Glucosamine Might Not Work After All

A new report claims that glucosamine supplements don't really help to heal cartilage problems or reduce joint pain after all.  Researchers from the University of Arizona gave a glucosamine hydrochloride supplement to over 200 people for 6 months and found "no evidence" that it helped to heal knee cartilage, reduce bone bruises, or lessen knee pain.

We say: These studies usually end up being pretty lousy in terms of real world results. So many people have experienced benefits from taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements that it's extremely difficult to accept that they don't work at all!

Learn some mo': Glucosamine no cure for knee pain or deterioration, study says

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Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements Might Help You Live Longer

Taking vitamin D and calcium supplement may help you live longer, according to new research from Denmark. Researchers found that vitamin D by itself did not lead to longer life, but when combined with calcium the supplements caused a 9% decrease in overall mortality.

According to the researchers, the vitamin D/calcium combo did more than just protect the bones from osteoporosis and fractures. They appear to help protect health in the elderly in other ways that aren't completely clear.

Some experts believe that calcium and vitamin D supplements may help to improve cardiovascular health while also improving overall cell function. In regards to the recent studies showing no benefit taking D+calcium supplements, many claim those studies to be flawed because participants didn't take high enough levels of the nutrients.

According to study author Dr. Lars Rejnmark:

"Our study provides evidence of a cause-effect relationship -- that calcium and vitamin D causes beneficial effects to general health... Calcium with vitamin D has now been proven to reduce risk of osteoporotic fractures and death in the elderly."

Experts recommend that adults take up to 2,000 IU of vitamin D and about 1200 mg of calcium each and every day. Try to get it from both food and supplements if possible. According to Dr. Michael Holick, a professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine:

"[By taking vitamin D and calcium supplements] you will preserve your bone health, you will improve muscle strength and you may have additional health benefits including [lowering the] risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes and infectious diseases... There is no downside to increasing your vitamin D intake."

Learn some mo': Vitamin D Plus Calcium May Extend Life

Blowfish Hangover Pill: The Next Big Thing?

A new FDA-approved hangover "cure" has hit the market and some think it could be a bestseller for 2012. It's called "Blowfish" and it's basically an alka seltzer with big doses of caffeine, aspirin, and a "stomach-soothing" antacid formula designed to reduce hangover-related discomfort. The supplement is taken the morning after a night of drinking and it claims to be able to remedy a severe hangover within 30 minutes.

The people behind Blowfish say it's the perfect solution for dealing with crazy happy hours and out-of-control holiday parties. According to its creator: "This gets you functioning again quickly!"

A dose of Blowfish currently costs about 3 dollars. 6-packs can be had for about 12 bucks. Some experts say that, if it really works, it could catch on the way energy drink did and sell millions of units within just the first year.

We say: Sound cool but why wouldn't we just drink a Rockstar, take a couple big aspirins, and pop a couple of Tums like we normally do after a long night on Fremont Street??

 Learn some mo': Hangover pill approved by FDA

Resveratrol-Based Drugs Might Protect Obese & Fight Aging

Here's some good news for obese and overweight people. A new drug that mimics resveratrol (the "red wine" antioxidant) appears to protect obese mice from common obesity-relate diseases and allow them to live up to 44% longer than untreated obese mice. The drug, called SRT-1720, seems to reduce the amount of fat build-up in the liver while increasing insulin sensitivity -- two very good things if you're very fat!

According to Dr. Rafael de Cabo, a gerontologist at the National Institute on Aging:

"[the findings] demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of designing novel molecules that are safe and effective in promoting longevity and preventing multiple age-related diseases in mammals..."

Some experts worry that a drug that removes many of the health risks of being obese is dangerous. But, in practical terms, it could greatly improve the quality of life of overweight people and extend the life of everyone who takes it.

Sirtris, the small pharmaceutical company that created the drug, designed it to mimic the natural grape/fruit compound resveratrol. They're also developing several other drugs based on resveratrol's incredible health-protecting powers. Their research is based on evidence that consuming large amounts of resveratrol and resveratrol-like compounds can provide benefits similar to very-low-calorie diets... especially longer life.

SRT-1720 appears to be able to increase levels of a powerful protein substance called sirtuins in the body. And it takes much less SRT-1720 than natural resveratrol to get the same amount of sirtuin boost. Most importantly, it appears to have no signs of toxicity! Another drug in development -- called SRT-2104 -- may be even more powerful and, according to one researcher, more suitable for human consumption.

We say: There's little doubt that resveratrol is a powerful chemical with lots of health-boosting, anti-aging benefits. If these new resveratrol-based drugs really work with no dangerous side-effects that will be GREAT news for millions of overweight Americans and aging baby-boomers. But until then we'll stick with our red wine, red grapes, cheap resveratrol supplements, and healthy diet!

Learn some mo': Longer Lives for Obese Mice, With Hope for Humans of All Sizes

Fish Oil/DHA Supplements During Pregnancy = Stronger Baby Immune Systems

Taking fish oil supplements -- or possibly any type of DHA supplement -- during pregnancy may make your baby's immune system stronger. A new study shows that the babies of women taking fish oil/DHA supplements got sick less often and for shorter periods of time than babies of women who didn't take the healthy fat supplements.

DHA -- or docosahexaenoic acid -- is one of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, krill oil, and other marine supplements. Many health experts have long said that DHA supplements (and other omega 3 fat supplements) can significantly improve the health of both a baby and its mother. There is a strong connection between omega 3 fat intake and immune system boosting in humans. There is also some evidence that high omega 3 intake during and after pregnancy leads to smarter children.

Some experts believe that it's extremely important for women to eat large amounts of cold water fish and omega 3-rich seafood during pregnancy. But many doctors often urge against it because of the high levels of mercury and other toxins that are now found in most marine animals. A good fish oil or high-quality krill oil supplement may allow a women to enjoy the baby health-boosting benefits of DHA without the risks!

Learn some mo': Fish oil in pregnancy may ward off babies' colds

Recover From Heart Attack, Heart Surgery Faster With Simple Sugar Ribose

Ribose, a natural simple sugar, may help you recover from a heart attack faster. It may also help to speed up healing after heart surgery, according to a new study from the American Heart Association. Researchers say the sugar appears to improve ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production in damaged hearts, speeding up recovery and helping a patient avoid heart failure.

D-Ribose is a 5-carbon simple sugar that is found naturally in most of the cells of the body. It's been studied for several years now and most of the research points to the fact that it can definitely increase "cardiac energy," aid congestive heart failure patients, and promote overall cardiovascular health. It's a very unique sugar that the body appears to use mainly as a basic building block for ATP, which is the primary energy source for all human cells.

So if you've had a heart attack you may want to consider buying a good Ribose supplement or finding a doctor that can provide IV ribose treatments.

Learn some mo': Simple Sugar May Speed Heart Attack Recovery