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...
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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...
Herb Helps Drinkers: Kudzu reduces alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers
An extract of the kudzu vine may help heavy drinkers drink less, according to a new study. In a unique laboratory designed to look like a relaxing studio apartment, complete with satellite television and a beer-stocked refrigerator, 14 men and women drank fewer beers...
Herb for Hay Fever: Butterbur extract equal to antihistamine, says study
The largest trial so far conducted using butterbur extract to treat hay fever shows that this plant extract is as effective as a commonly used antihistamine. In recent years there have been a few reports of small research trials that give a mixed view about the...
Herb for Depression: Patients report better results with St John’s wort than with drug
An extract from the herb St John's wort is at least as effective in treating depression as a commonly prescribed anti-depressant, according to new research published on bmj.com, the website of the British Medical Journal. St John's wort and the anti-depressant drug...
Herb Compound Used to Kill Cancer Cells: Wormwood derivative highly successful
Researchers at the University of Washington have blended the past with the present in the fight against cancer, synthesizing a promising new compound from an ancient Chinese remedy. The substance, artemisinin, is derived from the wormwood plant and has been used in...