How many of you are like myself and take fish oil or flax oil supplements? This is one of the world’s most popular supplements, as many have heard about the health benefits of the main ingredient, omega-3 fatty acid (DHA and EPA).… Read the rest
Category Archives: Supplements
Glucosamine and Arthritis: What's The Evidence?
Many people take glucosamine supplements for arthritis, but how well does it really work? Unfortunately, the best evidence is less than overwhelming. What does seem clear is that, out of the many types of glucosamine pills, only glucosamine sulfate may work.
Milk Thistle: Does It Really Protect Your Liver?
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
Vitamin D: Miracle or Hype?
Just a couple weeks ago I posted an article discussing the trendiness of vitamin D. Since then, there is even more press about this; last week I reported how sales of vitamin D are jumping. Now, the New York Times also reviews the literature, with a cautionary note (The Miracle of Vitamin D: Sound Science, or Hype?… Read the rest
The Top Supplements of 2009
One of my favorite consumer websites is from ConsumerLab.com; they perform independent testing of the common supplements, herbs and vitamins that most of us use. Consider it the Consumer Reports of supplements. They charge to use the site but they have a free weekly newsletter, which this week had the following survey results of the most common supplements of 2009:
… Read the rest
Fish oil/omega-3 supplements were used by 74.0% of respondents (up from 71.6% in 2008), followed in popularity by multivitamins, which were used by 72% (down from 73.8% in the prior year).