Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
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...
Electromagnetic radiation shielding apparel provides protective benefits, study finds
Modern technology provides us with convenience and entertainment, but it comes at a cost. That cost is exposure to electromagnetic fields, also known as EMFs. Wikipedia innocuously describes EMFs as "a mathematical representation of the influences on and due to...
Drink more than you should during the holidays? Studies say you need to restore your gut microbiome
The holiday season presents a twin attack on the immune systems of many people because both sugar and alcohol consumption increase. But even before the holiday onslaught you may have noticed that heavy drinkers get sick frequently. This happens because heavy alcohol...
Damage to bones from forever chemicals shows low bone density isn’t just a problem of the elderly
Low bone density is a health concern usually relegated to the realm of the middle-aged and elderly. Doctors are unlikely to discuss it with younger patients, unless there's some related health concern; and coverage in magazines is limited to publications for the...
Ashwagandha: twin studies highlight stress relief and energy production benefits
Ashwagandha, also known as winter cherry and Indian ginseng, is an evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Ashwagandha grows in India, the Middle East, and in parts of Africa. The herb's scientific name is Withania somnifera. The herb is an important...
Cold plunge therapy not just for athletes—check out these 5 health benefits
You may have seen a locker room video of professional athletes submerging into an ice bath after a big game. This routine is referred to as a "cold plunge." It's also known as cold therapy, cold water immersion, and, when used historically for a specific medical...
Green tea studies from Iran and China highlight weight loss properties
Green tea hasn't always been just a pleasant drink. It has a long history of medicinal uses dating back over 3,000 years. Most people don't realize it, but both black and green tea are brewed from the dried leaves of the same plant---Camellia sinensis. It is the level...
Healthy sweets: The sugar in fruit is not the evil you’ve been told it is
Is all sugar bad for you? We all know that refined sugar---the kind used in sweets, processed food and soda pop---contains no nutrition and loads of calories. It also makes your blood sugar skyrocket and is the primary cause of the ongoing type-2 diabetes pandemic....
What do people who live past 100 have in common? Healthy guts with diverse bacterial colonization
When it comes to the question, "Why are some people able to live past the age of 100?" there is plenty of debate. Vegetarians argue for eliminating meat from the diet completely. Advocates of the Ketogenic diet urge cutting carbs in favor of fat. Followers of the...
Rhodiola crenulata can help high-altitude pilots with cognition and blood oxygen, new study suggests
According to a new study from Taiwan, supplementing with a Rhodiola crenulata extract prior to takeoff could help pilots maintain blood oxygen levels and combat cognitive impairment at high altitudes. Rhodiola is a genus of perennial plants that grow in high-altitude...