Monosodium glutamate (MSG), commonly used as a flavor enhancer, has been controversially linked to headaches for decades. Key Facts: Human studies linking MSG to headaches have inconsistent findings, especially when MSG is consumed with food. Studies in which MSG reportedly causes headaches often have methodological flaws like inadequate blinding due to MSG’s strong taste. MSG …
Research suggests that metformin may reduce weight gain associated with antipsychotic medications. Key facts: Antipsychotics are linked to weight gain, especially clozapine and olanzapine. Metformin may counteract antipsychotic-induced weight gain through effects on insulin resistance and appetite. Study found metformin reduced mean weight gain on antipsychotics from 2.5 kg to -0.04 kg. Younger patients ages …
The imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the modern Western diet may be fueling a host of chronic inflammatory conditions. Key Facts: The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids has increased from 4:1 to as high as 20:1 over the past century. High omega-6 intake and low omega-3 promotes inflammation, while omega-3s …
Pantoprazole and Omeprazole are medications classified as proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and are commonly prescribed for the management of medical conditions in which stomach acid reduction is of therapeutic benefit. Chemists at Byk Gulden, a subsidiary of Altana (a German chemical company), are credited with the synthesis of pantoprazole in 1985 – whereas Swedish chemists at …
Lexapro (escitalopram) and Prozac (fluoxetine) are two medications within the selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) classification that are commonly administered for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. The development of Lexapro (escitalopram) was initiated in 1997 by Lundbeck and Forest Laboratories – whereas the development of Prozac (fluoxetine) was initiated in the 1970s by chemists (Bryan Molloy …
Lyrica (pregabalin) and Neurontin (gabapentin) are both classified as “gabapentinoids” (i.e. α2δ ligands). As gabapentinoids, Lyrica (pregabalin) and Neurontin (gabapentin) are chemical analogues of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) that interact with α2δ subunit-containing voltage-dependent calcium channels. Development of gabapentin (Neurontin) was initiated in the 1970s by chemists at the pharmaceutical company Parke-Davis – …
Celexa (citalopram) and Lexapro (escitalopram) are chemically-analogous medications within the selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) classification that are regularly prescribed for the management of neuropsychiatric disorders. Chemically, Celexa contains enantiomers S-citalopram and R-citalopram – whereas Lexapro solely contains S-citalopram (hence its chemical name “es-citalopram”). The chemical “citalopram” (Celexa) was originally synthesized in 1972 by scientists at …