Many of us have at least a rudimentary understanding and awareness of the basics of probiotics. Not unlike other areas of medicine, and life, there are more advanced and nuanced issues that impact the specificity and effectiveness of their clinical impact. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics defines probiotics as “live microorganisms that, […]
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a familiar condition to any women’s health practice. The dominant mechanisms that can be addressed in the management of PCOS are insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism. While genetic and environmental influences are involved in the etiology, the research on natural medicines to address the insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism is quite extensive. […]
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Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, Solanaceae) root is also known as Indian ginseng, although it does not belong to the ginseng family. This plant has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries as a compound or product that increases the ability of a person to resist, adapt, or become resilient to biological, physical, or chemical stressors. The […]
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Numerous randomized trials over the years have shown that vitamin C shortens the duration of common colds. Some trials reported greater effects on severe cold symptoms compared with mild symptoms. This updated review systematically compares the effects of vitamin C on severe and mild common cold symptoms. Authors included all placebo-controlled trials of orally administered […]
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Perimenopause and menopause symptoms are an individual experience for each woman. Some women experience symptoms that are few and short term and other women can experience significant and moderate to severe symptoms and for many years. Physical, emotional, and urogenital symptoms may be experienced, and some can have a significant impact on health and quality […]
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Women after the age of 18, are almost twice as likely to struggle with depression than men. Some studies also show that rates of recurrence and worsening of depression as well as new onset depression are a vulnerability in perimenopause. Green tea consumption and supplementation has been the subject of many research studies in areas […]
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Cyclical mastalgia and effective treatment can be sometimes simple and sometimes challenging for premenopausal women. This condition is also known as cyclic mastalgia or cyclic breast pain. It typically manifests as bilateral or unilateral breast discomfort, tenderness or swelling which usually peaks in severity just prior to menstruation and then subsides after. It is considered […]
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Women during the menstruating years often struggle with one or more issues related to menstruation, including abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramping pain), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and cyclic mastalgia (breast discomfort) related to PMS. Abnormal bleeding can include heavy menses, long menses, short cycle, long cycle and no cycle at all. Any of these symptoms […]
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