-
May is Mental Health Awareness Month | Plus 3 Key Tools to Thrive
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, both in the US and UK, drawing attention to the importance of mental health in all areas of life. The event is a step in removing the stigma surrounding mental health, so that people can reach out and get the much-needed help they require.
-
9 Natural Ways to Keep Calm
Did you know there is a human need for certainty? Your brain craves it; and the lack of predictability right now can easily lead to stress, panic or even boredom. This can cause us to reach for our cell phones to get answers.
-
Detoxing Your Brain While You Sleep
A new study has revealed that the human body clears toxins out of the brain while we’re asleep.
-
Immune Benefits of Whey Protein
High-quality amino acids in our diet are essential for maintaining immune system cell structure. Whey protein is a well-known, complete protein source that provides all the essential amino acids our body needs. Bovine milk contains many components that have immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties. Research has demonstrated that bovine colostrum and milk, whether or not they…
-
Resveratrol and Quercetin Shown to Support Healthy Inflammation
Inflammation is a necessary functional response triggered by invading pathogens or damaged tissue. It helps isolate an injured area or foreign substance from further contact with body tissue and triggers phagocytes to remove pathogens, injured tissue and dead cells. However, when inflammation persists, it may give rise to further tissue damage potentially leading to serious…
-
New Study Reveals How Cannabidiol Alters Brain Activity
In a recent report published in Psychological Medicine, researchers performed fMRI scans to measure brain activity in 13 patients suffering from an acute manic episode. Senior author, Professor Sagnik Bhattacharyya, from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London and his team observed how the endocannabinoid system could be altered in these…
-
Cannabinoids: The Ultimate Guide
What is all the fuss about cannabinoids? Is it all about cannabis or is there more to the hype? These are common questions, and for good reason. Although cannabinoids were pinpointed thanks to research into cannabis, cannabinoids are proving to be a treasure trove for deep exploration into holistic health and well-being. In this ultimate…
-
Melatonin supports Lung Health in New Study
Melatonin, a well-known antioxidant molecule that supports healthy inflammation, may protect lung health threatened by viral and other pathogens. A recent study produced data showing that melatonin may act to protect lung health, and could benefit COVID-19 patients.
-
Curcumin’s Influence on Cytokine Storm
The end stage of virus infections often correlates with the onset of a cytokine storm. This uncontrolled release of proinflammatory cytokines by the body’s immune system involves more than 150 known inflammatory mediators. There are many factors involved in the progression of what begins as a healthy immune response to a state of amplified cytokine…
-
10 Herbs for Lung Support
Respiratory complications are a common occurrence with a seasonal rhythm around the world. Because pulmonary inflammation is a hallmark of many respiratory complications, the objective is to support normal inflammatory pathways specific to pulmonary health.
-
What Does it Mean to Have a Strong Immune System?
We’ve been hearing on the news a lot about people with “compromised immune systems” being at greater risk of contracting unwelcomed viruses. What does “compromised” actually mean except that you’re more susceptible to getting sick?
-
High Dietary Fiber Intake Improves Overall Health
A review of studies and trials conducted over the last 40 years has shown that there is a link between eating more dietary fiber and whole grains and a lower risk of non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer.
-
7 High-Fiber Foods that Do More than Help Your Gut
Everyone knows that diet plays a critical role in human health. But too often we get carried away with the idea of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and forget one really important nutrient — fiber. Despite multitudes of scientific evidence linking dietary fiber to various health benefits, most Americans still fall short of the recommended daily…
-
Immune Defenses Enhanced by Master Detox Molecule
While studying the glutathione molecule, researchers found that the antioxidant did more than simply promote the immune system. Researchers from the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) discovered how T cells ward off particles when they are expressing the Gclc gene. The Gclc gene encodes a protein that aids the production of glutathione. Previously glutathione was…
-
5 Benefits of Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the animal kingdom. Though nearly 28 types of collagen have been identified in the human body, types I, II, and III account for 80-90 percent. The function of collagen is to support the softer tissues and withstand stretching. The basic structure of collagen consists of a triple…
-
Collagen Peptides Support Bone Health
Post-menopausal women have a significantly increased risk for osteoporosis. Bone density declines after menopause and osteoporosis has become a major health problem in our aging population. Interestingly, astronauts who spend extended periods of time in space are also a high-risk group. This 2020 study (using rats suspended in a microgravity model) explored a nutritional strategy…
-
New Study Discovers How Stress Causes Gray Hair
In a new study published in Nature, scientists have gained advanced insights into how stress impacts the body. More specifically, senior author Ya-Chieh Hsu, the Alvin and Esta Star Associate Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard, and her team have found evidence to back up anecdotal stories about hair turning grey (or…
-
Magnesium and Mood
According to the American Osteopathic Association, about 50% of the US population is not getting enough magnesium and magnesium deficiency can cause a variety of health issues. Recently, however, a closer look has been given to how magnesium deficiency is linked to low mood.
