Fish Oils Improve Mood in Elderly Women
Background: The ability to produce a highly concentrated form of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA that is free from lipid peroxides, heavy metals, environmental contaminants, and other harmful compounds has revolutionized nutritional medicine. A huge...
Can 5-HTP help Mend a Broken Heart?
Background: 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that is the middle step between tryptophan and the important brain chemical serotonin. Considerable scientific evidence indicates that low serotonin levels are linked to a number of common conditions including...
Premenstrual Syndrome
What is Premenstrual Syndrome? Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a recurrent condition of women, characterized by troublesome symptoms seven to fourteen days before menstruation. Typical symptoms include: decreased energy level, tension, irritability, depression,...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the large intestine with no evidence of accompanying structural defect. IBS is characterized by some combination of abdominal pain or distension; altered bowel function,...
Insomnia & Sleep-wake Cycle Disorder
What is Insomnia? Insomnia refers to a difficulty in achieving or maintaining normal sleep. There are two basic forms of insomnia. In sleep-onset insomnia a person has a difficult time falling asleep. In sleep-maintenance insomnia a person suffers from frequent or...
Hypoglycemia
What is Hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar. Normally, the body maintains blood sugar levels within a narrow range through the coordinated effort of several glands and their hormones. If these control mechanisms are disrupted, hypoglycemia (low blood...
Gallstones
What are Gallstones? Gallstones are round or oval, smooth or faceted lumps of solid matter found in the gallbladder (the sac under the liver where bile is stored and concentrated). Gallstones may be without symptoms or may be associated with periods of intense pain in...
Depression
What is Depression? Depression is characterized by feelings of low self-esteem, pessimism, and despair. Clinical depression is more than feeling depressed. The official definition of clinical depression is based on the following eight primary criteria: Poor appetite...
Constipation
What is Constipation? Constipation refers to the inability to defecate. Hard, small and difficult-to-pass stools are the most frequent complaint. The frequency of defecation and the consistency and volume of stools vary so greatly from individual to individual that it...
Congestive Heart Failure
What is Congestive Heart Failure? Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to an inability of the heart to effectively pump enough blood. Weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms of CHF. What Causes Congestive Heart Failure? Chronic CHF is...