Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
We know soda pop is unhealthy, but studies reveal drinking soda on a hot day is down right lethal!
Many studies have linked the regular consumption of soda pop with increased odds of early death. These studies typically focus on the damage caused over time when drinking carbonated high-fructose beverages. But a recent U.S. study has highlighted how soda pop...
U.S. women now rank only 47th in height, but new study shows protein increase can offset decline
In 1914, U.S. men were the third-tallest in the world. Only a couple of Scandinavian countries---where the Vikings used to reign---had men that were slightly taller. At the same time, U.S. women were ranked the fourth-tallest in the world. A little more than a century...
Resveratrol cuts hospitalization rate for COVID outpatients, study finds
A new double-blind, placebo-controlled study has found that resveratrol can be used therapeutically to cut the rate of hospitalization for people diagnosed with COVID-19. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol that is present in high concentrations in grapes, red wine...
94% of adults don’t get enough fiber, increasing their risk of chronic diseases
A whopping 94% of American don't get enough fiber in their diet. This is the conclusion from averaging two major recent studies. A study presented at the Nutrition 2021 Live online conference, sponsored by the American Society for Nutrition, reported that 93% of...
Licorice root: researchers find promising cancer curing potential in new study
The immune benefits of licorice root may play a role in preventing or treating certain types of cancer, according to a new study. The study was a systematic review of hundreds of earlier studies examining the role of licorice for cancer treatment. Licorice is the...
Studies show the mineral selenium can lengthen cell telomeres—lowering your ‘biological age’
"Biological age" is a measure of how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your actual chronological age. It is a measure of health that can be more or less than your real physical age. Knowing your biological age can help determine your quality of life...
Are you supplementing? New study finds majority of Americans think their diet is healthier than it is
Taking a regimen of nutritional supplements may be more important than ever. According to new research, most people are not able to accurately assess the quality of their diet, and are consuming unhealthy foods they mistakingly judge as healthy on a daily basis. The...
Ashwagandha may be the herb that “smells like a horse”—But research shows it can also make you as healthy as one
Ashwagandha might be the most versatile, potent and widely-used herb in the sphere of natural healing and nutritional support. Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae or nightshade family that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Other...
Importance of NAD highlighted with new study linking low level to anemia
"NAD" is an acronym for Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. NAD is an enzyme, or more accurately a co-enzyme, central to metabolism. It is found in all living cells and is involved in redox reactions---carrying electrons from one reaction to another. Though NAD is...
Study finds antibiotics disrupt gut microbiome, create cycle of chronic infection
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half the women in the U.S. will have a urinary tract infection (UTI) during their lifetime. Even more troubling, 25% of U.S. women will have recurrent infections. Now a new study is reinforcing what some...
Study finds potent trio lowers cancer risk: Vitamin D3, Omega-3s and exercise
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular exercise reduces the risk of eight types of cancer. Now, according to a new study, this risk reduction can be further enhanced by supplementing two critical nutrients that are deficient in the...
When it comes to falling asleep, research shows it’s REM and “continuity” sleep that matter most
When people can't fall asleep they typically reach for an over-the-counter sleep medication, or alcohol. In more severe cases they obtain a prescription for sleeping medication. The problem with all these choices is they may help you fall asleep, but they seldom keep...