Tag: Fitness & Nutrition

A Natural Treatment for Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Side Effects

Years ago, I covered a head-to-head comparison of saffron versus Prozac for the treatment of depression and saffron seemed to work just as well as the drug. In the years since, five other studies have found that saffron beat out placebo or rivaled antidepressant medications. It may be the spice’s red pigment, crocin, since that alone beat out placebo as an…


Women Benefit From Strength Training As Much As Men

Contrary to popular belief, a new Australian study of men and women over 50 has found that strength training—also known as resistance or weight training—benefits older women just as much as older men. “Historically, people tended to believe that men adapted to a greater degree from resistance training compared to women,” exercise science lecturer at UNSW Medicine…


How Your Gut Health Affects Your Disease Risk

The critical importance of gut health is getting more attention. A significant proportion of your immune system resides in your gastrointestinal tract, which means optimizing your gut microbiome will have far-reaching effects on your physical health and emotional well-being. Mounting scientific evidence also continues to suggest a large component of nutrition centers on nourishing health-promoting…


Lycopene Lowers Risks for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Did you know that guava and tomato are just two of the lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables that can protect your brain and reduce your risks for cancer, heart disease, and bone fractures? Lycopene is the pigment in red fruits and vegetables like pink guava and tomatoes. It is an important nutrient scientists are currently testing in the prevention and…


Gained Weight on the Diet That Your Friend Swore By?

I have never been much of a dieter, although there are times in my life when I probably should have been. I have, however, tried tweaking my diet based on a friend’s recommendation or an article I have read, only to have it backfire. Either my digestion tanked, or my energy took a vacation, leaving…


The Coldest Time of Year Is Here, and Spring Isn’t Far Away

A solar term is a period of about two weeks and is based on the sun’s position in the zodiac. Solar terms form the traditional Chinese calendar system. The calendar follows the ancient Chinese belief that living in accordance with nature will enable one to live a harmonious life. This article series explores each of…


Junk Food Companies Worsen COVID-19 Susceptibility

Underlying health conditions like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes have emerged as key factors in fatalities due to novel coronavirus, COVID-19. In one study, more than 99 percent of COVID-19 fatalities occurred among people who had underlying medical conditions. Among the fatalities, 76.1 percent had high blood pressure, 35.5 percent had diabetes and 33 percent…


The Effects of Too Much Arsenic in the Diet

Even at low-level exposure, arsenic is not just a class I carcinogen, but may also impair our immune function and increase our risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. When people hear about arsenic, they think of it as an acute poison, and, indeed, a tiny amount—a hundred milligrams, about one-tenth the weight of a paperclip—could kill you…


Diagnosed With Diabetes? Pay Attention to Your Heart

Type 2 diabetes raises your odds of developing heart disease, so it is imperative to start paying attention to your heart health immediately if you have a diabetes diagnosis. Even those who have prediabetes are at risk and should be focusing on a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle. Prediabetes is a result of poor blood sugar levels…


Lessons on Healthy Alignment With Winter

We’ve just passed winter solstice, with many people celebrating the passing of the shortest day and light slowly returning to our world in incrementally longer days. There’s an element of triumph associated with the solstice—we made it through the darkest days of the year. What’s often missed is that these cold, dark days are an important…