-
Dietary Fiber Reduces Brain Inflammation During Aging
One of the side effects of aging is that chronic systemic inflammation alters neuroinflammation of the brain. A recent study from the University of Illinois demonstrated that supplementing with dietary fiber reduces brain inflammation caused by the aging process.
-
10 Dietary Fiber Sources to Upregulate Microbiome Health
Eating foods high in dietary fiber leads to healthy outcomes. Examining the research into fiber fosters an appreciation for the molecular diversity and variations of fiber types, as well as the role fiber plays as a substrate for gut microbial metabolism. Dietary fiber impacts both the function and composition of the microbiota yielding physiologic responses…
-
Healthy Blood Sugar Levels 101
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are 422 million people with diabetes mellitus (DM) and 318 million with impaired glucose tolerance (dysglycemia). This is an important public health issue that requires attention given its relationship to a plethora of chronic diseases as well as economic burden. We know that overweight (BMI > 25)…
-
Stress Eating Stresses Our Insulin Response
A recent study published in Cell Metabolism in April 2019 revealed that during times of stress, it may be more important than ever to watch what you eat. The researchers discovered a key pathway in the brain that stimulates increased caloric intake and energy storage during stressful times.
-
AMPK and Metabolic Health
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, at least according to a new study that shows apple polyphenols increase the activity of 5’ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Activation of AMPK may be a good way to lose weight, balance lipoproteins, and support healthy blood sugar.
-
3 Reasons Why DHA is Important for Kids
As more and more baby boomers enter their senior years, suggestions on how to improve neurological health seem to be gaining in popularity. With this recent surge of interest in optimizing brain health, we may lose sight of its relevance in children. Yes, aging adults may experience a decline in cognition, memory and learning, but…
-
NEW APPROACH SHOWS THE BENEFITS OF REPLACING RED AND PROCESSED MEAT WITH FISH
A suboptimal diet has been ranked as the leading risk factor for total global deaths and the second-leading risk factor for global disease burden, but it was only now that scientists could accurately calculate the total health impact of replacing one food with another in the diet.
-
DHA Pathway to the Brain
The health benefits of two omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), seem indisputable and range from improved cardiovascular risk factors and body composition to promotion of healthy inflammatory pathways. Lately, however, DHA has received a brighter spotlight of attention in the news due to its ability to influence the structure, function,…
-
Cannabis Sativa: History, Chemistry & Uses
Hemp and marijuana are both from the same Cannabis sativa plant, but hemp is marijuana’s non-psychoactive cousin mostly used for the extraction of cannabinoids. As legislation around hemp and marijuana change in the US, it’s important to understand the history and to know the difference between the plants.
-
Researchers Pinpoint 6 Genes Linked to Mental Health
A new report that studied genetic variants linked to mental health was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry on January 7, 2020, documenting the results of a large genome-wide analysis of 200,000 military veterans. The study led by Joel Gelernter, the Foundations Fund Professor of Psychiatry, professor of genetics and of neuroscience at Yale…
-
Hemp 101
The interest and use of hemp products have grown exponentially over the past several decades as the understanding of the plant’s bioactives continues to garner attention. First thing, the difference between hemp and marijuana must be established given their relation to the Cannabis industry and legal considerations. Both hemp and marijuana come from the same…
-
Study Links Lack of Motivation to Inflammation
A new study published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences has established a link between our dopaminergic drive (the motivation to do things) and chronic low-grade inflammation. The hypothesis presented by the researchers from Emory University is that “inflammatory cytokines signal immunometabolic shifts,” which directly impact mesolimbic dopamine (DA). The mesolimbic pathway, also referred…