Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
Another benefit of regular fruit and veggie consumption: Lower risk of kidney stones
Surveys show that roughly 10% of the population is affected by kidney stones. One in ten people will get at least one kidney stone in their lifetime. "Kidney stone" is the common language referring to when a solid piece of material---the medical terminology is renal...
Are you forgetting zinc? Researchers say it’s ‘The most insidious’ of all nutrient deficiencies
A collaborative effort by researchers from four countries has fingered an inadequate intake of the mineral zinc as one of the "most devastating nutrient deficiencies" in the world's population. Though minerals are often overlooked in the sphere of essential nutrients...
Vitamins K2 and D: Two nutrients that work synergistically to help reduce coronary artery calcification
In recent years the health benefits of both vitamins K2 and D have received a lot of attention in institutional research and media coverage. Most of the attention has focused on energy, bone, muscle and immune health---though the health benefits appear to be endless....
Higher Omega-3 status shown to reduce the risk of long-term cardiac events in new study
If you've suffered a heart attack, a critical "survivor's step" you should take is to increase your Omega-3 Index. This is one of the findings of a new study that examined the long-term health outcomes of patients following a heart attack. The Omega-3 Index refers to...
Four years since lockdowns: Covid research highlights the nutrients you’ll need for next emergency
March 2024 marks a milestone of sorts: It's the fourth anniversary of the start of America's unprecedented pandemic lockdowns. The anniversary is a good time to reflect on the status of your own health and whether or not you're prepared for the next national...
What percentage of your diet should be protein? According to new research, over 20% is too much
High protein diets have become popular in the athletic and weight loss spheres in recent decades. But is loading-up on protein effective or safe over the long term? According to recent studies, the answer is a firm "no" on both counts. A 2022 meta-analysis, published...
Vitamin D supplementation linked to reduced dementia risk in review of large sampling of seniors
According to a new analysis of more than a quarter million participants of the UK Biobank, those with a high Vitamin D status were far less likely to suffer dementia as they age. The UK Biobank is a large longevity study in the United Kingdom which is investigating...
Cinnamon provides blood sugar benefits that can help ward off diabetes
According to a new study, the popular spice cinnamon offers hope for obese and overweight individuals in warding off diabetes. The small study, conducted specifically on prediabetic individuals, corroborated earlier studies highlighting cinnamon's ability to reduce...
New study highlights benefits of L-glutamine supplementing for high-intensity exercise
According to new research conducted in Taiwan, supplementing with the amino acid L-glutamine has the ability to boost the recovery and performance of athletes following intense bouts of exercise. For this new study researchers focused specifically on combat-sport...
Study proves allergies are prevented by doing what mom advised—eating your fruit and veggies!
Your mom knew fruit and vegetables were good for you, but she probably didn't know they were critical for fighting one of today's most prevalent health conditions: allergies. Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have discovered (or some may say, rediscovered) a...
Diets rich in plant protein linked to healthier aging in 32-year study
A team of researchers at Tufts University have found that women who have diets rich in plant-based protein develop fewer chronic diseases and are more likely to be healthier overall as they age. Many consumers are under the impression they cannot get adequate protein...
A daily multi-vitamin/mineral helps keep the brain healthy as you age, says new meta-analysis
According to findings published in the January 2024 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition taking a multivitamin can help prevent memory loss and slow cognitive aging among older adults. The authors of the study noted the benefit was significant---study...