According to the Epilepsy Foundation, epilepsy (which means the same thing as “seizure disorders”) is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the world. It affects people of all ages and cultures. (1) 65 million people worldwide currently have epilepsy, including 3 million children and adults living in the U.S. About one in 26 people in the United States will develop epilepsy … Read More
Bad News for Your Brain: Artificially Sweetened Drinks Increase Risk of Stroke and Dementia
Ever find yourself wondering, “Is diet soda bad for you?” It may seem like a better option compared to sugary soda, but the science shows that viewpoint falls flat. And now, we have even more reason to avoid soda at all costs. Artifiicially sweetened drinks increase risk of stroke and dementia. In other words, it’s hammering your brain. Researchers at … Read More
Tourette Syndrome + 9 Natural Treatments
For example, the CDC estimates that 1 in 160 children between the ages of 5 and 17 have Tourette Syndrome, with nearly half of the children in the United States remaining undiagnosed. And while symptoms can improve through maturity, many adults continue to face the symptoms of this often life-disrupting disease. Marked by involuntary and repetitive movements and vocalizations, this Tic … Read More
Top Health Effects of Climate Change (It’s Impacting Your Body NOW)
The health effects of climate change may seem like something that future generations will have to handle. The truth is, though, it’s already happening now, fueling everything from allergies and certain cancers to COPD symptom flares. All of the carbon pollution that comes from things like burning coal and natural gas for electricity, burning gasoline and diesel to power our vehicles and using … Read More
How to Beat Deaths of Despair? Find Hope and Change Your Life
Recent research seems to strongly suggest that there are two Americas. There’s the one where those with college degrees thrive. Then there’s the one where those without a college education struggle. A team of researchers at Princeton University recently published “Mortality and Morbidity in the 21st Century”. This research is a follow up to their important 2015 study, “Rising Morbidity and Mortality in … Read More
Atkins Diet: How It Works, Health Benefits, Plus Precautions
The Atkins diet — a popular low- or modified-carb diet that’s high in fats and proteins but low in things like sugar, fruit, grains and many processed foods — has been around for more than 40 years. Various books written about the Atkins diet are some of the best-selling in the diet category, with more than 45 million sold worldwide. The … Read More
Hygge: The Danish Trick for True Winter Happiness
Denmark consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world. But why? Well, a concept called “hygge,” pronounced “HOO-gah,” is believed to be a big part of that. But what is it? Well, that’s a little harder to put into words. So I turned to Danish happiness expert Meik Wiking, the founder and chief executive of the Happiness Institute, … Read More
7 Awesome Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
If you’re like me, you love to eat chocolate. But not just any chocolate — I eat the varieties that are often referred to as “superfoods.” I’m talking about dark chocolate and cacoa nibs, which are both truly healthy forms of chocolate if you pick the right products. You’re probably thinking how is dark chocolate good for you, and in … Read More
5 Benefits of Unplugging for the Holidays + 5 Tips
The onslaught of family, friends and social events that occurs during the holidays is enough to make even the most social person want to sneak away and enjoy some alone time. But if your idea of relaxing during the festive madness translates into checking in on Facebook, drooling over Insta-worthy photos or playing a marathon video game session, it might … Read More
These 10 Things Literally Increase the Size of Your Brain
Several breakthroughs in brain science over the last few years suggest humans actually have the power to increase brain size. This can change your life in so many ways, from increasing memory to harnessing the power of your brain to create new neurons. Ways to Increase the Size of Your Brain Strike a pose. Yoga combines breathing, holding postures and meditation, … Read More
Cannabidiol, or CBD, Benefits for Pain, Mental Illness & Anxiety
The use of medical marijuana continues to be an emotionally and politically charged issue. Although cannabis oil preparations have been used in medicine for millennia, the concern over the dangers of abuse led to the banning of the medicinal use of marijuana in the 1930s. Only recently, marijuana and chemically related compounds have come back to being considered of therapeutic value. … Read More
Food Allergy Symptoms + 6 Ways to Reduce Them
Food allergies are immune-based diseases that have become a serious health concern in the United States. An estimated one-fifth of the population believe that they have adverse reactions to food, but the true prevalence of food allergies ranges between 3 and 4 percent in the general population. Despite the risk of severe allergic reactions and even death, there is no … Read More
6 Natural Ways to Boost Hypothalamus Function
The hypothalamus is an essential part of the human brain and is often considered the “control center” for most hormones. Its working relationship with the pituitary gland as well as the adrenal glands affects our nervous systems as well as our endocrine systems. But what does the hypothalamus do exactly? For starters, it plays a part in our calorie intake, weight … Read More
What Are Endorphins? (Plus, Hacks to Trick Your Body into Manufacturing More of These Feel-Good Chemicals)
You may have heard a lot about the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals, but what are endorphins, exactly? These natural peptide chemicals produced in your body interact with receptors in your brain to help you feel focused, less impacted by pain and put you in a better mood. In fact, endorphins have a lot in common with prescription anti-anxiety drugs and opiate painkillers. … Read More
Frozen vs. Fresh Vegetables: Which Is Healthier?
