It turns out that issues regarding the health of our hearts just might be a laughing matter, after all. Two recent studies have discovered that laughter not only reduces stress and protects the heart, but it also seems to improve blood flow and thereby help lower blood pressure.

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A recent review has provided further support for honey’s ability to help heal injured skin. Gathering data from 19 clinical trials involving over 2500 patients, researchers found that the use of honey shortened healing times of moderate burns when compared to conventional gauze or film dressings, though the benefits in treating grazes, lacerations, surgical wounds and leg ulcers was less clear.

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In another instance in support of the ancient healing arts, a new report has revealed that Hatha yoga increased the quality of life of asthma sufferers while decreasing the severity of their symptoms and lessening their reliance on their asthma medication.

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In the largest study of its kind, doctors have found clinical support for the efficacy of ginger root in easing nausea. In fact, as little as a quarter of a teaspoon actually cut the adverse side effects of chemotherapy by as much as 40%, providing more relief than standard nausea and anti-vomiting medication alone. The study, which was funded by the National Cancer Center, involved over 640 patients (mostly women with breast cancer) across the country who were undergoing treatment for their cancer.

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In addition to lending ambiance and enhancing the enjoyment of your meal, red wine has long been thought of as being good for our hearts and prolonging life. Now, however, it is also being looked upon as a potential weapon in the fight against obesity.

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A recent analysis in the Annals of Internal Medicine lends further support to what medical experts have believed for years: vitamin D (the sun vitamin) deficiencies increase the risk of bone fractures, especially in the elderly. The relationship between our intake of vitamin D and bone health has been a much debated topic in nutrition circles, with its deficiency being linked to hip fractures as well as osteoporosis.

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Doctors in New York City have found that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was safe and effective in treating patients with persistent atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema. The treatments consisted of special herbal teas, skin creams, bath additives, and acupuncture.

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It turns out that women who have a vitamin B12 (folic acid) deficiency early in their pregnancy may have an increased risk of having children with disabling or even fatal neural tube defects, as determined by a study published in the journal Pediatrics. The neural tube is the part of the fetus that will develop into the brain and spinal cord.

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Besides its ability to add flavor to a variety of dishes, turmeric has long been heralded for its supposed curative and healing abilities. Now it is being examined as a potential aid in fighting obesity and type-2 (adult onset) diabetes

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According to the American Association for Cancer Research, an extract from grape seeds actually kills leukemia cells. In fact, it was found that up to 76% of leukemia cells in the laboratory underwent cell suicide after being exposed to the extract within a 24 hour period.

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