Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
An easy New Year’s resolution with powerful results: consume fruit and veggies daily
If you're one of the 41 percent of Americans who make a New Year's resolution, you probably know that such resolutions are often difficult to keep. Especially health-related goals. But they don't all need to be difficult. In fact, there's one health resolution you can...
Studies show health benefits of mushrooms are amplified with synergistic blends
If you don't like mushrooms you're probably aware that you're missing out on a substantial health benefit. But, according to research, even the people who do consume mushrooms are most likely not receiving the full potential of the health benefits mushrooms offer....
Three years of vitamin/mineral supplementation slowed cognitive aging by 60% in new study
Cognitive decline in the elderly is growing at alarming rates, but one bit of good news is that a step as simple as taking a daily vitamin/mineral supplement will add a degree of protection. New research---referred to as the COSMOS Mind study---determined that daily...
New studies reinforce why pomegranate extracts make a potent addition to nutritional supplements
People living in desert regions appreciate pomegranate trees (Punica granatum) because they are so resilient and can thrive in harsh conditions. Meanwhile, people working in laboratories appreciate pomegranates for the myriad of compounds they contain, and the wide...
Turmeric extract shown to reduce post-exercise muscle soreness in new study
Supplementing with turmeric extract was linked to significant reduction in muscle soreness following exercise, according to a new study from India. Turmeric is a flowering plant (Curcuma longa) that is part of the ginger family. Both turmeric and the curcumin derived...
Consumption of ultra-processed foods up during past 20 years, especially among the elderly
In 1998 a study published in Journal of the American Heart Association documented what most health experts already knew: A diet high in processed foods speeds up clogging of the arteries and leads to an increase in heart attacks. Unfortunately the findings went...
NOVA: Dividing processed foods into four categories to help you manage your health better
Americans are eating more processed foods than ever, and surveys show that most consumers don't understand just how much this trend affects their health. Just in the year 2022 alone, studies highlighted the wide range of health issues linked to consumption of...
Cancer, dementia and early death: Five studies in 2022 that implicate ultra-processed foods
Notwithstanding decades of mounting evidence, most people still refuse to consider just how much damage is being done to their health by regularly consuming processed foods. Just in the past nine months alone, dozens of studies have concluded that processed food...
CoQ10 shown to reduce fatigue in new meta-analysis
New research from Taiwan has found CoQ10 effective in lowering fatigue. CoQ10---an abbreviation for Coenzyme Q10---is a lipid-soluble antioxidant produced by the human body, but known to diminish as people age. The authors of the new study explain that CoQ10 reduces...
Three studies in three months highlight the diverse health benefits of Omega-3s
Wikipedia asserts there is "no or litttle evidence" proving Omega-3 fatty acids confer any health benefit. "Evidence" to Wikipedia means multi-million dollar pharmaceutical-funded studies done in the same manner that are applied to new drugs with the potential to earn...
Spirulina boosts immune function in study on elite athletes
A well-known paradox of exercise is that even though it improves the immune system, prolonged high-intensity exercise can actually lower the immune response---at least for a short period of time. Studies show that intense and long-duration workouts can reduce the...
Creatine supplementation improves memory in new meta-analysis
Just about every athlete recognizes creatine as the world's most popular muscle-building nutrient. But the same energy-producing properties in creatine that benefit muscle growth also provide other potent health benefits. A study published in 2019 found creatine to be...