Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
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...
Collagen–improving joint pain while helping your skin look younger!
Supplementation with a collagen supplement improves flexibility and joint pain, according to a new human clinical study. The study was conducted jointly by researchers at Baden-Württemberg, Germany and South Carolina, U.S.A. Results of the study were divided into two...
“Blue Zones” were first identified two decades ago. What have we learned?
As the concept of "Blue Zones" approaches its 20th birthday, it may be beneficial to take a new look at the health principles highlighted by the research. Even though blue zones theory (and later, The Blue Zones book) have detractors, there are common threads that can...
With pandemic censorship in decline, elderberry immune benefits can be reported again
A couple of months makes a lot of difference. Just 60 days ago if you suggested elderberry could help battle COVID you'd promptly be censored by Google for "spreading disinformation"---then you would have been kicked off of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Now the...
Nagalase: Reduce it to improve your immune system and protect your thyroid
Nagalase is an enzyme with the technical chemical name alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase. It has an important role in the body and is essential for optimal health; however, elevated amounts can be an accurate indicator for serious health issues. Nagalase breaks down...
Can kelp and bladder wrack help solve the hypothyroidism pandemic?
In 2013 a special feature in the Huffington Post asked, "What's Behind the Secret Epidemic of Hypothyroidism?" It was termed "secret" since millions of people have it and don't even know it. That was nine years ago, and since that time the epidemic has only worsened....
Use zero-calorie sugar substitutes? Research shows your liver needs herbal support
Almost everyone is aware that cancer risk has been linked to the use of some some sugar substitutes. The controversy goes back at least to the 1970s with additional damning evidence added almost yearly. This year is no exception, with a new large-scale French study...
Vitamin D supplementing a promising treatment for Parkinson’s disease, review finds
A new review of current research has determined that Vitamin D supplementation is effective in "slowing the progress" of Parkinson's disease. The review was conducted at University of Palermo in Palermo, Italy, and published in Nutrients in March 2022. The deadly...
For good dental health brush teeth daily… and take a probiotic supplement?
Taking probiotics for teeth and gum health might sound like a somewhat novel idea; however, evidence that has emerged over the past decade appears to show that the numerous health benefits of probiotics also extends to helping maintain good oral health. In fact,...
Plant based EFAs are safer than animal-sourced, but are they as effective? New study says yes!
Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that humans and other animals must ingest because the body requires them for good health, but cannot synthesize them. Marine animals are high in EFAs, so many EFA supplements are sourced from them. This includes salmon...
Zeaxanthin and lutein supplements improve visual memory and learning in Australian study
A new randomized controlled trial focusing on the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin has revealed measurable improvements for visual episodic memory and visual learning. Lutein and zeaxanthin are just two of several hundred carotenoids found in plants, many of which...
Phytonutrients reverse cell damage in one study, lower all-cause mortality in another study
A new study from Israel has found that a type of phytonutrient called carotenoids inhibited the secretion of the MMP-1 enzyme---the enzyme responsible for collagen damage---by around 50%. Meanwhile a Penn State University study found that people with Parkinson’s...