Two recent studies from the University of Reading in England found that artichoke leaf extract (ALE) could significantly benefit both mild dyspepsia (indigestion) and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The first study investigated the effects of low-dose ALE...
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Soy isoflavones: a menopause must?
In the last decade, soy has received tremendous attention as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy because of its rich supply of isoflavones — compounds that can positively affect both menopausal symptoms and bone loss. A research review by scientists at the...
Cut asthma risk with antioxidants
A study by scientists at the Institute of Preventive and Clinical Medicine in Slovakia found that people with asthma had lower levels of antioxidants than did healthy people. In this study, the levels of the antioxidants coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), beta-carotene and...
Prenatal vitamins strongly urged
Many pregnant women lack iron, magnesium and other important nutrients, according to researchers at the University of Florida. The researchers set out to determine whether nutrient intake from food alone was adequate across three trimesters. In this study, 63 low-risk...
Say goodbye to yeast infections
Vaginal yeast infections are among the most common reasons women seek medical attention. Properly termed candidal vaginitis, the condition is caused by an overgrowth of a species of fungus called candida albicans in and around the genitals. (While men can and do have...
Nutrition Notes: Low vitamin D costly
A lack of vitamin D — thought to be a problem of a bygone era — is showing up in growing numbers of women, children and the elderly, increasing the risk of bone disease and possibly other health problems. Exposing only the face, hands and forearms to sunlight for 10...
Longer study finds ginkgo effective
Researchers found significant improvement in verbal recall among a group of people with age-associated memory impairment who took the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba for six months when compared with a group that received a placebo. The small UCLA study used a...
Glutamine cuts stress infection
Physical stresses such as athletic exhaustion, injuries or surgical procedures often leave the body more susceptible to potentially dangerous infections. Research has shown that glutathione, the body’s own antioxidant which supports immunity and detoxification, is...
Calcium with D for better bones
Many Canadians lack sufficient vitamin D, partly because of our long, dark winters — a fact that has many experts concerned, since the body needs both calcium and vitamin D for optimum bone health. While calcium, available from milk products, beans and green leafy...
Cayenne creams ease pain and itch
Used in topical ointments and creams, cayenne (capsaicin) is known to be safe and effective for pain management in cases of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, as well as conditions affecting the nerves, including shingles. Studies show that pain and itch caused by...