Amino acids, protein’s chemical “building blocks,” have some surprising health benefits Thanks in part to the late Robert Atkins, MD, the term protein moved from the exclusive lexicon of nutritionists to part of our daily vocabulary. And yet protein isn’t just about managing your weight. Much of the tissue that makes up your body—skin, fingernails, Read More
The latest news on vitamin D shows benefits for diabetes, healthy bones, even a longer life If recent research were a political election, vitamin D would win by a landslide. Over the past five years, more than 10,000 medical journal articles have been published on the vitamin. And the pace of research is accelerating. In Read More
A supplement to keep your brain sharp and your body energized It may come as a surprise, but the brain is more than 50 percent fat, which gives a whole new meaning to the word “fathead.” Not just any type of fat, mind you, but a combination of phospholipids that are chemically intertwined with the Read More
Discover the potent antioxidant with multiple benefits Lipoic acid, also known as alpha-lipoic acid or thioctic acid, is a potent antioxidant with numerous roles in biology and health. Lester Packer, PhD, of the University of Southern California, has described lipoic acid as the “universal antioxidant” because of it myriad activities. The body converts some lipoic Read More
3 ways tryptophan and 5-HTP help balance brain chemistry Turkey is probably the most celebrated source of tryptophan, the amino acid thought to contribute to drowsiness after a big Thanksgiving meal. Tryptophan is found naturally in many foods (aside from turkey, it is found in other meats, as well as nuts and seeds, milk, and Read More
Propolis, royal jelly, and honey offer a swarm of health benefits Products derived from beehives may be the original superfoods. Although these folk remedies date back thousands of years, scientific research has documented the benefits of bee foods and provided a sound explanation of how they work. They can reduce inflammation, protect against free radicals, Read More
N-acetylcysteine (aka NAC) has wide-ranging benefits, from calming symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder to boosting fertility The name may be a bit of a tongue twister, sounding right out of a biochemistry book, but the benefits are straightforward and impressive. N-acetylcysteine (acronym NAC) is formed through the combination of cysteine (a building block of protein) and Read More
Hypothyroidism can cause everything from cold hands to weight gain. But there are natural remedies that can help For years, without any obvious reason, Janet always had cold hands and feet. Sue felt unusually tired as she approached her 50th birthday. John was constipated. Barb suffered regular headaches. These symptoms might seem totally unconnected, but Read More
Three good reasons to take this herbal remedy People used licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) medicinally 4,500 years ago in ancient Egypt and Syria. Today, it’s recognized as one of the most researched herbal remedies, and studies have confirmed many of its traditional benefits. Two types of licorice root supplements are sold, and it’s crucial to Read More
Can’t get moving in the morning without a hefty dose of caffeine? You could be suffering from adrenal exhaustion If you can’t get through the day without coffee, the problem might not be a lack of sleep, but adrenal exhaustion—a common consequence of our stress-filled 21st-century lives. Adrenal issues can be divided into three types: Read More
