(Originally published in 2017; Updated in 2024) Plant-Rich Diet Lowers Risk of Gout A 2017 study found that, compared to a standard Western-style diet, a plant-rich diet is associated with a lower risk of developing gout. (Gout is a painful arthritic condition that typically starts in the big toe, although it can also affect other […]

(Originally published Sept. 2017; Updated October 31, 2024) Turmeric, Apple Peel, Red Grapes Starve Cancer Cells Research has identified several natural compounds found in certain foods as having the potential to starve prostate cancer cells and inhibit the growth of prostate cancer. Scientists first tested 142 natural compounds on mouse and human cell lines to […]

Healthy Lifestyle Can Reverse Aging at the Molecular Level Researchers have shown that exercise, good diet, stress management, and social support have the potential to reverse aging on the molecular level and partly restore the vitality of cells. These healthy lifestyle choices were shown to increase the length of telomeres, which are the DNA sequences […]

It is with a very heavy heart that I must report the terrible news that Charles passed away on Friday, October 14th, 2022. He died of a sudden heart attack. Only two hours before, we had been on a long bike ride. Because it was a beautiful day we had planned to go to our […]

(Originally published in March 2014; Updated August 2022) Dietary Fibre Can Help Protect Against Asthma Researchers have reported that the Western diet probably has more to do with the current asthma epidemic than has been assumed so far, and that a higher risk of developing asthma is closely related to a lower amount of fruit […]

(Originally published December 2017; Updated May 1st, 2022) Multivitamin Use During Pregnancy Linked to Lower Risk of Autism A study has found that taking multivitamins during early pregnancy may reduce the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. (ASD includes a range of conditions that affect social interaction, communication, interests, and behaviour. Research indicates […]

Happy spring! Welcome to the first issue of Vitality in its new format as a digital magazine. Now more than ever, it is important to protect the freedom of choice in healthcare that we have been advocating since 1989. To that end, we will continue providing the best information we can find on alternative medicine […]

Green Tea Helps Lower Cholesterol Researchers have completed a comprehensive meta-analysis, or review of previously done studies, and have found that drinking green tea or taking green tea extract lowered blood levels of total cholesterol, reducing levels of low-density-lipo-protein (LDL or bad) cholesterol, but with no effect on levels of high-density-lipoprotein (HDL or good) cholesterol. […]

Updated August 16, 2021 Curcumin May Combat Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis A 2016 study found that curcumin, a substance in turmeric that is best known as one of the main components of curry powder, may help fight drug-resistant tuberculosis. (In Asia, turmeric is used to treat many health conditions; it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and perhaps even anti-cancer […]

SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTS REDUCE BLADDER CANCER RISK  A study has found that, depending on a person’s individual characteristics, increasing his/her selenium intake can lower the risk of bladder cancer by as much as 39 percent. (Selenium is an essential micronutrient that is incorporated into about 25 proteins, called selenoproteins, most of which are enzymes with antioxidant […]

Curcumin Enhances Memory and Mood in Older Adults New research indicates that daily consumption of curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, improves memory and mood in people with mild, age-related memory loss. The curcumin used in this experiment was a form that is easily absorbed.  Curcumin is the compound that gives Indian curry its bright colour. […]

Chili Pepper Compound May Help Cure Diabetes and Colitis New evidence shows that, when eaten, both chili peppers and marijuana interact with a receptor in the stomach and appear to inhibit inflammation, which may lead to new therapies for diabetes and colitis. In fact, the researchers actually cured mice of diabetes by feeding them chili […]

VEGETABLE PIGMENT MAY SUPPORT INTELLIGENCE Scientists have found evidence that links consumption of a pigment found in leafy greens to the preservation of what is known as crystallized intelligence. (Crystallized intelligence is the ability to use the skills and knowledge one has acquired over a lifetime.) Carotenoids are pigments made by plants, and of these, […]

OMEGA-3s LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE IN YOUNG ADULTS A study has found that healthy young people may be able to help prevent the onset of high blood pressure by eating diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids. (Omega-3s are essential fats, mostly found in fish and some types of plant oils.) Researchers studied 2,036 young, healthy adults […]

POMEGRANATE EXTRACT PROTECTS THE BRAIN AGAINST ALZHEIMER’S AND DEGENERATION New research shows that a diet rich in pomegranates has significant positive impacts on the brain health of mice with Alzheimer’s disease. An international team of scientists supplemented the standard diets of mice (that had been bred to provide a model of Alzheimer’s disease) with a […]

SIX EXTRACTS HOLD KEYS TO DELAYING AGING AND DISEASE A newly released study indicates that six previously identified plant extracts can significantly delay the aging process, each by targeting a different signalling pathway via which the body slows down or speeds up aging, known as pro-longevity and pro-death pathways. (In essence, different signalling pathways in […]