Latest Evidence in Supplements

Introduction Black cohosh is probably best known as the herbal remedy for all things to do with women’s health. It has been used throughout the various stages of womanhood from painful periods to childbirth to the menopause. Native to the Appalachian mountain region...

Introduction Everyday at work, I don and doff personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, visors, long sleeved gowns, plastic aprons) to prevent the transmission of resistant bacteria from patient to patient. Such is the life of a hospital based infectious diseases...

Introduction The question of iron supplementation is so important that I am going to answer the question here in the introduction and then justify/elaborate on the answer in the rest of the article. Iron supplementation is not an amateur sport. Unlike other...

Introduction Many of my patients are interested in the health benefits of chromium. Chromium is promoted for use in common lifestyle related health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia and cognitive impairment, in addition to the related polycystic...

Introduction Krill oil is marketed as an alternative source of healthy fatty acids for people who (for whatever reasons) do not want to include oily fish or traditional fish oil supplements in their diet. Extractable krill oil is not just promoted as an alternative to...

Introduction Technically, it is true to say that yohimbe comes from the African savannah and has been used for a very long time as a herbal aphrodisiac and aid for erectile dysfunction (which all sounds very exotic and earthy). However, that would only be part of the...

Introduction DHEA is touted as a 'wellness hormone' and the 'fountain of youth hormone' owing to its alleged benefits related to ageing. It is used to try to reverse the effects of ageing including the metabolic syndrome, impaired memory, vaginal dryness,...

Introduction Somehow I got through medical school, a PhD in pharmacology and 25 years as a practising doctor and never heard of 'adaptogens' until last year. Essentially adaptogens are compounds that help us deal with or 'adapt to' the stresses and strains of life....

Introduction Alpha lipoic acid has been described as the ‘universal anti-oxidant’ because it not only has anti-oxidant powers itself but also has the unique ability to regenerate other anti-oxidants such as glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E. As worldwide sales in...

Introduction Vitamin B12 is pretty much a standard ingredient in multi-vitamins and many fortified foods. According to health food bloggers, vitamin B12 offers a wide range of health benefits including brain functioning, cancer, digestion, cardiac health, diabetes and...