Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
Mealworm larvae protein approved in the EU, but new study reinforces whey as a better protein choice
In January 2025 the European Commission approved a new "food ingredient" made from dried and ground mealworm larvae---the young form of beetles. The approval is part of the European Union’s plan to introduce what they claim is "more sustainable protein sources." The...
U.S. dementia cases estimated to double by 2060: These ten nutrients will help lower your risk
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found the risk of developing dementia anytime after age 55 was 42% in the U.S.---more than double the risk reported by older studies. The researchers involved in the study utilized data from the ongoing...
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementing increases exercise benefits and protects against heart failure
Two studies published a month apart are reinforcing the numerous previous studies documenting the cardio benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. The first study, conducted on people with preexisting heart failure, found increasing plasma Omega-3 levels by either diet or...
More cardiovascular disease, less conceiving: Household chemicals linked to chronic health issues in men
"Common products inside your home are contributing to serious health conditions." Thanks to volumes of research conducted since the 1980s, this statement can now be said emphatically---with few detractors. Moreover, with the problem now more widely accepted, research...
Quercetin and anthocyanin—the flavonoid duo that make onions a cancer-fighting superstar
When scanning the ingredients in your favorite nutritional supplement, you're not likely surprised by the inclusion of exotic herbs from the Far East or Africa. The potent nutrients in plants found in remote places around the world are often featured in scientific...
Elderberry: The world’s favorite immune boosting nutrient also proffers a fat-burning benefit
At the start of a new year just about everyone has the same two health goals: keep the immune system strong in the heart of winter and lose weight that was gained over the holidays. As challenging as these two goals are, a new study has shown that the an innocuous...
Study finds age 40 is the worst for sleep health; separate study shows valerian root can help
Research conducted in 2022 at University College London found people ages 33 to 53 get less sleep than people of all other age groups. Another study took the stats a step further and pinpointed age 40 as the exact age when Americans are getting the least amount of...
A healthy gut with the right microbes can lower cholesterol, according to U.S. research
Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome as been linked to better health in a number of areas. In 2024 alone studies have demonstrated a positive association with cognitive health, weight loss, irritable bowel syndrome and markers of stress. In another notable 2024 study,...
Study shows ashwagandha should be one of your go-to nutrients for holiday season stress
A 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association found that 89 percent of U.S. adults feel stressed during the holiday season. "Holiday season" typically refers to the roughly six-week period between Thanksgiving and the first week after New Year's Day. In...
Glutamine supplementation improves gut health and immune defense within two weeks, study finds
Glutamine is an amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. It is considered by most scientists to be a "conditionally essential" amino acid to humans since the body can usually synthesize sufficient amounts of it. The usually is a big caveat because...
Vitamin D supplementing linked to blood pressure reduction in new study
A year of daily supplementing with Vitamin D was linked to reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure according to a new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society in November 2024. The study was conducted by researchers at American University of...
Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy conveys many years of bone health benefits to children
Mothers who want their children to have strong bones as they grow should consider taking a Vitamin D supplement during their pregnancy. This is the primary finding of a freshly-published study from the United Kingdom. According to the study's conclusion, mothers who...