Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is required for healthy nerve function and the synthesis of red blood cells and DNA. A deficiency in B12 increases inflammation and oxidative stress by raising homocysteine. High homocysteine, in turn, is associated with cardiovascular disease and decreased immune response. Vitamins B6, B9 (folate) and B12 break down homocysteine.1 B12 deficiency is… Read More »
Over-the-counter decongestants containing pseudoephedrine are commonly used to relieve stuffy noses due to colds, flu or allergies. But the drugs, which include brand names Sudafed and Galpseud, can cause life-threatening complications, including heart attack and stroke. The risk of serious adverse events is concerning enough that France’s medicines agency has warned people not to take… Read More »
Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published February 14, 2019. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs seasonally, typically ramping up in the fall and winter months and disappearing come spring.1,2,3 It’s been estimated4 that as many as 20% of Americans are affected by SAD each winter.… Read More »
Your body temperature is important to maintaining homeostasis and researchers have found that an average temperature is lower than you thought.1 For more than 100 years, a normal internal body temperature was defined as 98.6 Fahrenheit (37 Celsius). However, we also know that your normal temperature is affected by several variables, including the time of… Read More »