Diabetics, who have a tendency toward high cholesterol, may benefit the most from increased intake of plant sterols. Experts in cholesterol management now recommend an intake of 1.3 grams of phytosterols (plant sterols) per day to help lower dietary cholesterol...
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Not just weight loss: Chromium also lowers heart attack risk
Chromium is a trace element that helps balance blood sugar and may aid in weight loss. New research suggests that chromium deficiency is linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, and that the mineral may aid in healthy cholesterol levels. Researchers from Johns...
‘Male Menopause’: Diet, exercise and supplement choices can all help ease a man’s mid-life change.
Lack of energy, weight gain, loss of libido, mild depression and hot flashes. We’re talking about menopause, right? Well, sort of. But the “change of life” experienced by many middle-aged men is more appropriately termed “andropause,” say medical experts. According to...
New Breast Cancer Fighter: Kelp lowers dangerous hormone
A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has found that a diet containing kelp seaweed lowered levels of the potent sex hormone estradiol in rats, and raised hopes that it might decrease the risk of estrogen-dependent diseases such as...
Moms-to-Be: Vitamin linked to healthy birth weight
Mothers-to-be with lower levels of the vitamin folic acid in their body during early pregnancy are more likely to have babies with lower, or less healthy, birth weights, a study has revealed. Conversely, researchers, who examined nearly 1,000 women and their newborn...
Melatonin: Cancer Role? Canadian researchers urge more studies
Melatonin may have a role in the treatment of cancer, according to a new study published in the Journal of Pineal Research. Researchers say that the results are so compelling that cancer funding agencies should be eager to support clinical trials to evaluate its...
Melatonin and Light for Jet Lag: Travellers, shift workers can easily reset internal clocks
A simple, at-home treatment - a single light box and a melatonin supplement - allows travellers to avoid jet lag by resetting their circadian body clock over several days before crossing several time zones, according to new research. Both bright light and melatonin...
Many Women Lack D: Finding underscores need for education, say researchers
Low vitamin D status often may be overlooked by doctors, leading to inadequate vitamin D supplementation in patients with osteoporosis, say researchers. A study of 1,554 postmenopausal women showed that 52% of these women had suboptimal vitamin D concentrations. Most...
Herbs for Kids: Researchers review data on effectiveness of remedies for kids
A study in the March issue of The Journal of Pediatrics reviews the medical literature to provide information about the effectiveness of some of the most common herbal supplements for children. Researchers reviewed studies published from 1960-2003 that tested the...
Herb Helps Migraine: Butterbur found to be effective preventative
People who suffer migraine headaches may have an alternative to prescription drugs and painkillers, report a team of international scientists. They evaluated the effectiveness of a standardized root extract from the butterbur plant (Petasites hybridus) as a preventive...