Story at-a-glance Chronic disease is at an all-time high — Modern lifestyle shifts have fueled skyrocketing rates of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and autoimmune disorders Vegetable oils have replaced natural fats — Marketed as a healthier alternative, seed oils high in linoleic acid have contributed to inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic disease Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are everywhere — Found in plastics, pesticides and personal care products, EDCs interfere wi...
May 05, 2025•10 min
Story at-a-glance Approximately 10% to 15% of Americans suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by unpredictable symptoms that disrupt daily life Recent research reveals that psychological stress trains your body to misidentify safe foods as threats. This rewires your immune and nervous systems to produce pain responses in the gut Stress increases mast cell activity in the gut, which leads to nerve hypersensitivity and immune system change...
May 05, 2025•9 min
Story at-a-glance A recent study found that free-form dancing matches or exceeds the intensity of jogging or cycling, making it a viable alternative for cardiovascular exercise Unlike structured workouts, free-form dance requires no gym membership or equipment, making it a fun and sustainable way for people of all ages to stay active Dancing with music significantly increases heart rate and calorie burn, improving cardiovascular fitness while making exercise feel less strenuous and more enjoyabl...
May 03, 2025•10 min
Story at-a-glance Consuming just four servings of ultraprocessed foods daily increases depression risk by 10% in adults over 70, according to a six-year Australian study of 11,192 older adults Ultraprocessed foods trigger inflammation, disrupt the gut-brain axis and cause oxidative stress — all known contributors to depression and cognitive decline in older populations Linoleic acid (LA) in vegetable oils damages cellular mitochondria, reducing energy production and increasing inflammation; keep...
May 03, 2025•10 min
Story at-a-glance A nearly 80-year Scottish study found older gardeners performed better on memory and thinking tests than non-gardeners, even after adjusting for education, income and exercise Gardening challenges multiple brain regions through planning, memory use, problem-solving and decision-making, providing a more complete mental workout than simple exercise The sensory experience of gardening — touching soil, smelling plants, seeing colors an spending time outdoors — stimulates your brain...
May 03, 2025•8 min
Story at-a-glance Glycerol, a common additive in sugar-free slushie drinks, can trigger severe medical symptoms in young children, including unconsciousness, seizures and dangerously low blood sugar A study across the U.K. and Ireland found that nearly all affected children became sick within an hour of consuming slushies, with no prior health issues or underlying medical conditions Symptoms mirrored rare metabolic disorders, confusing emergency responders and delaying proper treatment, despite ...
May 02, 2025•9 min
Story at-a-glance Many common medications contain hidden gluten and soy in their "inactive" ingredients, which trigger reactions in sensitive individuals A study found 44.4% of pain relievers contained gluten and 14% of NSAIDs contained soy-based additives, with poor labeling making identification difficult Solid oral medications most commonly contain gluten, while liquids and suppositories more frequently contain soy derivatives Exposure to these hidden allergens causes serious health consequen...
May 02, 2025•8 min
Story at-a-glance Versatile therapeutic benefits — Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a potent compound known for treating a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, stroke recovery, tissue damage, autoimmune disorders, various skin conditions, and complex infections Unique role in cancer care — DMSO’s distinctive properties enable it to support the body in combating cancer while safeguarding healthy cells from the harmful effects of chemotherapy and radiation Enhanced chemotherapy delivery —...
May 02, 2025•10 min
Story at-a-glance Essential oils like ginger, lavender and frankincense have natural anti-inflammatory properties that reduce joint pain and stiffness when used consistently Daily essential oil use through massage, aromatherapy or baths supports your arthritis care routine and helps improve quality of life over time Regular use of essential oils like ginger, peppermint and eucalyptus targets inflammation, improves blood flow and supports joint healing A four-week essential oil plan helps you gra...
May 01, 2025•9 min
Story at-a-glance Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition attacking myelin in the central nervous system. Symptoms vary based on nerve damage location and often begin as clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) Low vitamin D is consistently linked to higher MS risk, with people living closer to the equator having lower MS rates due to greater sun exposure A 2025 clinical trial showed that high-dose vitamin D delayed MS progression in CIS patients, doubling time before new disease activity a...
