The RDA for iron in men is 8 mg—for women, it’s 18 mg. The body uses iron in two key areas: to transport oxygen to tissue and cells, and to make hemoglobin for red blood cells. Insufficient iron causes anemia, a condition where the body produces fewer than normal red...
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Diabetes: Finding a healthy balance
Diabetes is a serious and growing health problem in the Western world. Recent figures put the estimate at about 5% of the population, of which 90% is type II or adult-onset diabetes. This type is thought to be most related to diet and lifestyle choices. Though there...
Omega fats may reduce diabetes risk
Scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center report that DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, may improve insulin resistance in overweight individuals. Insulin resistance is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Researcher Yvonne Denkins,...
Cut breast cancer risk
A new study provides evidence that certain nutrients found in vegetables may help protect against breast cancer. Women with high blood levels of several different carotenoid substances faced up to two times lower breast cancer risk than women with low levels,...
Tea reduces risk for heart disease, cancer
Scientists at the Laboratory for Cancer Research at Rutgers University report that tea has anticancer benefits and can slow the rate of tumour development. They determined that a daily dose of tea solids decreases the number of tumours and also lowers the levels of...
B-12 supports mood, thinking in elderly
Vitamin B-12 is needed for normal nerve cell function, to combat fatigue and for the production of SAMe, a substance that helps regulate mood. B-12 is so important to our well being that researchers at the National Institute on Aging studied the relationship between...
Colostrum aids digestive health: studies
Bovine colostrum is rich in immune antibodies and hailed as an excellent treatment for stomach complaints. Colostrum is the first “pre-milk” produced by all female mammals for their newborn offspring in the first 72 hours after giving birth. Colostrum supplements have...
Escape migraines with feverfew
If you suffer from migraines, you’ll be happy to hear of a UK study that shows once and for all that the herb feverfew can offer relief. Feverfew was used by the ancient Greeks to treat headaches, fever and stomach upset and gained popularity in the 1970s as a...
Life after HRT: many natural options
Just as the largest number of North American women in history are reaching menopause, the medical “treatment of choice” is being called into question. One of the largest and best designed studies on the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was recently abandoned...
Take vitamin E for post-exercise pain
Vitamin E may be able to counter body damage from exercise, the Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter has reported. Dr Jennifer Sacheck, an exercise physiologist, studied groups of physically active men and found that older people particularly, including very...