Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a slightly altered form of the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid. It occurs naturally in dairy products and meats from grass-fed animals such as beef and lamb. However, changes in animal feeding practices and antibiotic use over the...
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Low B-12 in seniors common and risky
It is estimated that up to 15% of those over age 60 have varying degrees of B-12 deficiency. The longer their deficiency goes undetected, the longer their brains and nervous systems will undergo progressive deterioration, culminating in a greater risk for the...
Ginkgo boosts brain function and more
Ginkgo contains two potent compounds — terpene lactones and flavone glycosides — which make blood platelets less sticky and combat free radical damage. Ginkgo is commonly used as an antioxidant to help improve circulation and brain function. At the Department of...
For women, fatigue may signal low iron
Iron is a critical nutrient needed to supply oxygen to the cells and tissues and to help produce brain chemicals, amino acids and hormones. Iron deficiency can result in anemia, a condition that causes fatigue, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. The General...
Can maitake mushroom supplements help cancer patients?
This was the question posed by researchers at Kobe Pharmaceutical University in Japan. Maitake mushroom has been used for centuries in Asia as an “adaptogen” — a remedy that helps keep many body systems in balance. Several animal studies have supported the use of a...
Niacin a winner in cholesterol studies
At the Jefferson Heart Institute at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, researchers found that niacin (vitamin B-3) could benefit people with high cholesterol. In this study, 60 patients were given either 1,000 mg of niacin, 2,000 mg of niacin (slow-release)...
Fish Oils: Healthy hearts and minds!
The list of health conditions that can improve with essential fatty acid (EFA) supplementation is well over 60 and growing by the day as new research continues to uncover benefits. The omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA),...
Ovarian cancer and diet
New research on ovarian cancer, one of the five most deadly cancers among women in developed countries, suggests that a balanced plant-based diet may help in its prevention. The National Cancer Institute says this strategy is important since ovarian cancer often...
Creatine helps muscular dystrophy
Researchers have found that creatine boosts muscle strength and stamina and prevents joint stiffness in boys with muscular dystrophy — a genetic disease of progressive muscle weakness. Creatine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body and provides energy. It...
Whether juice or pill, cranberry works!
The Kidney Foundation of Canada says Canadian women make about 500,000 visits to doctors each year to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). For years, scientists knew that cranberry could help prevent UTIs but could not explain why. Then in 1984, a researcher...