What Are the Keys to Good Health?

What are the keys to good health? They're prevention and eliminating nutritional deficiencies, says Margaret Durst.

Deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals are the cause of many imbalances in the human body. These deficiencies come from poor dietary habits including too much processed food and not enough high quality fruits and vegetables. What is critical about these deficiencies is that if they are present over the long run, the body will ultimately develop some chronic health problem.

Virtually every function in the human body is the result of a biochemical reaction that requires essential nutrients. Deficiencies of essential nutrients mean that certain biochemical reactions are compromised. Our bodies are forced to allocate nutrients to certain functions that are necessary for our survival, while other functions are put on hold until enough of the right nutrients are available. Once the right nutrients are available, then the body can go about healing itself. Read more

5 Tips to Whiten Teeth Naturally

Everyone wants white teeth, but not everyone can  afford the expense or wants to use the harmful chemicals of modern dentistry. Can you whiten your teeth naturally?

Dental hygiene is an important part of keeping healthy, but maintaining a white smile is also a great way to show that you take pride in your appearance and wish to keep your body in as good of shape as possible. Because dental problems are correlated with other health risks, keeping your smile as bright and clean as you can is an important step in keeping your entire body healthy. Today's market offers a great deal of dental hygiene products, but many of them are loaded with harmful chemicals. To keep your teeth naturally white, here are five ways to safely brighten your smile. Read more

Gary Taubes on Carbohydrates and Degenerative Diseases

Gary Taubes answers questions related to refined carbohydrate consumption and their effects on degenerative diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and heart disease.

7 Reasons Why Stevia is Better Than Refined Sugar

You're probably aware of the dangers of refined sugar and artificial sweeteners. Fortunately, you can still indulge  your taste of sweetness with stevia. Edward Group gives seven reasons why stevia is better than refined sugar.

Maybe you’ve heard of stevia already, maybe you haven’t. But if not, then it’s time you did! Stevia is a natural sweetener, derived from the stevia rebaudiana plant that was first discovered centuries ago in Paraguay by the native population. But it wasn’t until the late 19th century that a Swiss botanist working in South America documented the so-called “sweet leaf”, and brought it back with him.

These days you can buy stevia in many forms. The most popular is white extract powder, but you can also buy dried stevia leaves, stevia liquid extract, or as small pellets to sweeten your coffee with. The sweet leaf sweetener is also available in its granular form in small packets.

However, the all-natural stevia sweetener is different from sugar in many ways, and there are several reasons why stevia is a better option than sucrose, whether you’re diabetic or just looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle. So let’s go and have a look at them! Read more

Does Moderate Drinking Reduce Alzheimer's Risk?

A new study suggests that moderate drinking - no more than one to two drinks a day - could reduced the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Lifestyle factors -- like not smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight and being physically active -- have been shown in past studies to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. But a sweeping new review of the research also shows that moderate drinking -- that is, no more than one to two drinks per day -- could also slash the risk of developing the disease. Read more

Why Soy Is NOT a Health Food

Dr. Joseph Mercola provides review of the health problems with soy and why it is not the health food you were led to believe it is.

Study: 15 Minutes of Daily Exercise Can Add 3 Years to Your Life

The usual exercise prescription is 30 minutes daily, but a new study found that even 15 minutes of daily exercise can add three years to your life.

Don't despair if you can't fit in the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise. Growing evidence suggests that even half that much can help.

It's still no excuse to slack off. Regular exercise strengthens muscles, reduces the risk of some diseases and promotes mental well-being. The more exercise, the better. Read more

10 Natural Remedies for Athletes Foot

Edward Group gives ten natural remedies for athlete's foot, plus, some tips for prevention.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that usually thrives in warm, damp places. The fungus, Tinea pedis, grows between the toes, on top of the feet, on toenails and between the fingers. White patches, scaly patches, and redness are all indicative of the fungus. Symptoms of athlete’s foot may include itching, burning, stinging and inflammation.

Athletes foot fungus frequents public showers and locker rooms, indoor swimming pools and health clubs, and it is very contagious. Contact with shoes or socks containing the fungus, wet floors, or exercise equipment (remember it can live between fingers too) can spread it. Read more

Is Vitamin K the Key to Preventing Atherosclerosis and Dementia?

Vitamin K is is know for its ability to promote normal blood clotting, but a new study shows that it can also help prevent arterial hardening, atherosclerosis and cognitive decline.

Vitamin K is a critical nutrient widely known for its ability to promote normal blood clotting. A wealth of new information demonstrates that this vitamin in its multiple forms can provide a powerful anti-inflammatory shield to protect against many lethal diseases of aging. Writing in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers show that vitamin K works with other fat-soluble nutrients to protect the brain from arterial calcification that leads to a stroke or cognitive decline. Vitamin K works to prevent the deposition of calcium within arterial walls and ushers the mineral toward the normal construction of bone throughout the body. The research provides proof that eating a healthy diet to maintain adequate stores of vitamin K over a lifetime can help prevent arterial hardening, atherosclerosis and cognitive decline. Read more

How to Use Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties that can be used to clean wounds and treat yeast infections, according to this video by Lauren Roy.

Cinnamon: One Smart Spice

Mark Sisson explains the health benefits of delicious cinnamon.

We mostly see them as flavorants, as the little jars of powder that line our cabinets and the bags of dried roots, barks, and leaves tucked away in drawers, designed to subtly or drastically alter the flavor profile of our “smart fuel” creations in the kitchen, but for most of human history, spices were also prized for their medicinal qualities. Turmeric for GI disorders and inflammation. Chili peppers for pain management. Ginger for diarrhea. These aren’t just exaggerated cases of “folk medicine” or “old wives’ tales,” either. Current research has confirmed that many common spices do indeed have medicinal properties. One of the most beneficial is also the most common: cinnamon.

It’s important to realize that there are multiple varieties of cinnamon. Read more

Acupuncture Has Significant Impact on Mystery Illnesses

Acupuncture has a "significant" effect on patients with mystery symptoms and could be added to the list of available treatments for undiagnosed health problems, research shows.

One in five patients has symptoms which are undiagnosed by medicine, and the cost of treating them is twice that as of a diagnosed patient.

A team from the University of Exeter examined 80 patients, and investigated the benefit of acupuncture being added to their usual care.

After the first trial of its type, researchers say those who underwent acupuncture showed 'a significant and sustained benefit' and add that the treatment could be safely added to the list of possible therapies. Read more