Meta-Analysis Rejects Safety Concerns Over Calcium Supplementation for Increasing Coronary Heart Disease Risk

According to a recent meta-analysis elderly women who supplement with calcium are not at an increased risk of either all-cause mortality or coronary heart disease. Researchers took data from over 18 randomized clinical trials.  Over 63,000 individuals participated in the trials with over 3,300 coronary heart disease events (CHD) and over 4,100 deaths.  Data from…

Curcumin for Sports Nutrition

Curcumin for Sports Nutrition? RCT Supports Role for Pain Reduction After Heavy Exercise

A new study supports the supplementation of curcumin, the pigment that gives turmeric it yellow color, as a means to reduce pain related to exercise and to boost exercise performance. 17 men were recruited to participate in a double blind randomized-controlled crossover trial.  Participants were randomly assigned to receive a placebo or a 5 gram…

Garlic Controls High Blood Pressure

Garlic is an “Effective and Safe Approach” For Blood Pressure Support

A meta-analysis of 7 randomized controlled trials shows supplementation with garlic (Allium Sativum) may be beneficial in lowering blood pressure for individuals with hypertension. Pooling data from 7 randomized, placebo controlled studies that compared garlic supplements to a placebo it was found that garlic supplements reduced systolic blood pressure on average 6.71 mmHg and diastolic…

Relaxation and Sleep

Supplements for Sleep and Relaxation Support

There are many nutraceuticals with evidence that reinforces their use for both relaxation and sleep support.  Here is a summary of the clinical data and mechanisms for how they work to promote either sleep or relaxation: GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) For Sleep and Relaxation Support: The balance of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and Glutamate, two neurotransmitters…

Magnesium Muscle and Performance

Effect of Oral Magnesium Supplementation on Physical Performance in Healthy Elderly Women Involved in a Weekly Exercise Program

A new study found that 12 weeks of supplementation with Magnesium Oxide improved physical performance in elderly women who were healthy at the onset of the study. 139 women participated in this study.  These women with a mean age of 71.5 years all attended a fitness program involving mild exercise.  Participants were randomly assigned to…

Vitamin B12

The Benefits of B12

Vitamin B12 is one of the eight B Vitamins and is usually associated with increased energy.  It is in fact the largest of all the vitamins and of course the most complex chemically.  It is an essential vitamin and the only one that contains cobalt, a trace mineral, at its center; this is why it…