Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
Study finds black seed effective for treating polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents
According to a new study black seed oil is effective in treating a common, painful health challenge that many young women struggle with: polycystic ovary syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age....
Low Vitamin D status linked to longer healing time in children with bone fractures
The American Academy of Pediatrics has a problem. In 2022 they published a Where we stand statement insisting healthy children "do not need Vitamin D supplementation over and above the recommended dietary allowances." But then in 2023 their own research revealed the...
Lactase: the enzyme that provides relief for most people with lactose intolerance
Dairy allergy ranks as the second-highest allergy in the U.S. Only shellfish allergies are more common. In Africa and Asia rates of dairy allergies are even higher. When is comes to lactose intolerance---a separate disorder from allergy---rates are considerably...
Phytase: the potent enzyme that can help you enjoy grains again
In the 21st century Western world allergies to wheat and other grains seem to be omnipresent. "Gluten-free" products have become a niche industry, making billions for packaged food manufacturers. But this hasn't been the situation throughout history. The grain that...
Spirulina eases muscle stress and boosts athletic performance, according to new Italian study
Spirulina is a type of algae that has grown in popularity as a nutritional supplement in recent years. Other types of algae that are popular as supplements include chlorella and kelp. Algae are a large and diverse group of photosynthetic, plant-like organisms that use...
Maternal supplementing with zeaxanthin and lutein conveys health benefits to both mother and child
With vision problems like macular degeneration and nearsightedness reaching pandemic-like proportions, a new study coroborating the vision benefits of zeaxanthin and lutein should be widely applauded. During the past decade the two carotenoid phytonutrients have...
Study shows new enzyme can destroy or degrade phthalates and other harmful substances
Modern society is inarguably toxic. Each day we are exposed to thousands of toxic substances, many of which wreak havoc in our bodies. Of these substances phthalates are probably the most ubiquitous. Phthalates are substances added to plastics to increase their...
Thirty days of ashwagandha supplementing improves memory, attention and reaction time
According to market tracking data, an herb that has beed used medicinally for millennia---ashwagandha---has soared in popularity in recent years. Herb Market Report states that herbal supplements with ashwagandha hit $111 million in sales in the U.S. for 2022, an...
Are the benefits of probiotics endless? The research continues to pile up in 2024!
The evidence that probiotics affect just about every aspect of health has accumulated significantly in recent years, and this year is no exception. In early 2024 studies from Italy and China showed that probiotic supplements---also known as "beneficial bacteria" or...
Protein shakes enhance muscle strength when starting an exercise program, study finds
When individuals with a mostly sedentary lifestyle get motivated and start an exercise program, they will see additional improvements in muscle strength if they include a protein supplement as part of their program. This was the primary finding of a study on...
“Supplements are unregulated” is a big, fat lie
A special report by Optimal Health Systems: On March 18, 2024, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois announced that he intends to reintroduce his failed 2022 Senate bill (S.4090) forcing strict regulations on the manufacturing and selling of nutritional supplements. In his...
Study finds huge potential for taurine supplements in reducing metabolic syndrome, protecting heart
A new study has found supplementing with the amino acid taurine is beneficial in reducing metabolic syndrome variables. Metabolic syndrome is a medical condition that is defined by a "clustering" of different symptoms. A person is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if...