Wellness & Research Blog

Optimal Health Insider

Aging-Brain

Study of 27,000 brains finds poor sleep habits age the brain by about a year

When researchers in Sweden analyzed the brain scans and sleep patterns of more than 27,000 middle-aged and older adults they found people with poor sleep...
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"Beauty sleep" is real: Studies reveal maintaining skin health is another benefit of quality sleep

Sleep studies conducted in recent decades have established beyond any doubt that sleep quality is linked to good health. In fact, a recent study documented...
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Natural Ways to Improve Sleep Without Feeling Groggy

Sleep plays a vital role in how the body recovers, regulates hormones, supports metabolism, and stays mentally sharp. Still, getting consistent, quality rest can be...
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You’re Not Just Tired—You Might Be Nutrient Deficient

We all have days when we feel wiped out. But if you’re dragging yourself through the week, no matter how much you rest, there might...
Sleep-disruption

Why Poor Sleep Wrecks Your Gut, Hormones, and Mood

Those foggy brain feelings and low energy levels are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what poor sleep does to your...
Ice-plunge-outdoors

Ice fountain of youth? One week of cold plunges slows down aging at cellular level, study finds

Cold plunges---also known as cold therapy and cold water immersion---have numerous health benefits. Studies have shown that taking a plunge into cold water can aid...
Sleep-disruption

How important is quality sleep? Study finds a single disruptive night can compromise the immune system

You've probably thought of insomnia as a minor annoyance that just leaves you tired and less productive the next day. But according to a new...
Sleep-health-age-40

Study finds age 40 is the worst for sleep health; separate study shows valerian root can help

Research conducted in 2022 at University College London found people ages 33 to 53 get less sleep than people of all other age groups. Another...
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Study shows ashwagandha should be one of your go-to nutrients for holiday season stress

A 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association found that 89 percent of U.S. adults feel stressed during the holiday season. "Holiday season" typically refers...
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How Ashwagandha Can Enhance Your Memory and Focus in 30 Days

According to market tracking data, an herb that has beed used medicinally for millennia---ashwagandha---has soared in popularity in recent years. Herb Market Report states that...
Sleep-uni-student

Higher tryptophan intake found to improve sleep quality in study tracking university students

A new Spanish study focusing on first-year university students has found that lower tryptophan consumption is associated with poor sleep quality. Tryptophan is an amino...
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New research highlights another health risk linked to poor sleep: dementia

According to ongoing research, poor sleep quality negatively impacts immune function, heart health, risk of diabetes, obesity and chronic pain. But for those who find...
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Electromagnetic radiation shielding apparel provides protective benefits, study finds

Modern technology provides us with convenience and entertainment, but it comes at a cost. That cost is exposure to electromagnetic fields, also known as EMFs....
Ashwagandha-root

Ashwagandha: twin studies highlight stress relief and energy production benefits

Ashwagandha, also known as winter cherry and Indian ginseng, is an evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Ashwagandha grows in India, the Middle...
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Cold plunge therapy not just for athletes---check out these 5 health benefits

You may have seen a locker room video of professional athletes submerging into an ice bath after a big game. This routine is referred to...
Rhodiola-with-blossums

Rhodiola crenulata can help high-altitude pilots with cognition and blood oxygen, new study suggests

According to a new study from Taiwan, supplementing with a Rhodiola crenulata extract prior to takeoff could help pilots maintain blood oxygen levels and combat...
Sleep-study-healthy-food

Highly processed, high-sugar foods affect REM sleep quality, say Swedish researchers

Sleep disorders are on the rise. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that an estimated 13.6 million U.S. adults suffer from...
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More than six teaspoons of sugar each day increases risk of 45 different health conditions, study finds

Your mother was right when she said consuming too much sugar would rot your teeth; however, according to new research, tooth decay belongs down near...
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