Milk thistle is a common plant that has long been regarded useful for protecting the liver; many take it to fight chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. A lot of people also take milk thistle simply to “de-toxify” and keep their liver healthy.… Read the rest
All posts by Richard Saint Cyr MD
Ten Psychology Studies From 2009
I found an interesting post from True/Slant that reviews the 2009 literature in psychology and chose their favorite top ten articles. The author discusses some fascinating studies which center on issues such as:
- Playing video games could be an unlikely cure for psychological trauma.
Kids & Medicines: Throw Away The Kitchen Spoons
Parents always face this dilemma: “half a teaspoon” or “one tablespoon” of medicine for their child. But it’s fairly obvious that spoons now come in all shapes and sizes, so perhaps your child isn’t getting the correct dose. Now, a new study shows that there is a lot of variability in those spoons, enough so that parents should invest a couple dollars in a measured dropper instead.… Read the rest
Stressed? Try Tai Chi & Yoga
I’m a big fan of tai chi and yoga; they are a wonderful exercise for young and old — especially tai chi for the elderly. They also provide terrific and sustaining lifestyle changes to deal with stress. The Mayo Clinic website just published a nice series of articles about tai chi and yoga that can help beginners.… Read the rest
Running Barefoot: Better Than Sneakers?
All you runners spending a paycheck on the latest running gear may want to know that mounting evidence suggests barefoot is better. There’s a fascinating review in the latest Scientific American (Observations: Running barefoot is better, researchers find) that reviews the latest medical literature, including a recent article in Nature that analyzed stress patterns of barefoot runners.… Read the rest
Indoor Plants: Natural Air Purifiers
Are you aware that certain plants can act as natural air purifiers? Indoor air pollution is a serious problem in many communities, especially in cities. But there are also issues with indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde or varnishes that can also cause problems.… Read the rest