logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine
vaccination to fight fluHome RemediesTerry Graedon - March 16, 2023 - 9 comments

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.

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.

Green tea leaves on plant are rich in flavanols
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - October 20, 2022

New Guidelines on Flavanols Can Help Improve Health

People who get 400 to 600 mg of flavanols in their daily diets are less likely to suffer from diabetes or cardiovascular problems.

cooked swordfish steak with greens
Alzheimer’s DiseaseTerry Graedon - October 6, 2022

Could Fat from Fish Be Good for Your Brain?

People with higher blood levels of DHA, an omega-3 fat from fish, had lower levels of amyloid in the brain and less brain shrinkage.

Bottles of Red Yeast Rice on a store shelf
Cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)Terry Graedon - September 26, 2022

Natural Ways to Get Your Cholesterol Down

Can you get your cholesterol down with natural products? Red yeast rice, turmeric and psyllium may help control lipids.

a man with arthritic knees, holding his knee in pain
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - September 22, 2022

How to Ease Arthritic Knees with Natural Remedies

NSAIDs can relieve the pain of arthritic knees in the short term, but long-term side effects are discouraging. What about natural approaches?

bare feet of a woman in bed with rumpled covers suffering from restless leg syndrome (needs RLS relief)
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - September 19, 2022

Can Magnesium Help Your Restless Legs Syndrome?

Doctors can prescribe pills for RLS, but many people would prefer nondrug approaches. How about supplements for your restless legs syndrome?

Horse-chestnuts on conker tree branch - Aesculus hippocastanum fruits.
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - August 27, 2022

Will Horse Chestnut Extract Ease Tired Legs?

If varicose veins are giving you tired legs, you might consider compression hose and horse chestnut extract to improve the health of your veins.

bottle of magnesium pills
HeadacheTerry Graedon - August 27, 2022

Can Magnesium Pills Counteract Recurrent Headaches?

Many people don't get enough magnesium in their daily diets. Correcting that deficiency can help reduce recurrent headaches.

Kale salad with dried cranberry, almonds and apple
AllergiesTerry Graedon - August 8, 2022

Can Quercetin Control Your Allergy Symptoms?

The plant compound quercetin may be as effective as NasalCrom at preventing allergy symptoms. Some readers like it even better.

shoot of green peppermint, plant
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - August 1, 2022

Peppermint and Probiotics for IBS

Symptoms of IBS include pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating & gas. Enteric-coated peppermint oil helps reduce such symptoms.

red capsules of CoQ10 spill out of bottle
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - July 28, 2022

Are Your Dietary Supplements Contaminated with Drugs?

Does the FDA do its job? A new study asks: are dietary supplements contaminated? Some companies get warning letters but their products remain

Andrographis paniculata proposed as a way to treat COVID-19 with herbs
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - July 4, 2022

Introducing Gaia Herbs

Gaia Herbs has taken a huge step in transparency. The Meet Your Herbs platform offers test results to ensure purity, potency and integrity.

vitamin D capsules
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - July 3, 2022

Can You Overdose on Vitamin D?

Can you overdose on vitamin D by spending time in the sun and taking supplements? Excessive doses of supplements can indeed lead to toxicity.

Dr. JoAnn Manson led the COSMOS trial to study cocoa compounds
PodcastsTerry Graedon - June 30, 2022

Show 1307: Cocoa Compounds and the COSMOS Trial

A rigorously conducted, multi-year experiment with cocoa compounds vs placebo showed that they may reduce cardiovascular mortality.

Pile of pills and multivitamins
Acid RefluxTerry Graedon - June 23, 2022

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.

Foods that provide AREDS vitamins
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - June 9, 2022

Can You Save Your Sight With AREDS Vitamins?

Taking AREDS vitamins and eating foods full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals can help keep macular degeneration from deterioriating.

Two hands holding a variety of pill supplements
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - May 30, 2022

Should You Really Stop Taking Your Supplements?

Before you stop taking your supplements, check that your medications are not interfering with nutrient absorption and that the dose is right.

calcium dietary supplements in the palm of a woman's hand
Home RemediesTerry Graedon - May 26, 2022

Does the FDA Know What Is in Your Dietary Supplements?

Manufacturers are supposed to inform the FDA of all ingredients in your dietary supplements. Many have not done so.

an Aedes aegypti mosquito biting and feeding causes the itch of mosquito bites
Alternative HealthJoe Graedon - May 16, 2022

How to Prevent and Stop the Itch of Mosquito Bites FAST!

How do you prevent mosquito bites? DEET, picaridin, vitamin B1? If that fails, how do you stop the itch of mosquito bites? How about HEAT?

bottle of magnesium pills
Back PainJoe Graedon - May 16, 2022

Is Magnesium a Miracle Mineral?

Although magnesium gets little attention in office visits, it is critical for good health. Many people find this miracle mineral very useful.