A recent study on the use of red yeast rice found it to be a useful and effective alternative to prescription statins. Although it may not be good news to the pharmacological industry, it's great news for those patients who cannot take statins and need support in reducing their cholesterol.

The participants in the study had a previous history of statin intolerance and high cholesterol. They were divided into two groups that received either a placebo or a1800 mg of red yeast rice twice daily. Both groups also participated in a lifestyle change program which included exercise, relaxation techniques and nutrition education. The study group showed a significant decrease in cholesterol levels compared to the placebo group. In addition, the study group did not report any increase in pain levels. For further information regarding this study please go to: http://www.annals.org/content/150/12/830.full.pdf+html

Annals of Internal Medicine, June 16, 2009 vol. 150 no. 12 830-839

Healthy Reasons to Supplement with Multivitamins

It seems that eating right used to be easier. There were the basics: four food groups, three 'square' meals a day and you took a vitamin because your mom told you to. Fast forward to 2009, and it's not so simple anymore. Now we have a food pyramid, daily values, RDA's, good fats and bad fats. Not to mention those antioxidants and the free radicals that they scavenge. Most people find these recommendations hard to understand and even harder to apply to their busy lives. Meeting even the most basic recommendation of 5 servings of fruit and vegetable a day becomes challenging when eating on the run! Click here for more information.

Mangosteen and Immune Function

A recent clinical study of a mangosteen dietary supplement with vitamins and minerals was found to show positive benefits to human immune function. A randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 59 healthy human volunteers over the course of 30 days. At the conclusion of the trial, the data indicated a statistically significant change in immune function markers from the baseline in the study group versus the placebo group. The changes were positive and pointed to enhance immune function. Subjects from the study group also self reported a greater sense of improved health. Further studies evaluating the effects of the mangosteen product on different population groups with emphasis on long term outcomes is warranted. Click here for more information

Energy Drinks That Make A Difference

While there's often no shortage of things on our to-do list, we often run short on time and energy. Today, young and old alike are looking to energy drinks to help beat the energy deficit in today's fast paced world, and it seems to be working for them.

What's so different about the energy drinks of today versus traditional soda or coffee? Maybe it's some of the unique ingredients like Taurine, Choline chloride, D-ribose, Inositol and Guarana. These are just some of the popular ingredients in high quality energy drinks on the market today. Click here for more information.

Good News for Vitamin and Mineral Users

Three recently published studies showed positive findings for the role of vitamins in disease prevention and overall wellness. Intake levels of calcium, vitamin D and B vitamins showed a strong association with reduced risks of acute health conditions. The Council for Responsible Nutrition applauded the study conclusions stating that the new findings may lead to some new avenues of research.

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine reported a positive link between high intakes of calcium from both food and supplements and lower incidences of colorectal and other digestive cancers in both men and women. Additionally, women who consumed up to 1,300 mgs of calcium per day had an overall lower risk of cancer. Click here for more information.

Vitamin D and it's Significant Role in the Body

Vitamin D has long been known to support bone health but new studies are revealing impacts such as increased muscle strength in preteen girls and improved cognitive function in the elderly. Vitamin D also has roles in the nervous and reproductive system and in muscle contraction. Given the significance of the role of Vitamin D, it is not surprising to see that experts are requesting a closer look at the current intakes and recommendations. Currently the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for Vitamin D ranges from 200-600 IU per day depending on the age and gender of the individual. The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) commented that the current daily recommended intakes (DRI's) are based on Vitamin D deficiency diseases such as rickets and osteomalacia and are outdated, especially in the light of new research findings about the role of Vitamin D in health.
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September 2008 Healthwatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The September issue of HealthWatch features the following articles:The Importance Of Strong Immunity and National Cancer Institute Encourages Eating Blue And Purple Fruits And Vegetables
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July 2008 Healthwatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The July issue of HealthWatch features the following articles:Nature's Pharmacy Anthocyanins, National Cancer Institute Encourages Eating Blue and Purple Fruits and Vegetables, Study Concludes Fruit/ Blueberry Consumption May Prevent Cardiovascular Disease. Click here for more information.

June 2008 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The June issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Mens Health, National Men's Health Week, Action Plan For Lowering Blood Pressure, Antioxidant Rich Green Tea May Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk. Click here for more information.

May 2008 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The May issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Women and Heart Health, Women's Health, Green Tea Breast Cancer, Diet Helps Reduce Cardiac Disease in Women, National Women's Health Week.Click here for more information.

April 2008 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The April issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: The Importance of a Healthy Immunity, Nutrients and the Body's Defenses, Healthful Bacteria Plus Vitamins and Minerals May Help Common Cold, Micronutrients Help Women's Health and Immune Function According to Review. Click here for more information.

March 2008 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The March issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficency Linked to Increased Heart Disease Risk, Vitamin D Deficiencies Still Common Yet Preventable and Vitamin D and Osteoporosis Click here for more information.

