Featured Supplement: Valerian
Historical evidence for the use of valerian root (Valeriana officinalis), also called setwell, as a sleep aid and anxiolytic goes as far back as ancient…
Featured Supplement: Melatonin
Melatonin, also known as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is promoted as a natural sleep aid; however, it's a hormone produced in the pineal gland in the brain from…
Featured Supplement: Acetyl L-Carnitine
Carnitine is a compound synthesized by the liver and kidneys from the amino acids lysine and methionine that was first isolated from meat, which is…
Evaluating Dietary Supplements
In the United States supplemental nutrients and phytotherapies, i.e. botanical medicines, are primarily under the umbrella of dietary supplements, leaving the field loosely regulated with…
Featured Supplement: Chaste Tree Berry
Chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus-castus), chasteberry, or simply vitex is hailed as a cure-all for women with menstrual problems, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric…
Featured Supplement: Soy Isoflavones
Since earlier this week I discussed some of the health risks associated with excessive soy consumption in some populations, it's only fair that I also…
Featured Supplement: Turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a very popular supplement often hailed as a miracle supplement for inflammation, but there's a lot of misinformation surrounding it which…
Featured Supplement: D-limonene
I'm always looking for alternatives to acid blocking medications for acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) since long term use of these medications is…
Featured Supplement: L-theanine
L-theanine is one of my favorite supplements for anxiety. It's an amino acid found naturally in tea and several types of mushrooms, though the L-theanine…