A clinical trial in older women finds that taking a daily probiotic supplement slows bone loss.Probiotics are live microorganisms that may offer a health benefit when taken in adequate amounts. Be it from fermented foods such as yoghurt or from a commercial supplement, there is a lot of consumer interest in them.The clinical evidence for probiotics places treatment of … [Read more...] about Probiotics show promise in protecting bones
Nutrition Supplements
Who needs to use protein supplements?
The protein and amino acid supplement market is big business. Bars, shakes, giant tubs of powder and specialist amino acid supplements dominate supplement shelves. But the decision to use protein supplements is based more on slick marketing claims than anything else; protein supplements offer few real performance benefits that an athlete’s normal diet isn’t already … [Read more...] about Who needs to use protein supplements?
A Christmas Carol of vitamin D deficiency
In my last blog for the year, I thought I would tie in a Christmas theme and what better way than by unpicking Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol as a wonderful case study in vitamin D deficiency. Read on for more.A Christmas Carol is a classic tale describing the life of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and how it was transformed after his encounter with the ghosts of … [Read more...] about A Christmas Carol of vitamin D deficiency
Weight loss supplements loosen dietary control
People who take weight loss supplements are less likely to control other areas of their diet – a well-described psychological effect known as moral licensing.Weight loss supplements are big business despite most of them having little evidence to support their miraculous weight-loss claims. Fat burners, fat blockers, metabolism boosters, and appetite suppressants – these are … [Read more...] about Weight loss supplements loosen dietary control
Spicing up diabetes treatment with cinnamon
Cinnamon is a popular spice, promoted for its ability to control blood sugar levels in diabetes. Clinical trials using cinnamon in diabetes though have mostly been small in number and haven’t always shown a positive benefit. With more clinical trials recently published, a new scientific review is painting a more positive picture of how this humble spice could have a role to … [Read more...] about Spicing up diabetes treatment with cinnamon