• Modern acupuncture linked to constipation relief

     Image: Purestock/Thinkstock Harvard Health Letter For some people, constipation is a constant and puzzling struggle. If a person has no more than two bowel movements per week and there’s no underlying condition or medication responsible, the problem is known as chronic severe functional constipation (CSFC). A study published online Sept. 12, 2016, by Annals of Internal…

  • What to do when medication makes you constipated

    Many medications can contribute to constipation, including but are not limited to the following: Antidepressants -“A lot of antidepressants that treat the nerve endings in the brain also affect nerve endings in the gut. That can lead to significant side effects,” says Dr. Braden Kuo, a gastroenterologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. Opioids -“The narcotic…

  • The best foods for vitamins and minerals

      Vitamins are divided into two categories: water soluble: the body expels what it does not absorb. Including eight B vitamins (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, B-7, B-9, and B-12) and vitamin C. fat soluble: leftover amounts are stored in the liver and fat tissues as reserves. Including vitamins A, D, E, and K. Minerals are…

  • 7 ways to keep stress — and blood pressure — down

    Source: Harvard Health Publications When it comes to preventing and treating high blood pressure, one often-overlooked strategy is managing stress. If you often find yourself tense and on-edge, try these seven strategies to reduce stress. Get enough sleep. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep can negatively affect your mood, mental alertness, energy level, and physical health. Learn relaxation…

  • Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

    Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is one of the world’s oldest surviving tree species. Chinese herbal medicine has used both the ginkgo leaf and seed for thousands of years, modern research has focused on the standardized Ginkgo biloba extract made from the dried green leaves. Laboratory studies have shown that ginkgo improves blood circulation by opening up blood vessels…