The herbal remedy St. John’s Wort effectively treats symptoms of major depression, an analysis of previous studies found on Wednesday. St. John’s Wort extracts tested in the different trials were better than placebos and as effective as standard antidepressants with fewer side effects, the researchers reported in the Cochrane review, a journal that analyses medical and scientific studies.

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The New York Times reports, “More than one-third of all Americans will soon receive better insurance coverage for mental-health treatments because of a new law that, for the first time, requires equal coverage of mental and physical illnesses.” 

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WebMD Health News, along with many other news outlets, are reporting that the results from a national study which examined whether two popular supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin) slow the progression of knee arthritis. The news stories tell you the study shows that the supplements are NOT effective. But, is that true?

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About 88 percent of married Americans say they are happy or reasonably content in their marriages. And three-quarters report that their sex lives are reasonably fulfilling. That’s according to a new national poll of 1,001 married Americans commissioned by Parade magazine.

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Erectile dysfunction is nothing to laugh about. But what if ED could be helped by an extract from a plant called horny goat weed? Horny goat weed and related herbs have purportedly been treatments for sexual dysfunction for years. Now scientists may be a step closer to discovering how compounds from horny goat weed may work.

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Go online to find cheaper contact lenses? Use a dental school for anything you need done to your teeth? Negotiate with doctors and hospitals if the bill is too high? These are just a few of six great ideas on how to save money on drugs and doctors.

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The weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. As seasonal changes begin, it’s easy for people to get into a rut when it comes to dieting and exercise. And that rut can translate into extra pounds once the holiday parties start rolling around.

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WebMD Health News is reporting that mMore Americans are getting flu shots – but still far too few, the CDC reports. So, when are you planning to get yours? And, if not, why not?

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LASIK surgery is performed on the eyes to improve vision, often reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses. Is it right for you?

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Reuters News is reporting that doctors who perform colonoscopies should not be worried that they may lose business to so-called virtual colonoscopies, despite reports that both approaches work equally well at detecting colon cancer.

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USA Today is reporting on the confusion that consumers, in general, and parents, in particular, are having about the safety of chemicals in plastic. Even federal government agencies don’t agree about the hazards posed by bisphenol A, or BPA, an estrogen-like chemical used in plastic that has been detected in the bodies of 93% of Americans tested. The FDA says it’s safe, but new studies question its safety.

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ABC News is reporting, that with flu season less than a month away, it isn’t too soon to take steps to protect yourself from influenza. And, since the flu can knock you out for a couple of weeks, catching it can be a setback. Simply watching out for co-workers who have it probably won’t be enough, as they can contract the flu and pass it along well before symptoms show up.

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