Author: Hill Castle
For over half a century, the relationship between wheat consumption and the development of certain mental disorders was unclear. This, despite previous reports that indicate that the connection is due to the presence of a variety of pharmacologically active properties in wheat. More recently, however, researchers have discovered that due to the gluten component of this grain, blood flow to the frontal cortex of the brain is cut off – which could explain its link to conditions such as schizophrenia. In 1997, a case study was conducted involving a 33-year-old patient who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. At first, the patient came…
There are at least 1,000 different kinds of bacteria and 40 million microbial cells found in our gut. A balance in the gut microbiome is really vital to keep not just our physical health well, but also our mental and emotional well-being. To be able to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, it is essential to regularly consume foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients – more particularly, foods high in fiber. In a study conducted by Justin Sonnenburg, a microbiologist at Stanford University, his wife Erica, and a graduate student named Samuel Smits, they tried to find out…
One of the challenges that older medical systems have is being recognized in a world filled with Western medical procedures and medication. A classic example is Ayurveda (or Ayurvedic medicine): It has been used for over 3,000 years in India, but its potential benefits have been largely ignored in conventional medicine. However, an article in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine described that while the methods in Ayurveda may be ancient, it still is sound, based on modern scientific concepts. In the article, the researchers looked at Mahamrutyunjaya rasa (MHR), an ayurvedic formulation used to treat cardiovascular disorders, to determine the physical and chemical…
Turns out, the part of the egg that we don’t eat can actually help relieve our joints. In a study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging, the authors revealed that NEM, a proprietary eggshell membrane ingredient from Stratum Nutrition, may have the potential to help with joint recovery after an exercise. According to researchers, the study was also the first of its kind to use CTX-II, a cartilage degradation marker, as a benchmark for effective joint health intervention. In the company’s website, NEM is touted to “support joints against pain, stiffness, and cartilage breakdown.” According to Dr. Jason Theodosakis, the contributing author…
Yogurt is a popular probiotic-rich food, but did you know that kefir, a cultured and fermented beverage, is also good for your gut? According to a study, kefir can even help lower blood pressure. A team of researchers from Auburn University worked together with researchers from the University of Vila Velha to study the effects of kefir on high blood pressure – or the health condition known as hypertension. The scientists involved in the study posited that consuming kefir can have “a positive effect on blood pressure by promoting communication between the gut and brain.” Kefir is a fermented probiotic milk drink that…
People who are overweight should lose some weight even if they do not have high blood pressure or any other heart disease risk, according to scientists. This is because a study has found that people who are 30 pounds or more overweight are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome within 10 years. This also increases their risk of getting cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In the study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the research team aimed to identify if metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) at baseline remained stable or resulted in metabolic syndrome and raised the risk of…
Legend has it that the Queen of Sheba, made infamous by her wealth and association to King Solomon, declared pistachios a delicacy exclusive for royal consumption. Modern research indicates the ancient monarch may have had it right, with numerous studies touting this nut’s healing properties and many health benefits. The pistachio’s small size belies its hefty nutritional content. It contains high levels of B vitamins, namely thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). These nutrients help your body convert the food you eat into energy. It is also rich in vitamins A, C, and E…
Struggling with an insecure attachment style can make it virtually impossible to have truly healthy relationships with the people you care about most. Whether its anxious attachment or avoidant, perhaps you’ve been reading about attachment styles and have come to realize you’ve got insecurities that you need to overcome in order to be happy. Either way, it is possible to “rewire” your brain and revolutionize your relationships with other people. Writing for Psychology Today, Dr. Hal Shorey explains how the brain works — and how you can change your own negative perceptions with just a few simple tweaks. Transforming negatives into…
Fructose means fruit sugar — but it’s not only found in fruit these days. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is found in an overwhelming majority of processed foods and beverages, from sodas to snacks, cakes and fast food. You could say that corn syrup is as ubiquitous in the food industry as it gets. But despite assurances that corn syrup is no different to any other kind of sugar, the truth is that high-fructose foods are not so benevolent. In addition to a number of health consequences associated with over-consumption, experts now suspect that HFCS may be as addictive than alcohol…
More than just a solution to overcome one’s daily dose of stress, researchers have found that the benefits of regular meditation can affect one’s life for at least seven years. According to a study conducted at University of California, Davis, the effects of joining an intensive meditation program can be expected to last for years. This was based on research where 60 participants were asked to join at least one of two three-month meditation retreats held at the Shambhala Mountain Center in 2007. Those who participated were placed in group meditation sessions and were also taught to practice Buddhist mindfulness meditation that lasted six hours…
Astaxanthin was found to be a potent anti-aging agent, according to a mouse study published in the Endocrine Journal. The study was carried out by a team of researchers from Zhejiang University of Technology in China and Asahikawa Medicine University in Japan who looked at the preventive effects of astaxanthin on aging with the use of an accelerated model. The research team treated mice with both D-galactose and jet lag for six weeks. They grouped the mice into three: Control group; a group treated with a combination of daily sterile D-galactose injection and jet lag; and a group supplemented with a diet…
