2004 June

Guinea Pig in a Poke
I have some troubling news for those of you who are giving your guinea pigs high doses of vitamin C: They may be at risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a new study from the Duke University Medical Center.
If you’re taking vitamin C in large doses yourself, however, should [...]

Which of these two does not belong?
Here’s a pop quiz: Which of these two does not belong?
* alpha-linolenic acid
* alpha lipoic acid
An HSI member named Bob knows the answer: Alpha lipoic acid doesn’t belong. Or, more specifically, it didn’t belong in the e-Alert “Nutty Buddy” (6/8/04).
Bob writes: “Re: Blood sugar You have confused alpha linolenic [...]

As we've seen many times with various therapies, one size rarely fits all. And the same is true with vitamin supplements.

According to a new study from US Department of Agriculture researchers at Tufts University, compounds in oats called avenanthramides significantly suppress the types of molecules that make blood cells stick to artery walls, causing the inflammation that leads to atherosclerosis.

In fact, a migraine is just one symptom of a larger problem – a neurological and vascular disorder with additional symptoms, such as nausea, auras (flashes of light or blurred vision), vomiting, limb numbness and speech impairment. And if migraines go untreated, they can sometimes lead to more serious conditions, including permanent loss of vision, strokes, aneurysms, coma, and even death.

Now new research reveals that a key enzyme may provide an effective way to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.