There are around 40 trillion bacteria in our body, most of which are found in our gut. Collectively, they are known as our gut microbiome, and they’re incredibly important for overall health. However, certain types of bacteria in our intestines can also contribute to many diseases. Many factors, including...
I have been getting a few questions from my students and I thought this would be a good time to go into more depth on probiotics and their benefits. Having the right gut bacteria It's estimated that we have 39–300 trillion bacteria living inside us. Much of these bacteria...
In this post, we'll be looking closely at natural methods to reduce cholesterol. I have put headings on each sub-topic so you can skip to whichever bits you find interesting and relevant to you. The topics I will be covering are: Cholesterol Made simple Diet vs Statins My family's experience Diet...
Staying properly hydrated to live healthier, longer A recent study hypothesized that optimal hydration may contribute to healthy aging in humans. Researchers looked at levels of serum sodium in the body as an indicator of hydration. The findings show that higher levels of serum sodium during...
Tai Chi in Hounslow, Heston Although tai chi is slow and gentle and doesn't leave you breathless, it addresses the key components of fitness — muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and, to a lesser degree, aerobic conditioning. Here's some of the evidence: Muscle strength. Tai chi can improve both...
Tai chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called "medication in motion." There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China, has value in treating or preventing many health problems. You can get started even if you aren't in...
The link between brain insulin insensitivity and diabetes is well-established, but the exact nature of that connection is still being studied. New research from researchers at the German Center for Diabetes Research, Tübingen University Hospital, and Helmholtz Munich in Munich, Germany, explores the effect of exercise...
People often want to get more done in a day, but sometimes it’s hard to feel motivated to complete tasks. Several factors influence motivation, but there’s a lot about the physiology behind motivation that experts don’t completely understand. A recent study published in eLife found that levels of the antioxidant glutathione in...
Cinnamon has a long history in culinary use, as an aroma, and in herbal medicine. Studies show that cinnamon confers cognitive benefits and anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties. Some research shows that cinnamon potentially has neuroprotective effects, including against Alzheimer’s disease. A compound in cinnamon known as cinnamaldehyde, for example,...
Knowing how many calories you need to consume each day is essential for losing, gaining, or maintaining weight. One way to determine this with a technique called the Harris-Benedict formula, which is one method used to estimate your basal metabolic rate (BMR). By definition, BMR is your rate of metabolism (the conversion of...