Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
Glutathione and Vitamin C supplement combo enhances athletic performance, new trial shows
A new study has found that supplementing with a combination of glutathione and Vitamin C improves sporting performance in middle-aged triathlon athletes. The researchers reported marked improvements in three measurable areas of health---metabolic, cardiac and...
Four Vitamin D studies in one month prove the importance of supplementing the critical nutrient
First the good news: During the Covid pandemic more people became aware of the immune benefits of Vitamin D, so supplementing with the critical nutrient increased. Now the bad news: Even with the increase in supplementing, Vitamin D deficiency is still more common...
Highly processed, high-sugar foods affect REM sleep quality, say Swedish researchers
Sleep disorders are on the rise. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that an estimated 13.6 million U.S. adults suffer from at least one sleep disorder. This doesn't include the tens of millions that suffer from an occasional sleep...
Taurine time? Two studies during past year highlight the amino acid’s anti-aging benefit
If you're a workaholic you might recognize taurine as an ingredient in the energy drink you picked up at the local convenience store. If you're a pro athlete you might recognize taurine as one of the energy-enhancing supplements provided by your team nutritionist....
86 studies on mushrooms offer hope for preventing and treating cognitive decline
Both the ancient Chinese and Egyptian civilizations honored mushrooms as "gifts from God." And no wonder: not only could mushrooms fill the belly when hungry, many types of mushrooms were also found to have healing properties. Today--some 3,500 years later--mushrooms...
Study finds lutein and zeaxanthin not only support eye health—they also improve athletic performance
Lutein and zeaxanthin are already popular nutrients for supporting eye health, but with the publication of the latest research, the two nutrients may become even more popular for their documented ability to improve athletic performance. According to researchers from...
Adding flavanol supplements to the diet improves memory function in adults, new study finds
A new large-scale random control trial has found that supplementing with flavanols is able to improve memory scores of older adults. Moreover, the beneficial effects of the flavanol supplementing was sustained over a three year follow-up. The researchers found that...
Elderberry and probiotics combo improves health in many ways, says new study on airline crews
A combination supplement with elderberry and probiotics improves health in a number of ways, according to a new study from Italy. The research was conducted specifically on airline crew members because they face a number of health challenges due to their work...
L-carnitine supplementation aids post-exercise muscle recovery, new review finds
A new study from Spain has shown that L-carnitine supplementation can aid muscle damage and speed up recovery after exercise. The researchers noted the results are especially effective for test subjects who are already deficient in L-carnitine. The study, a review of...
FDA reaffirms sucralose is safe—the day before independent researchers report it causes DNA damage
On May 30, 2023 the U.S. Food & Drug Association (FDA) updated its webpage Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food---and reiterated that the six artificial sweeteners on the FDA's list are safe for human consumption. Ironically, just one day earlier researchers...
Second major study in less than a year highlights cognitive benefits of a basic vitamin/mineral supplement
Many consumers have been convinced that taking a multi vitamin/mineral is a waste of money. Unfortunately they're missing out on what could possibly be the easiest step to take in protecting their long-term health. Repeated surveys show even the most diet-conscious...
Already a nutrient superstar, new study shows Vitamin K provides additional diabetes benefit
In recent years sales of Vitamin K skyrocketed as consumers become more aware of the vitamin's "blood, bone and brain" benefits; however, Canadian researchers have identified a new role for Vitamin K: protection against diabetes. The discovery was made by scientists...