects' urine and blood. At 11 grams per burger, the spicing was far greater than normal and was mostly oregano and paprika. The just-released study will appear in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

DIET INCREASES HEART RISK: A study has found that a specific type of highcarbohydrate diet increases coronary heart disease risk in women - but not in men. The greater risk stems - not from high-carbohydrate diets - but specifically from high-carbohydrate diets scoring high on the Glycemic Index (GI). Low-GI foods digest slowly, causing gradual fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin; high-GI foods digest quickly, causing sudden fluctuations. Women eating the highest-GI foods had 2.24 times the risk of women consuming the lowest-GI diet. For foods' GI scores, check http://www.glycemicindex.com/. The study was published in the April 12, 2010 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

DIET PROTECTS AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S: A study has identified a combination of foods that reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Scientists defined various dietary patterns among 2,148 persons. One diet type stood out as effective against AD: one including high intakes of salad dressing, nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, fruits and cruciferous and dark and green leafy vegetables; and low consumption of high-fat dairy, red meat, organ meat and butter. This suggests that this diet's nutrients work synergistically; that no single nutrient offers sufficient effect. Just released, this study will be published in the June, 2010 issue of Archives of Neurology.

LYCOPENE SUPPLEMENTS EQUALLY EFFECTIVE: A study suggests lycopene - a beneficial substance found in cooked tomatoes, tomato juice and paste - offers protection against prostate cancer whether ingested as lycopene-rich, red tomato paste or purified lycopene supplements. Lycopene-free yellow tomato paste offered no protection. Prostate cancer cells were incubated in the blood taken from thirty volunteers who had been taking these three different items. Specific prostate cancer-linked proteins were measured to judge protective effect. Best food sources of lycopene are processed tomatoes, watermelons and pink grapefruit. Released April 14, the study will appear in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

FISH CUTS OVARIAN CANCER RISK: Although meat and fish intakes were previously associated with some cancers, a study has uncovered the links between ovarian cancer and the consumption of total meat, red meat, poultry, fish and processed meat. Australian researchers studied the eating habits of 4,240 women and concluded that total meat and red meat have no association with ovarian cancer. Poultry showed a slight reduction in risk and fish showed a significant reduction. But processed meat caused a significant increase in ovarian cancer risk. Disclosed April 14, this study will appear in a future edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

HERBICIDE LINKED TO HYPERTHYROIDISM: A study reminds us environmental factors can increase the risk of autoimmune diseases. Exposure to TCDD, a dioxin compound in Agent Orange, may triple the incidence of Graves' disease. Agent Orange was the name given to an herbicide used by the US military in Vietnam. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder, typically resulting in hyperthyroidism - overactive thyroid. Interestingly, exposure reduced the risk of hypothyroidism - underactive thyroid. Researchers stressed that study limitations mean the results are not conclusive. The study was presented April 15 in Boston at the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

TWO VITAMINS LOWER HEART RISK: A 14-year study of 58,730 people suggests a link between a diet high in two B vitamins and a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Diets rich in folate and vitamin B6 were linked with fewer deaths from heart failure for men; and fewer deaths from stroke, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease for women. Vitamin B12, however, showed no such link. Released April 16, this study will appear in a future issue of the journal, Stroke. Folate sources include vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. B6 sources include vegetables, fish, liver, meats and whole grains.

VITAMIN D MAY REDUCE DIABETES RISK: Following previous research that hinted at the same link, a new seven-year study concludes that higher levels of vitamin D are significantly associated with a lower risk of developing diabetes 2. After accounting for other risk factors, the study team found that those who were rated in the highest third of vitamin D blood levels exhibited a 40 percent reduced risk of diabetes 2, compared to those in the lowest third. This study has just been released ahead of its publication in print in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

SEDENTARY ACTIVITIES INCREASE ARTERY THICKENING: Over three years, people who spent much of their time in sedentary activities developed substantially-increased thickness in two inner layers of the key artery that supplies the head and neck with oxygen-rich blood. The artery is the carotid artery and the inner layers are called the intima and media. Thickness in the carotid artery increases the risk of stroke. Those who took part in vigorous physical activity showed a much lower increase in thickness of this artery over the same period. Released April 17, this study will appear in a future issue of the European Heart Journal.