February 2008 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The February issue of HealthWatch features the following article: Antioxidants and Health and Antioxidant Rich Green Tea May Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk. Click here for more information.

January 2008 HealthWatch

December 2007 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The December issue of HealthWatch features the following article: Obesity Rates Rise to Epidemic Proportions and the Consequences are Serious - What Can We Do? Click here for more information.

November 2007 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The November issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Magnesium Intake Essential For Good Cardiometabolic Health, Research Shows Green Tea Has Positive Anti-Obesity Effects and Even More Research Would be Helpful, Calcium Important During Weight Loss. Click here for more information.

October 2007 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The October issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Research Says Americans Have Terrible Diets, Children Residing in the North At Risk of Low Vitamin D Levels, Flaxseed May Help With Hot Flashes, Green Tea Shows Evidence of Helping Stimulate Cancer Protection, Multivitamins and Minerals May Improve Mental Health in Elderly. Click here for more information.

Special Edition:
Nutritional and Natural Weight Management

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's Special Edition HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. This issue of HealthWatch features the following articles:

Green Tea With EGCG and Caffeine May Play A Role In Body Composition, Tea Rich Catechins Leads to Reduction in Body Fat, Herbal Blend Containing Guarana Helps Delay Gastric Emptying and Induce Weight Loss, Study Suggests Banaba Leaf Extract May Have Antiobesity Activity, Study Connects Calcium to Weight Loss, Calcium Important During Weight Loss, Yoga Benefits Weight Maintenance and Weight Loss, Magnesium Intake Essential For Good Cardiometabolic Health, Research Shows Green Tea Has Positive Anti-Obesity Effects and Even More Research Would be Helpful, Combination of Calcium and Vitamin D May Help Cholesterol Levels During Weight Loss, Guarana Seed Extracts Possess Strong Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity, Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance - Caffeine and Green Tea Intake, Cancer-Fighting Benefits of Exercise. Click Here for more Information.

August 2007 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The August issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Folate Supplementation Still Inconsistent Among Women; Guarana Seed Extracts Possess Strong Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity; Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation Reduces Cancer Risk; Tea Rich Catechins Leads to Reduction in Body Fat; Folic Acid May Reduce Stroke Risk; Supplementing the Diet With Fruit, Vegetables, and Green Tea Can Prevent Oxidative Stress. Click here for more information.

June 2007 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The June issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Green Tea May Help Arthritis Sufferers; Tea Drinking May Lower Skin Cancer Risk; Peppermint Oil Relieves Digestive Disorders and Headache; Fruits and Vegetables Have Cancer Fighting Ability and Trace Elements Help Major Burn Patients. Click here for more information.

May 2007 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The May issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Berries' May Effect Cancer Cells, Vitamin D Intake May Reduce Breast Cancer, Vitamin D During Pregnancy May Reduce Child Wheezing, Calcium and Vitamin D May Limit Stress Fractures. Read More.

April 2007 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The April issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Calcium and Vitamin D May Help Reduce Stress Fractures, Compounds Found in Fruit and Vegetables Help Support Heart Health, Folic Acid Supplements May Prevent Cleft Lip and Palate In Infants and Component in Green Tea Found Helpful in Alzheimer's Disease Prevention. Read More.

March 2007 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The March issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Combination of Calcium and Vitamin D May Help Cholesterol Levels During Weight Loss, Supplementing the Diet With
Fruit, Vegetables, and Green Tea Can Prevent Oxidative Stress, Tomato and Broccoli Combo May Help Reduce Prostate Cancer and Yoga Benefits Weight Maintenance and Weight Loss. Read More.

February 2007 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The February issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Select Monosaccharides Effective In Stimulating Immune System, Proanthocyanidins are a specific class of phytonutrients with numerous health giving properties, Preliminary Study Shows Proanthocyanidins Defend Brain Activity, Proanthocyanidins May Prevent Periodontal Disease and Grapefruit And Lemon Essential Oil Show Promise For Weight Loss. Read More.

January 2007 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Nutrition Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The January issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Galactose: A New Hopefor Cancer, Hexose Sugars May Improve Wound Healing, Aromatherapy Useful in Treating Pain, Essential Oils May Ease Menstrual Complaints, Aromatherapy in Nursing on the Rise and Ginger Essential Oil May Reduce Post-Op Nausea. Read More.

December 2006 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Nutrition Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The December issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Juniper Berry Essential Oil Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Vitamin D Lauded as Super Vitamin, Eating Veggies Linked to Cognitive Health, Vitamin D Linked to Lowered Pancreatic Cancer Risk and Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Have a Modern Role In Healing. Read More.

November 2006 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Nutrition Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The November issue of HealthWatch features the following articles: Vitamin D May Reduce Falls in the Elderly, Green Tea May Reduce the Risk of Early Death, in addition to articles regarding how cola weakens bones, aromatherapy during childbirth and how sleep is affected by essential oils. Read More.

October 2006 HealthWatch

Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. Read More

Study Finds Red Yeast Rice to be an Effective Alternative to Prescription Statins