Can You Learn by Scent While You Sleep?
Wake up and smell the coffee. Or stay asleep and smell it. You might learn something either way. People can make new scent associations while they slumber, which suggests that sleep has real learning potential. "We know we can consolidate the day's information while we sleep," says Anat Arzi at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. "But attempts...
Pick Up an Instrument at Any Age: It’s Great for Your Brain!
Humpback whales sing; honeybees buzz; even trained dogs can croon (check out the 93,000 YouTube segments of would-be-Pavarotti pooches). Music expresses complex emotions, impresses brain function and just plain makes us all happier and smarter - particularly if you have the chance to play an instrument when you're young. (A well-kept secret: You don't even have to have much...
Mind-Body Connection Key to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Western doctors have long been baffled about the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. Although Chinese medicine practices have been used for millennia, Western doctors have placed little value on them until recently. However, with more attention being paid to the importance of the mind-body connection, Chinese medicine is now gaining the attention of many Western practitioners. Holistic Approach Unlike Western medicine,...
Irregular Bowel Movements Could Be Sign of Thyroid Problems
If you have experienced changes in your regular bowel habits, thyroid problems may be the culprit. Thyroid problems are one of the most common problems that impact metabolism. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped organ that is located in the neck and surrounds the voice box. Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid gland. The gland produces excessive amounts of the hormone...
Organic Cookies, Jellybeans, Chips & Vodka: Don’t Believe the Hype
Walk down the aisles of a natural food store and you'll find a variety of organic foods, many of which are healthy whole foods, such as organic fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, dairy products, nuts, and seeds. Unfortunately, the organic inventory doesn't stop there. Increasingly, stores are widening their organic food choices to include more processed foods, such as organic jelly...
Ouch! 4 Ways to Naturally Prevent Kidney Stones
You may not be able to sell your kidney stone for $15,000, like Gene Simmons of Kiss did on eBay! But, if you're diagnosed with these painful pebbles, you'll join the ranks of millions of other kidneystoners, including Billy Joel and William Shatner. (Overweight white males are most at risk.) Incidents have increased by 70 percent in the past...
Early Menopause Increases Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
For some women, going through menopause early may be both a blessing and a curse. Women who cease to have their menstrual cycle before the age of 46 are classified as having early onset menopause. However, since women of this age are not usually thought to be at risk for developing heart disease and stroke risk, they may not...
Your Dinner Plate Should Be a Rainbow of These Foods!
Even though you'd like to eat at home most nights (it's smart economics), figuring out how to get a tasty, nutritious plate on the table can be tough. So, if it seems like the only way you get really great food in your house is by turning on the Food Network, listen up. You can gain life-extending power from...
GMO Corn Treated With “Roundup” Pesticide Causes Tumors in Rats
Genetically modified corn is the most common form of conventionally grown corn in the world. However, a recently published study from the University of Verona examined the effects of corn modified with the pesticide Roundup. The findings are both disturbing and upsetting for consumers who are aware of potential health hazards GMO corn poses. Increased Cancer Risk In rats fed a...
Study: Your Excess Belly Fat May Not Be Your Fault
Recent research out of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor reveals that just the smell of chocolate can send brain chemicals into a frenzy that trigger an irresistible urge to gorge yourself on the sweet candy. Neurochemicals control our behavior more than we might like to admit and candy companies tap into our brains in ways we are not...
