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Medical experts for long believed that vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folate supplementation helped prevent cancer and that they were safe even at high doses. However, recent studies suggested that high B12 and folate blood levels may be associated with increased cancer risk. This article reviews 12 studies that investigated the effects of high-dose B12-folate supplementation and … Read more
Valerian root and melatonin are supplements widely used as sleep aids. Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis, sub-family: Valerianaceae; family: Caprifoliaceae) is a herbal supplement that has been used since ancient times as a mild sedative for managing sleep disorders, relievng anxiety and stress, and treating symptoms of nervous tension. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a natural hormone produced … Read more
This article answers questions about maintenance calories and how to calculate them. We introduce readers to an advanced maintenance calorie calculator (Body Weight Planner) designed by Dr. Kevin Hall and his team at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The app helps you calculate your maintenance calories, the calorie deficit you need to lose … Read more
Foods that have very little or no nutrients besides added sugar and solid fat-derived calories are said to contain empty calories. Nutritionists consider empty calories unhealthy and advise health-conscious people to avoid them. But you need to know what empty calories are to avoid eating them. You also need to know how to identify foods containing empty calories. Poti … Read more
This article answers all your questions about how many calories are in an apple (Malus domestica/Malus pumila). We compare the calorie contents of small, medium, and large apples. We also compare the calorie contents and nutrition facts for various apple cultivars, including Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Fuji, Gala, and Honeycrisp. You’ve likely heard the saying … Read more
This article answers questions about the calorie deficit you need to lose weight. We address questions about the accuracy of the claim that cutting 3500 calories will make you lose a pound of fat. We also show you how to use an advanced web-based calorie deficit calculator developed by Dr. Kevin Hall and his research team at … Read more
This article answers all your questions about how many calories are in an egg. We cover everything you need to know about the average calorie contents of different egg weight classes, including peewee, small, medium, large, extra-large, and jumbo. We also give you a detailed breakdown of the nutrition facts for a large egg, including … Read more
People research herbs to smoke for various reasons. Many smokers trying to stop quit tobacco or overcome nicotine dependence believe herbal cigarettes can help them quit. Others want to switch to smoking herbs because they believe tobacco-free herbal cigarettes are safe. Likewise, some people trying to stop smoking marijuana (weed) or overcome dependence on its … Read more
This article walks you through a list of 21 herbs for anxiety and depression based on evidence from peer-reviewed studies. Anxiety and depression are among the most prevalent and debilitating mental health problems afflicting millions. The challenges of balancing the pressures of fast-paced work environments with the conflicting demands of family life put a lot … Read more
This article covers everything you need to know about the early warning signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia in the tongue, skin, nails, and hair. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a complex water-soluble vitamin produced by anaerobic microbes, such as Pseudomonas denitrificans, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, and aerobic microbes, such as Bacillus megaterium … Read more
Many people take melatonin as a supplement to improve sleep quality. However, if you are pregnant and experiencing sleeping difficulty, you may be wondering whether it is safe to take melatonin while pregnant. This article answers your questions about whether melatonin is safe for pregnancy. We also answer your questions about: Melatonin sleep benefits When … Read more
This article walks you through a list of herbs and spices high in iron that may play a role in preventing or treating iron deficiency anemia. Our list includes medicinal herbs and herbal teas that may help raise your iron levels. The iron content of herbs and spices has low bioavailability compared with animal sources. Low … Read more