At the end of every summer season, do you find yourself mourning the loss of your favorite fresh fruits and veggies? It might be time to hit the freezer aisle, because when it comes to frozen versus fresh vegetables, both are winners. Hidden between the frozen pizza, sugary breakfast foods and other ultra-processed foods, frozen veggies (and fruits!) are actually a … Read More
The Truth about VBAC (And What Your Doctor Probably Isn’t Telling You)
Controversy around the safety of a vaginal birth after C-section has recently prompted sharp declines in this delivery method. Unfortunately, women are often incorrectly told that they’re not allowed to have a vaginal birth after a cesarean section. Known as “VBAC,” vaginal birth after a C-section is an increasingly common way to give birth. But here’s the big problem: Even … Read More
What Is Phosphatidylserine? The Top 6 Benefits of Phosphatidylserine
Have you ever heard of phosphatidylserine? Most people haven’t, but would you believe it’s actually present in every single human cell? Yes, it’s true. Phosphatidylserine has many vital functions throughout the body’s tissues and organs, but most importantly, it’s a key building block for the billions of cells in your brain. Phosphatidylserine is produced by the body, but we get most of our … Read More
The Mind-Boosting, Anti-Inflammatory Abilities of Vanilla Extract
When you hear “vanilla extract,” what do you think of? Your first answer is probably dessert, but what about antioxidant? Anti-inflammatory? Mental health booster? Vanilla extract is great for all of those things and more! There’s a reason vanilla is one of the most popular flavors in the world when it comes to baking and sweets. Not only does it … Read More
Ugli Fruit Benefits the Heart, Waist & Immune System
It doesn’t seem very nice to name a fruit based on its appearance, but I’m going to let it slide this time with ugli fruit — because this very unattractive fruit is only ugly on the surface. Ugli fruit is a crossbred fruit found in a tropical climate, and it’s an incredible source of vitamin C, fiber and other nutrients, … Read More
10 Cell Phone Safety Tips You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Do cell phones cause cancer? The preliminary results of a massive, government-funded study suggest they could. This makes cell phone safety an incredibly important topic. The early findings in the $25 million U.S. National Toxicology Program animal study show exposure to very high signal cell phone radiation led to a slightly increased risk of malignant gliomas in the brain and schwannomas … Read More
Is Diet Soda Bad for You? Here’s What It Does to Your Body
Is diet soda bad for you? Specifically, does it actually help you lose weight? Long story short, no. In fact, a Purdue researcher says public health officials should tell people to avoid diet soda much like they do with regular, sugar-sweetened soda. Susan E. Swithers, PhD, a professor of psychological sciences and a behavioral neuroscientist at Purdue says warnings may need … Read More
The Truth about Swai Fish (Seafood Fraud Is Just the Beginning)
I’m a huge fan of certain types of wild-caught fish. Certain seafood picks land serve as muscle-building protein foods. Some even provide ample doses of healthy fats like omega-3s. But fish often comes with a hefty price tag, which is why consumers are always looking for more affordable options. Consumers are flocking to Swai fish due to its cheap price tag, but there are … Read More
Do Biologics Offer New Hope for Alzheimer’s Disease?
Traditionally, treating a disease or condition went something like this: you had symptoms. You were diagnosed with a condition by your doctor and then together, you searched for its origin and tried to figure out how best to treat it. But what if you could turn that idea on its head and instead, figure out how to use genetic variations … Read More
Herbal Medicine Benefits & the Top Medicinal Herbs More People Are Using
Did you know that about 25 percent of the drugs prescribed worldwide are derived from plants? Of the 252 drugs in the World Health Organization’s essential medicine list, 11 percent are exclusively of plant origin. In fact, about 200 years ago the first pharmacological compound, morphine, was produced from opium extracted from the seed pods of the poppy flower. Since then, … Read More
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: How to Deal with Family, Friends & Co-Workers Showing Symptoms
The terms narcissist and narcissistic personality disorder are thrown around rather loosely today. While a touch of self-centeredness, need for admiration or difficulty being criticized may seem narcissistic, it doesn’t necessarily warrant a diagnosis of true narcissistic personality disorder. (And here’s an important point to remember: Narcissism is not the same as confidence.) But when traits of being self-centered, egotistical … Read More