The New Blood Pressure Chart: Where Do Your Numbers Fit?

High blood pressure – hypertension – used to be when your blood pressure was consistently 140 over 90 or higher. In 2017, the American Heart Association (AHA) lowered the number to 130 over 80 and changed the blood pressure chart categories. [1] The only way to know if you have … Read More

What to Know About NAC Supplements

NAC, the acronym for N-acetylcysteine, is used as both a prescription medication and an over-the-counter supplement. As a medication, NAC has proven benefits for preventing liver damage caused by an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is also used as a medication to break up mucous in the lungs, although the … Read More

What is GABA Deficiency?

If you Google "GABA deficiency," the only recognized medical condition you will find is GABA-transaminase deficiency, which is an extremely rare genetic disorder that is not survivable. [1] GABA deficiency is not a recognized deficiency like vitamin D or calcium deficiency that you can test for and correct with a … Read More

Common BPA Sources—And How to Avoid Them

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been used since the 1960s in plastics and food containers. [1] Although its use has declined in recent years, it had become so common that a CDC study in 2004 found BPA in 93 percent of urine samples from people over … Read More

Can Supplements Boost Your Immune System?

It would be great if there was an over-the-counter supplement that would boost your immune system enough to prevent a cold or the flu. Unfortunately, according to Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health, there are no proven benefits to supplements for the immune system. In fact, the whole idea of boosting … Read More

What Are the Health Benefits of Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil?

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the flaxseed plant has been used since ancient times for its health benefits. In ancient Greece it was used as a laxative, while early Americans used the oil as a salve for cuts and burns. Today, flaxseed supplements are used … Read More

9 Home Remedies to Relieve Flu Symptoms

Flu is a viral upper respiratory tract infection that can usually be diagnosed by its symptoms. Flu symptoms start suddenly and include fever, chills, cough, congestion, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. According to the CDC, most people do not need to see a doctor or take medication. They … Read More

Coconut Water Health Benefits

Coconut water is the clear water found inside young coconuts. It is not the same as coconut milk which contains both water and the “white meat” of the coconut. Although many benefits have been claimed for coconut water, according to the National Institutes of Health, there is not enough evidence … Read More