To Your Health

Magnesium taurate has considerable potential as a nutritional supplement, since both magnesium and taurine supplements improve a number of health conditions

"...makes up more than 50% of the heart's free amino acid pool...."

Jan. 27, 2006 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

What is the difference between l-glutamine and glutamine, and the same for the other amino acids?

"...L-glutamine and glutamine, and the same for the other amino acids? Is one more effective as a supplement than..."

June 23, 2006 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

Should L-glutamine powder be taken with meals or between them?

"...the best option for every food supplement. For instance, acidophilus, the friendly bacteria that usually inhabit our GI tracts,..."

April 23, 2004 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

I sometimes feel calmer after drinking green tea despite its caffeine content. Could it be the theanine in the tea?

"...A. L-theanine is a chemical relative of L-glutamic acid, which is a powerful brain stimulant, but theanine has..."

July 4, 2003 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

My mother often asked me if I had a bowel movement every day, but now that I am on my own, it's more like two to three per week. How can I get back to a daily BM without getting hooked on laxatives?

"...mostly in vegetables can be converted into short-chain fatty acids that are ambrosia to the cells in the gut...."

Nov. 23, 2001 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

Sometimes when I take my vitamins late at night I have trouble getting to sleep. Why is that and which ones are most likely to do this?

"...to provoke some sleep problems. L-glutamine, one of the amino acids, can be converted in the brain into either..."

Jan. 24, 2003 Column by James Heffley

To Your Health

Sometimes when I take my vitamins late at night I have trouble getting to sleep. Why is that, and which ones are most likely to do this?

"...to provoke some sleep problems. L-glutamine, one of the amino acids, can be converted in the brain into either..."

Jan. 17, 2003 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

I keep hearing about a marker for heart disease called homocysteine. What is homocysteine, and why is it a problem?

"...A. Homocysteine is a toxic amino acid produced by the incomplete metabolism of L-methionine, one..."

Oct. 19, 2001 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

Which is the 'better quality' protein: whey or rice?

"...necessary to stipulate the amounts of the various individual amino acids that make up the protein, since different amino..."

May 7, 2004 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

What is 'vitamin U' and what are its benefits healthwise?

"...are that it is a chemical relative of the amino acid L-methionine. The respected Merck Index lists vitamin U..."

July 28, 2006 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

What can be done to counter the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation?

"...my doctor has me taking high doses of an amino acid and L-glutamine, to help with side effects. Is..."

Feb. 17, 2006 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

Caring for the special needs of premature babies

"...and thus supplements are needed. Also, supplements of the amino acid L-arginine have long been recognized as helpful to..."

July 22, 2005 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

What are the benefits of taking the 'fancy' form of folic acid, 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate, and how would I know if it is better for me if I decide to try it?

"...the benefits of taking the "fancy" form of folic acid, 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate, and how would I know if it..."

May 6, 2005 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

What kind of magnesium is most tolerable and what foods are richest in magnesium?

"...of magnesium are easily available – citrate, malate, orotate, amino acid chelate, etc. – but these tend to be..."

May 19, 2006 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

Is there a good and cheap way to judge the nutritional content of fruit?

"...it is sugar, a mineral, a vitamin, or an amino acid. Named for the Austrian scientist Adolph Brix, who..."

March 10, 2006 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

Every once in a while, without overdoing, my back "goes out." It isn't bad enough to see the doctor, and I'm nervous about trying a chiropractor. What else is possible?

"...Research involving humans suggest that an amino acid, D-phenylalanine, reduces pain by hindering the breakdown of..."

Feb. 1, 2002 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

I sometimes take 5-HTP to help me sleep and am surprised at how it seems to help me with irregularity. Why would it help the GI tract?

"...A. 5-Hydroxytryptophan is an amino acid, but not one of the 20 amino acids..."

Oct. 21, 2005 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

I am due to have angioplasty in two weeks. I know this procedure is necessary now, but I want to prevent further deterioration of my heart condition. What is helpful?

"...disease include elevated blood levels of homocysteine, a toxic amino acid that increases when certain B-vitamins (folic acid, vitamin..."

Jan. 4, 2002 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

What's the deal with acrylamide?

"...Acrylamide is formed when L-asparagine, an amino acid abundant in several starchy foods, is heated above..."

July 29, 2005 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

Is chicken soup as good for a cold or flu as people say it is?

"...The meat ingredient of chicken soup, chicken, provides an amino acid (N-acetyl cysteine) known to thin mucus and make..."

Nov. 19, 2004 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

I very seldom remember my dreams; does this mean I'm missing some nutrients?

"...activity. Serotonin is a "calming" neurotransmitter made from the amino acid L-tryptophan using vitamin B6. The well-established effect of..."

Sept. 17, 2004 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

I'm hearing about carnosine as an "anti-aging" supplement. What else is it good for and can we get enough of it in our diet?

"...A. Carnosine (technically L-carnosine) is a combination of two amino acids, L-alanine and L-histidine. It is found most abundantly..."

May 30, 2003 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

My cat, Freya (named after a Norwegian goddess), has become very irritable. My vet thinks she needs more taurine. I get irritable every once in a while too (especially around my period). Do I need taurine?

"...A: Taurine is an odd amino acid. It isn't needed to make protein, but it..."

April 13, 2001 Column

To Your Health

Can a person be allergic to cold weather?

"...remedies are available. Supplements of vitamin C and pantothenic acid are often helpful in relieving allergy symptoms. Vitamin E..."

Dec. 31, 2004 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

I have been having a lot of stomach problems, with alternating diarrhea and constipation, but all the tests my doctor did fail to show any problems. He said I probably have "irritable bowel syndrome." What helps that?

"...food supplements aimed specifically at improving gut function. An amino acid, L-glutamine, has been used for decades to help..."

Oct. 12, 2001 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

It seems like everyone has a bad back, but my backache has been going on for four years now, and I need some relief. A chiropractor helped some, but I still suffer if I make a sudden move or lift anything more than a heavy book. It started when I was pregnant but hasn't yet cleared up. Any hints?

"...often deficient when muscles cramp and hurt. Taurine, an amino acid, is needed to transport electrolytes such as calcium,..."

Sept. 21, 2001 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

I will be undergoing surgery in about a month. Are there certain nutrients that I should take before surgery?

"...the surgery, restart these supplements and add a pantothenic acid supplement of about 1,000 mg/day (this helps restart bowel..."

March 30, 2001 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

Kick the Can and Bag the Bag

A guide to preparing homemade pet food

"...more. Cats also require the addition of taurine, an amino acid, to their food, as their bodies cannot synthesize..."

May 11, 2007 Food Feature by Fran Moody

To Your Health

Since heart disease runs in my family I have tried to "eat healthy" for several years. Recently I have been hearing about vitamin supplements that may help prevent heart disease. What are the best ones?

"...heart disease. The most recently publicized vitamins are folic acid, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12. Supplements of these three..."

Aug. 30, 2002 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

To Your Health

I don't know how much vitamin C I should take. The government has one figure and books I have read have others. Who is right?

"...scurvy is likely to also be deficient in folic acid. Pellagra, which was once rampant in the rural south,..."

June 1, 2001 Column by James Heffley, Ph.D.

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