A type of probiotic bacteria may help treat colitis, a recent study on mice suggests.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are naturally present in the digestive tract. When taken in supplement form, probiotics are said to boost immunity and enhance digestive health.

In the recent study, scientists focused on mice with colitis (a condition marked by inflammation of the colon). A form of inflammatory bowel disease, colitis often results in painful sores, rectal bleeding, abdominal cramping, and weight loss.

Study results showed that a probiotic called Bacillus polyfermenticus helped reduce rectal bleeding and inflammation in the mice. The study also found that mice treated with the probiotic gained more weight and had greater angiogenesis (a process necessary for wound-healing) in their colon tissue when compared to mice that didn't receive Bacillus polyfermenticus.

Past studies indicate that aloe vera and boswellia may also benefit colitis patients.

Preliminary research indicates that antioxidants extracted from ginkgo biloba may help shield cells from radiation damage.

For the study, scientists worked with human white blood cells collected from healthy donors (ages 18 to 50). After treating half the cells with ginkgo biloba extract and half with a salt solution, the researchers exposed all the cells to a type of radiation often used in cancer treatment. Results suggested that ginkgo helped protect against radiation poisoning, most likely to due to the herb's antioxidant effects.

An herb used medicinally for thousands of years, ginkgo biloba is thought to stimulate circulation. Although research on ginkgo biloba's health effects is still fairly limited, studies suggest that the herb shows promise in the treatment of early-stage Alzheimer's disease, tinnitus, asthma, Raynaud's disease, and macular degeneration.

Eating flaxseed may help cut your cholesterol, according to a recent research review.

Sifting through 28 studies (with a total of more than 1,500 participants), investigators found that consumption of flaxseed was linked to significant decreases in total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. However, flaxseed did not appear to considerably alter levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. What's more, flaxseed's cholesterol-lowering effects were more apparent in females (especially postmenopausal women) and people with higher cholesterol levels.

Rich in fiber and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed has been shown to benefit people with diabetes, menopausal symptoms, and high blood pressure in previous studies.

Since whole flaxseeds may pass through your intestine undigested, nutrition experts often suggest grinding flaxseed (in a coffee grinder, for instance) before adding it to cereals, smoothies, and other foods.

New research shows that taking up a mind-body exercise program could help cancer patients fight fatigue. A common side effect of chemotherapy, fatigue may make cancer patients more prone to depression.

For the study, researchers focused on 269 cancer patients (ages 20 to 65) who were undergoing chemotherapy or treatment for advanced disease. For six weeks, study members joined in an exercise program that included three weekly high-intensity workout sessions (lasting 90 minutes each and combining cardiovascular exercise with strength training) and one weekly body-awareness session (including practices such as stretching, deep breathing, and Pilates). The program also involved four weekly half-hour sessions of relaxation training, as well as two weekly half-hour massage sessions.

Among the 235 participants who completed the study, researchers observed a decrease in fatigue and an increase in vitality. What's more, the study members showed improvements in physical functioning, as well as in mental and emotional wellbeing.

To tap into the heart-healthy effects of garlic, consider choosing the freshly crushed herb over the dried variety. In a recent study, researchers found that fresh-crushed garlic may be richer in hydrogen sulfide (a compound said to relax the blood vessel and stimulate circulation).

For the study, investigators fed freshly crushed garlic and processed garlic to lab rats recovering from simulated heart attacks. While both types of garlic reduced damage to the heart, the fresh-crushed form more effectively restored blood flow to the aorta. The study's authors attribute this effect to the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a substance that dried garlic is unable to produce.

Past studies have shown that garlic may moderately cut cholesterol and help keep blood pressure in check. A popular cold remedy, garlic has also been found to possess virus-fighting properties.

Acupressure may boost health in people dealing with type 2 diabetes, according to a recent study.

A long-practiced Chinese therapy similar to acupuncture, acupressure stimulates certain points on the body in order to improve the flow of vital energy (called "chi" or "qi") and, in turn, enhance wellbeing. Unlike acupuncture, however, acupressure involves the application of manual pressure (typically with the fingertips) rather than the insertion of needles.

For the study, 64 people with type 2 diabetes were treated with standard diabetes medications and assigned to a diet and exercise program designed to control hypertension and hyperglycemia. A subset of study members also received a 90-minute session of acupressure therapy four to six times per week.

At the end of the three-year study, participants who'd received acupressure had significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol - as well as higher levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol - compared to patients who didn't receive acupuncture. What's more, patients in the acupuncture group showed improvements in diabetes-associated kidney function and neuropathy (a nerve disorder common among people with diabetes).

Wearing a magnetic bracelet won't help you fight arthritis pain, according to a new study. Magnetic bracelets are a form of magnetic therapy, a type of alternative medicine based on the theory that magnetic fields can promote healing when administered directly to the body.

For the study, researchers recruited 45 people (ages 50 or over) who suffered from osteoarthritis. For 16 weeks, each participant wore one of four devices in a random order: two wrist straps with differing levels of magnetism, a demagnetized wrist strap, and a copper bracelet. Study results showed no significant difference between the devices in terms of their ability to reduce pain, ease stiffness, and improve physical function.

While magnetic therapy may not help relieve osteoarthritis pain, past research suggests that other alternative approaches (such as acupuncture, yoga, and glucosamine supplements) may help manage the condition.

Guided imagery may help kids cope with functional abdominal pain, a new study suggests. A condition common among children, functional abdominal pain is marked by an ongoing stomach discomfort with no identifiable underlying cause.

The study included 34 children (ages 6 to 15), all of whom had been diagnosed with functional abdominal pain. Each study member received standard medical care, and 19 participants were also assigned to eight weeks of guided imagery treatment. The treatment consisted of four biweekly, 20-minute guided-imagery sessions, as well as daily sessions that lasted ten minutes each.

Study results showed that 73.3 percent of children in the guided-imagery group reduced their pain by half or more by the end of the treatment course, while just 26.7 of kids receiving only standard care had the same level of improvement.

Guided imagery is a self-care technique that involves achieving deep relaxation by imagining yourself in a peaceful place. Previous studies show that the therapy may benefit people trying to quit smoking, as well as those undergoing treatment for cancer.

Extracts of chrysanthemum - a flowering plant native to Asia and Europe - may possess bacteria-fighting, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulating properties, according to a recent study. In lab tests on animal and human cell lines, scientists found that chrysanthemum extract also helped promote the death of cancer cells without harming normal cells.

In ayurveda (the traditional medicine of India), chrysanthemum has long been used to treat fever, headache, and high blood pressure. The herb is also used as a remedy for a number of immune-related diseases in the traditional medicines of Korea, China, and Japan.

Previous research suggests that chrysanthemum may help relieve dermatitis, as well as help treat rheumatoid arthritis.

While some Chinese herbal medicines may help reduce your risk of diabetes, there may not be enough scientific evidence to support their use. That's the finding of a recent review of 16 clinical trials (involving a total of 1,391 people who received 15 different herbal formulas).

In traditional Chinese medicine, herbs have long been used to help stop people with impaired glucose tolerance from developing diabetes. Also known as pre-diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance is marked by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. Chinese herbal medicine aims to normalize blood sugar levels in a number of ways, such as by boosting function of the pancreas and increasing availability of the blood-sugar-regulating hormone known as insulin. Although this approach shows promise in the treatment of pre-diabetes, more clinical trials need to be carried out to confirm its effectiviness, according to the review's authors.

In past studies, natural substances such as cinnamon and ginseng have also been found to help keep blood sugar in check.