Research.
Every peer-reviewed study on fascia in one place — graded for strength of evidence, summarised in plain language for clinicians, researchers, and curious patients.
We grade studies from A to 1A+++ using the Fascia Research Database rubric — 1A+++ is the strongest.
Perspective: Vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity –plausibly linked by latitude, ethnicity, impacts on cytokines,ACE2 and thrombosis
This narrative review explores the potential link between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of COVID-19. The authors observed that countries at higher latitudes, with less sun exposure, had higher COVID-19 mortality…
An anatomical comparison of the fasciae of the thigh: A macroscopic, microscopic and ultrasound imaging study
Researchers compared the thigh's fascial layers using three methods: dissection of cadavers, microscopic analysis, and ultrasound imaging of living volunteers. They identified distinct layers, including a superficial fa…
The feasibility and impact of instrument-assisted manual therapy (IAMT) for the lower back on the structural and functional properties of the lumbar area in female soccer players: a randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study design
This is a protocol for a pilot study designed to investigate the feasibility and impact of instrument-assisted manual therapy (IAMT) for the lower back in female soccer players. The researchers plan to compare IAMT with…
Gut Microbiota and Cardiovascular Disease
This review explores how the gut microbiota influences cardiovascular health through the production of specific metabolic byproducts. Research suggests that the link is not merely associative; certain bacterial metaboli…
Diet as a Modulator of Intestinal Microbiota in Rheumatoid Arthritis
This narrative review explores how dietary patterns can influence the gut microbiota in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Research indicates that RA patients often exhibit significant differences in their inte…
Effects of Cesarean Section and Vaginal Delivery on Abdominal Muscles and Fasciae
This study used ultrasound to compare the abdominal muscles and fascia of women who had a C-section, a vaginal delivery, or had never given birth. Researchers found that both types of delivery were associated with chang…
Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials
This meta-analysis of five randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluated the impact of oral collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms. The findings suggest that collagen may help reduce the overall disea…
Fermented Foods: Definitions and Characteristics, Impact on the Gut Microbiota and Effects on Gastrointestinal Health and Disease
This narrative review examines how fermented foods such as kefir, kombucha, and sourdough bread affect gut health and the microbiota. The authors describe how the fermentation process creates bioactive compounds and pot…
Fasting-Mimicking Diet Modulates Microbiota and Promotes Intestinal Regeneration to Reduce Inflammatory Bowel Disease Pathology
This study investigates how cycles of a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) affect inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in both mice and humans. In animal models, FMD cycles reduced intestinal inflammation, encouraged the growth o…
Cannabidiol differentially regulates basal and LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages, lung epithelial cells, and fibroblasts
This laboratory study investigated how cannabidiol (CBD) influences inflammatory responses in lung epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells. The researchers found that CBD can reduce inflammation triggered by ext…
New Insights of Uterine Leiomyoma Pathogenesis: Endocannabinoid System
This study investigated the role of the endocannabinoid system in the development of uterine leiomyomas, commonly known as fibroids. Researchers analyzed tissue samples and found that the expression of specific receptor…
Is It All About the Fascia? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Prevalence of Extramuscular Connective Tissue Lesions in Muscle Strain Injury
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined how often connective tissue is damaged in athletic muscle strains. Researchers analyzed 16 imaging studies and found that lesions to the fascia and tendons are highly pr…
Tentorium Cerebelli: the Bridge Between the Central and Peripheral Nervous System, Part 2
This article, the second in a series, describes the tentorium cerebelli—a meningeal structure related to the skull, nervous system, and cervical spine. The authors discuss its complex relationships, including its neurol…
The Endocannabinoid/Endovanilloid System in Bone: From Osteoporosis to Osteosarcoma
Bone is a dynamic tissue, whose homeostasis is maintained by a fine balance between osteoclast (OC) and osteoblast (OB) activity. The endocannabinoid/endovanilloid (EC/EV) system's receptors are the cannabinoid receptor…
Vitamin C: an essential “stress hormone” during sepsis
The body's stress response involves hormones like cortisol and catecholamines, but in most mammals, it also includes increased production of vitamin C. These substances work together to protect the body from damage duri…
A comparative multi-site and whole-body assessment of fascia in the horse and dog: a detailed histological investigation
This animal study compared the microscopic structure of fascia in horses and dogs across multiple body regions. Researchers found that horse fascia is generally tight and dense, while dog fascia is looser and more simil…
An extravascular fluid transport system based on structural framework of fibrous connective tissues in human body
Researchers investigated a potential fluid transport system within the body's fibrous connective tissues, separate from blood and lymphatic vessels. Using fluorescent tracers in cadavers and MRI in volunteers, they visu…
Active interfacial dynamic transport of fluid in a network of fibrous connective tissues throughout the whole body
Interstitial fluid, the fluid in the spaces between our cells, has long been thought to move only over short distances. This study proposes a different view, suggesting that a network of fibrous connective tissues acts…
Tentorium Cerebelli: Muscles, Ligaments, and Dura Mater, Part 1
In this narrative review, the authors describe the anatomy of the tentorium cerebelli, part of the reciprocal tension membranes that divide areas of the brain. They highlight its connections to the dura mater, ligaments…
