Many pregnant women lack iron, magnesium and other important nutrients, according to researchers at the University of Florida. The researchers set out to determine whether nutrient intake from food alone was adequate across three trimesters. In this study, 63 low-risk...
Research Archive
Say goodbye to yeast infections
Vaginal yeast infections are among the most common reasons women seek medical attention. Properly termed candidal vaginitis, the condition is caused by an overgrowth of a species of fungus called candida albicans in and around the genitals. (While men can and do have...
Nutrition Notes: Low vitamin D costly
A lack of vitamin D — thought to be a problem of a bygone era — is showing up in growing numbers of women, children and the elderly, increasing the risk of bone disease and possibly other health problems. Exposing only the face, hands and forearms to sunlight for 10...
Longer study finds ginkgo effective
Researchers found significant improvement in verbal recall among a group of people with age-associated memory impairment who took the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba for six months when compared with a group that received a placebo. The small UCLA study used a...
Glutamine cuts stress infection
Physical stresses such as athletic exhaustion, injuries or surgical procedures often leave the body more susceptible to potentially dangerous infections. Research has shown that glutathione, the body’s own antioxidant which supports immunity and detoxification, is...
Calcium with D for better bones
Many Canadians lack sufficient vitamin D, partly because of our long, dark winters — a fact that has many experts concerned, since the body needs both calcium and vitamin D for optimum bone health. While calcium, available from milk products, beans and green leafy...
Cayenne creams ease pain and itch
Used in topical ointments and creams, cayenne (capsaicin) is known to be safe and effective for pain management in cases of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, as well as conditions affecting the nerves, including shingles. Studies show that pain and itch caused by...
Beat cold sores naturally
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) and often surface during times of stress or weakened immunity, or from excess exposure to sunlight, insufficient sleep and poor diet. Several studies found the amino acid lysine was an effective treatment for...
Anti-aging Essentials: the top three
Oxidation, or free-radical damage, is the main force behind what we call aging. It wrinkles our skin, clouds our vision and may even clog our arteries. It can also lead to diseases such as arthritis, cataracts, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and cancer. Free radicals get...
Healthy Kids: Iron deficiency
Many parents are concerned that their kids may not be getting enough iron. Iron deficiency is relatively common in babies (up to 2 years) and adolescents. These two age groups are especially susceptible due to high iron requirements and rapid growth. Iron is essential...