Welcome to your summer wellness roundup from Pappas Health. In this edition, we bring you a powerful mix of cutting-edge breakthroughs and timeless natural remedies to support your health journey. Discover the latest developments in early ovarian cancer detection, the anti-cancer potential of apigenin, and the calming science of chamomile tea. Learn how low-dose colchicine is reshaping cardiovascular care, explore natural ways to lower inflammation markers like CRP, and find out how simple calf exercises and morning sunlight can transform your metabolism and mood. Dive into the latest research and practical tools to help you live stronger, longer, and healthier—this season and beyond.
Greetings to all. We have another interesting group of articles and information for your summer reading.
- Blood test for early ovarian cancer detection.
- Apigenin, a flavonoid, inhibits prostate cancer cells.
- Chamomile tea – great for mind, body, and neuroinflammation.
- Low-dose colchicine for atherosclerosis.
- Natural ways to improve CRP- inflammation.
- Calf muscle exercises lower blood glucose.
- The science behind early morning light.
Blood Test Marks Breakthrough in Early Ovarian Cancer Detection
Hot off the presses from the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting. An Australian biotech company has developed a unique test that showed great ability to detect ovarian cancer at various stages, including early-stage 1. More studies are being prepared while they look for FDA approval as they partner with a US laboratory. This especially hits home for me as my mother passed away from Ovarian Cancer, a notoriously difficult illness to screen for.
Australian biotech firm INOVIQ (ASX:IIQ) announced results for its EXO-OC ovarian cancer test at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago.
The innovative screening tool demonstrated 77% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity in detecting ovarian cancer across all stages, with 100% detection of early-stage (1 and 2) cancers and no missed diagnoses.
This advancement marks a potential game-changer in women’s health, addressing a major unmet need in ovarian cancer detection.
Currently, no screening test exists for average-risk, asymptomatic women.
Apigenin, a commonly found plant flavonoid, inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells
Apigenin impedes cell cycle progression at G2 phase in prostate cancer cells
A natural flavone, apigenin is present in a variety of food items and exhibits numerous beneficial effects including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial activities.
It is a major component of the Mediterranean diet, which has been shown to be associated with lower incidence of many human diseases including cancer.
Apigenin: Top 9 Benefits of the Most Widely Distributed Plant Flavonoid
Apigenin is found in high amounts in parsley, celery, chamomile, artichokes, and oregano, to name a few. Based on the animal studies, it is estimated that the human equivalent dose is about 120 mg and is found as a supplement as well:
P.D. Mangan @Mangan150
Apigenin taken orally inhibits growth of prostate cancer cells in cancer-inoculated mice. Human equivalent dose ~120 mg/day. OTC supplement.
A good brand is found at Nootropics Depot, both in capsule and powder form.
Chamomile: 7 Benefits For The Mind And Body
Chamomile has been used for centuries as a traditional remedy for various health issues in Greece, Rome, ancient Egypt, and China.
It is commonly consumed as a tea, but it is also found in other forms, such as essential oils, capsules, and skincare products.
Chamomile is known for its calming and relaxing properties and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It often alleviates anxiety, improves sleep quality, and soothes digestive issues.
Under the category of “Grandma Knows Best,” one of my fondest memories is of my grandmother touting the many benefits of chamomile tea. Science has confirmed her wisdom. From being a good source of Apigenin (as referenced above) and having anticancer properties, to the benefits of the whole tea, which has countless other advantages and value. Most interesting to me may be its support in helping to ease stress, improve sleep, and lower neuroinflammation. One interesting study demonstrated the tea’s ability to block monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced toxicity in animals, and is one of the reasons I will often drink the tea after eating out.
As a sleep aid, I find it pairs well when sweetened with glycine or collagen, magnesium, inositol, L-theanine, and taurine. All together or by themselves, these ingredients pair well with chamomile tea and aid in turning off the brain and leading to a deeper sleep.
Here are some of our favorites on Fullscript
Low-dose colchicine for atherosclerosis
Studies leading to the drug’s market clearance demonstrated it can reduce coronary inflammation and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, coronary revascularization and cardiovascular death in adult patients with established atherosclerotic disease or with multiple risk factors for CVD. The drug, at a dose of .5mg, was shown to reduce the risk of cardiac events by 31% on top of statin medications, the current standard of care.
[The dosage for acute gout is .6mg to 1.2 mg. The medicine is marketed under the name Lodoco at .5mg.] Patients with kidney failure or severe liver disease should not take this drug. Patients should temporarily stop taking colchicine if prescribed certain drugs like azithromycin or ketoconazole as these medications should not be taken simultaneously.
“The data are very clear cut—CRP really matters. And it is really surprising to me how few of my colleagues measure CRP at all … You measure LDL so you know what you are doing and you measure blood pressure so you know what you are doing. If you are not measuring CRP, you don’t even know who in the clinic has this residual inflammatory risk problem,” Ridker explained to Cardiovascular Business. “You need to measure CRP just like you measure LDL and blood pressure.”
Natural Ways To Lower C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
As exciting as it is to know that a well-known and common medicine can lower inflammation in patients with heart disease, it is important to know that there are many well-studied ways to help lower inflammation (CRP). Here are some examples of good articles reviewing much of this research. The usual suspects are here – from an anti-inflammatory diet, to exercise, weight loss, good sleep, and common supplements like fish oil, curcumin, ginger, vitamin C, and vitamin D, to name a few.
10 Supplements To Reduce C-reactive Protein (CRP)
How To Lower CRP Safely With Supplements
12 natural ways to protect your heart and lower your CRP
12+ Ways To Lower C Reactive Protein (CRP)
Optimism and lower CRP
interesting information that those with pessimism and lower self-rated health had higher inflammation markers.
In a study with over 6.8k people, inflammatory markers including CRP were increased in those prone to pessimism [31].
In another study, lower self-rated health was associated with elevated CRP even among apparently healthy individuals (over 13.7k participants) [32].
Finally, in a third study, poor self-rated health was significantly associated with elevated CRP levels in over 11k women [33].
Soleus (calf) muscle exercises can lower blood glucose and improve metabolism
One of the best young minds on longevity and health is Siim Land – an anthropologist, speaker, and author who is very knowledgeable with practical ideas on health and longevity.
Here’s his take on an underappreciated muscle group that can be trained at any time, especially when sitting:
The soleus muscle underneath the calves is called the second heart because it helps with blood circulation back up to the heart
A 2022 study also found that stimulating the soleus can have significant benefits on your glucose metabolism
Blood flow from the feet back up is difficult because it has to fight against gravity
The soleus muscle helps to return deoxygenated blood back to the heart and prevents it from pooling in the legs
That’s one of the reasons why sitting or standing for too long can be harmful
The soleus pushup is an amazing exercise for “pumping the second heart.”
It’s basically a seated calf raise that you can do while sitting
A 2002 study found that people doing soleus pushups for several hours saw a 52% lower glucose response and 60% less hyperinsulinemia after an oral glucose challenge. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36034224/
The Science Behind Morning Sunlight’s Healing Effects
Ever wonder why the morning sun feels so good? Well, it turns out that sunlight triggers some benefits that can kickstart your day and last until bedtime. Sunlight in the morning holds several health benefits due to its impact on our body’s internal clock, hormone regulation, and overall mood. Here’s why sunlight is particularly helpful in the morning.
The Science Behind Morning Sunlight’s Healing Effects
The 15-Minute Morning Ritual That Could Add 2 Years to Your Life
The ideal time is to get sunlight within the first 2 hours of sunrise.
Yours in health-
Dr. Sam Pappas and the Pappas Health team