As you age, there are plenty of things to worry about. You might find that you have to work harder to maintain your weight, more people your age are getting ill, and you might start n壯陽藥 oticing that any poor habits you’ve had start to catch up with you. One aspect of aging that can be particularly troubling, however, is cognitive decline, and it’s something that can strike even those who have been health-conscious all their lives. Watching loved ones become a shell of their former selves as the ravages of dementia and similar diseases set in can be extremely disheartening, and…
Sugar can destroy your health – there’s no doubt about it. However, if you think you’re doing your body any favors by switching to artificial sweeteners, you couldn’t be more wrong. They may have fewer calories, but they can be just as bad for your health – and your waistline – as regular sugar, if not worse. Weight loss is often boiled down to a simple formula of calories in versus calories out. Unfortunately, many people fail to realize that no-calorie sweeteners can raise your risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes even more than sugar. Lots of studies have…
More than half of the country currently has some form of legal access to cannabis (marijuana) on the books, and yet people who use this natural plant legally, including for medical purposes, are still being unfairly discriminated against when it comes to acquiring employment that’s contingent upon taking a drug test. The problem lies with outdated and nonsensical testing parameters that include identifying the presence of cannabis constituents like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) as part of the panel. Though the effects of THC typically subside within just a few hours after use, depending on the individual, THC can still be detected in…
Chips may seem like a good idea, but there are a growing number of reasons for you to avoid them. Recent findings published in peer-reviewed journal JCI Insight showed that the proliferation of bad gut bacteria, a common outcome of an unhealthy diet, is the likely culprit behind osteoarthritis. Scientists from the University of Rochester Medical Center discovered the link between gut bacteria and joint deterioration. In a study conducted on mice, the researchers found that between obese and lean rodents, the former had more bad bacteria in their belly and were at a greater risk of developing arthritis. The first group…
Athletes know that hydration is crucial to maintaining peak performance because water helps to regulate the body temperature. Water also helps lubricate the joints. According to a study, even seniors need to stay hydrated when exercising because it can help them “reap the full cognitive benefits of exercise.” The researchers involved in the study delved deeper into the connection between hydration status before engaging in physical activities and exercise-enhanced cognition among the elderly. While earlier studies have determined that dehydration can negatively affect the brain function and exercise performance of young people, not much is known about its effect on older individuals.…
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal problems women face today. It is said that at least five to 10 percent of women of childbearing age are diagnosed with it. For years patients have been treating the illness by taking hormonal pills, but researchers recently discovered a new remedy. Women suffering from PCOS may have a chance to fight the syndrome by soaking in a hot tub a couple of times a week for two months. According to research, this method improves the cardiovascular health of the women as well as influencing beneficial changes in fat…
The phrase, “I’ll exercise tomorrow,” is probably one of the many promises that we hardly keep. Mostly, due to our busy schedules, we opt for munching on our comfort foods than jogging or hitting the gym to relieve our stress. This scenario often leads to a person becoming unfit which leads to certain health risks. Although a lot of research has been done to prove the correlation between being unfit and the risk of developing illnesses, particularly cardiovascular diseases, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown that men who are over the normal weight limit are more likely to suffer…
In this age of social media where majority of the youth seek validation through feedback from their peers, cyberbullying has become rampant as online platforms became an open field for bullies to target other people’s profiles. A case study has proven that people under the age of 25 who have experienced cyberbullying are two times more likely to commit suicide. Moreover, those who perpetrate the wrongdoings are also vulnerable to harboring suicidal thoughts or behaviors and go through depression. For over 21 years, researchers observed more than 150,000 children and young adults from 30 countries across the globe. According to…
It’s said that being in rural areas has enormous benefits to our physical health. We’ve also been told that growing up in an environment where we’re exposed to animals and nature reduces the risk of developing asthma and some other diseases. A more recent study, however, found that growing up in a place close to nature and surrounded by animals is not only beneficial for our bodies, but it also strengthens our mental health. The study, co-authored by researchers from the University of Ulm and University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), suggests that kids who grew up around pets have more stress-resilient…
A recently published study discovered that chemicals and liquids that are used to flavor e-cigarettes could result in a “significant inflammation” of monocytes, a type of white blood cell in the body, and that mixing e-cigarette flavors produces a much worse effect than having just one flavor. The study, which was published in the open-access journal Frontiers in Physiology, adds weight to growing evidence on the dangers of e-cigarettes to a person’s health. The study, which was led by researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Centre, investigated the truth behind the claims saying that vaping e-cigarettes, which were touted to be nicotine-free,…
A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease provides new information on how the brain and the rest of the body communicate. Previous studies have suggested that pathology related to Alzheimer’s disease may occur before the clinical symptoms of the disease manifest, and that inflammation is one of the main components of the disease. Links between the levels of inflammatory markers in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and mild cognitive impairment, have also been revealed in past research. Moreover, scientists have discovered that increases in inflammatory markers may appear even decades before any symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease appear. The…