Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
Studies: Consuming alcohol increases macular degeneration risk while fruit and veggie consumption lowers risk
Most people recognize that heavy alcohol consumption comes with a number or health risks; however, one common health condition that isn't normally associated with alcohol consumption is macular degeneration. A 2021 study found that moderate to high alcohol consumption...
Higher tryptophan intake found to improve sleep quality in study tracking university students
A new Spanish study focusing on first-year university students has found that lower tryptophan consumption is associated with poor sleep quality. Tryptophan is an amino acid that is used by the human body in the biosynthesis of proteins. As an essential amino acid it...
Creatine boosts muscle strength and power of athletes according to Chilean study
Soccer is big in South American countries---it's the equivalent of football in the U.S. And Chile is no exception. Every young soccer player esteems to go pro, and many Chileans plan their schedules around the next soccer match. So, it's not surprising that...
Study finds half of cancer deaths are preventable–one prevention tool is eating fruit and veggies
Everyone knows smoking is a risk factor for contracting cancer; however, according to researchers with the American Cancer Society, smoking is just one lifestyle habit that contributes to high cancer rates. According to the findings of a new study, four in ten cancer...
Study finds black seed supports healthy blood, affirming thousands of years of traditional medicinal use
Black seed—also known by its scientific name, Nigella sativa—is a small seed that comes from a flowering plant by the same name. As an annual flowering plant, it is native to parts of Africa, India, Asia and the Mediterranean. It is also known as black cummin. While...
Pass Grandma the mushrooms: Study finds reishi extract improves immune function in older women
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a type of mushroom that enjoys a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Written records document medicinal use of reishi in China well over 2,000 years ago. In China, this mushroom is called lingzhi. Reishi mushrooms are...
Society has become more aggressive: New study finds Omega-3 fatty acids can help
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania say a new study shows a nutrient known for heart health also helps the aggressive behavior that seems to permeate society today. That nutrient, or group of nutrients, are Omega-3 fatty acids. The fact that society has...
New survey shows 1 in 3 Americans live with chronic pain, but research shows supplements can help
A 2016 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found an estimated 50 million adults in the United States experienced "chronic pain resulting in substantial health care costs and lost productivity." That number represented around 21% of the...
Colostrum boosts immune system and helps maintain athletic performance, Polish study finds
According to researchers in Poland, bovine colostrum supplements strengthened the immune systems of athletes and helped them continue their demanding training schedules with more regularity. The study, which was conducted on professional football (soccer in the U.S.)...
Lutein supplements provide measurable eye health improvements in as little as two weeks, study finds
We live in an era that could be described as a blue light total onslaught. The damaging blue light---light that has shorter wavelengths and higher energy than other colors---comes from excessive exposure to cell phones, computers, tablets, t.v.'s and LED lights....
How CoQ10 Ubiquinol Supports Menopausal Symptom Relief
In the world of supplementing, CoQ10 is relatively new. It has only been available in the U.S. for a little more than a decade; however, during that time more than 60 studies have focused light on the nutrient's unique health benefits. "CoQ10" is an abbreviation for...
New research highlights another health risk linked to poor sleep: dementia
According to ongoing research, poor sleep quality negatively impacts immune function, heart health, risk of diabetes, obesity and chronic pain. But for those who find getting regular sleep a challenge, there is a health risk they may not be aware of: dementia....