Melatonin is a hormone best known for its role in preparing the brain for sleep. Due to its effectiveness in this respect, it's the primary ingredient in many sleep supplements. Outside of the United States and Canada, melatonin-based formulas are only available with a doctor's prescription. While some argue that using melatonin for sleep isn't always effective, people suffering from...

Approximately 8.4 percent of American children develop attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. The fact that only 2.5 percent of adults suffer from the condition suggests many youths outgrow the condition in time. Even so, research hasn't been able to pinpoint the cause of the condition. It is known that ADHD develops in children aged as young as three and it...

Blue Monday is coming, with a flurry of media attention promoting this day as the most depressing of the year. News sites point to this day as the time when post-holiday fatigue, debt and poor weather converge to bring our collective moods to an annual low. However, depression and other mental-health issues are more than a once-yearly phenomenon for many...

Your body's cells use sugar, or glucose, for energy. When you consume foods or beverages that contain sugar, a hormone called insulin pushes the sugar, or blood glucose, from the bloodstream to the various cells in your body. Once this occurs, the cells use the sugar as fuel, allowing them to function as they should. However in someone with type...

The time and place of one's birth and the relationship it has with mortality rates has been a topic studied by scientists throughout the world. Several studies have found that season of birth influences mortality, while other research suggests vitamin D may provide a crucial counterbalance. Research Suggests Season of Birth Influences Mortality Past research has found that individuals born...

Traditionally, the beginning of a new year is a time to reevaluate life choices and resolve to make certain changes in the year to come --  in other words, make so called "New Year's resolutions." The problem is, statistically, most people fail to keep their New Year's resolutions. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to stay motivated and...

Because heart disease is such a common cause of death, claiming a life every 37 seconds, finding more effective treatments is a primary concern in the medical community. New research has led to the discovery that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may serve as an effective supplemental treatment for reducing the risks of developing cardiovascular disease by lowering...

People all over the world love spicy foods -- and chili peppers in particular -- but these potent peppers may do more than just add flavor to our favorite meals. According to a recent study conducted at Italy's Mediterranean Neurological Institute, eating chili peppers may benefit longevity. In particular, the researchers found that capsaicin reduces mortality risk by positively affecting...

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that comprise the flora of an individual's digestive tract. However, unlike potentially harmful organisms, these bacteria help promote healthy digestion and overall general health. Specifically, probiotics, or "friendly bacteria," help the body process foods and curtail or eliminate several digestive problems such as gas, bloating, indigestion and diarrhea. A healthy gut microbiome also contributes to immune...

Colorectal cancer goes by many names, including "bowel cancer" and "colon cancer," largely because it's a general term used to describe any cancer that develops in the rectum and the colon. According to the American Cancer Society, it can affect one in 21 men, making it the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males. Although slightly less common in women...