Research Archive

Spice for the Mind? Curry ingredient studied for potential in Alzheimer’s

Why are the rates of Alzheimer’s disease in India among the world’s lowest? It may be the curry, a food staple in India, suggest researchers. Curcumin, the yellow pigment in curry spice, will be investigated further for its potential in prevention of Alzheimer’s...

For women, fatigue may signal low iron

Iron is a critical nutrient needed to supply oxygen to the cells and tissues and to help produce brain chemicals, amino acids and hormones. Iron deficiency can result in anemia, a condition that causes fatigue, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. The General...

Can maitake mushroom supplements help cancer patients?

This was the question posed by researchers at Kobe Pharmaceutical University in Japan. Maitake mushroom has been used for centuries in Asia as an β€œadaptogen” β€” a remedy that helps keep many body systems in balance. Several animal studies have supported the use of a...

Niacin a winner in cholesterol studies

At the Jefferson Heart Institute at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, researchers found that niacin (vitamin B-3) could benefit people with high cholesterol. In this study, 60 patients were given either 1,000 mg of niacin, 2,000 mg of niacin (slow-release)...

Fish Oils: Healthy hearts and minds!

The list of health conditions that can improve with essential fatty acid (EFA) supplementation is well over 60 and growing by the day as new research continues to uncover benefits. The omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA),...

Ovarian cancer and diet

New research on ovarian cancer, one of the five most deadly cancers among women in developed countries, suggests that a balanced plant-based diet may help in its prevention. The National Cancer Institute says this strategy is important since ovarian cancer often...

Creatine helps muscular dystrophy

Researchers have found that creatine boosts muscle strength and stamina and prevents joint stiffness in boys with muscular dystrophy β€” a genetic disease of progressive muscle weakness. Creatine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body and provides energy. It...

Whether juice or pill, cranberry works!

The Kidney Foundation of Canada says Canadian women make about 500,000 visits to doctors each year to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). For years, scientists knew that cranberry could help prevent UTIs but could not explain why. Then in 1984, a researcher...

Heart patients benefit from magnesium

Magnesium is necessary for a host of bodily functions, including proper nervous system function, temperature regulation, detoxification, energy production and the formation of healthy bones and teeth. It is also vital for cardiovascular health. In past studies,...

Probiotics key in avoiding yeast infection

Dietary strategies to prevent and treat yeast infections include eliminating sugar intake while increasing intake of whole grains, vegetables, vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc. Other highly recommended nutrients for yeast infections include digestive enzymes,...

EFAs give boost to kids’ brains

Attention all moms-to-be: Did you know that supplementing with essential fatty acids (EFAs) during the last trimester of pregnancy can increase your child’s IQ? At the Institute for Nutrition Research at the University of Oslo in Norway, a study with 262 pregnant...