Posts Tagged ‘Ginkgo Biloba’

Hemorrhagic Stroke Question

October 17, 2015 Written by JP

Recently, I was asked an intriguing question that regularly comes up in my line of work. A friend of the site wondered whether eating too many “super foods” or going overboard on supplements can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. There are two types of stroke: hemorrhagic and ischemic. According to the National Stroke Association, only about 15% of strokes are the hemorrhagic variety. This form of stroke involves bleeding in the brain caused by damaged or weakened arteries and blood vessels. Cerebral blood spills build up pressure in the cranium and subsequently damage the brain.

Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Nutritional Supplements | 9 Comments & Updates

Female Libido Support Part Two

June 26, 2015 Written by JP

Hormones play a pivotal role in sexual desire in both men and women. Perhaps the most recognizable examples are the changes that are precipitated during andropause and menopause. Prescription hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can address some of the symptoms of these processes. But, HRT is not without contra-indications and risks. One of the more interesting aspects of flibanserin, the so called “Female Viagra”, is that it addresses hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in older and younger women, whether premenopausal, perimenopausual or postmenopausual. And, flibanserin does so without affecting hormone levels.

Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutritional Supplements, Women's Health | 9 Comments & Updates

Natural ADHD Alternatives

December 4, 2014 Written by JP

A stunning new survey sponsored by the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids reports that 20% of all college students and roughly 15% of non-student young adults abuse stimulant medications. The legal drugs in question, intended to treat ADHD, include best sellers such as Adderall, Ritalin and Vyvanse. The most commonly cited reasons for the noted abuse include a desire to enhance academic or work performance and to stave off normal feelings of nighttime sleepiness. What’s even more disturbing is that 28% of the young adults surveyed, aged 18 to 25, misrepresented the severity of their ADHD symptoms in order to attain higher dosages of these conditionally dangerous drugs. In addition, the practice of selling and/or sharing said medications with family, fellow students and friends is quite common.

Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements | 25 Comments & Updates

Vitiligo Alternatives

March 30, 2011 Written by JP

Of all the organs in the human body, the skin receives the most attention the majority of the time. We consider whether it’s pale or tan, dry or oily, smooth or wrinkled. The appearance of skin also tells others a fair share about who we are. It can reveal clues about ancestry and genetic tendencies. One’s complexion can impart an impression of health when rosy and glowing or illness when pasty and pale. The choice of whether or not to use make up or how much of it also tells a story about who we are and what we value.
Read more »


Tags: , , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements | 13 Comments & Updates

Ginkgo and Milk Thistle News

February 8, 2011 Written by JP

Being an informed consumer almost always results in greater satisfaction. This applies when you’re shopping for a car, electronics, a new home and, without a doubt, medical care. In the realm of modern health care if you simply accept all of the information presented by so-called experts, you’ll often miss out on opportunities that you won’t even know exist. Two herbs that are frequently criticized in the popular press are Ginkgo biloba and Silybum marianum or milk thistle. On many occasions they’re described as ineffective and/or unproven at best and potentially dangerous at worst. However, what’s often left out of the picture is the actual data that supports their use and offers clues about their relative safety.
Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Memory, Men's Health, Nutritional Supplements | 15 Comments & Updates

Healthy Criticism

December 17, 2010 Written by JP

On this site, I generally focus on the more positive and promising aspects of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). But not every study that examines the merits of natural treatments yields successful results. It’s important to point this out because I don’t want any of you to put your faith in holistic practices that could be ineffective and/or unsafe. To my mind, this is perhaps the greatest threat to the natural health movement. Setting unrealistic expectations in both open-minded patients and physicians is a recipe for disaster.
Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements | 8 Comments & Updates

Botox Migraines

October 22, 2010 Written by JP

A news item that received a great deal of attention this past week was the FDA’s decision to approve Botox for the treatment of chronic migraines. This was welcome news for the estimated 12% of the US population who live with this debilitating form of headache pain. But as with all medications, symptomatic relief often comes at a price. The treatment itself requires 31 injections directed at seven specific points in the head and neck. In addition, a number of adverse reactions have been reported in relation to onabotulinumtoxin A. Documented side effects include the possibility of blurred vision, breathing problems, difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms or weakness and neck pain. A recent interview with the actress Dana Delany in Prevention magazine chronicles her own negative experience with cosmetic Botox which resulted in a “huge hematoma” and subsequent muscle and nerve damage in the eye region. (1,2)
Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Mental Health, Nutritional Supplements | 14 Comments & Updates