Chromium is an essential nutrient involved in normal carbohydrate and fat metabolism. It also helps regulate blood sugar, which can improve the glucose/insulin system in people with hypoglycemia, diabetes and other blood sugar disorders. At the Beltsville Human...
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Hay Fever Relief: Top natural picks
In these fragrant spring and summer months, the population seems to divide itself into two types of people—those who suffer from hay fever and those who don’t! Most hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is caused by a reaction to ragweed pollen, though other tree, weed and...
Probiotics boost aging immune system
Elderly people are at increased risk of infection due to the age-related decline in immune system function. In a recent study, scientists looked into how supplementing with probiotics might help improve immunity in the elderly. Probiotics, including Lactobacillus...
Nutrition Notes: The Goods on Garlic
Whether you’re a garlic lover or not, you can’t dispute that fact that this “fragrant” little bulb has a lot to offer in the way of health benefits! One of the most widely cited health benefits attributed to garlic is that it can lower blood cholesterol. According to...
Red clover: four benefits for menopause
Cultures around the world use herbs for the natural treatment of menopause. Black cohosh, chaste tree berry (vitex) and red clover are a few of the most common herbs for this purpose. Red clover contains four plant-based estrogens, called phytoestrogens. These bind to...
Curb cholesterol: new research tells how
We all need cholesterol for our bodies to function properly. But some of us produce too much cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease. Though dietary changes are certainly one approach to help lower cholesterol levels, more intervention may be...
Digestive ills eased with peppermint oil
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the gastrointestinal tract— at least one in five North Americans suffers from it. IBS may be brought on by food intolerance, excessive stress or a sensitive colon, and may result in frequent bouts of constipation,...
Vitamin C lowers blood pressure
The Canada Food Guide suggests that adults eat between five and 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Packed with antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene and lycopene, fruits and veggies promote good health and protect us from disease. But...
Revitalize your liver naturally
Liver disease ranks as the fourth leading cause of death—a sign that we’re being subjected to more toxins than our livers are meant to handle. As the body’s main detoxification system, the liver needs all the help in can get to do its job efficiently. Here are three...
Creatine aids muscle rehabilitation
Creatine has been the subject of over 400 research studies in the past decade, focusing primarily on muscle performance and size in athletes and in individuals with neuromuscular diseases. A new study suggests that creatine may also have a use in muscle rehabilitation...