Health

Inflammation has been found to be associated with just about every health condition, and researchers are furiously investigating chronic inflammation’s effects on health and possible preventive medical applications. It’s an emerging field, UCLA’s Dr. David Heber says. “It’s a new concept for medicine.” Why is it a new concept? It’s new because modern medicine focuses

Cacao is a powerful medicinal substance used since ancient times with a growing body of research affirming its health benefits. Raw cacao powder has recently gained popularity among health food enthusiasts, but cacao concoctions have been used as a therapeutic measure against a variety of illnesses as early as 600 B.C. Because of its costly

A stroke or a “brain attack” can have life-threatening consequences just like a heart attack. However, there are some early signs of a stroke that start showing up as early as a month before it actually happens. Here are seven such symptoms—knowing them might save someone’s life. Strokes happen when a blood vessel transporting oxygen to the

With an ever-growing body of scientific research showing the benefits of massage therapy for people of all ages, there has never been a better time to try this alternative to medication. With Americans increasingly aware of the danger of resorting to addictive opioids for managing pain, massage offers a low-risk solution for relief by stimulating the body’s ability

Many of us have had the experience of tossing and turning at night, wishing we could sleep, watching the minutes tick by on the clock by our bedside. In fact, one-third of Americans say they lie awake at least a few nights a week. You may have tried counting sheep or listening to a bedtime meditation to help

Mental illness is common in today’s fast-paced, lonely, nutrient-deprived world. It’s projected that one in five Americans will experience a mental illness, and most of us will experience a mental health problem at some time in our lives, with anxiety and depressive disorders being the most common ailments. In Chinese medicine, the key to treating mental ailments is

People who spend much of their day sitting may need to move around less than we thought to counteract their sedentary lifestyle, new research shows. Our research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that about 20 to 40 minutes of physical activity per day seems to eliminate most health risks associated

Eating more vegetables, in any form, is a good idea. Whether you prefer them raw or cooked, they are a terrific source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and plenty of healthful compounds. But sometimes cooking them can make a difference, turning nutrient-dense foods into superfoods. There are a few instances where heat activates antioxidants, making them more

Bailey Jean Matheson recently died of cancer at age 35, touching people all over the world by writing her own obituary. Matheson expressed gratitude for her loving family and friends and for her beautiful, but short, life. She closed her obituary with this advice: “Don’t take the small stuff so seriously and live a little.” Some will

It turns out that comfort food might be anything but comfortable if you suffer from common mental health issues. A growing body of research is discovering that food doesn’t just affect our waistline but also our moods, emotions, and even longer-term conditions like depression. Which makes sense, after all. Our brains are physical entities, running on

Music plays an integral role in human cultural expression around the world. It has a unique power to move and motivate us, but according to researchers, “music therapy” might just be capable of even more than that. Music, when used as a therapeutic tool, can help with a variety of health and holistic complaints. Here are

Before the lemon, there was the citron. This ancient fruit looks something like an overgrown, bumpy-skinned lemon, but is actually one of the oldest, original citrus fruits—from which all other types, including those more familiar lemons and limes, eventually developed. Thought to have originated in Asia, the citron has been used by cultures around the world for

One doctor has suggested that the best time to shower is at night rather than in the morning. Dr. Leona Yip, a dermatologist, told the Daily Mail that nightly showering for four minutes is enough to remove the grime of the day and not cause any skin damage. “In the morning your skin hasn’t been exposed to any dirt

Metabolic syndrome is on the rise due to processed food and inactivity, but you can fight back by adding more celery to your diet. This unassuming vegetable contains a surprising blend of antioxidants, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals that work together, tackling metabolic syndrome via multiple pathways. Nature is full of powerful compounds that can boost

Last spring an 18-year-old college freshman who got straight A’s in high school—but was now failing several courses—came to my office on the campus where I work as a psychologist. The student was seeking a medical exception so that he could withdraw from the classes he failed instead of taking the F’s and dragging down his GPA. I evaluated

Forgiveness is the release of resentment in exchange for compassion.  It is a highly regarded pursuit in some religions, and research shows that it can improve our mental and physical health. But the benefits don’t come easy. Just try genuinely loving your enemies and praying for your persecutors. When resentment is tied to pain and

Blueberries have long been identified as a top “superfood.” A rich source of anthocyanins—the pigment that gives them their deep purple-blue hue—blueberries have become a healthy diet staple. But there are plenty of other blue or purple foods that may also boost your health in a number of ways. Anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol, are

Pumpkin seeds, like all edible seeds, pack an immense nutritional and medicinal punch. After all, they contain future worlds within their compact structure. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “the creation of a thousand forests is within one acorn.” In order to prepare their “babies” for survival outside the pumpkin, Nature equips these seeds with an extremely

It’s nothing short of a global epidemic. While many of the top 10 causes of death are slowly being beaten back, Alzheimer’s disease is one that has only increased as the years go by. While stroke and heart disease as causes of death were reduced by 23 percent and 14 percent respectively between 2000 and