Oxidation, or free-radical damage, is the main force behind what we call aging. It wrinkles our skin, clouds our vision and may even clog our arteries. It can also lead to diseases such as arthritis, cataracts, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and cancer. Free radicals get...
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Women and Cancer: Calcium may offer protection
A University of Minnesota Cancer Center study found that women consuming more than 800 mg of calcium each day reduced their risk of colorectal cancer by as much as 26 to 46%. A 26% reduction in risk of colorectal cancer occurred regardless of whether the calcium...
Vitamin D and the Sun: Dermatology association provides guidelines
There has been some confusion about the amount of sun exposure required to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D, according to the Canadian Dermatology Association. "People are hearing many different recommendations, some of which can be misleading," says Dr Cheryl...
Trace Mineral Speeds Healing: Vanadium may help recovery from infections
Dietary supplements containing vanadium are used by body builders to help beef up muscles and by some diabetic people to control blood sugar. New research now suggests the naturally occurring element may help prepare the body to recover speedily from infections from...
To Shed Pounds, Go Vegan: Study finds plant-based diet effective in weight loss
A low-fat, plant-based diet is more effective at helping women lose weight and improve insulin sensitivity than an omnivorous diet, shows a new study on 59 overweight, postmenopausal women. In the study, conducted by Neal D. Barnard, MD, half of the participants...
The Tomato Effect: Lycopene curbs cancer cell growth
Lycopene is a nutrient found in tomatoes and other fruits that has been researched for its preventative effects in both cardiovascular disease and cancer. A recent study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food demonstrated that lycopene supplements decreased the...
The Toe Knows! Low selenium in toenails may point to arthritis risk
Insufficient levels of selenium in the body may be associated with a higher frequency of knee osteoarthritis, according to new research. Past studies have indicated that, in a particular area of China, severe shortages of selenium in the body may lead to early-onset...
The Gluten Connection: Celiac disease related to osteoporosis, researchers find
Rates of celiac disease are significantly higher in patients with osteoporosis, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. They recommend using blood tests to screen osteoporosis patients for celiac disease because their study...
The B for Your Bones: Low vitamin B-12 levels linked to osteoporosis
New research conducted by Katherine Tucker, PhD, of Tufts University, examined dietary factors in relation to osteoporosis and uncovered a positive association between vitamin B-12 and bone health. In other words, the authors conclude that vitamin B-12 deficiency may...
The Anti-Aging Oat? Beta-glucan study suggests skin benefits
The fight against aging has received a scientific boost thanks to research that dispels a hard-held belief about the natural ingredient, beta-glucan. The study is the first to show that the oat beta-glucan can penetrate the skin despite years of doctors and scientists...