Vitamin D and the Brain
We have long known the connection between vitamin D and mental health, however, new research may have found that the reason vitamin D deficiency affects learning and memory may be due to its effect on PNNs. Perineuronal nets (PNNs), specialized extracellular matrix structures in the brain, act like a scaffolding that wraps around certain neurons, ensuring good…
Ate Too Much? Here’s Why it Matters
Most Americans can easily gain 5 pounds between Thanksgiving dinner and New Year’s. How bad can it be to overindulge on the holidays? Fortunately, most people get away without serious consequences. But for those with risk factors such as heart disease or high cholesterol, overeating can set off more serious medical problems. As for that…
5 Ways to Eat to Beat Diabetes
by Matthew Kadey, MS, RD Here’s a look at five science-backed tactics for using diet to control diabetes risk. More than 100 million American adults have diabetes or prediabetes, meaning they have poor blood sugar control, which, if untreated, often leads to type 2 diabetes within a few years. It’s therefore not surprising that a great deal of research is trying…
Athletic Supplements: Fact vs. Fiction
The Truth About Athletic Supplements Lots of people imagine that athletic supplements work like spinach did for Popeye or like a power-up in a video game. You imagine that they give you a boost of super-strength or super stamina. Not really. Yes, some supplements do have an effect on athletic performance. However, that effect is…
Allergies & Pollen
Pollen is in the air, and if you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know very well how much is in the air you’re breathing. Itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose – all these symptoms can make you miserable. If you’re not a fan of conventional medications, try these natural alternatives to seek relief and breathe…
Agility Training
Agility drills can generally be classified into two categories – open and closed. Closed drills are preprogrammed drills, performed in a predictable and unchanging environment. The focus should be primarily on proper movement mechanics, proper body position, and simple changes of direction. The drills should be performed at a speed that allows proper execution of…
Aerobic Exercise & Brain Health
The benefits of physical activity and habitual aerobic exercise on cognitive function and brain health are becoming increasingly appreciated both by the scientific community and the general public. However, guidelines for establishing public health recommendations remain unclear due to a lack of knowledge regarding the exact mechanisms through which exercise benefits brain function. In…
Ads Drive Testosterone Therapy, But Is That A Good Thing?
“I have low testosterone. There, I said it. “How did I know? Well, I didn’t really. See, I figured low testosterone would decrease my sex drive. But when I started losing energy and became moody, that’s when I had an honest conversation with my doctor. We discussed all the symptoms, then he gave me some…
Devil’s Club
Oplopanax horridum popularly known as the devil’s club/devil’s walking stick, is a very big understory shrub, found from Alaska down through the westernmost Canadian provinces and into Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. It is also found in the Great Lakes area. The name Oplopanax is a compound word hailing from the Greek όπλο or oploweapon…
Acupuncture May Reduce Chronic Pain
An analysis of patient data from 29 randomized controlled trials suggests that acupuncture may be better than no acupuncture or sham acupuncture for the treatment of some chronic pain, according to a report published online first by the Archives of Internal Medicine. Acupuncture, the practice of inserting and stimulating needles at specific points on the…
