Category: Health/Natural

Use of the herb Ginkgo biloba, claimed to have beneficial effects on memory and cognition, was not effective in reducing the rate of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease among more than 1,500 elderly study participants after several years of use, according to a study in the November 19 issue of JAMA.

One of the most widely used herbal supplements for improving memory and cognition has no impact on the development of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, according to new results from a $30 million, multi-center study.

The temperature might not be the only thing plummeting this winter. Many people also will experience a decrease in their vitamin D levels, which can play a role in heart disease.

The temperature might not be the only thing plummeting this winter. Many people also will experience a decrease in their vitamin D levels, which can play a role in heart disease, according to a new review article in Circulation.

Immune cells lose the ability to divide as they age because a part of their chromosomes known as a telomere becomes progressively shorter with cell division. As a result, its disease fighting ability is compromised. But a chemical from the Astragalus root can prevent or slow the progressive telomere shortening, which could make it a key weapon in the fight against HIV.

Like other kinds of cells, immune cells lose the ability to divide as they age because a part of their chromosomes known as a telomere becomes progressively shorter with cell division. As a result, the cell changes in many ways, and its disease fighting ability is compromised.

A rising trend of noise-induced hearing loss is something that researchers and physicians at the University of Michigan Kresge Hearing Research Institute are hoping to reverse, with a cocktail of vitamins and the mineral magnesium that has shown promise as a possible way to prevent hearing loss caused by loud noises.

About 10 million people in the United States alone - from troops returning from war to students with music blasting through headphones - are suffering from impairing noise-induced hearing loss.

Studies on whether acupuncture is usefulto use with IVF offer mixed results.

The use of acupuncture to increase fertility is far from new — dating back to Taoist tradition over 8,000 years ago — but its use in societies in which Western medicine dominates is less than a century old, and no one knows for sure whether acupuncture can increase the chances of becoming pregnant. A new review of studies attempts to come closer to an answer.

Loyola University Hospital internist and pediatrician Linda Fisher plays the harp for her patients, to aid the healing process.

The soothing tones of a harp filled her room at Loyola University Hospital as Donna Kuzniar closed her eyes and mentally journeyed off to a more serene place and time, free of the pain and worry of her serious illness.

Working with genetically engineered mice, researchers have shown that daily doses of ginkgo can prevent or reduce brain damage after an induced stroke.

Working with genetically engineered mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins have shown that daily doses of a standardized extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree can prevent or reduce brain damage after an induced stroke.

The herbal medicine St. John's wort appears to work just as well as some prescribed antidepressants for treating patients with major depression, a new review finds. However, patients in German-speaking countries might experience the best benefits.

While there is public interest in the United States about whether St. John’s wort adequately treats depression, in some countries, like Germany, doctors commonly prescribe it for mild symptoms. Authors of a new review found that studies with German patients did, in fact, have the best results.

Can honey treat a wound? What a sweet idea.

Smeared on a burn, honey could reduce the time it takes for the wound to heal - up to four days sooner in some cases - a new review of studies suggests.

National survey shows 79 percent of dog and cat owners are eager to include more nutrition from green foods in their pets' diets. In doing so, they just might inspire themselves to eat more of what they know is good for them.

Green nutrition is now the latest way for pet owners to go green, according to a survey of 640 dog and cat owners across America. Kelton Research conducted the study on behalf of Bell Rock Growers, the pet industry's pioneer supplier of green nutrition products. The survey shows consumers are eager to provide their animal companions with more nutrition options from green foods, such as broccoli, spinach and wheat grass. In doing so, they just might inspire themselves to eat more of what they know is good for them. Highlights of the green nutrition survey include: