Researchers studied 432 male and female participants with major depression for the randomized, double-blind study. For eight weeks, half of the participants took three capsules per day of a fish oil supplement containing high concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The other half took three identical capsules of a placebo consisting of sunflower oil, flavored with a small quantity of fish oil.

They found that use of EPA is effective among patients with unipolar depression unaccompanied by an anxiety disorder.

"Despite significant progress in neuroscience over the past two decades, depression is difficult to treat," said study author François Lespérance, M.D. "Many alternative treatments have not been adequately evaluated. That is why it was important to assess the efficacy of omega-3, one of the most popular alternative approaches."

Approximately 20.9 million American adults, or about 9.5 percent of the United States population age 18 and older, suffer from mood disorders, including depression. Depression is now the world’s fourth leading cause of morbidity and death.

Researchers say additional research directly comparing omega-3 with conventional antidepressants could more clearly confirm their usefulness for patients suffering from depression.

Fortunately, your eyes can protect themselves and replace old, tired cells with new ones as long as they’re nourished properly. Most vision loss is just nature’s way of warning you that your eyes are starving for blood, oxygen and nutrients.

And another huge problem is the onslaught of free radicals—rogue molecules that are lurking in your eyes ready to stalk and kill your healthy cells. These free radicals are the result of toxic influences such as overcooked meats, refined white sugars, refined white flours, hydrogenated oils, preservatives, household chemicals, asbestos, pesticides and environmental pollutants in the air and water. Other causes include…

• Smoking or second-hand smoke.
• Prescription drugs, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
• Excessive alcoholic consumption.
• Electromagnetic radiation from power lines, computer monitors, television, microwaves and sunburns.
• Mental and emotional stress caused by criticism, anger, frustration, shame, depression and worry.

To reap the benefits of maximum eye health protection… help fight off age-related eye problems… and perhaps help prevent the need for stronger eyeglass prescriptions in the future… you should include plenty of eye-nourishing foods in your diet. Be sure to consume an abundance of citrus fruits, broccoli, spinach and other leafy green vegetables, egg yolks, krill oil and fish such as salmon and mackerel.

Your diet should also include omega-3 supplements that contain effective nutrients to boost your vision such as omega-3 fatty acids, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), lycopene, n-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin,  bilberry extract,  vitamins A (beta-carotene), B6, C and E, L-taurine, zinc and selenium. With a combination of these nutrients and a healthy lifestyle, you may see a difference in your vision and in your quality of life.

The chemical has also been found in some research to have antioxidant properties which can reduce damage to the heart from oxidative stress. And now scientists at Arago Laboratory in Banyuls-sur-Mer, France, have found that a treatment using the chemical have improved the longevity of some animals, including the greater white-toothed shrew.

The animal generally only lives for a year to a year-and-a-half, but with melatonin supplementation at the one-year mark, it was able to maintain the circadian rhythm that maintains cell function through proper sleep.

According to the researchers, the effect was enough to eliminate those declines caused by aging for roughly three months, or one-quarter of its average lifespan.

They are now planning studies to examine the benefits of melatonin in reducing the effects of aging in humans, expanding on research showing its ability in some cases to reduce sleep problems in insomniacs.

This pH, or “potential of hydrogen” is a scale that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, and in this case it measures the pH balance of your cells and tissues. A pH of 7 is a perfectly neutral pH, from 0 to 7 indicates acidity and 7 to 14 indicates alkalinity.

When your pH levels are out of balance and you become acidic, your vital organs such as your lungs, liver and pancreas are exposed to premature aging… the lining of your arteries deteriorates… vital cartilage in your joints is damaged… your skin prematurely wrinkles… your muscle mass wears down… your immune system is weakened… and your calcium levels become depleted. And if your body becomes too acidic, the result can be deadly.

To maintain the proper chemical balance, you should consume 80 percent alkaline-forming foods and only 20 percent acid-forming foods. Some nutritious alkaline-forming foods include…

• Vegetables—Alfalfa, artichokes, asparagus, beans, bell peppers, cabbage, carrots, celery, chives, cauliflower, collards, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, leafy greens, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, ripe olives, onions, pumpkins, spinach and squash.
• Fruits—Apples, avocados, berries, cantaloupe, cherries, grapes, peaches, pineapples, tomatoes, watermelon and citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemons, limes and oranges.
• Grains and Legumes—Buckwheat, millet, spelt, lentils, lima beans, soybeans and white beans.
• Nuts and Seeds—Almonds, chestnuts, fennel seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soy nuts and sunflower seeds.
• Protein—Chicken breast, cottage cheese, eggs, fermented tofu and yogurt.
• Spices and Seasonings—Herbs, chili pepper, cinnamon, curry, ginger, mustard and sea salt.
• Beverages—Pure, fresh water, banchi tea, dandelion tea, fresh fruit juice, ginseng tea, green tea, herbal tea and vegetable juices.

