logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine
omega 3 fats in capsules, fish oilHeart AttackTerry Graedon - September 21, 2023 - 6 comments

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.

Pile of pills and multivitamins
Acid RefluxTerry Graedon - May 25, 2023

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.

a bottle of niacin used to get your cholesterol down
Cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)Terry Graedon - May 21, 2023

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.

fish oil capsules
Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib, arrhythmia)Joe Graedon - May 15, 2023

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 in capsules in plastic cup
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - May 10, 2023

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.

Several bottles of supplements with hand touching Saccharomyces boulardii
Clostridium difficile Infection (C. diff)Terry Graedon - May 10, 2023

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.

vitamin D3 pills to correct low vitamin D levels
CancerTerry Graedon - May 8, 2023

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.

an assortment of gelatin based gummy bears
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - April 27, 2023

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 (Hypericum)
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - April 24, 2023

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.

nasty nails that have been bitten down to the quick
Home RemediesJoe Graedon - April 24, 2023

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?

cacao beans, cocoa powder, cocoa beverage
PodcastsTerry Graedon - April 6, 2023

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.

supplements spilling from bottle, extra zinc for the common cold
ColdsTerry Graedon - April 3, 2023

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.

vaccination to fight flu
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - March 16, 2023

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.

Purple milk thistles in bloom
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - February 13, 2023

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.

Doctors with patient suffering from COVID surge
CoronavirusTerry Graedon - February 9, 2023

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?

Bottles of Red Yeast Rice on a store shelf
High CholesterolJoe Graedon - February 6, 2023

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?

bergamot citrus fruits, cut and whole, strong distinctive smell
High CholesterolTerry Graedon - January 30, 2023

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?

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in a syringe ready for injection with vials in the background; Vitamin B12 injections
DiabetesJoe Graedon - January 23, 2023

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?

woman has hands on her abdomen for symptoms of IBS
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - January 23, 2023

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.

vitamin D supplements as Vitamin D3 gel capsules
Home RemediesJoe Graedon - January 19, 2023

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?

Swollen joint in left foot; man seeks to ease joint pain
GoutJoe Graedon - January 16, 2023

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.

green capsule containing vegetables and fruits balanced on fingertip
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - January 2, 2023

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.

Older man playing chess. Mental activity can help keep your brain healthy so you stay sharp
AgingTerry Graedon - December 26, 2022

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.

Close up of probiotic product capsule between the fingers
Acid RefluxTerry Graedon - December 26, 2022

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.

Bottle of Glucosamine
ArthritisJoe Graedon - December 12, 2022

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?

Elderberry berries Sambucus nigra
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - December 12, 2022

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.

holiday gifts, Christmas stocking & presents
Home RemediesJoe Graedon - December 8, 2022

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!

a bright sun blazing in the sky
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - December 8, 2022

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.

golden milk contains turmeric and anise
ArthritisTerry Graedon - November 14, 2022

Spicy Supplement Solves Pain Problem

As people age and develop aches and pains, they look for relief. The spicy supplement turmeric (curcumin) helps some.

Man has vitamins in hand next to coffee cup
Heart AttackJoe Graedon - November 9, 2022

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

Products rich in magnesium on wooden spoons.
Heart AttackTerry Graedon - November 5, 2022

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.

N-Acetylcysteine structure
AnemiaTerry Graedon - October 31, 2022

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.

feet with ants demonstrate diabetic neuropathy
DiabetesTerry Graedon - October 31, 2022

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.