According to a study in this month's American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women with the highest plasma levels of the antioxidant lycopene had a 34% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), compared to women with lower plasma levels of the nutrient. The study...
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Lower Heart Attack Risk: Low-fat, high-fibre diet and exercise are key
UCLA scientists report that a diet low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, augmented with daily exercise, significantly reduced C-reactive protein levels in study participants. High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood indicate...
Long Flight? Pycnogenol found to reduce deep vein thrombosis
Pycnogenol, a patented extract of French maritime pine bark, appears to protect against deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and conditions associated with long-haul flights, say researchers. DVT is caused by a blood clot that partially or completely blocks blood flow in a...
Nutrition Notes: The Magnesium Link
We know our dietary choices affect our health risks, but recent studies highlight a reason we probably wouldn’t think of: adequate amounts of magnesium could reduce the risk of diabetes by 10% to 34%. In a study of over 39,000 women, those who were getting the most...
Smokers can boost oral health
In a study at the University at Buffalo’s Periodontal Research Center, researchers showed that giving smokers a supplement containing the antioxidant vitamins C and E and grape seed extract improved the response to gum disease treatment. The researchers reported...
Lycopene: why women should care
Lycopene, a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, pink grapefruit and apricots, has earned a reputation for its role in the prevention of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer. Now women may be taking an interest in lycopene, especially those at risk for...
Antioxidants aid thyroid disease
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the excess production of thyroid hormones, or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, anxiety and high blood pressure. Goiters and damage to the eyes and skin are also common. Women are most prone...
Sage helps menopause and memory
Menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, insomnia, night sweating, dizziness, headaches and palpitations. These symptoms reflect the body’s efforts to adapt to estrogen deprivation. In a study at the Universita degli Studi-Siena in Italy, researchers studied the...
Supplements improve male infertility
Fertility problems affect about one in six couples and 30% of cases are linked to improper sperm production. For couples with this issue, two recent studies highlight the benefits of nutritional supplements. At the University of Ancona in Italy, a pilot study examined...
GERD be gone! Herbs for heartburn
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder of the esophagus and is the most common reason for heartburn. GERD occurs when a muscular ring called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weakened, which allows irritating, acidic stomach contents to pass up...