Avoid acid-forming foods such as beef, poultry, pork, shellfish, dressings, cereals, pasta, oils, dairy products and sugar-laden desserts that can negatively impact your health and overload your organs of elimination—such as your lungs, kidneys and skin.

Plus, by adding a quality alkaline-balancing supplement to your wholesome diet regimen, you’ll ensure that your body’s excess acid is converted or eliminated. And you may avoid illness, allergies, viruses and diseases that manifest themselves when your body is overworked trying to restore its sensitive pH level.

"There is an increasing trend in the United States of people who want to stay active in sports and recreational activities after the age of 40," said lead author Brian Feeley, M.D. "These patients are not content with being told to stop what they love doing. As a result, orthopaedic surgeons and other physicians need to come up with different treatment strategies including non-operative treatments or even cartilage restoration procedures, to address pain and functionality, and to help keep patients as active as possible."

Researchers say that non-operative management such as bracing, hyaluronic acid injections, activity modification and anti-inflammatory medication may be used to help avoid surgery.

Alternative treatments like acupuncture and supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin may also be incorporated into an overall treatment plan.

Experts say one of the keys to managing the disease is to understand it and the many treatment options available.

"For each patient, it is important to tailor treatment to their symptoms and activity level, and to look for a healthcare provider who is willing to work with them over time to keep their knee as healthy as possible," Feeley said.

CoQ10 is the powerful antioxidant “spark” that ignites your cells’ ability to convert stored fats and nutrients into a usable form. Naturally produced in your liver and required by all cells for energy production, this “energy switch” sparks life to all 100 trillion of your body’s cells. CoQ10 shields your heart and your brain, and helps prevent memory loss… repairs damaged cells and feeds healthy ones… rejuvenates your aging brain, liver, lungs, heart and other organs… and protects you from free radical damage that can prematurely age your body.

When you’re younger, your liver makes more than enough of this powerful free-radical fighter. But by the time you’re 50, your natural levels of CoQ10 have significantly decreased, which can lead to life-threatening problems in your brain and especially in your heart.

But there’s also another reason why your precious CoQ10 supply is being leached from your body. Statin drugs that are used to help lower your bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and raise your good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol produce dangerous side effects and seriously deplete your levels of CoQ10. More than 39 million Americans will soon be taking cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Lipitor^®, Zocor^®, Pravachol^® and Crestor^®.

CoQ10 has been proven in numerous studies to help boost the health of your heart without side effects. In one study in which 2,664 patients with heart problems were given CoQ10 for 90 days, 63.4 percent saw an improvement in the strength of their heart muscle, and 75 percent experienced a significant decrease in heart palpitations.

And at least 34 placebo-controlled studies support the effectiveness of this Nobel Prize-winning nutrient’s heart protection—and even heart-healing—qualities. Plus, more than 1,000 published reports provide a testament to CoQ10’s ability to support not only the health of the heart, but of the brain and body, as well.

However, as you age your body can’t produce enough CoQ10 and supplementation is necessary. Find a quality bio-available form of CoQ10 that is fully soluble and free of crystals. After all, CoQ10 means energy for your body… and energy is the very essence of life.

According to Reuters, researchers analyzed the results of 21 previous studies conducted between 1975 and 2007, and involving more than 622,000 adults with and without migraines. Their findings are published in the American Journal of Medicine.

Scientists say they were able to confirm a relationship between the headaches and ischemic stroke, which is caused when a clot disrupts blood flow to the brain.

Lead researcher Saman Nazarian, M.D., told the news provider that migraine sufferers should be vigilant about controlling any modifiable risk factors for stroke that they may have.

The National Stroke Association recommends preventing strokes by controlling hypertension, avoiding smoking, eating a low-fat diet, limiting stress and exercising.