May 01, 2025•10 min
Story at-a-glance Research suggests "normal" vitamin B12 levels are insufficient for optimal brain health, especially in older adults, despite being above the standard medical threshold Vitamin B12 helps your nerves work well by protecting them with a special coating, allowing brain messages to travel quickly and clearly A study of healthy older adults showed that lower B12 levels, even within the "normal" range, were linked to slower thinking and brain signals Signs of low B12 include brain fog...
May 01, 2025•7 min
Story at-a-glance Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a full ban on trichloroethylene (TCE) in December 2024, corporate lobbying and political efforts are now trying to overturn it and keep the chemical in use TCE contaminates air, water, and soil near industrial sites, dry cleaners, and military bases, posing serious risks to families, workers, and vulnerable communities across the country Independent researchers and studies conducted by the EPA confirm that TCE raises ...
Apr 30, 2025•11 min
Story at-a-glance FDA failed to prioritize over 70,000 adverse event reports related to puberty-blocking drugs, raising concerns about regulatory oversight of these medications Side effects from puberty blockers range from headaches to serious conditions like brain swelling and vision loss Puberty blockers disrupt normal development, causing long-term harm to physical development and psychological health in children The FDA's handling of puberty blockers demonstrates inconsistent regulatory stan...
Apr 30, 2025•9 min
Story at-a-glance Dryer sheets emit toxic chemicals like benzene and acetaldehyde, which pose cancer risks, irritate skin, disrupt hormones and harm brain health through inhalation or direct contact Synthetic fragrances in dryer sheets trigger allergic reactions, asthma and neurological symptoms like brain fog, especially in those with chemical sensitivities or underlying health conditions Dryer sheets leave behind residue that clogs lint screens, damages sensors, reduces efficiency and even inc...
Apr 30, 2025•8 min
Story at-a-glance Historical disease patterns show a shift from infectious illnesses to chronic diseases. Conditions like heart disease, cancer and autoimmune disorders have become increasingly prevalent in modern times Despite longer lifespans from medical advances, the quality of life has declined as modern medicine focuses on managing symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of chronic disease Past generations maintained physical resilience through daily manual labor and movement, wher...
Apr 29, 2025•8 min
Story at-a-glance Creatine made arteries more flexible in older adults after just four weeks, improving blood flow and heart health without any exercise or diet changes After 28 days of taking creatine, high blood sugar levels dropped to healthier ranges and harmful blood fats decreased significantly Creatine helps blood vessels work better by providing energy to cells and supporting the production of nitric oxide that keeps arteries healthy In just one week, arteries became less stiff with crea...
Apr 29, 2025•10 min
Story at-a-glance Lab-grown "UnReal Milk" is being developed by Brown Foods using mammalian cells in bioreactors. It’s marketed as environmentally friendly despite lacking comprehensive safety testing Other companies like Perfect Day are creating synthetic dairy alternatives that also lack long-term safety data while making questionable environmental claims Raw milk from grass fed cows contains essential nutrients like C15:0 fat that support mitochondrial health, diabetes prevention, and weight ...
Apr 29, 2025•11 min
Story at-a-glance People with delusion-prone disorders, including body image issues and narcissism, are more likely to overuse social media, worsening symptoms Online interactions confuse self-perception and trigger or amplify delusional thinking, especially in those already at risk for psychosis Most mental health tools ignore social media use, leading to missed diagnoses and ineffective support You can protect your mental well-being online by tracking emotional triggers, curating your feed and...
Apr 28, 2025•12 min
Story at-a-glance Ischemic strokes block blood flow to brain cells, causing damage through three distinct cell death mechanisms, with iron overload playing a key role Excess iron accumulation during strokes accelerates cell death, functioning like "gasoline on a fire" and worsening brain damage significantly New research shows targeting iron-related cell death could lead to better stroke treatments that protect more brain cells from damage A simple blood test called serum ferritin measures your ...
Apr 28, 2025•11 min
Story at-a-glance Water aerobics provides a safe and effective way for obese individuals to lose weight and improve fitness without stressing their joints Research shows that engaging in water exercise for at least 10 weeks leads to measurable fat loss, with participants losing an average of 2.69 kilograms and 2.75 centimeters from their waist Water’s natural resistance increases calorie burn while reducing injury risk, making it ideal for those who struggle with traditional workouts Eliminating...