MEAT LINKED TO BLADDER CANCER: Although it's long been known that meat cooked at high temperatures generates a compound (heterocyclic amines) that can cause cancer, a new study specifically links regular meat consumption and especially well done meat, with a one-anda- half times greater risk of bladder cancer. Consumption of beef steaks, pork chops and bacon raised bladder cancer risk significantly. When fried, chicken and fish did the same. Men's bladder cancer risk is much higher than women's. The 12-year Texas study was presented April 18 in Washington, DC, at the 101st annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.

PATIENTS DELAY STROKE HELP: Despite guidelines suggesting patients suffering minor strokes be examined within 24 hours, a study concludes 70 percent don't even recognize the symptoms. British researchers found 30 percent of patients suffering a minor stroke or TIA - transient ischemic attack, a mild but potentially risky stroke - delay seeking medical attention for over 24 hours. And many of these visit physicians instead of going to a hospital. It's crucial to recognize the signs of a TIA or stroke, which are provided at: www.americanheart.org/ presenter.jhtml?identifier=4781. The just-released study will be published in a future edition of the journal, Stroke.

DIET INCREASES GRANDDAUGHTER'S CANCER RISK: A high-fat diet during a woman's pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer in her daughters and granddaughters, suggests a study presented April 19 at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington, DC. Researchers believe excess fat consumption causes epigenetic - or inheritable genetic - changes that result in an increase in what are called "terminal end buds" in breast tissue. These buds are believed to be where breast cancer develops and having more buds increases cancer risk. The risk to granddaughters may be as much as 60 percent greater.

BODY MASS INDEX LINKED TO BREAST CANCER: A study presented on the afternoon of April 20, in Washington, DC, at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, suggests that women whose body mass index (BMI) increases substantially between ages 20 and 50 have an 88 percent higher risk of breast cancer after menopause, compared to women with a stable BMI. Women whose BMI increased later - after age 50 - had a 56 percent greater risk. Scientists speculate that estrogen, a hormone produced in body fat, causes breast cells to multiply too quickly, leading to breast cancer. To calculate your BMI, visit www.cdc.gov/ heathyweight/assessing/bmi/index.html.

ADDED SUGAR LINKED TO CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS: A study of 6,000 adults, reported in the April 21, 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, links the amount of sweetened foods and beverages consumed to an increase in cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers looked at the processed foods people consumed and divided them into five groups, depending on their overall intake of added sugar. Fruit was not included because its sugar is not added. The biggest consumers of added sugar - ingesting 46 teaspoons per day - suffered higher blood triglycerides, bad cholesterol and other cardiovascular risks than the lowest consumers, who ingested just three teaspoons.

ALCOHOL LINKED TO CANCER, AGING: A study presented early morning April 21, in Washington, DC, at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research found that heavy alcohol consumption has a dramatic effect on a major cellular indicator of aging and cancer risk. Telomeres - caps at the ends of DNA pieces known as chromosomes - tend to shorten over time in a process seen as aging itself, as well as a risk factor for cancer. The shocking study showed regular consumption of four or more alcoholic drinks a day resulted in telomeres about half the length of telomeres in subjects drinking less.

RESVERATROL'S PROTECTIVE EFFECT EXPLAINED? A mouse study may finally have uncovered how resveratrol, a compound found in the skins and seeds of red grapes, protects the brain during a stroke. Research has long linked red wine with a reduced cardiovascular disease risk but the actual mechanism by which it works has never been clear. Resveratrol seems to increase levels of an enzyme - heme oxygenase - that shields brain nerve cells from stroke damage. When a stroke hits, the brain is protected by the elevated enzyme levels. Just released online, this study will appear in a future issue of the journal Experimental Neurology.

