Supplements May Ease Anxiety

Some dietary supplements may soothe anxiety without setting off side effects, according to a new report. After analyzing 24 studies on supplements and anxiety disorders, researchers concluded that passionflower, kava, and a combination of L-lysine and L-arginine can offer all-natural anxiety relief. The review's authors determined that St. John's wort and magnesium supplements, on the other hand, may not be effective in alleviating anxiety.
Passionflower and kava are both herbs known to produce a calming effect on the nervous system. Long used to treat anxiety in herbal medicine, passionflower and kava are also touted as natural remedies for insomnia. L-lysine and L-arginine, meanwhile, are essential amino acids found naturally in certain foods and sometimes combined in supplement formulas. Previous research shows that taking a combination of the two substances may help normalize hormones involved in the stress response and, in turn, reduce chronic anxiety.
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Folic Acid Supplements May Not Fight Heart Disease

Taking folic acid supplements may not cut your risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer, according to a recent report.
Analyzing eight clinical trials (with a total of 37,485 participants), the report's authors found that folic acid supplementation was linked to 25 percent drop in homocysteine, an amino acid thought to raise heart disease risk when it occurs at elevated levels. However, they also found that study members given folic acid supplements weren't any less likely to suffer a major heart or blood vessel event than those who took a placebo. What's more, subjects assigned to folic acid supplements did not show a reduced risk of stroke or cancer. In the analyzed trials, folic acid doses ranged from 0.8 mg per day to 40 mg per day.
Previous research suggests that folic acid supplements may be useful in treatment of conditions like ulcerative colitis, asthma, and allergies.
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Probiotics May Provide Constipation Relief

Probiotics may help treat constipation in infants, a new study shows. A class of "friendly bacteria" naturally present in the digestive tract, probiotics are available in supplement form and often used to improve gut health.
The study involved 44 infants, all of whom were diagnosed with chronic constipation. For eight weeks, the infants received either a dietary supplement containing the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri or a placebo. Study results showed that babies given the probiotic treatment had a significantly higher frequency of bowel movements over the course of the study (compared to those assigned to the placebo). What's more, no side effects were associated with use of the probiotic supplement.
Previous research suggests that probiotics may also ease constipation in adults, as well as help treat other common digestive complaints (such as diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems resulting from use of antibiotics).
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Can a Chili Pepper Extract Help You Burn Calories?

New research suggests that dihydrocapsiate--a substance found in chili peppers--can't live up to its claims as a natural weight-loss aid. A chemical similar to capsaicin, dihydrocapsiate failed to promote calorie-burning in a recent study [link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20826626] of 78 healthy men.
Once a day for a month, the study participants took 3 mg of dihydrocapsiate, 9 mg of dihydrocapsiate, or a placebo. Study results showed that those taking dihydrocapsiate only burned 50 more calories per day, an amount unlikely to spur significant weight loss.
To date, few dietary supplements have proven safe and effective in promoting weight loss. If you're looking to shed pounds, it's important to follow a balanced diet (including a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and lean protein), get at least two and a half hours of moderate aerobic exercise each week, and perform strength-training exercises at least twice weekly. Some studies show that alternative therapies like yoga, acupuncture, and tai chi may support your weight-loss efforts; however, none of these approaches can promote weight loss on its own.
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Fish Oil May Lessen Stress

Getting your fill of fish oil may help keep your stress in check, a new study suggests.
For the study, 44 adults took 4 grams of either safflower oil or fish oil in supplement form each day for six weeks. The fish oil supplements included 1,600 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 800 mg of docosahexaenoic acid, both of which are classified as omega-3 fatty acids. In tests performed at the end of the six-week period, members of the fish oil group showed a significant decrease in their production of cortisol (a hormone released by the adrenal glands in order to help your body respond to stressful situations). In addition, those assigned to fish oil supplements had a significant reduction in fat mass and increase in lean muscle mass.
Past research shows that omega-3 fatty acids may also boost heart health and protect against conditions like Alzheimer's and diabetes.
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Oat Extract May Cut Cholesterol

A substance found in oats may help keep your cholesterol in check, a new study shows. The study found that oat beta-glucan (a type of carbohydrate compound) helped fight LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
The study included 367 participants with high cholesterol, all of whom ate two servings of a cereal containing either wheat fiber or oat beta-glucan every day for four weeks. Looking at data on the 345 people who completed the study, researchers determined that LDL cholesterol was significantly lower among those assigned to the oat beta-glucan cereal.
Beta-glucan is also found in a number of medicinal mushrooms, such as shiitake and maitake. Test-tube research shows that beta-glucan may stimulate the immune system and therefore combat cancer. However, little is known about beta-glucan's potential to reduce cancer risk in humans.
A number of other natural substances (including red yeast rice and cinnamon) may also help reduce cholesterol levels, according to past research.
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