Apr 26, 2025•12 min
Story at-a-glance Vitamin D influences key hormones like leptin, an energy balancer, and myostatin, which limits muscle growth. It plays a direct role in how your body manages energy, builds muscle and regulates fat storage through various metabolic pathways A study published as a preprint on Research Square found that high-dose vitamin D increases muscle strength, reduces myostatin, shifts calories toward muscle development and enhances metabolic rate Vitamin D mimics anabolic steroids by suppr...
Apr 26, 2025•11 min
Story at-a-glance Freckles are small, flat, light brown spots that darken in summer and fade in winter; they typically appear in clusters on sun-exposed areas Sunspots are flat, brownish patches that don't change with seasons; they signal sun damage and appear on sun-exposed areas like hands, face and chest Moles can be flat or raised, tan to dark brown, sometimes with hair, and should be monitored for skin cancer warning signs Genetics play a significant role in skin spots — fair-skinned indivi...
Apr 26, 2025•11 min
Story at-a-glance Chewing a single piece of gum can release up to 3,000 microplastic particles into your mouth within minutes, with most released in the first 60 seconds Both synthetic and "natural" chewing gums release similar amounts of plastic particles, which include types used in packaging and automotive parts Regular gum chewers may ingest around 30,000 plastic particles annually, adding to microplastic exposure from other sources like food packaging and bottled water Most consumers are un...
Apr 25, 2025•9 min
Story at-a-glance Studies show people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have different gut bacteria than healthy people, with too much of certain bacteria types and not enough of the helpful ones The ratio between the bacteria Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia serves as a biomarker for MS progression, with this pattern appearing consistently across patients worldwide Normally beneficial Akkermansia bacteria can become harmful in MS when Bifidobacterium levels drop, damaging the protective mucin layer i...
Apr 25, 2025•10 min
Story at-a-glance Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects nearly a billion people worldwide. It causes breathing interruptions during sleep that prevent you from reaching restorative sleep stages Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping/choking during sleep, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating and mood changes that are often mistaken for normal tiredness Risk factors for OSA include age, excess throat tissue, weak throat muscles, structural airway abnormalities and vi...
Apr 24, 2025•10 min
Story at-a-glance Gallbladder removal surgery leads to constant bile dripping into your intestines, making fat digestion unpredictable and often causing diarrhea, gas, and bloating Up to 40% of people experience post-cholecystectomy syndrome, with symptoms like nausea, upper abdominal pain, and digestive distress lasting for months or longer Bile reflux is common after gallbladder surgery and causes burning discomfort and heartburn, especially if you eat large or high-fat meals Retained gallston...
Apr 24, 2025•11 min
Story at-a-glance Fatty liver disease affects nearly 25% of adults globally and progresses silently, leading to cirrhosis, heart disease, diabetes, and liver cancer Research shows that fatty liver disease significantly increases mortality risk, especially from endocrine disorders and during the first year after diagnosis Cardiovascular disease ranks as a top threat for people with fatty liver disease, with advanced liver fibrosis substantially increasing the risk of serious adverse events Excess...
Apr 24, 2025•9 min
Story at-a-glance Type 1 diabetes affects about four in 1,000 U.S. children and is linked to the disruption of the gut microbiome, particularly through early antibiotic exposure A study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that there’s a 10-day window during early life when specific gut microbes are required for proper pancreatic beta cell development When antibiotics are given during the 10-day window, it disrupts the growth of insulin-producing cells and contributes to the development...
Apr 23, 2025•11 min
Story at-a-glance A 72-hour break from cellphones triggered increased cravings in study participants; brain scans showed heightened activity in reward centers when shown phone images Cellphones stimulate your brain's pleasure center similarly to other rewards, creating dopamine hits that lead to dependency Your brain's attention center becomes increasingly focused on phones, making it difficult to concentrate on other tasks without feeling pulled back to check devices Regular phone breaks help m...
Apr 23, 2025•11 min
Story at-a-glance Sugar-sweetened beverages are linked to 338,240 deaths annually and contributed to 2.2 million new Type 2 diabetes cases in 2020, representing about 1 in 10 cases globally Sugary drinks cost the world 12.5 million healthy years of life in 2020 and are associated with 1.2 million new cardiovascular disease cases, or about 1 in 30 cases Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa face the highest health impacts, with some countries attributing nearly half of new diabetes ...
Apr 23, 2025•10 min
