Okinawa is in the southern-most prefecture of Japan, straddling the East China and the Philippine Seas. With its white, tropical beaches and turquoise waters, it’s not what you usually imagine when you think of Japan. Besides being known as the location of a U.S. Army base, Okinawa is one of the five ‘Blue Zones’ described by journalist, author and National Geographic fellow, Dan Buettner. These are five populations throughout the world with unusually high numbers of individuals who live happier, healthier lives, often to one hundred and beyond. In a nutshell, what these societies have in common is they: 1. […]
Specialized eating plans are no longer that “special.” In a recent Nielsen survey, 31 percent
Sunlight. Forest bathing. Fasting. Cold-water baths. Bloodletting. Leeches. Cupping. These ways of healing have been practiced in different cultures around the world for centuries. But as a cardiologist working with the most high-tech medical tools, Dr. Andreas Michalsen was taught that these practices were medieval and outdated, even dangerous. As he saw surprising results in his patients, however, Dr. Michalsen explored more deeply those seemingly “outdated” methods of healing. The more he researched, the more he was convinced by the power of natural medicine–naturopathy–to heal the human body. Over the past few decades, Dr. Michalsen has published the most […]
More than 60 percent of American adults have a chronic diseases, and 40 percent have two or more chronic disease. Someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, cancer is the second leading cause of death, 50 million Americans have an autoimmune disease, and almost half of Americans has prediabetes or diabetes. What do these conditions have in common? Inflammation. In fact, studies have linked high inflammatory levels to several conditions, including autoimmune conditions, cancer, chronic fatigue, depression, metabolic syndrome, and sleep apnea. Every food you eat is either feeding inflammation or fighting it. And because no one else is […]
There’s no confusion about death rates. Diseases affected by unhealthy eating are the leading causes of death in the United States. In fact, poor dietary factors have now surpassed tobacco use as the leading lifestyle choice that causes death. That is, aside from unfortunate accidents and some cancers, major portions of the top risks of death are within our control. What we eat matters. As a human race, we have the knowledge about what is more harmful and what is more helpful to eat when it comes to our physical, mental and, yes, even our emotional, health. Nutrition research is […]
When you make a mistake on your computer, there’s often a very simple way to fix it: just select the “undo” option. It’s like magic – allowing you to reverse what you’ve done and proceed as if it never happened. If only there were as simple a solution to our health problems! Dean Ornish, M.D., has directed revolutionary research proving, for the first time, that lifestyle changes can often reverse—undo!—the progression of many of the most common and costly chronic diseases and even begin reversing aging at a cellular level. The Ornish diet was developed in 1977 by Dr. Ornish, […]
Teas have the incredible ability to boost your energy so if you’re seeking a more vibrant feeling, consider enjoying a hot cup of tea before you try anything else. Alongside coffee, tea is one of the world’s most popular beverages and for good reason. The best teas for energy are often those with a slight boost of caffeine as well as other herbal varieties because of the stimulating effects that the compounds have for your senses. While some teas may provide a sense of energy, alertness, or focus, they also have other health benefits. All tea is hydrating which can […]
We are sick. Around the world, we struggle with diseases that were once considered rare. Cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes affect millions each year; many people are also struggling with hypertension, weight gain, fatty liver, dementia, low testosterone, menstrual irregularities and infertility, and more. We treat the symptoms, not realizing that all of these diseases and disorders have something in common. Each of them is caused or made worse by a condition known as insulin resistance. And you might have it. Odds are you do—over half of all adults in the United States are insulin resistant, with […]
Over the past year, FoodTrients has been exploring foods and flavors from around the globe. This week, we introduce a new series on the world of herbs, spices and ingredients that help create some of distinctive dishes we have featured and the age-defying benefits they deliver. Ikaria is a beautiful Greek island located in the Aegean Sea and is known as a ‘blue zone’ due to many residents living well into their 90s. Cases of dementia almost non-existent. Often relying on only what can be grown at home, Ikarians consume diets high in fruits and vegetables, drink goat milk and […]
Over the past year, FoodTrients has been exploring foods and flavors from around the globe. This week, we take a look at the flavors of Sardinia, Italy as part of our new series on the world of foods, herbs and spices that help create some of distinctive dishes we have featured, and the age-defying benefits they deliver. An island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is known as a ‘blue zone’; a community which is home to some of the oldest living people in the world. Lifestyle factors like physical activity and social support as well as diet […]