Research Archive

Cold sores? Reach for lysine — quick!

At the Southern California University of Health Sciences, researchers found that a topical ointment containing the essential amino acid lysine effectively reduced the duration of cold sores. In previous studies, lysine was shown to decrease the risk of cold sore...

Lutein shines in aging vision trials

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in aging Western societies. Cataracts occur when protein in the eye lens becomes damaged, clouding vision. Two recent studies indicate that lutein, a type of carotenoid, can actually help...

Tea tree for dandruff and bad breath

Those with a dandruff problem may find help with tea tree oil, say researchers at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia. Since tea tree oil has antifungal properties and dandruff is related to the yeast Pityrosporum ovale, the researchers theorized that tea...

Help cut cholesterol with green tea

In a trial at the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, researchers set out to determine if green tea consumption, which has been associated with decreased cardiovascular risk, had any impact on cholesterol levels. In...

Milk thistle has anticancer benefits

Silibinin, found in milk thistle extract, is a naturally occurring flavonoid shown to have promising anticancer activity. At the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, researchers found that silibinin was beneficial for bladder cancer. Targeting a...

Smart Fats: brain food for all ages

The human brain is mostly fat, and good fat at that! To develop, grow and protect itself properly, the brain relies on us to give it a steady supply of this good fat, which cannot be made by the body but must come through the diet. However, most of us don’t give our...

Green tea inhibits cancer cells

Recent studies have reported that polyphenols, compounds found in green tea, may offer protection against certain cancers and may aid in the destruction of cancer cells. Now, Mayo Clinic researchers have found that another component in green tea helps kill the most...

Nutrition Notes: The price of junk food

A new report on our eating habits reveals that almost a quarter of the calories we consume comes from nutrient-poor selections — better known as “junk food.” According to survey responses, soft drinks are the number one source of calories. They accounted for 7.1% of...

Oregano oil beats bacteria, yeast

Multiple studies from around the world indicate that oil of oregano is a potent, all-purpose antibacterial, antifungal agent that can kill infections. Scientists from Georgetown University Medical Center, led by Dr Harry Preuss, tested the effects of oil of oregano on...

MSM-glucosamine best for joint pain

For adults taking either MSM or glucosamine for their arthritis pain, a new study from India says a combination of both nutrients provides the most potent relief. This is important news for the millions of North Americans that suffer from long-term health problems due...

Can vitamin A prevent lung disease?

While studying the relationship between vitamin A and lung inflammation, researchers at Kansas State University made a surprising discovery — they found a link between vitamin A, cigarette smoke and emphysema, a lung disease found primarily in smokers. Richard...