Daily oral dosing of vitamin D3 using 5000 TO 50,000 international units a day in long-term hospitalized patients: Insights from a seven year experience
This observational study followed long-term hospitalized patients over seven years to evaluate the safety of high daily doses of vitamin D3. Patients received supplements ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 international units…
Vitamin C and Neutrophil Function: Findings from Randomized Controlled Trials
This systematic review examined how vitamin C supplementation affects neutrophils, a key type of immune cell. Researchers analyzed 16 randomized controlled trials that measured neutrophil functions like their ability to…
Cannabis sativa L. extract and cannabidiol inhibit in vitro mediators of skin inflammation and wound injury
This in vitro study investigated how Cannabis sativa extract and its component cannabidiol (CBD) affect inflammation in human skin cells. Researchers found that both the extract and pure CBD reduced the release of sever…
Drinking hydrogen water enhances endurance and relieves psychometric fatigue: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of drinking hydrogen-infused water (H2 water) before exercise. Across two experiments involving both untrained and trained participants on…
Protein synthesis rates of muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, and bone tissue in vivo in humans
This study measured protein synthesis rates directly in various human knee joint tissues for the first time. Researchers collected samples from muscle, tendon, ligaments, cartilage, and bone during total knee replacemen…
Vitamin C administration in the critically ill: a summary of recent meta-analyses
This 2019 publication is a summary of recent meta-analyses on the topic of vitamin C administration for critically ill patients. As the full text has not yet been reviewed, a detailed summary of its findings is not avai…
Future Aspects for Cannabinoids in Breast Cancer Therapy
This scientific review explores how cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, may influence breast cancer beyond their established role in palliative care for pain and nausea. Research suggests that cannabinoids might decelera…
Sagittal plane fore hoof unevenness is associated with fore and hindlimb asymmetrical force vectors in the sagittal and frontal planes
Unevenness in a horse's fore hooves, defined by differences in the dorsal hoof wall angle, affects how force is distributed across both the fore and hindlimbs. This study of 34 riding horses found that hooves with a ste…
Improvement of Functional Ankle Properties Following Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides in Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability
This randomized, placebo-controlled study investigated the effect of specific collagen peptides on athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Fifty athletes received either a daily collagen supplement or a placebo f…
Effects of Plantar Vibration on Bone and Deep Fascia in a Rat Hindlimb Unloading Model of Disuse
This animal study investigated how disuse affects deep fascia and bone, and whether vibration could counteract these effects. Researchers used a rat model where hindlimbs were unloaded for 21 days to simulate disuse, wh…
The laterality of the gallop gait in Thoroughbred racehorses
This observational study investigated whether Thoroughbred racehorses have a preferred leading leg when transitioning from a halt to a gallop in starting stalls. Analyzing over 2,000 horses, researchers found no overall…
Cannabis sativa L. and Nonpsychoactive Cannabinoids: Their Chemistry and Role against Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cancer
This narrative review explores the chemical properties and health effects of non-psychoactive compounds found in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), focusing primarily on cannabidiol (CBD). The research suggests that CBD acts as…
Applied Myo-Fascial Advances in Veterinary Medicine and Practice
This review article summarizes recent advances in veterinary medicine with a focus on myofascia. It presents findings on the structure and function of these interconnected tissues, highlighting the benefits of treating…
Anatomical and Functional Relationships Between External Abdominal Oblique Muscle and Posterior Layer of Thoracolumbar Fascia
This study investigated the anatomical connection between the external abdominal oblique muscle (EO) and the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) in the low back. Using both cadaveric dissection and CT scans, researchers found a…
Evidence is stronger than you think: a meta-analysis of vitamin C use in patients with sepsis
This commentary presents a meta-analysis of research on using vitamin C to treat sepsis. It builds upon two previous reviews by pooling their data for a combined statistical analysis. The aggregated results indicated a…
Depression and anxiety in patients with chronic heart failure
In this review article, the authors discuss the connection between chronic heart failure (CHF), mental health, and diaphragm function. CHF is a serious, progressive condition often accompanied by depression and anxiety.…
Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of daily low-molecular-weight collagen peptide (LMWCP) supplementation on the skin of 64 women. Over 12 weeks, researchers measured skin hydr…
Effects of local vibration therapy on various performance parameters: a narrative literature review
This narrative literature review examines how local muscle vibration (LMV) affects performance parameters such as strength, power, and range of motion. By applying vibrations directly to a specific muscle or tendon, LMV…
Resveratrol: A Double-Edged Sword in Health Benefits
This narrative review explores resveratrol, a natural polyphenol found in grape skins, red wine, and various plants. Research suggests that this compound possesses significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiop…
Fascial tissue research in sports medicine: from molecules to tissue adaptation, injury and diagnostics: consensus statement
This consensus statement reviews the current state of knowledge on fascial tissue in sports medicine. It describes fascia as a body-wide network of connective tissue that integrates all body systems and is crucial for m…
Effect of Health-Promoting Agents on Exclusion-Zone Size
This experimental study investigated how various health-promoting agents affect the formation of "exclusion zone" (EZ) water, often referred to as the fourth phase of water. Researchers found that substances such as hol…
