Optimal Health Insider
Research broken down for ease of use
Whole Food vs. Synthetic Supplements: What’s the Real Difference?
When it comes to supplements, the options can feel overwhelming. You’ve likely seen bottles labeled with bold claims promising better energy, stronger immunity, or improved focus. But have you ever stopped to wonder what’s actually inside those capsules? The truth is,...
How important is quality sleep? Study finds a single disruptive night can compromise the immune system
You've probably thought of insomnia as a minor annoyance that just leaves you tired and less productive the next day. But according to a new study, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Getting poor sleep also disrupts healthy immune function---and that disruption can...
Focusing on the growing fertility epidemic: Study shows microplastics exposure is a primary culprit
In a recent blog post we discussed the needless concern over the estrogen-like effects that soybean products are thought to pass on to humans. This concern is not justified, though, because human studies have proven that the isoflavones in soy---commonly classified as...
If you’re avoiding soy because you’re afraid of the “estrogen effect,” this study is for you
Soy intake in Asian countries is about five times higher than in the U.S. Part of the reason for this is because of culture. Japanese monks don't sit in their temples chomping down hamburgers; and cowboys in Texas don't sit around the campfire eating tofu. But a...
News media says there’s no way to remove microplastics from the body—research says otherwise
Microplastics are in the news a lot lately, and for good reason. After twenty years of warnings from "conspiracy theory people" on the periphery, the plastic problem is now widely acknowledged. The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year,...
From heart to brain: Evidence mounts regarding damage microplastics cause to human body
A mind-numbing study published in early February has made headlines around the world: The average human brain now contains approximately seven grams of microplastics. According to the researchers, that's about the same weight as a throw-away plastic spoon. The...
Mealworm larvae protein approved in the EU, but new study reinforces whey as a better protein choice
In January 2025 the European Commission approved a new "food ingredient" made from dried and ground mealworm larvae---the young form of beetles. The approval is part of the European Union’s plan to introduce what they claim is "more sustainable protein sources." The...
U.S. dementia cases estimated to double by 2060: These ten nutrients will help lower your risk
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found the risk of developing dementia anytime after age 55 was 42% in the U.S.---more than double the risk reported by older studies. The researchers involved in the study utilized data from the ongoing...
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementing increases exercise benefits and protects against heart failure
Two studies published a month apart are reinforcing the numerous previous studies documenting the cardio benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. The first study, conducted on people with preexisting heart failure, found increasing plasma Omega-3 levels by either diet or...
More cardiovascular disease, less conceiving: Household chemicals linked to chronic health issues in men
"Common products inside your home are contributing to serious health conditions." Thanks to volumes of research conducted since the 1980s, this statement can now be said emphatically---with few detractors. Moreover, with the problem now more widely accepted, research...
Quercetin and anthocyanin—the flavonoid duo that make onions a cancer-fighting superstar
When scanning the ingredients in your favorite nutritional supplement, you're not likely surprised by the inclusion of exotic herbs from the Far East or Africa. The potent nutrients in plants found in remote places around the world are often featured in scientific...
Elderberry: The world’s favorite immune boosting nutrient also proffers a fat-burning benefit
At the start of a new year just about everyone has the same two health goals: keep the immune system strong in the heart of winter and lose weight that was gained over the holidays. As challenging as these two goals are, a new study has shown that the an innocuous...