OK, but does anyone actually rely on a breakfast cereal for health information? Could this be more about protecting Big Pharma?

The FDA is going after General Mills for the health claims associated with Cheerios cereal (read the warning letter here).  (more…)

Can a nutrient found in apples get those blood pressure numbers down?

Quercetin is already widely used a dietary supplement ingredient, although it’s rarely used just by itself. More commonly, quercetin is combined  with other complementary supplements or as part of a multi-ingredient formulas that target a specific health condition or factor. For example, one popular quercetin combination marketed by many supplement brands combines quercetin with the pineapple enzyme bromelain in a popular formula for allergy-like symptoms.  You’ll also see quercetin in  prostate formulas and products for vascular health, too. A new human quercetin study is bound to attract much more interest in quercetin since it shows beneficial effects on both blood pressure and harmful LDL cholesterol.  And these effects were demonstrated in people with metabolic syndrome, who are already at high risk for hypertension and cholesterol imbalances.  Better, yet, quercetin is inexpensive, natural, safe and very well-tolerated with none of the side-effects of either blood pressure or cholesterol drugs. (more…)

Vitamin E has taken some heat in the mainstream press.

Dear AllStarHealth,

I’ve always taken vitamin E because there’s a family history of heart disease and a few of my nutrition books say it’s beneficial.  But in the last few years I’ve come across conflicting information about vitamin E including some recent news stories that say it doesn’t help and can actually be harmful to use vitamin E supplements.  So what’s the story?

Thanks,

Mike W.

Novato, CA

Dear Mike,

Once upon a time, the type of vitamin E supplement in question wouldn’t have mattered because they were all the same. At this point in time, however, it really depends on what kind of vitamin E supplement we’re talking about. (more…)

Coffee really isn't so bad for you after all.

It seems like coffee has always had bad rap among the health-conscious.  What have you heard? That it will cause cancer? Cause an ulcer? Raise risk of a heart attack? Actually, none of these are supported by science. Find out why and how coffee can be a beneficial, healthy beverage.

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A stress herb that lowers cholesterol, another body blow for fructose, and a big sigh of relief for popcorn lovers. Find out what else is new in our roundup of the latest nutrition research.

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