Page 70 - BBC - The Scientific Guide to a Healthier You
P. 70
DIET
IS FOR
R RASPBERRY KETONE
This chemical is used as a flavouring
in the food industry, but it is also
sold online as a weight-loss medicine.
Studies in rodents have shown that at
very high doses, raspberry ketone alters
the metabolism to increase the rate at
which fat is burned. But there is no
evidence that this works in humans.
RATING
The spiky fruit of the
puncturevine plant
(Tribulus terrestris )
IS FOR IS FOR
T TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS V VITAMIN K2
Tribulus terrestris (puncturevine) is a Vitamin K is found in plants and
weed that produces small spiky fruits. is important for blood clotting and
Extracts of these fruits have been strong bones. K2 is the bacterial form
shown to increase testosterone levels of vitamin K and has similar effects in
in rodents. This doesn’t seem to happen humans when taken as a supplement.
in humans, though. Studies have failed There is good evidence that it slows the
to show significant improvements in rate of bone density loss in the elderly,
blood testosterone levels or muscle although less effectively than hormone
mass. A few small-scale studies have therapy in menopausal women. A few
shown a limited improvement in male studies have also shown that high doses
libido and erectile function. may be helpful in treating liver cancer.
RATING RATING
IS FOR
U UVA URSI
Spirulina is known The bearberry plant, Arctostaphylos
for being a good
uva ursi, produces fruit that contain
source of protein
IS FOR the hydroquinone compound arbutin.
S SPIRULINA This is an antibacterial that passes
Made from dried blue-green bacteria, into your urine and one study found
spirulina is a good source of protein it can be effective against urinary
(although it doesn’t contain any vitamin tract infections, but there is limited
B12). There are some lab studies that research into its effectiveness in
have shown possible immune system humans. Hydroquinones can also
boosting effects, but these haven’t been cause liver damage in high doses,
replicated in humans. One small-scale so using it for more than five days,
study found that spirulina was effective or more than five times in one year
at treating chronic arsenic poisoning. is not recommended.
Arctostaphylos uva
ursi, commonly
RATING RATING known as bearberry
70 BBC SCIENCE FOCUS MAGAZINE COLLECTION
