Blog

Little Signs of Thyroid Disease – and big mistakes in diagnosis & treatment

It’s estimated that 1 in 10 Canadians have some type of thyroid disease, whether that’s hypothyroidism (under-functioning), hyperthyroidism (over-functioning), or autoimmune thyroid diseases like Graves’ and Hashimoto’s. In honour of thyroid health month this June, let’s dive into the symptoms, assessment methods, causes and natural supports for thyroid health.

B-vitamin cuts Alzheimer’s risk

Vitamin B-3 (niacin) may protect against the development of Alzheimer’s disease and the cognitive decline associated with aging, say researchers who studied almost 4,000 people aged 65 and older. Dietary questionnaires revealed that those with the lowest intake of...

Lutein shines in aging vision trials

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in aging Western societies. Cataracts occur when protein in the eye lens becomes damaged, clouding vision. Two recent studies indicate that lutein, a type of carotenoid, can actually help...

Tea tree for dandruff and bad breath

Those with a dandruff problem may find help with tea tree oil, say researchers at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia. Since tea tree oil has antifungal properties and dandruff is related to the yeast Pityrosporum ovale, the researchers theorized that tea...

Help cut cholesterol with green tea

In a trial at the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, researchers set out to determine if green tea consumption, which has been associated with decreased cardiovascular risk, had any impact on cholesterol levels. In...

Milk thistle has anticancer benefits

Silibinin, found in milk thistle extract, is a naturally occurring flavonoid shown to have promising anticancer activity. At the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, researchers found that silibinin was beneficial for bladder cancer. Targeting a...

Smart Fats: brain food for all ages

The human brain is mostly fat, and good fat at that! To develop, grow and protect itself properly, the brain relies on us to give it a steady supply of this good fat, which cannot be made by the body but must come through the diet. However, most of us don’t give our...

Green tea inhibits cancer cells

Recent studies have reported that polyphenols, compounds found in green tea, may offer protection against certain cancers and may aid in the destruction of cancer cells. Now, Mayo Clinic researchers have found that another component in green tea helps kill the most...

Nutrition Notes: The price of junk food

A new report on our eating habits reveals that almost a quarter of the calories we consume comes from nutrient-poor selections — better known as “junk food.” According to survey responses, soft drinks are the number one source of calories. They accounted for 7.1% of...

Oregano oil beats bacteria, yeast

Multiple studies from around the world indicate that oil of oregano is a potent, all-purpose antibacterial, antifungal agent that can kill infections. Scientists from Georgetown University Medical Center, led by Dr Harry Preuss, tested the effects of oil of oregano on...

MSM-glucosamine best for joint pain

For adults taking either MSM or glucosamine for their arthritis pain, a new study from India says a combination of both nutrients provides the most potent relief. This is important news for the millions of North Americans that suffer from long-term health problems due...