By Mae Chan The ready availability of technology may make the children of today faster at configuring a new smartphone, but does all of that screen time affect the development of their eyes? While conventional wisdom dictates that children should do less up-close viewing, sit…
By Mae Chan Stevia’s health benefits go beyond sugar reduction — it could also be a natural alternative for treating metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, say researchers. If you’re determined to sweeten your foods and beverages, consider using this amazing natural…
By Mae Chan Ketogenic diets — extreme low-carbohydrate, high-fat regimens that have long been known to benefit epilepsy and other neurological illnesses — may work by lowering inflammation in the brain, according to new research by UC San Francisco scientists. The UCSF team has discovered…
By Mae Chan Consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), found in olive oil, avocados and nuts, is linked to general intelligence according to a recent study in Neuroimage. Fat intake, especially MUFAs have been shown to preserve HDL cholesterol and improve glycemic control, in diabetic…
By Mae Chan Mothers exposed to pesticides who took high-doses of folic acid around conception reduced their risk of having children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a study in Environmental Health Perspectives. An editorial published previous in the prestigious journal Environmental Health Perspectives…
By Mae Chan More trials are needed to test vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of heart disease, say researchers behind a new study showing heart failure among the elderly is strongly associated with vitamin D deficiency. In the absence of Vitamin D from sunlight,…
By Mae Chan A new study has found gluten-free products are often not as healthy as their conventional counterparts. A gluten-free, casein-free diet may lead to improvements in behavior and many physiological symptoms. Why is there so much attention now being put upon gluten sensitivities?…
By Mae Chan Microbes that live in the gut don’t just digest food. They also have far-reaching effects on the immune system. Now, a new study shows that a particular gut microbe can prevent severe flu infections, likely by breaking down naturally occurring compounds —…
By Mae Chan Walnut consumption may increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in the gut, according to a recent animal study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. At the end of 10 weeks, rats fed a diet containing ground walnuts showed an increase in…
By Mae Chan People experiencing migraines often avoid light and find relief in darkness. A new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has revealed a previously unknown connection between the light-sensitive nerve cells in the eye and…
By Mae Chan Consuming Portobello or Shiitake powder may protect your arteries from the detrimental effects of a high fat diet, according to findings presented at Experimental Biology 2017. Mushrooms are known for their immune system boosting properties as well as treatments for anxiety and…
By Mae Chan Dietary supplements formulated with highly bioavailable curcumin may allow for faster recovery after competition-level training, and blunt training-related decreases in performance , says new data presented at Experimental Biology. Powdered turmeric has been used for centuries to treat a host of illnesses….
By Mae Chan Ashwagandha is an herb from India used for centuries as a body tonic for general health of the body and mind. Adults supplemented with ashwagandha root extract had improved memory test scores, researchers in India found. Ashwagandha has been used as an…
By Mae Chan Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have reversed depression symptoms in mice by feeding them Lactobacillus, a probiotic bacteria found in live-cultures yogurt. Further, they have discovered a specific mechanism for how the bacteria affect mood, providing a direct…
By Mae Chan Age-associated decline in muscle function represents a significant public health burden. Vitamin D-deficiency is also prevalent in aging subjects, and has been linked to loss of muscle mass and strength. New research published in the journal PLOS shows specific forms of active…
By Mae Chan Red Seaweed is one of the oldest groups of eukaryotic algae. It is part of one of the largest phyla of algae, containing over 7,000 currently recognized species. A study found that red seaweed helps in slowing down the growth rate of…
By Mae Chan Pomegranates help protect your body’s cells from free radicals, which cause premature aging. In simple words, pomegranate juice pumps the level of oxygen in your blood. A comprehensive meta-analysis of data from eight randomized controlled trials supported a role for pomegranate juice…
By Mae Chan Anthocyanins — antioxidant pigments found in fruits and vegetables — have well-established benefits for our cardiovascular system. The benefits are associated with their ability to influence the expression of chemicals by platelets in the blood, says new data from a randomized, double-blind,…
By Mae Chan One of the biggest mineral deficiencies in the world is zinc, with as many as two billion people around the world being in a daily deficit. A modest 4 milligrams of zinc extra every day in the diet may reduce DNA strand…
By Mae Chan Intestinal bacteria are the focus of intense research by scientists worldwide. They play a significant role in causing and preventing hundreds of diseases. According to a new systematic review and meta-analysis, probiotics have several advantageous effects on mental health by lessening the…
