Posted on: February 4, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Scientists capture the health benefits of thyme

Thyme is a Mediterranean aromatic herb widely used in cooking. Beyond culinary use, thyme is a potent antioxidant, containing high levels of phenolic compounds, including thymol, carvacrol and lutein, which combat oxidative stress. Thyme also possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Although in small amounts, thyme contains vitamins C and A, as well as potassium, iron, calcium, and magnesium, which support the immune system and overall health. That means while most…

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Posted on: January 29, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Cacao: The superfood to beat statins

I’ve been a fan of smoothies before there was even a name for them. That’s how “old school” I am. But after all these years, and numerous smoothie variations, a raw cacao powder and banana smoothie is still my favorite. Every time I have one, I feel supercharged. It’s not all that surprising, considering cacao has 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries. (However, blueberries and their brain-boosting benefits are nothing…

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Posted on: January 29, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Microplastics appear to target male arteries

Microplastics are now everywhere — in our food, water and even the air we breathe. Frighteningly, studies have confirmed that not only do these microplastic ‘magnets’ deliver poisons to your bloodstream, but they’ve also been linked to heart failure and found to build up in both blood clots and artery-clogging plaques. Up until now, scientists considered them an equal opportunity threat. However, that’s all changing. A biomedical team at the University of California has revealed research that…

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Posted on: January 27, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Astaxanthin to slow skin aging? Here’s why

As we age, our skin changes in ways that can have a direct impact on our health. The skin produces less collagen and elastin, and its cells reproduce more slowly and less efficiently. This results in skin that’s thin, fragile and prone to injury. As the epidermis (skin’s outer layer) thins, skin barrier function is greatly reduced. That doesn’t just mean loss of moisture. We lose the ability to heal,…

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Posted on: January 27, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The supplement that reduced dialysis-related heart risks almost by half

The kidneys are vital organs, and unfortunately, two of the most common modern-day scourges, diabetes and high blood pressure, are putting a lot of Americans at risk for kidney failure. When the kidneys begin to fail, the body does not properly filter waste products from the blood and excrete them in urine. Over time, this build-up of waste can cause permanent damage to the kidneys, reducing their effectiveness. Once the…

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Posted on: January 27, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Statin-related muscle pain may be caused by leak

When my mother first started taking statins for her high cholesterol, she was blindsided by absolutely crippling pain deep in her leg muscles. It was so bad that she stopped taking the medication without talking to her doctor first (never a good idea). Yet, when my husband had to start taking a statin because of his cholesterol, he didn’t have any muscle pain at all. I wondered what the difference…

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Posted on: January 24, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

5 habits to make your brain 8 years younger

How old is your brain? That may seem like a simple question. After all, isn’t it just the number of years you’ve lived? However, the truth is, your brain may be younger or older than you think, depending on your health and lifestyle. In fact, it’s well known that chronic pain actually accelerates brain aging, increasing your risk of cognitive decline. But the reverse is also true: certain lifestyle factors…

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Posted on: January 23, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Tapping into the vagus nerve for heart health

According to doctors at Northwestern Medicine, “Most U.S. adults have a ‘heart age’ several years older than their chronological age — sometimes by more than a decade.” Sadly, this epidemic of advanced cardiovascular aging leaves many struggling as their heart cells give out and the organ struggles to pump efficiently. Daily tasks, like going up a flight of stairs, become more difficult, dizziness and shortness of breath set in, and…

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Posted on: January 22, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Arginine: the amino acid ‘hack’ for fewer cavities

Think cavities aren’t a big deal? Think again. As someone who had a bunch of cavities as a kid, I’m dealing with the consequences now. Some of my older fillings are breaking down, leading to the installation of a couple of crowns, the occasional root canal and, in one case, complete tooth loss. And this is even with being extra-rigorous about my dental care since reaching adulthood. I only wish…

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Posted on: January 21, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Natural light’s beneficial impact on blood sugar control

Circadian rhythm is an internal time clock or pattern that influences processes throughout the human body.   Along with the sleep-wake cycle, our circadian rhythm affects changes in blood pressure, basal body temperature, hormonal release and organ function. Daylight and darkness greatly influence these rhythms and the 24-hour cycle it follows.  And when our circadian rhythm is off, it can result in a world of hurt. Case in point… Because…

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