Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
Vitamin C deficiency linked to pneumonia in three separate trials
In a review published in Nutrients, Dr. Harri Hemila of the University of Helsinki reported that three different controlled trials had found that vitamin C significantly protected against pneumonia. The review, published in March 2017, asserted that vitamin C...
Majority of U.S. population is vitamin D-deficient, including the president
Earlier this year President Trump underwent a physical exam. The exam was conducted by the White House physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson. Though the doctor reported the president was overall healthy, some aspects of the report were surprising. Like the level of vitamin D...
Young women run faster after taking nutritional supplement blend
A new study found that female athletes who took a supplement of of minerals and other nutrients for one month were able to accomplish faster running speeds. The research, conducted at Ohio State University, discovered women lowered the average time it took them to run...
Research mounts on Vitamin K supplementation for heart health
Most people first learn about Vitamin K when it's recommended to them for some health issue related to blood clotting. But researchers are now proposing Vitamin K supplementing for a non-emergency measure: to promote cardiovascular health and lower the risk of heart...
Vitamin C benefits include brain health and weight loss
For decades Vitamin C has been lauded as the go-to nutrient to ward off the seasonal cold and flu threat. Well, move over cough protection… a new study from New Zealand has demonstrated that Vitamin C also provides brain protection and weight loss support. In the...
Up to 99% of population have inadequate fruit and veggie intake
Using the "Five servings a day" guideline, about one in ten people consume enough fruits and vegetables. But it gets worse: The recommended five-a-day is an old recommendation that dates back to the 1990s. Today most experts are recommending 10 servings of fruit and...
Skyrocketing Alzheimer’s rates indicate need for better diets, supplementing
Alzheimer’s deaths are exploding. The number of people dying from Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. has soared 55 percent over the last 15 years, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The incurable neurodegenerative condition...
Fermented foods have provided probiotic “supplementing” for thousands of years
Fermentation of food dates back about 4,000 years. Scientists and historians say that fermented foods were probably discovered by accident as ancient people sought ways to preserve fresh food for later use. The procedures were adapted and perfected through generations...
Why broccoli is called The Vegetable Queen—and is used in whole food supplements
More than one food and nutrition writer has referred to broccoli as "The Vegetable Queen." And for good reason. If you don’t already, you should consider incorporating broccoli as one of your regular foods. Here are a few things The Vegetable Queen contributes to your...
Vitamin K2 lowers risk of coronary heart disease in 17-year study
Increased intakes of Vitamin K2 may reduce the risk of mortality from coronary heart disease, according to data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-NL) cohort. The extensive study tracked more than 33,000 people over a period of...
Zinc level dramatically affects cardiac health, according to German study
A study conductedd by the Technical University of Munich has highlighted the critical relationship between the total amount of zinc in the body and cardiac function. This study builds on existing research demonstrating zinc’s importance in helping regulate essential...
Testosterone—important to men’s health in a number of ways
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and anabolic steriod. Testosterone is also produced by females; however, average levels of testosterone in adult males are about seven to eight times as great as in adult females. For this reason it typically thought of as...