Research Archive

Start Prenatal Vitamins Early: Study finds first month may be critical for reducing birth defect

A mother’s nutrition during the first month of pregnancy may be critical in determining a child’s risk of developing Down syndrome (DS), according to a recent study. In particular, researchers found that an adequate intake of iron and folic acid can significantly...

Diabetes: Finding a healthy balance

Diabetes is a serious and growing health problem in the Western world. Recent figures put the estimate at about 5% of the population, of which 90% is type II or adult-onset diabetes. This type is thought to be most related to diet and lifestyle choices. Though there...

Omega fats may reduce diabetes risk

Scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center report that DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, may improve insulin resistance in overweight individuals. Insulin resistance is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Researcher Yvonne Denkins,...

Cut breast cancer risk

A new study provides evidence that certain nutrients found in vegetables may help protect against breast cancer. Women with high blood levels of several different carotenoid substances faced up to two times lower breast cancer risk than women with low levels,...

Tea reduces risk for heart disease, cancer

Scientists at the Laboratory for Cancer Research at Rutgers University report that tea has anticancer benefits and can slow the rate of tumour development. They determined that a daily dose of tea solids decreases the number of tumours and also lowers the levels of...

B-12 supports mood, thinking in elderly

Vitamin B-12 is needed for normal nerve cell function, to combat fatigue and for the production of SAMe, a substance that helps regulate mood. B-12 is so important to our well being that researchers at the National Institute on Aging studied the relationship between...

Colostrum aids digestive health: studies

Bovine colostrum is rich in immune antibodies and hailed as an excellent treatment for stomach complaints. Colostrum is the first “pre-milk” produced by all female mammals for their newborn offspring in the first 72 hours after giving birth. Colostrum supplements have...

Escape migraines with feverfew

If you suffer from migraines, you’ll be happy to hear of a UK study that shows once and for all that the herb feverfew can offer relief. Feverfew was used by the ancient Greeks to treat headaches, fever and stomach upset and gained popularity in the 1970s as a...

Life after HRT: many natural options

Just as the largest number of North American women in history are reaching menopause, the medical “treatment of choice” is being called into question. One of the largest and best designed studies on the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was recently abandoned...

Take vitamin E for post-exercise pain

Vitamin E may be able to counter body damage from exercise, the Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter has reported. Dr Jennifer Sacheck, an exercise physiologist, studied groups of physically active men and found that older people particularly, including very...

Devil’s claw quickly eases muscle pain

Devil’s claw is an herbal remedy commonly used to relieve the pain of arthritis. It has both analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties. In a recent clinical trial, German researchers gave devil’s claw extract to 130 patients with back pain. The...