It is well-known in the scientific literature that the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid ratio plays a key role in the body’s inflammatory response. Fish oil supplementation has been shown in research to help support cardiovascular and liver health. Recently, it has been shown to improve the leptin-to-adiponectin ratio, which helps support insulin sensitivity, healthy lipid metabolism, normal weight, and a normal inflammatory response.According to a small, randomized clinical trial published in January 2021 in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, researchers investigated the efficacy of omega-3...

Achieving quality sleep and relaxation can be challenging, especially during modern times. Sleep is very important for many processes within the human body, including cognitive function, energy restoration, and immune health. Relaxation is closely related to sleep in its broad health benefits and ability to help achieve better sleep. Certain botanicals have been shown to have a clinically relevant role in supporting both sleep and relaxation. Montmorency cherry extract (Prunus cerasus) has been shown to support production of melatonin and help support sleep quality and duration. In a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, supplementation...

Rosemary lends its distinct flavor and aroma to many dishes, and it also has a long tradition of medicinal use. The phytochemicals in rosemary impart potential beneficial actions, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. Researchers have investigated some of these phytochemicals, in addition to rosemary, to determine their potential to help reduce inflammation and support inflammatory conditions. The Phytochemicals in Rosemary The potential anti-inflammatory phytochemicals discerned by researchers include rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, carnosol, eucalyptol, eugenol, ursolic acid, and luteolin. Rat studies demonstrated the ability of carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid to suppress several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor...

Most nutritionists and healthcare providers would agree that eating a balanced diet containing nutrient-dense foods is the best way for individuals to obtain required nutrients. However, many individuals consume a less-than-perfect diet high in calories and short on nutrients. Therefore, most adults do not obtain adequate vitamin and mineral intakes for optimal health. Also, many older patients with chronic conditions require higher nutrient intake to meet their metabolic demands, and the medications for these conditions contribute to nutritional deficiencies.  According to a study published 2 weeks ago in Nutrients, researchers...

There are only a few natural products that have demonstrated the wide range of protective properties such as curcumin. Turmeric has three main bioactive components: curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. These curcuminoids have many biological effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antibacterial and antiviral properties.  According to a new review published last week, researchers investigated the benefits of turmeric supplementation in chronic skin conditions. The skin is the largest organ in the body, however, dysregulation of the immune system can lead to inflammatory skin conditions. The current medications available are limited, have...

You’d have to be living on a different planet to have missed the exploding popularity of low-carb ketogenic diets the last couple of years. The numerous health benefits of this way of eating are largely the product of a reduced carbohydrate intake resulting in lower blood glucose and insulin levels. However, people who adopt this eating strategy also often increase their protein intake, and this aspect may be responsible for some of the positive effects patients report, possibly including less hunger and increased satiety. And while low-carb diets place restrictions on the total amount...

If you’re trying to eat healthy and get a handle on your overall wellness, but still crave sweets, there is no better treat to choose than chocolate. If properly selected, dark chocolate provides a wide range of health benefits without overdoing it on the added sugar. Dark chocolate can be a great source of healthy fats, phenols, and flavonoids: this will help your body product more antioxidants, lower your blood sugar, and even reduce your risk of cancer. It’s important to know the most important rules for choosing the healthiest...

Restful sleep not only leads to a refreshing morning, but it also supports long-term health. Insufficient sleep increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Based on data from one study, insufficient sleep also increases mortality risk by up to 13%. In addition, lack of sleep has a wide-reaching economic impact, with projected annual losses of up to $680 billion due to the impact on productivity and absenteeism. Numerous factors impact sleep quality, including modifiable diet and lifestyle factors, such as food choices, meal timing, stress...

Vegan. Paleo. Low Carb. Keto. And no weight loss. You’ve tried a million diets and still none of them have worked. And apart from your determined diet and exercise, everybody is different, different down to their genetic makeup, which from a growing field of study called nutrigenomics, focuses on diet-gene interactions and their effect on the body overall. What is nutrigenomics? Also known as nutritional genomics, nutrigenomics is broadly defined as the relationship between nutrients, diet, and gene expression. In other words, your DNA plays an important role in how...

People have noted that while coffee makes them jittery, green tea—despite its caffeine content—has a calming effect. It’s possible the difference is due to green tea having substantially less caffeine than a typical cup of coffee, but maybe there’s an additional factor at work. The presence of L-theanine in green tea might be responsible for balancing some of the stimulating effects of caffeine. As implied by its technical name, N-ethyl-L-glutamine or γ-glutamylethylamide, theanine is a derivative of the amino acid glutamine. It crosses the blood-brain barrier via the large neutral amino acid transport system...