MEDITERRANEAN DIET'S SECRET REVEALED? A study may have uncovered why the so-called Mediterranean diet helps prevent metabolic syndrome, heart disease and type-2 diabetes. Olive oil, which figures very prominently in this diet, is a good source of compounds called phenols. Extra-virgin olive oil is an even richer source of phenols. Researchers found that olive oil phenols appear to repress genes that promote inflammation, which can play a role in these conditions. (However, many suggest olive oil's monounsaturated fatty acids may be behind its health properties.) This just-released study will be published in an upcoming edition of the journal, BMC Genomics.

MODERATE DRINKING'S BENEFITS SEPARATE FROM LIFESTYLE: A study suggests the known link between moderate alcohol consumption and a reduced risk of diabetes type 2 is due to the alcohol intake itself and not to healthful lifestyle factors drinkers might have that teetotalers might not. Diabetes risk was assessed for each subject who fit three of these four categories: normal weight, physically active, nonsmoking and healthy diet. Of that healthy group, moderate drinkers still experienced a 40 percent lower incidence of diabetes than teetotalers. This newly-released study will be published in a yet-to-be-decided issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

FOLATE FORTIFICATION RISKY? A study of postmenopausal breast cancer risk shows inconclusive but interesting associations with folate, a B vitamin. The study separately examined dietary folate and total folate intakes. Dietary folate includes food naturally containing folate plus food fortified with this vitamin. Total folate includes these dietary sources plus supplements. Those consuming the most dietary folate showed a modestly higher breast cancer risk. Subjects getting the most total folate intake did not, suggesting dietary sources - not supplements - may be risky. This study will appear in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. If concerned, talk to your physician.

DIET QUALITY AFFECTS FETAL GROWTH: Several studies have found obesity during pregnancy to put newborns at risk but a new study looks at the effect on fetal growth of the mother's diet quality. Spanish scientists assessed first-trimester diet quality of 787 pregnant women using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), published by Harvard University researchers in 2003. Babies born to women scoring highest on the AHEI were of healthier weight. They were not, however, of healthier head circumference or length (height). The study was released early but will appear in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

HALF OF WATER SAMPLES CONTAIN DRUGS: Tiny traces of various medicines and personal care products were found in half the 115 water samples taken from home and business drinking water supplies in Delaware, according to a new study. The substances showing up in public water sources include caffeine; the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole; the painkiller ibuprofen; a medical-imaging aid called iopromide; estrogens; antidepressants; cholesterol drugs; nicotine; and triclosan, an ingredient used in soaps and antibacterial hand cleaners. The effects of these drugs on humans or fish are unknown. Released April 27, the study was conducted by the Delaware state Division of Public health.

POLLUTION AFFECTS YOUNG HEARTS: A study concludes that hearts show the effects of air pollution at a young age and endotoxins - bits of inactivated bacteria - that ride on pollutants may make the problem worse. The body reacts to particulate matter and endotoxins with inflammation. This can lead to chronic inflammation in the heart or other organs. Researchers examined the hearts of 21 adults, average age 18, who lived in Mexico City before dying in accidents. Mexico City has perhaps the worst air pollution in North America. This study was presented April 28 at the Experimental Biology 2010 conference in Anaheim.

ENVIRONMENT BEHIND MS? A jarring study on identical twins has reported powerful evidence of a link between the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) and a non-inherited environmental factor. Researchers could not rule out a genetic predisposition altogether but an extremely in-depth analysis of the genes of pairs of identical twins showed no genetic differences between them that would account for the fact that one developed MS and his twin did not. The study also specifically examined the autoimmune genes and also found no difference. The study is the cover article in the April 29, 2010 issue of the journal Nature.

DID YOU KNOW...? A compound in blackcurrants may enhance the body s natural defense mechanisms to reduce the lung inflammation that accompanies allergy-induced asthma, which would ease breathing difficulties in allergic individuals. Fruit consumption generally, has been known to ease breathing in allergy-related asthma by calming inflammation. But research on blackcurrants has shown how this fruit can have this effect. An antioxidant known as epigallocatechin was found to be particularly effective in blocking inflammation-causing reactions and may become a natural alternative for treating allergy-related asthma.

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