The Pro-Hormone DHEA and Sexual Health
Studies suggest DHEA supports improved libido, fertility, and more To say DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a pro-hormone simply implies that it is a precursor hormone to the hormones that we more often speak of: estrogen and testosterone. However, this is not its only hormonal “job” in the body; DHEA and its sulfated form, DHEA-S, interact…
Combating Age-Related Immune Decline: Can Nutrition Help?
A look at nutritional factors that keep immune defenses strong, even in older adults The immune system is a critical component of health throughout life. However, on the front and back end of the years we spend on this planet, our immune defenses aren’t particularly impressive. In infancy, while the immune system is developing,…
Melatonin and Respiratory Infection Risk in Seniors
How melatonin may stave off pneumonia When most people hear “melatonin,” they think of a sleep-support supplement. Fair enough: the hormone is well shown to support healthy circadian rhythms and improve the quality of sleep. Thanks to melatonin’s strong antioxidant effects, however, it may also play a role in protecting us against the serious…
Managing Menopause
How diet, exercise, and nutrition can ease the menopausal transition “I’m still hot, it just comes in flashes.” This slogan makes me smile. It means that we can approach menopause with confidence and with humor, especially with the help of friends! Studies have proven that supportive friends play a major role in helping women…
DHEA for Bones, Brains, and in the Bedroom
The anti-aging perks of the dietary supplement DHEA Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated form, DHEA-S, are the most abundant steroid hormones in the human body.1 DHEA is produced from cholesterol in the adrenal glands, brain, ovaries, and testes, and is then converted into the major sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. DHEA levels decline dramatically…
Multiple Sclerosis, Asthma, and Fasting
The effects of calorie restriction on immune function and inflammation Move over mustache wax, craft beer, and fixed-gear bicycles: fasting is making a comeback. By no means a new therapy, fasting has its roots in religion and medicine alike. In fact, the Greek physician Hippocrates, who lived from about 460 to 375 BCE, prescribed…
Health Benefits of Grapefruit Seed Extract
A natural antimicrobial and antioxidant with apparent anti-aging effects Grapefruit, also known as Citrus paradisi, is a hybrid fruit that originated centuries ago as a natural cross between sweet orange and pomelo.[1] While the seeds of the grapefruit are not typically eaten, grapefruit seed extract (GFSE) is increasingly being used as a dietary supplement,…
Zinc for Immunity and Healthy Aging
Zinc is an essential nutrient for immunity and healthy aging Zinc is a trace mineral that is essential for growth, reproduction, and good health throughout life.[1],[2],[3] It is required for the structure and function of literally thousands of different proteins, including enzymes, transporters, and transcription factors.[4],[5] One of the most important roles of zinc…
Pine Bark for Blood Vessels Big and Small, Part 2 of 2
A natural solution for erectile dysfunction, cold hands, and vision In Post 1 of 2, we explored the effects of maritime pine bark extract on blood pressure, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins. In this post we’ll zoom in on the extract’s effects on smaller blood vessels. Let’s take a closer look at the vascular diseases…
Pine Bark for Blood Vessels Big and Small, Part 1 of 2
A natural solution for high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins At first glance, the ailments of high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins seem to have little in common. As any holistically trained healthcare provider knows, however, these conditions all share one common cause: poor vascular health. Also known as the circulatory system,…
Fighting Live Viruses with Dead Bacteria
Heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 for respiratory health, immune function, and antiviral support Lactobacillus plantarum is a type of lactic acid bacteria found in a variety of fermented foods. The heat-killed version of a specific strain of this bacteria, L. plantarum L-137 (HK L-137), has been shown to enhance immune activity, support respiratory health, and…
Fitting Exercise into Your Day
How to Fit Excercise Into a Busy Schedule Many of us struggle to find time for exercise, yet exercise is crucial for cardiovascular health, weight management, detoxification, and even mental and emotional health. The work day is long, and just fitting in the basics of grocery shopping, laundry, and getting from point A to…
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