Many Cancer Patients Take Alternative Meds But Don't Tell Their Doctors

THURSDAY, April 11, 2019 -- One out of every three U.S. cancer patients uses alternative or complementary therapies, but many keep that info from their doctors, a new study finds.

That's a real concern, the study's lead author said, especially when it comes to supplements and cancer radiation therapy.

Dietary Supplements Do Nothing for You: Study

MONDAY, April 8, 2019 -- If you're popping dietary supplements in the hope of living longer, a large new study suggests you'd be better off investing that money in nutritious foods.

The research found that vitamins A and K, magnesium, zinc and copper were linked to a lower risk of death from heart disease or stroke, and an overall lower risk of dying during the average six years of follow-up. But these findings were true only when the nutrients came from foods, not from supplements.

For One Woman, Popular Red Yeast Supplement Brought on Liver Damage

MONDAY, March 25, 2019 -- She thought red yeast supplements would be a natural way to lower her cholesterol. What could be easier?

Instead, the 64-year-old woman landed in the hospital with acute liver damage that her doctors say was likely caused by taking the over-the-counter product.

Prescription Fish Oil Pill Lowers Heart Attack Risk in Those Already on Statins

MONDAY, March 18, 2019 --

Patients who have high triglycerides and take cholesterol-lowering statins to lower their risk for heart attack or stroke can cut that risk by another 30 percent by adding a high-dose omega-3 fatty acid pill, investigators report.

Mom's Prenatal Fish Oil Might Help Kids' Blood Pressure Later

FRIDAY, Feb. 22, 2019 -- Obese young children may have less risk for high blood pressure if their mother took the omega-3 fatty acid DHA -- found in fish oil -- during pregnancy, new research suggests.

The findings could be important since rising numbers of American children are obese and experiencing hikes in blood pressure.

Nutritional Supplements Don't Ward Off Depression: Study

MONDAY, March 11, 2019 -- Taking vitamin pills and other supplements won't prevent depression, but promoting better eating habits might help, new research suggests.

The study included more than 1,000 overweight or obese people in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain who were at risk for depression, but were not currently depressed.