The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a four-year study to determine the safety and effectiveness of St John's wort, a common herbal supplement, and citalopram, a standard antidepressant, compared to placebo. A total of 300 participants with minor...
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Back Pain Progress: Researchers find vitamin deficiency common
If you suffer from chronic lower back pain and don't know why, researchers from Saudi Arabia may have an answer for you: low vitamin D. In a recent study at the Department of Medicine, Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital in Riyadh, scientists discovered that the majority of...
Think Zinc! Many Canadians may be low, say researchers
One out of every four Canadians eat diets that are low in the mineral zinc, according to researchers from McGill University who analyzed data from the Food Habits of Canadians Study. Zinc plays a key role in immune function where it is needed for the body to develop...
Skin Sense: Probiotics may be answer to eczema
Eczema is the most common form of dermatitis, a term which literally means “inflamed skin.” The condition can affect people young and old and encompasses a number of red, itchy skin conditions. Eczema may look like a dry, scaly rash or weepy, oozing blisters. Recent...
Mobility Mineral? Taking zinc lowers risk for arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disease in which the body attacks its own joint tissue, leading to pain, swelling and limited motion. Many research studies show that dietary choices can have a significant effect on the severity of the disease. According to a...
Low Iron Common: Women and children especially at risk
Women and young children are most at risk for iron deficiency, but most are unaware they are anemic until diagnosed by a physician, according to Nancy Andrews, MD, an expert in iron metabolism. Iron-deficient anemia reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood...
Joint Research: Glucosamine eases chronic knee pain
If sore, stiff joints are slowing you down, you may be interested in the results of a recent study by Australian researchers. They report that glucosamine supplements can reduce knee pain in people with cartilage damage and may help in cases of osteoarthritis. Their...
Vitamin C, taurine ease artery damage from smoking
Researchers have found that vitamin C and taurine, an amino acid in fish, reversed abnormal blood vessel response associated with cigarette smoking. “When blood vessels are exposed to cigarette smoke it causes the vessels to behave like a rigid pipe rather than a...
Ginseng improves memory in stroke-related dementia patients
A recent study showed that a ginseng compound improved memory scores of people suffering from stroke-induced dementia, Chinese researchers reported. Memory loss, or dementia, may occur after stroke and is a growing problem in China, says lead researcher Jinzhou Tian,...
Cholesterol Clues: Study finds plant sterols cut levels
Phytosterols are naturally occurring plant compounds found in vegetables and legumes. They have a chemical structure similar to cholesterol, but inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. Many studies have found that esterified phytosterols added to...