Low-carb diet proven just as effective as leading weight loss pill.
Need to lose 10 pounds? A new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that a low-carb diet is just as effective as a leading weight loss pill—even for people who are obese or have Type 2 diabetes.
What surprised researchers, though, was that cutting out sugary carbs lowered blood pressure—something the weight loss drug orlistat (better known as "Alli") did not accomplish! The carb-cutters in this randomized trial dropped about 6% in their systolic blood pressure (the top number in a… Continue reading Categories
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Lower Blood Pressure and Slim Down with the Right Carbs
February 8th, 2010Low-carb diet proven just as effective as leading weight loss pill.
Need to lose 10 pounds? A new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that a low-carb diet is just as effective as a leading weight loss pill—even for people who are obese or have Type 2 diabetes.
What surprised researchers, though, was that cutting out sugary carbs lowered blood pressure—something the weight loss drug orlistat (better known as "Alli") did not accomplish! The carb-cutters in this randomized trial dropped about 6% in their systolic blood pressure (the top number in a… Continue reading 
When Chest Pain Really Is Heartburn, Not a Heart Attack
February 5th, 2010
Reflux disease is serious, but you'll be surprised how easy relief can be.
The most expensive digestive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) inflicts with burning pain just under the breastbone on about 40% of American adults. Consumers spend over $1 billion on antacids and other heartburn medicines, which often make this problem even worse.
Normally, digestion moves food down from the mouth to the rest of the GI tract. But eating too much too fast and consuming certain foods and drink—alcohol, chocolate, coffee, mints, pepper, and too many refined foods (especially fatty and sugary… Continue reading BPA in Plastics Linked to Heart Disease
February 3rd, 2010
Regular seasonal detox helps protect your heart and so much more.
Widely used in packaging, bisophenol A (also known as BPA) has been consistently associated with cardiovascular disease in American adults. More than 2.2 million metric tons of BPA are produced annually—in drink containers, food packaging, and the lining of canned goods.
Americans get additional exposure through dental sealants, drinking water, and inhalation of household dust. No wonder exposure to this toxic chemical is so pervasive!
Based on a new large-scale study of over 2,600 people with known BPA levels, researchers suggest that men in… Continue reading Lost That Loving Feeling?
February 1st, 2010
Rekindle romance naturally in time for Valentine's Day.
Julia R. Heiman, PhD, director of the Kinsey Institute for Sex, Gender, and Reproduction at Indiana University, estimates that 25 to 53% of women of all ages have low libido. And judging by all those commercials for erectile dysfunction, estimates that 30 million men experience sexual dysfunction don't seem at all unreasonable.
Candlelight and soft music may not be enough to spark that loving feeling in today's high-stress world. Before you invest in a bottle of bubbly or a slinky negligee for Valentine's Day, ask yourself… Continue reading Looking for Longer, More Luxurious Lashes?
January 29th, 2010
Look to natural remedies and your thyroid for beautiful lashes.
As people grow older, hair follicles—even eyelashes—begin to lose their "oomph." But that's no reason to fall for those LATISSE ads.
The product's side effects include darkening eyelid skin, possible browning of the iris of the eye itself, and dry, itchy, red eyes and lids.
What you also may not realize is this eyelash product is actually an ophthalmic solution used for glaucoma, a dangerous vision disorder. Common side effects of bimatoprost, the active ingredient, include conjunctivitis (burning, red, swollen eyes), permanent iris discoloration, and… Continue reading D Defends Against Colon Cancer
January 27th, 2010
Detox is also important to remove disease-causing toxins.
Got enough vitamin D? Research increasingly points out that all age groups—77% of Americans—are low in this "sunshine" vitamin.
A new study at the University of Hawaii finds vitamin D lowers the risk for colorectal cancer in a variety of ethnic groups. "There is now quite a lot of evidence from studying populations that people who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to develop bowel cancer," adds Dr. Panagiota Mitrou, science program manager for the World Cancer Research Fund.
In the biggest study yet… Continue reading Fight Flab and Keep Your Muscles Toned
January 25th, 2010
The right protein is as important as exercise.
Like it or not, muscle loss is a natural part of aging. To prevent flabby muscles, most people head to the gym. But even a consistent weight-lifting regimen may not be enough to prevent flab.
"The older we get, the more we need to eat sufficient protein to keep muscles from atrophying," writes Nan Kathryn Fuchs, PhD, in this month's Women's Health Letter. We also don't digest what protein we do get as well as we did when we were younger.
Recent research in the Journal of… Continue reading Can Disinfectants Create Superbugs?
January 22nd, 2010
Drug-resistant bacteria are becoming all too common.
Whether hand sanitizers or industrial strength cleaners, disinfectants are increasingly the first line of defense against bacterial infection. Ironically, this weapon may also be helping to strengthen our microbial enemies—superbugs that resist commonly used disinfectants and antibiotic drugs.
Recent research shows that disinfecting wipes—used to protect against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus)—can actually spread this prevalent superbug. Originally a hospital-based infection, MRSA has increased seven-fold in the larger community, striking gyms and locker rooms as well as outpatient medical facilities.
Scarier still, scientists now suspect that disinfectants can "train"… Continue reading Got Problems with Gluten? You Are Not Alone!
January 20th, 2010
Sensitivity to grains is linked to depression, headaches, and indigestion.
Wheat intake can trigger two increasingly prevalent immune-related conditions—celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. New Israeli research finds that people with multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory muscle disorders have antibodies to gluten (a protein in barley, wheat, and other grains) suggesting sensitivity to this reactive substance.
At least 3 million Americans have celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack—and eventually destroy—the walls of the small intestine. In people with related symptoms (anemia, arthritis, depression, diarrhea, digestive discomfort, infertility, malabsorption, and… Continue reading How Clean Is Your Drinking Water?
January 18th, 2010
Drugs, parasites, pesticides, and sewage can pollute water supplies.
Millions of Americans drink dirty water, reveals a recent analysis of government data. In the past three years alone, over 9,400 sewer systems—many in major U.S. cities—have dumped untreated or partly treated wastes, chemicals, and other toxins into lakes, rivers, and other water sources that can make their way into your home.
A recent study in the journal Pediatrics shows that the number of children suffering from diarrhea rises whenever sewers overflow. And as many as four million Californians get sick every year from swimming… Continue reading 
Visionary, health guru, diet/detox expert, author, spokesperson, role model, and natural foods icon, Ann Louise Gittleman has always been a trendsetter. 
