Bringing wholesome healthy tips
Most of us think of exercise as something that helps the heart, lungs, waistline and blood sugar. But cancer prevention? Researchers are learning that even short bursts of movement can trigger powerful changes inside the body — changes that may help create a less welcoming environment for cancer cells. And in a new study from Newcastle University, it didn’t take a marathon, a spin class or even a long gym…
A few years ago, I wrote here about the ideal sleep position for turning on the “brain’s dishwasher.” While we sleep, cerebrospinal fluid moves through the brain, helping wash away waste products and proteins linked to neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. But just as a dishwasher needs power to run, your brain’s cleaning process needs help moving that fluid along. Now researchers are discovering where some of that power…
Vitamin D is best known for helping build strong bones. But research continues to show this nutrient does far more than support your skeleton. Vitamin D also appears to influence inflammation, immune function, muscle health, nerve signaling and the way the body experiences pain. In fact, previous studies have linked low vitamin D to several pain-related conditions in the general population, including musculoskeletal pain and neuropathic pain. Researchers are still…
Most people think about protein in terms of muscle. It’s something you take to stay strong or after a workout. Experts even remind you that getting enough protein after 50 can help protect against age-related muscle loss. And all of that is true. But new research suggests that one specific protein building block may be doing something even more fundamental inside the body… It may help your cells produce energy…
The “sunshine vitamin” has long been linked to depression risk — especially in people who get little sun, carry extra weight, are older or have trouble absorbing nutrients. And for years, the question has lingered: Could improving vitamin D status actually help improve depression symptoms? The answer has never been as simple as we’d like. Some studies have shown a benefit. Others haven’t. And that has made it easy for…
Peppermint is one of those natural remedies we tend to underestimate. Most of us think of it as something that freshens breath, calms an upset stomach or adds a cool, clean flavor to tea. But peppermint oil is far more concentrated than a cup of mint tea — and new research suggests it may do something surprising for the cardiovascular system. In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers found…
Most of us snack. In fact, research suggests that snacks now account for nearly a quarter of the average adult’s daily caloric intake. That’s not inherently a problem – it’s actually an opportunity. Because when you snack well, you’re not just holding hunger at bay until your next meal. You’re giving your body extra chances to take in the nutrients it genuinely needs more of. Here’s the thing: the typical American…
Serotonin is best known as your body’s “feel-good” chemical. It’s a chemical messenger that helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite and other important functions. That’s why many common antidepressants are designed to increase serotonin’s availability in the brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors — better known as SSRIs — work by blocking the brain from reabsorbing serotonin too quickly, leaving more of it available to help nerve cells communicate. But for some…
You may not drink every day. You may not even drink every week. Maybe you enjoy a glass of wine with dinner once in a while. Or maybe you rarely drink during the week, but occasionally have several drinks at a party, wedding, barbecue or weekend dinner with friends. No harm done, right? Not necessarily. New research from Keck Medicine of USC suggests that for people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic…
Summer is here, and I’m spending a lot more time in the sun — which means I’m also thinking a lot more about sun protection. But lately, that’s been a little complicated. Over the last few years, we’ve learned that many of the chemical ingredients in sunscreens carry health risks. So, like many people, I’ve tried to be more careful about what I put on my skin. I switched to…