The symptoms of acid reflux, or heartburn, can be so severe for some that they are sometimes mistaken for a heart attack. As many as 60 million Americans suffer from it each month, but there are some all-natural ways to eliminate the problem without over-the-counter or prescription medications. Common food triggers include chocolate, orange juice, coffee, tomato-based sauces, wine and high-fat foods.

Research presented at the North American Menopause Society’s annual meeting suggests the risk of a major depression doubles when women are going through menopause. According to Reuters, the effects of reduced estrogen on the brain, coupled with the stress of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, can trigger depressive symptoms for middle-aged women.

A new study has found a derivative of cholesterol is necessary for brain cell formation. Researchers at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute say tests on mice prove that the formation of dopamine-producing neurons during brain development is dependent on the activation of a specific receptor in the brain by an oxidized form of cholesterol called oxysterol.

The main component found in chili peppers has been shown to prevent and reduce heart damage during a heart attack, according to a new study. The study published in the journal Circulation, finds that applying capsaicin, which is the main component in chili peppers and the active ingredient in some common pain creams, to specific skin areas on mice caused sensory nerves in the skin to trigger signals in the nervous system.

A new study conducted by Danish scientists has found that vitamin C-deficient babies may be at a higher risk for mental development and memory problems. A team of researchers from the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Copenhagen showed that guinea pigs with moderate vitamin C deficiency develop 30 percent fewer hippocampal neurons and have significantly worse spatial memory than animals fed a normal diet.

Researchers have discovered a protein that could be used to distinguish between aggressive and non-aggressive forms of prostate cancer. The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, suggests that the presence of a protein, called Hsp-27, in cancer cells was an indicator that the disease will progress and require treatment.

A new report finds the number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia is on the rise across the world. The research, released by the group Alzheimer’s Disease International, which is a nonprofit federation of more than 70 national groups, says more than 35 million people across the globe are currently suffering from these diseases.

Polyphenols found in red wine have already been found to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and now scientists are looking for ways to maximize the value of their delivery. One such study, conducted by a team from Purdue University and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, showed that on the 10th consecutive day of feeding, the amount of polyphenols from grape seed extract that reaches a rat’s brain can be 200 percent higher than on the first day.

A new study suggests that people who suffer from depression are also at risk for low bone mineral density. The study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry pooled data from both depressed and non-depressed individuals compiled over the past 14 years.

Two publications on older men’s health and sexual performance have concluded that proper diet and exercise are better than pharmacological treatments. According to Phoenix-based Kronos Longevity Research Institute (KLRI), a review of available research suggests testosterone replacement therapies have minimal or no benefits in terms of health or aging.

Ginseng, an herb used in traditional Chinese and other Asian medicine for thousands of years, has anti-inflammatory properties, a new study has found. Scientists from the University of Hong Kong identified seven ginseng compounds, called ginsenosides, which they believe demonstrate immune-suppressive effects.

A study in Cancer Prevention Research suggests that while some doctors have been reluctant to endorse the herbal supplement as a cancer preventer, more evidence is mounting to back up that notion.

A new report from Kronos Longevity Research Institute (KLRI), which suggests diet and exercise are better than testosterone therapy for older men, also includes exercise recommendations designed to promote joint and muscle health.

A new study has found that seniors following a Mediterranean-type diet and who are physically active may be cutting their risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Researchers say eating a low-fat diet diet can help people who have had skin cancer avoid getting the disease again.