April 15, 2019

Catnip Helps People Sleep, Fight Colds

Catnip is an herb that’s not just for cats any longer. In fact, it has a long history of use in folk medicine and some interesting health properties for humans. Native to Europe, Asia and Africa, catnip was brought to the U.S. by early settlers. In traditional medicine, it is used for its sedative and calming properties. It is also widely studied for use as an insect repellant or insecticide. It is often found in tea or as a tincture. Though it drives cats crazy, there are some interesting potential uses as well as warnings and considerations for its use […]
March 5, 2019

Intermittent Fasting Boosts Health

Various versions of the intermittent fasting diet appear to have weight loss benefits. A new study investigating why they work concludes that circadian rhythms are key. Intermittent fasting has become popular, but how does it work? While the modern world appears awash with fad diets, people seem to be giving a fair bit of attention to intermittent fasting. As its name implies, intermittent fasting involves eating nothing for extended periods of time. Some studies have found that this type of diet is beneficial, but exactly why it benefits health is not yet clear. Recently, a group of scientists at the University […]
December 16, 2018

Food and Fitness After 50: What You Need

LOS ANGELES (December 16, 2018)–Unfortunately, there’s so much noise and misinformation about food, nutrition and physical activity that good advice is often drowned out by bad. But there’s a new book by food and fitness experts Christine Rosenbloom, PhD, RDN, FAND, and Bob Murray, PhD, FACSM, coming to the rescue! Food & Fitness after 50: Eat Well, Move Well, Be Well, translates the latest science on aging, nutrition, and exercise into simple actionable steps. The authors share their personal experiences and offer a common-sense approach to help you learn what it takes to control your food choices and fitness strategies […]
September 18, 2018

Don’t Let Jet Lag Be A Drag On Your Vacation

We like to think we have control over our bodies, but the opposite is often true. Such is the case with circadian
September 4, 2018

Hops: For Anxiety, Sleep, and More?

When you think of hops you may think first of beer – a main reason that we grow this crop. But these climbing vines native to Eurasia and North America have a rich history of medicinal use as well. In fact, hops are related to the cannabis plant; they even have some similarities in flavor and aroma. Famous for treating sleep disorders, research on this medicinal plant continues to gain traction (outside the brewing industry!). Medicinally, hops are used for: Anxiety Sleep disorders including insomnia Tension, nervousness, irritability and excitability Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) To stimulate the appetite and treat […]
July 7, 2018

New Ways To Reduce Inflammation

When most people think of inflammation, they think about swollen joints and arthritis. That said, limiting the amount of inflammation in your body might not be on your radar screen at all, especially if you don’t have joint problems. But inflammation is way more than arthritis, and reducing the amount of inflammation your body encounters should be on everyone’s radar. When any unwanted invader (such as a virus or bacteria) enters your body, inflammation is the body’s first line of defense. White blood cells are soldiers in the inflammation army, and they protect your body when it’s attacked. This is […]
May 29, 2018

New Findings Explain How Melatonin Promotes Sleep

Melatonin is a hormone known to promote sleep, but its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Now,
November 20, 2017

Tart Cherry Juice Drinkers Could Gain An Hour of Sleep

A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study reported recently in the American Journal of Therapeutics found that drinking Montmorency tart cherry juice extended sleep time by an average of 84 minutes in older patients with insomnia. “Insomnia is quite common among older adults and it can lead to a range of health issues if left untreated,” observed lead researcher Jack Losso, who is a professor in the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in Baton Rouge. “However, many people are hesitant to resort to medications to help them sleep. That’s why natural sleep remedies are increasingly of interest and […]
September 12, 2017

Which Came First: the Inflammation or the Sleep Apnea?

Inflammation is traditionally thought of as a symptom of sleep apnea, but it might actually precede the disorder,