Doctors and patients are undereducated about how to assess the risk of mixing herbal remedies and prescription medication. As the popularity of herbal supplements grows, physicians must be aware of dangerous interactions of the products with drugs used for the regulation of blood pressure, blood clotting, hormones and blood sugar. Herbal, dietary, and energy or… [Continue Reading]
Too Much Beta-Carotene Harmful for Health
May 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A sufficient level of vitamin A is essential for many aspects of health, but too much can cause significant damage. Beta-carotene was thought to be a safer form of the vitamin. However, new research shows that taking too much beta-carotene carries significant risks. New research suggests that there could be health hazards associated with consuming… [Continue Reading]
Dietary Supplement Boosts Chemotherapy Effectiveness for Pancreatic Cancer
April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A particular fatty acid has anti-cancer effects, according to new research. Scientists recently presenting their work have shown that gama-linoleic acid can synergize with the standard anti-pancreatic cancer drug to halt cell division and growth. The dietary supplement gamma-linoleic acid can inhibit the growth of a subset of pancreatic cancer cells and selectively promote cancer… [Continue Reading]
Vitamin D Deficient Patients Less Likely to Survive Intensive Care
April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Vitamin D is essential for many body systems, including the immune system. This critical role of the nutrient may explain new research, which demonstrates that vitamin D deficient patients are less likely to survive after being hospitalized in intensive care. Scientists have long believed that vitamin D, which is naturally absorbed from sunlight, has an… [Continue Reading]
New Methods Protect Nutrient Supplements Until They Reach the Body
March 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Many healthful compounds are unstable at regular temperatures, humidity, and light levels. Scientists are trying to develop coatings or structures to protect them until they are consumed and reach the intestine, in order to create effective supplements. A major step forward in the work has been recently reported, with the generation of a fiber that… [Continue Reading]
Soy Isoflavones Do Not Decrease Breast Cancer Cell Growth
February 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
While eating whole soy has been touted as one way to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, taking supplements with compounds isolated from soy do not have the same effect. The new study assigned women to take soy isoflavone supplements or a placebo pill, and found no difference in breast cancer cell growth. In… [Continue Reading]
L-Arginine Supplement Has Little Effect on Metabolism in Healthy Men
November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The supplement L-arginine has been marketed as an athletic performance-booster, but new research shows that healthy men may draw little benefit from it. The study placed men randomly into groups, gave them the supplement, and measured a number of metabolic markers. While the blood levels of l-arginine did rise after taking the supplement, there was… [Continue Reading]
Doctors Push for Regulation of Natural Health Products
November 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Doctors are voicing concern about the lack of regulation of natural health products. In a recent editorial in a renowned medical journal, doctors argue that the products should be forced to prove they have a healthy impact, and specify potential interactions with other medications. Natural health products and medicinal foods should be subject to the… [Continue Reading]
Consuming Soy Improves the Balance of Good and Bad Cholesterol
October 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Soy can have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels, a new study demonstrates. Researchers examined the effect of soy protein or milk protein supplements on the levels of both good and bad cholesterol, and found that people taking soy protein supplements had a higher ratio of good cholesterol to bad, which may reduce the risk… [Continue Reading]
Patients Should Report Use of Herbal Supplements to Avoid Drug Interactions
October 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A large number of individuals take herbal supplements and fail to tell their physicians. Doctors are encouraging patients to be more forthcoming about their supplement use, to avoid potentially harmful interactions of the herbs with medications, especially during surgery. About 20 percent of prescription users also take an herbal supplement, and those rates are higher… [Continue Reading]