Exclusion zone and heterogeneous water structure at ambient temperature
This study investigates how water interacts with hydrophilic surfaces to form "exclusion zones" (EZ)—regions where water is more structured and dense than bulk water. Researchers found that water can form three-dimensio…
Low-Intensity Vibration Improves Muscle Healing in a Mouse Model of Laceration Injury
In this animal study, researchers investigated if low-intensity vibration (LIV) could improve healing of lacerated calf muscles in mice. The mice were divided into groups that received daily vibration treatment and a co…
Structure and Distribution of an Unrecognized Interstitium in Human Tissues
Using a new imaging technique, researchers identified a previously unrecognized, fluid-filled structure within the body's connective tissues. This network of collagen bundles and fluid-filled spaces, which they term the…
The kinetics of gut microbial community composition in patients with irritable bowel syndrome following fecal microbiota transplantation
This clinical study investigated how fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) affects gut bacteria and symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Thirteen patients received stool from healthy donors via gas…
Dietary emulsifiers directly alter human microbiota composition and gene expression ex vivo potentiating intestinal inflammation
This study investigated how common food additives, specifically the emulsifiers polysorbate 80 (P80) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), affect the gut microbiota. Using a laboratory model of the human intestinal ecosyste…
The deep fascia and retinacula of the equine forelimb - structure and innervation
This study investigated the deep fascia and its reinforcements (retinacula) in the equine forelimb using anatomical dissection and microscopic analysis. The researchers found that horse fascia is structurally similar to…
Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D Activation and Function
In this scientific review, the authors discuss how magnesium and vitamin D work together in the body. Magnesium acts as a cofactor, meaning it helps activate the enzymes that metabolize vitamin D in the liver and kidney…
Vitamin C Status Correlates with Markers of Metabolic and Cognitive Health in 50-Year-Olds: Findings of the CHALICE Cohort Study
This cohort study examined vitamin C status in 404 fifty-year-olds in New Zealand. Researchers measured the concentration of vitamin C in participants' blood plasma as well as their dietary intake. The results showed th…
Therapeutic effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for soft tissue injury: mechanisms and practical application
This narrative review explores the mechanisms and practical use of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) for treating soft tissue injuries. IASTM involves using specialized tools to apply mechanical press…
Activation of type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) by selective agonists regulates the deposition and remodelling of the extracellular matrix
This in vitro study investigated how activating the type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) affects scar formation in eye connective tissue after surgery. Researchers found that human Tenon’s fibroblasts express these recept…
Resveratrol regulates body weight in healthy and ovariectomized rats
This animal study on rats investigated how the plant compound resveratrol affects body weight in both healthy subjects and those who had undergone ovariectomy, a model for menopause. The results suggest that resveratrol…
Resveratrol Treatment Normalizes the Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Ovariectomized Rats
This animal study on rats investigated how resveratrol affects blood pressure and vascular function during estrogen deficiency, mimicking post-menopausal conditions. Researchers found that a lack of estrogen led to high…
Shielding of the geomagnetic field reduces hydrogen peroxide production in human neuroblastoma cell and inhibits the activity of CuZn superoxide dismutase
This study investigates how an extremely weak magnetic field, similar to conditions in outer space or shielded environments on Earth, affects human cells. Researchers found that shielding the natural geomagnetic field r…
Fasting-mimicking diet and markers/risk factors for aging, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease
This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) on risk factors for age-related diseases in 100 healthy participants. For five consecutive days each month over a three-month perio…
Electric Nutrition: The Surprising Health and Healing Benefits of Biological Grounding (Earthing)
This narrative review summarizes research on grounding (earthing), which involves direct physical contact with the Earth's surface. The authors suggest that grounding may provide a form of "electric nutrition" with pote…
Proinflammatory Cytokines and Oxidative Stress Decrease the Transport of Dopamine Precursor Tyrosine in Human Fibroblasts
This laboratory study investigated how inflammation and oxidative stress affect the transport of the amino acid tyrosine in human fibroblasts, a type of connective tissue cell. Tyrosine is a crucial precursor for the ne…
Early versus Delayed Rehabilitation after Acute Muscle Injury
This research entry, titled "Early versus Delayed Rehabilitation after Acute Muscle Injury," is currently awaiting a detailed summary. The title suggests it explores the optimal timing for starting rehabilitation follow…
Fasting-Mimicking Diet Promotes Ngn3-Driven β-Cell Regeneration to Reverse Diabetes
This study, involving mice and human pancreatic cells, explores how cycles of a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) may influence the pancreas's ability to produce insulin. Researchers found that the diet appears to activate g…
Resveratrol supplementation reduces pain experience by postmenopausal women
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated whether resveratrol supplementation could reduce pain and improve well-being in postmenopausal women. Over 14 weeks, participants taking 75 mg of resv…
Resveratrol attenuated estrogen-deficient-induced cardiac dysfunction: role of AMPK, SIRT1, and mitochondrial function
This animal study investigated how resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red grapes, affects cardiac function in estrogen-deficient mice. Researchers found that resveratrol supplementation significantly improved heart co…