Your Guide to Good Health & Vitality

More than half of people with coronary artery disease have low levels of the heart healthy HDL cholesterol. Several studies have shown that nuts are effective at improving cholesterol. Along with walnuts, almonds may be the most beneficial of all (Arch Intern Med 2010;170:821-27; J Am Coll Nutr 1992;11:126-30; J Am Coll Nutr 1998; 17:285-90;…

Here’s an unexpected way to get rid of wrinkles. . . .

In 2007, the first hint emerged that probiotics could affect not only physical health, but psychological health. A study arrived at the shocking conclusion that people with depression had significantly greater improvement in mood on a probiotic than on a placebo (Eur J Clin Nutr 2007;61:355-61). In 2011, a study found that probiotics could significantly…

One theory about food allergies is that when you first introduce an allergenic food to an infant’s diet may affect the risk of whether your infant will develop the allergy. So, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of timing of the introduction of allergenic foods. One of the most common modern food…

In our book, Sex & Fertility: Natural Solutions, we describe the herb ashwgandha as a herb that “helps to restore sexual chi, or energy . . . . [that] is used for reduced levels of energy, including sexual energy, nervous tension, stress and anxiety.” We say that it is “especially useful for sexual problems that…

In the absence of any safe pharmaceutical treatment for menopause, the search for natural alternatives has taken on increasing importance for women. The best and most studied treatment for menopause is the herb black cohosh, and several other nutrients and herbs, like soy isolflavones, flax seeds and hops, have been proven to help. The newest…

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common problem for women of reproductive age. It affects 5-10% of the population, with as many as 5 million American women suffering from it. Women with PCOS suffer from two of elevated male hormones, infrequent or lack of periods and enlarged ovaries with lots of small cysts. It…

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in the world. 9.3% of Americans and 6.5% of Canadians suffer from diabetes: that’s 31 million people. There is a lot of agreement about the medical approach to diabetes. But does the approach work? . . . .

Gestational diabetes is one of the most common problems of pregnancy. Several studies have shown that vitamin D is beneficial for diabetes. This study looked at whether the versatile vitamin is beneficial specifically for gestational diabetes. . . .

After asthma, obesity and eating disorders are the most common chronic conditions in adolescents. For some teenagers, compensating for obesity can lead to overcompensating for obesity, which can lead to eating disorders. The American Academy of Pediatrics has published new guidance on how to prevent obesity and eating disorders and on how break the link…

This study of vitamin D and athletic performance included 103 college athletes from the United States. The researchers wanted to see what effect vitamin D levels had on athletic performance because recent evidence suggests that low vitamin D is associated with decreased muscle formation. . . .

Careful scientific research has revealed the best approach for most thyroid cancers: don’t get screened; don’t get treatment. The popularization of ultrasound screening, CT scanning and MRI’s has led to a dramatic increase in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, especially among women. But a new report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)…