Do you have caffeine use disorder?

 

fe59fc7acdcc4244b1dceb61006af02d“I’m a zombie without my morning coffee.” “My blood type is Diet Coke.” “Caffeine isn’t a drug, it’s a vitamin.”

Most people make jokes like these about needing a daily boost from their favourite caffeinated beverage – whether first thing in the morning or to prevent the after-lunch slump…

20 Apr 2015

How Intermittent Fasting Stacks Up Among Obesity-Related Myths, Assumptions, and Evidence-Backed Facts

 

fastingIs it a good idea to “starve” yourself just a little bit each day? The evidence suggests that yes, avoiding eating around the clock could have a very beneficial impact on your health and longevity.

What we’re talking about here is generally referred to as intermittent fasting, which involves timing your meals to allow for regular periods of fasting…

20 Apr 2015

Psyllium Dietary Fiber Could Cut Health Care Costs

 

psylliumThe majority of health care expenditures (75 percent) in the US are spent on preventable diseases, while only 3 percent of such expenditures are invested in disease-prevention programs, according to a new report funded by the Council for Responsible Nutrition Foundation (CRNF).1

At the heart of such programs should be, undoubtedly, attention to proper nutrition. And when I say “proper,” I’m referring to whole foods, including not only plenty of vegetables but also healthy fats like organic…

19 Apr 2015

9 Body Hacks to Naturally Increase Testosterone

 

body-hacks-thmbTestosterone, a hormone produced primarily by the testicles, is often associated with the epitome of “manhood” (although women have testosterone, too).

Indeed, it does play a large role in male sexuality and reproduction, impacting such factors as sexual and reproductive function, muscle mass, and hair growth, but also has some less “flashy,” albeit equally important, roles like maintaining bone density, levels of red blood cells and a sense of well-being…

19 Apr 2015

Huge benefits of Mediterranean-style diet

 

11c0ca1687dd460aadad543df29c0db9Among a large group of Midwestern fire-fighters, greater adherence to Mediterranean-style diet was associated with lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new study led by researchers from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA).
The study is the first to assess the effects of Mediterranean-style diet among a group of young, working US adults.

19 Apr 2015

EPA’s Next Target — American Dentists Who Are Mercury Polluters

 

dental-officeThose silver mercury fillings whose vapors readily pass through cell membranes, across your blood-brain barrier, and into your central nervous system? The damage doesn’t stop there.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently cited studies showing that approximately half of the mercury in the environment is there due to dental offices’ amalgam (i.e. silver filling) waste.

18 Apr 2015

The 7 Best Strength Exercises You’re Not Doing

 

strength-training-push-upLess than 25 percent of Americans over the age of 45 engage in strength-training exercises,1 which are actually among the most important exercises to stay fit and healthy. It’s a matter of fact that your muscle strength decreases with age… unless you do something to stop it.

That “something” is strength training. Without it, by the time you’re in your 70s, your muscle strength and tone will have declined by roughly 25 percent…

18 Apr 2015

Ethiopian grain a gluten-free alternative to wheat

 

a24dd07ec333425aa15cd4bc90f51a42Under a searing midday sun, a herd of cattle circles atop a pile of golden teff, thrashing the wheat-like grain, a method that has been practised by Ethiopian farmers for centuries.
The crop, mostly grown in the Horn of Africa, is a key part of the country’s heritage and a crucial food staple, but is also gaining increased interest abroad among health aficionados seeking a nutritious, gluten-free alternative to wheat.

18 Apr 2015

The Link Between Obesity and Cancer

 

cancer-epidemicObesity is a frequently overlooked factor that can contribute to an increased cancer risk, yet less than 10 percent of Americans are aware of this link.1 According to the National Cancer Institute,2 an estimated 84,000 annual cancer cases are linked to obesity.

Obesity may also affect the efficacy of cancer treatments. With rising obesity rates among young children in particular, it’s becoming really important to understand this link…

17 Apr 2015

New and Revised Foundation Training Exercises Add Even Greater Health Benefits

 

exercise-happiness-1Exercise has been one of my passions for 45 years now. It’s one of the reasons why I wanted to go to medical school, as I intended to use exercise as a therapeutic modality to improve people’s health. I eventually shifted more to using nutrition as my primary tool, because I realized the fuel you provide your body is really crucial to obtain optimal health.

But you really cannot be optimally healthy without exercise. More recently, I’ve become convinced that non-exercise movement…

17 Apr 2015