New figures suggest dietary supplement sales in the U.S. increased slightly in 2008, reaching an estimated $4.8 billion. The report has been published in the nonprofit American Botanical Councils quarterly journal HerbalGram, and was based on data from multiple market research firms. It found the five top-selling herbal supplements of 2008 were flaxseed oil, wheat
The short days and low light levels of winter may be proving particularly difficult for some. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is estimated to impact the lives of at least 10 million Americans each year, and is generally observed to peak during the winter months. Possible symptoms include lethargy, lack of appetite or (conversely) overeating,
A green tea extract is showing promising results in early leukemia clinical trials, according to a new report. Mayo Clinic researchers have tested an active ingredient in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) to determine its impact on patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In the first phase of the trial, a total of 33
A genetic variation has been discovered that could one day lead to a treatment for one of the most common causes of blindness in the developed world. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans aged 60 and over, according to the National Eye Institute. Sometimes, the vision problems progress
Consuming foods that are high in calories for breakfast may cause the body to metabolize nutrients differently for the remainder of the day, according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity. For this trial, a team of researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) created different diets and fed them
Millions of Americans take St. John’s wort in herbal supplement form for a variety of mild health conditions. Now, researchers at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles’ Keck School of Medicine are saying that a synthetic form of a compound found in the plant may be used to supplement brain tumor therapies. A study
We all know work can be stressful, but according to a new study just 20 minutes of workplace meditation and yoga can reduce stress levels and potentially boost performance and productivity. The study was conducted by researchers from Ohio State University and used a modified version of what is known as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).
New research suggests that an element of tick saliva may aid in the treatment of a disorder that causes limb weakness and stroke-like symptoms such as slurred speech and vision issues. A study from St. Louis University identified a protein in the insects saliva that keeps the hosts immune system from reacting to a tick
New research has suggested that high vegetable intake may be related to a lower risk of prostate cancer in men. The conclusion comes from a review of studies on prostate cancer and vegetable consumption, including 29 cohort studies, 69 case-control studies, and 4 randomized clinical trials. It is believed that the protective mechanism relies on
Individuals who are on an alkaline diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains as a means for staying healthy may want to incorporate more mangoes into their diet. New research has discovered that mangoes may help prevent colon cancer. According to a study conducted by Texas AgriLife Research food scientists, mangoes have the capacity to