Though it is often ignored and abused, your liver is critical to your health and is essential for breaking down carbohydrates, making glucose, and detoxing the body. In fact, the liver performs over 500 functions and is the largest solid gland in your body. So what exactly makes the liver so special, and how can you protect it? Throughout our daily lives, we inadvertently (or intentionally) fill out bodies with many substances that aren’t exactly welcome. These things such as

The foundation of cancer prevention is plants, not pills. “The vast majority of cancer research is devoted to finding cures, rather than finding new ways to prevent disease. The results of these skewed priorities are plain to see.” It’s been nearly 55 years since President Richard Nixon declared war on cancer, yet deaths from the most common cancers in the United States have continued unabated. “We have been looking at the very nature of cancer in the wrong way. Breast cance

Pomegranates are put to the test for weight loss, diabetes, COPD, prostate cancer, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The case of POM Wonderful (the pomegranate juice company) vs. Federal Trade Commission made it all the way up to the U.S. Court of Appeals before being denied review by the Supreme Court. In that landmark case, a panel of judges concluded that many of POM’s ads made false or misleading claims and the company “touted medical studies ostensibly showing t

Chronic joint pain has become incredibly common in the United States. For many people, it slowly chips away at their quality of life. Everyday activities like walking, exercising, working, or even playing with children or grandchildren can become difficult when joints are stiff, swollen, or painful. Because of this, millions of people turn to over-the-counter pain relievers hoping for relief. Drugs like Advil, Motrin, and prescription anti-inflammatory medications are widely

There’s a lot of focus on personalized nutrition, but maybe we should focus on taking personal responsibility for our health. “Personalized nutrition (PN) is rooted in the concept that one size does not fit all,” and who doesn’t want to think they’re special? The idea of personalized nutrition is inherently appealing to our ego; that’s why simple messages recognizing individuality deeply resonate with us and why such messages are popular in marketing and sales. This focus o

If your mood could use a boost, these six natural antidepressant agents could help enhance your well-being In the U.S., 21 million people, which represents 8.4% of U.S. adults, suffered from at least one major depressive episode in the past year. This describes a period of at least two weeks, during which you experience a depressed mood, lose interest in daily activities or experience a combination of other symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, problems eating or diminished ene

Does choosing organic over conventional foods protect against cancer? What are the effects of pesticides on cancer risk? In a review updating the evidence on human exposure and toxicity of pesticides, the body of evidence linking pesticide exposure and cancer is said to be so massive that pesticides’ role in the development of cancer “cannot be doubted.” However, most of the evidence that shows DNA damage from pesticides is from occupational exposure among farmers and worke

Most people are trying way too hard to lose belly fat. They’re counting calories.Tracking macros.Doing longer workouts. And yet the dangerous visceral fat around the organs won’t budge. Here’s the truth most people never hear: Your body is designed to burn fat. But when certain signals are constantly turned on.. especially insulin and inflammation.. your body gets stuck in fat-storage mode. That’s why someone can “eat healthy,” exercise, and still feel like their metabolism i

In a report, Yuka and Harvard Law School’s Food Law and Policy Clinic reveal a striking reality about how price shapes food composition in the United States, to the detriment of consumers. Drawing on an analysis of more than 800 food products sold nationwide across 12 of the most common processed food categories, including cereals, bread, and other everyday staples, the study examines how additives, sugar, and sodium vary across price ranges.The findings are clear: lower-pric

Summary Nuts and seeds, consumed in moderation, can be among the healthiest foods around. And one of the ways we love our nuts and seeds is in the form of spreads and butters. But store-bought versions can be costly, and sometimes come with not-so-great ingredients. So how hard is it to make our own healthy nut and seed butters at home? You’re probably not thinking, “Well, if Elvis Presley loved eating it, it must be good for me.” Elvis sure could sing, but he was not what mo