Can Hot Drinks Really Cool You Down?
When it's oppressively hot outside and you're about to reach for a beverage in an effort to cool down, you should obviously reach for a cold drink instead of a hot one, right? Surprisingly enough, unless you are already perspiring heavily, a hot drink can actually cool you down faster. Dr. Peter McNaughton, a neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge,...
Study: Exercising the Body and Mind May Improve Dementia Symptoms
Dementia is a condition that severely affects the quality of life of many elderly individuals and their families. New research performed at Teesside University in the United Kingdom has found that a holistic program focusing on both physical and mental health may help to improve the lives of these individuals in several ways. According to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation,...
The Environmental Working Group’s Clean 15
The EWG’s annual Dirty Dozen is a list that is meant to be an important tool for figuring out when it’s worth spending more for organic produce based on pesticide residue levels found on 48 common fruits and vegetables. For those on a tight grocery budget, it can be extremely helpful for making food dollars stretch. The Clean Fifteen...
4 Ways to Minimize Chlorine Exposure this Summer
When temperatures soar, there are few activities as satisfying as taking a cooling, refreshing swim. Not only does it cool you down, swimming provides excellent exercise and can also be a stress-busting, even meditative, experience for many people. For those of us not lucky enough to live by a lake or ocean, swimming pools may be our only reasonable option...
5 Ways to Eat Your Greens
Many of us know that one of the healthiest dietary choices we can make is adding a generous portion of greens to our meals. Luckily, greens can be used in a variety of different ways - far beyond serving as a traditional salad base. The term 'greens' is used rather loosely, but usually refers to leafy greens spanning the brassica...
This Food Pair May Boost Heart Health
Scientists have come upon an interesting discovery of how two types of foods work together to lower blood pressure, thereby improving heart health. Their research may help to explain the long-known cardiovascular benefits of the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is based on the dietary staples of cultures living around the Mediterranean Sea, including the nations of Italy and...
Why Your Cod Liver Oil Should be Fermented
Growing up, you may have heard your parents or grandparents recommending a spoonful of cod liver oil for virtually any ailment. While this may have seemed abhorrent to you at the time, as cod liver oil certainly isn't the best-tasting substance, it turns out that our parents and grandparents were right: cod liver oil has potent immune-boosting abilities, as...
Marine Animals Dying Along the West Coast
Numerous instances of marine mammals dying in record numbers have been reported along the west coast, particularly in California. In November, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams noted that something was killing the starfish, and environmental officials didn't know why. Another reporter revealed that the epidemic is affecting waters from Alaska to Southern California, and has caused millions of starfish...
GMOs Banned in Jackson and Josephine Counties, Oregon
In a day that GMO Free Oregon called, "a great day for the people of Oregon who care about sustainability and healthy ecosystems," two Oregon counties have passed local laws banning the cultivation of genetically modified crops within county lines. The two counties, Jackson and Josephine, are neighbors in southwest Oregon. Jackson County passed the ban by a notable...
Study: Dogs Able to Detect Prostate Cancer by Smell
In a recent presentation at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association, Dr. Gianluigi Taverna outlined exciting experimental results which may revolutionize how prostate cancer is diagnosed. The completely non-invasive method involves using dogs with specialized training to literally smell prostate cancer in urine samples. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death for men over age 50. This...