Previous studies have linked a Mediterranean-style diet, eating dark chocolate and even daily champagne consumption with reducing stroke risk.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the higher your blood sugar levels, the more elevated your risk of…

• Cavities (tooth decay)—The starches and sugars in food and beverages interact with the bacteria in your mouth and a sticky film known as plaque forms on the outer surface, or enamel, of your teeth. And the acids in the plaque attack the enamel, which leads to cavities. The higher your blood sugar levels, the greater the amount of sugars and starches—and the more acid wearing down your teeth.
• Gingivitis (early gum disease)—Diabetes can weaken your ability to fight bacteria, and this can cause more plaque to build up on your teeth. Without regular brushing and flossing, this plaque will harden under your gumline and become tartar. The longer the plaque and tartar are allowed to remain on your teeth, the more irritation they cause to the gum area along the base of your teeth—known as the gingiva. Eventually, your gums begin to swell and bleed—a condition known as gingivitis.
• Periodontitis (advanced gum disease)—If gingivitis is allowed to go untreated, it can lead to a serious infection that destroys the bone and soft tissue that support your teeth—a condition known as periodontitis. Periodontitis allows the gums to pull away from your teeth causing your teeth to become loose—even to the point of falling out of your mouth. People who suffer from diabetes usually have more severe cases of periodontitis because diabetes lowers your resistance to infection and slows the healing process.

However, you can make a commitment to manage your blood sugar imbalance through natural methods and lifestyle changes to decrease your chances of developing dental problems. I recommend you don’t smoke because this bad habit increases the risk of serious blood sugar complications—including gum disease. I would also reduce your intake of sugar since too much can be acid-forming and that’s bad news for your health.

Various natural herbs, minerals and vitamins such as banaba leaf extract, cinnamon, chromium, gymnema sylvestre and biotin can help control your blood sugar levels. This will mean added protection for not only your dental health… but your overall health, as well.

The study also found that the colon tissue of the treated mice had greater angiogenesis, a process that is necessary for wounds to heal.

Colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the inner tissue of the colon becomes inflamed and damaged and can result in painful sores. It’s estimated that as many as 3.3 million Americans suffer from the disease.

Healthcare practitioners have recommended probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, as an alternative treatment for the disease. Researchers involved with this study say further studies are necessary before it is known whether these results can be applied to humans.

According to the Mayo Clinic, other alternative therapies believed to help treat colitis include prebiotics, acupuncture and nutritional supplements containing fish oil and aloe vera. Reducing stress and avoiding trigger foods are also believed to be beneficial solutions.

According to Norman Walker, Ph.D., author of Colon Health: The Key to a Vibrant Life, “The most prevalent ailment afflicting civilized people is constipation!” How do you know if you’re constipated? If you’re experiencing bloating in your belly… embarrassing gas… bad breath… body odor… back pain… irritable bowels… fatigue… cramping… or even diarrhea, then it’s highly likely that you’re suffering from this condition. And unfortunately, if you have mucus and toxic waste building up in your colon, you may also experience hay fever, colds, sore throats, pimples, sinus infections and eye and ear problems as a result.

But that’s just the beginning of your health problems. “In addition to physical ailments, it is almost impossible to maintain a clear mind and proper mental and spiritual equilibrium when we allow the colon to go unattended for too long a time,” states author Michael Dye in his book, God’s Way to Ultimate Health.

However, there are safe and natural ways to ensure that you don’t have to suffer from the pain, discomfort and health problems associated with constipation. To keep your colon free from fecal matter, you should…

• Drink plenty of water each day to help rehydrate your digestive system. To determine the appropriate amount of water your body needs, divide your body weight by half and that will give you the number of ounces of water you should intake per day.
• Exercise regularly to increase your blood flow, which will aid your body in the elimination of waste.
• Consume plenty of fiber every day through supplementation and a whole foods diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, dried beans, wheat bran, flaxseed, oat bran, oatmeal, dried beans, barley and rye.
• Consume plenty of essential fatty acids like krill oil, flax and borage to lubricate your digestive system and smooth the way for proper elimination.
• Supplement with nutrients such as aloe ferox, peppermint leaf, ginger root extract, deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, bacteria coagulans (BC30) and digestive enzymes such as amylase, protease and lipase.

By taking these steps to promote increased colon and digestive health, you can save yourself from the misery of constipation. And with healthier bowels and proper elimination, you may find that there is an improvement in your overall quality of life.