The People's Perspective on Medicine
Will Fish Oil Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease?
British data suggest that fish oil reduces your risk of heart disease modestly. These supplements have other health benefits as well.
Should You Be Taking Vitamin Supplements?
Many medications can interfere with good nutrition. If you are taking pills for certain conditions, perhaps you should be taking vitamin supplements.
Natural Ways to Get Your Cholesterol Down
Can you get your cholesterol down with natural products? Niacin, red yeast rice, turmeric and psyllium may help control lipids.
Is Fish Oil Linked to Heart Rhythm Changes?
How risky is fish oil or purified EPA in Vascepa when it comes to heart rhythm changes called atrial fibrillation? Learn about absolute risk!
Curcumin from Turmeric Helps People Manage Their Weight
A large meta-analysis concludes that curcumin from turmeric can help heavy people reduce their body mass index and waist circumference.
Probiotic Can Help Prevent C. Diff Due to Antibiotics
A nontoxic bacterial cocktail or a probiotic called Saccharomyces boulardii may help you avoid diarrhea from C. diff due to antibiotics.
Study of Vitamin D Supplements Results in Disappointment
A study of vitamin D supplements demonstrated that these pills do not protect people from heart disease or cancer.
Are Gummies a Good Way to Take Supplements?
Two small studies found that melatonin and multivitamins sold as gummies often do not meet specifications.
St. John’s Wort Can Lift Mood, But May Damage Eyes
One side effect of St. John's wort, photosensitivity, can damage eyes. People may wish to consider other ways to manage depression.
Breaking the Nail-Biting Habit
People who would like to drop their nail-biting habit may want to consider taking N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Is there any scientific support?
Show 1307: Cocoa Compounds and the COSMOS Trial (Archive)
A rigorously conducted, multi-year experiment with cocoa compounds vs placebo showed that they may reduce cardiovascular mortality.
Zinc for the Common Cold
Scientific studies show the benefits of zinc for the common cold are modest but real. They don't yet show the best dose.
Will Vitamin D Supplements Really Protect You from Colds?
Adequate sleep and vitamin D supplements could help boost immunity against colds or the flu during the winter season.
Will You Lower Your Cholesterol With Milk Thistle?
Milk thistle extract can lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It blocks the same enzyme as statins.
Does Vitamin D3 Improve Survival of COVID-19 Patients?
Several studies have produced conflicting results on the potential value of vitamin D3 for survival of COVID-19 patients. Which is right?
Is It Safe to Take Red Yeast Rice for High Cholesterol?
Most people taking red yeast rice to lower cholesterol do well with it. But a few experience side effects. What is the best RYR on the market?
Can You Lower Your Cholesterol with Bergamot?
Some research suggests that an extract of the citrus fruit bergamot can lower cholesterol much as red yeast rice does. Is it right for you?
How Dangerous Are High Vitamin B12 Levels?
Many people are low in vitamin B12. Symptoms can include fatigue and forgetfulness. What could be behind high vitamin B12 levels?
What Supplements Could Help Ease IBS Symptoms?
Readers looking for supplements to ease IBS symptoms have found probiotics and enteric-coated peppermint oil can help.
Why Don’t Vitamin D Supplements Work as Expected?
Vitamin D supplements are extremely popular. Millions swallow little golden pills daily. But why are clinical trials producing such disappointing results?
Why Don’t Doctors Prescribe Vitamin C for a Gout Attack?
A diet that has little seafood, red meat, soft drinks or beer and lots of cherries and celery seed may reduce the risk of a gout attack.
How Do Herbs Interact with Each Other?
Scientists know that herbs can interact with drugs. They have not done many studies on herb interactions with other herbs.
Could a Daily Multivitamin Help You Stay Sharp?
The COSMOS-MInd study show that seniors taking a daily multivitamin are more likely to stay sharp. A high-veggie diet might also help.
Can Taking a Probiotic Product Help You Sleep Better?
A reader found that taking a probiotic product for better digestion also improved sleep. Studies support this observation.
Is There Any Science to Support Glucosamine for Arthritis?
Glucosamine for arthritis is a controversial dietary supplement. Some people say it works. Others say it's worthless. What do studies show?
Will Elderberry Extract Help You Recover from Flu?
Elderberry extract has antiviral activity in laboratory tests, but there are too few good clinical trials to show if it works for the flu.
Give the Best Gift This Holiday: Better Health for 2023!
Would you like to avoid last minute shopping for family and friends? How about something really meaningful? Give the best gift: the gift of good health!
Too Little Vitamin D Could Be Deadly
People with too little vitamin D in their bloodstreams were more likely to die early. Vitamin D scarcity carries many other risks as well.
Spicy Supplement Solves Pain Problem
As people age and develop aches and pains, they look for relief. The spicy supplement turmeric (curcumin) helps some.
Are You Wasting Money On Supplements Against Heart Disease?
A new study suggests that Americans are wasting money on supplements to fight heart disease. How compelling are the data? Get the inside scoop
Will Adequate Magnesium Keep Your Heart Healthy?
A long-term study of atherosclerosis revealed that adequate magnesium is critical for good heart health. A supplement could help.
Can N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) Help Cancer Patient?
N-acetylcysteine is both a medicine and a dietary supplement that protects liver, lungs and kidneys from damage.
Supplements to Help Ease Diabetic Neuropathy
Certain supplements such as benfotiamine and alpha lipoic acid may help ease diabetic neuropathy. Topical capsaicin could also relieve pain.