The numbers on your labs, explained.

What Are Minerals in Food? Benefits, Sources & Why We Need Them

The human body requires 13 different types of minerals to maintain overall health. Find out which ones, their benefits and food sources.

Leptin: What It Is, What It Does and How to Support Healthy Levels

What is leptin? Learn what the hormone does, what leptin resistance means, how it differs from ghrelin and how to support leptin sensitivity.

ApoB Blood Test: Why It Beats LDL Cholesterol, Optimal Levels & How to Lower It

How to Support Methylation + Why It's Important for Your Health

Methylation supports functions of the cardiovascular, detoxification and neurological systems, just to name a few. Learn how to optimize it.

High Glycemic Foods: Ultimate Guide to Foods with High Glycemic Index

High glycemic foods raise blood sugar quickly. Does that mean you should avoid them all? Not necessarily, but you do want to be careful about your intake.

How to Improve Homocysteine Levels to Protect Your Heart, Brain & More

Did you know that high homocysteine levels are tied to heart disease and many other health issues? Learn how to optimize yours and more here.

MTHFR Mutation Symptoms, Diagnoses & Natural Remedies

A MTHFR mutation is a problem associated with poor methylation and enzyme production. What are MTHFR gene mutation symptoms and what do they mean?

Ghrelin: How to Control This 'Hunger Hormone' in Order to Lose Fat

Ghrelin is an appetite-increasing hormone that makes you feel hungry before meals but decreases after meals so you feel more satisfied. Learn how to control it.

Is Body Roundness Index More Useful than Body Mass Index?

The body roundness index (BRI) is an emerging metric in the health and fitness world, providing a fresh perspective on assessing body composition and health risks. Unlike traditional measures such as body mass index (BMI), BRI aims to capture a more comprehensive picture of body shape and fat distribution, which are crucial indicators of overall health and mortality risk.

Energy-Boosting, Hormone-Balancing Benefits of AMPK

AMPK is an enzyme known as the body's master regulator of energy metabolism. It plays an important role in energy balance and more.

What a Skin Turgor Test Can Tell You About Your Health

It may come as a surprise, but one of the easiest ways to evaluate your health status is by paying attention to your skin — your skin turgor, that is.

How to Increase VO2 Max (& Why You Should)

VO2 max is a key metric for evaluating cardiovascular fitness, endurance and overall health. Whether you're a professional athlete, fitness enthusiast or someone looking to improve her health, understanding and increasing your VO2 max can lead to better performance and health benefits.

What Is Glycogen? Role in Diet, Exercise and More

Glycogen functions as an important "energy reservoir," providing the body with energy depending on things like stress, food intake and physical demands. Learn how it's produced and stored, and its roles in diet and exercise.

Body Composition: Can We Outwit Our Genes for Healthy Body Fat Levels?

Body composition varies among individuals, and it's a mix of what we inherit and the daily choices we make. Learn how to improve yours and more.

How Much Sodium Per Day Do You Need?

The FDA recently altered its recommendation for daily sodium intake, so how much sodium per day should you consume? Find out that and more.

What Is the Circadian Timing System? An Introduction to Chronobiology

The circadian timing system is critical for good health. Within the field of chronobiology, here's how to create simple habits to support your circadian rhythm.

Major Study Finds Unhealthy Link Between Salt and Blood Pressure

A major study published in November 2023 confirmed that reducing salt intake can significantly lower blood pressure, offering a potentially life-saving strategy for both healthy individuals and those already managing hypertension.

What High Triglycerides Mean for Your Heart & How to Lower Naturally

It's estimated that a quarter of the U.S population has high triglycerides, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Here's what to do about it.

Folic Acid Benefits: Does Your Diet Provide Enough?

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that is found in most prenatal vitamins, supplements and fortified foods. Learn about its benefits, food sources, dosage recommendation along with potential side effects.

What Is Lactic Acid? How to Prevent Buildup

Lactic acid (lactate) is produced in response to physical activities that stress the muscles. Find out what that means and how you can prevent buildup.

BMI Chart for Women & Men: Is It Misleading?

The BMI chart is a standard measurement to determine if someone is overweight, obese, underweight or the right weight, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Learn about better tools for measuring your ideal weight.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Benefits and How to Increase Naturally

Human growth hormone is vital to your body, and while too much or too little can be a bad thing, there are many HGH benefits your body needs.

How to Maintain Normal Blood Sugar

Wondering what normal blood sugar levels look like and how to maintain them? Try this five-step approach to normal blood sugar management.

What Are Electrolytes? Foods that Can Prevent an Imbalance

Electrolytes are very important to health, playing a vital role in everything from fluid balance to heart health and brain function. Learn about top foods and supplements.

Hydrochloric Acid: Stomach Acid that Defends Against GERD, Candida & Leaky Gut

Hydrochloric acid aids digestion, fights acid reflux, protects against leaky gut, supports skin and helps with nutrient absorption. Learn how to improve its production, including with potential supplements.

Nitric Oxide Benefits & How to Increase Levels Naturally

Nitric oxide benefits include lowering high blood pressure, boosting brain and immune health, increasing workout performance and improving erectile dysfunction. Learn about ways to increase levels naturally.

How to Lengthen Your Telomeres & Unlock a Key to Longevity

Telomeres, the parts of chromosomes that control aging, have links to various diseases and long life. So how does one lengthen them and one's life possibly?

How to Increase 'Good' HDL Cholesterol

We always hear about how important it is to lower cholesterol, but this isn't always true. HDL cholesterol is actually good, and you want to increase it.

Eye Vitamins and Foods: Are You Getting Enough?

Are you getting enough of these eye vitamins and foods? If not, you're at greater risk for macular degeneration, cataracts and other eye disorders.

How to Maintain Normal Troponin Levels

Elevated troponin levels can indicate issues with the heart, including heart attack, heart disease and more. Find out the normal range how to reduce levels.

What Is Adenosine? Benefits for Heart Health, Sleep & Exercise

Adenosine is a natural chemical found in all human cells and an essential component of energy metabolism. Learn the uses and how to get enough.

Glycemic Index: Determining High- vs. Low-Glycemic Foods

A food's glycemic index score tells you how quickly the food is converted into sugar once you eat it, but the glycemic load tells you more. Let's explore.

Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy Test: Purpose, Procedure & Results

Health care providers use the vitamin D 25 hydroxy test determine people's vitamin D levels. Here's what you need to know.

Researchers Try to Nail Down Ideal Amount of Sleep

What is the ideal amount of sleep to help stave off health issues and help you operate at full speed? A 2022 study tried to find out.

HDL ('Good') Cholesterol May Help Prevent Alzheimer's

A new study found that higher levels of HDL cholesterol in the fluid surrounding the brain and spine may protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Higher Antioxidant Levels Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

Do antioxidants prevent dementia and Alzheimer's? According to a 2022 study, higher antioxidant levels are linked to lower dementia risk.

Benefits & Dangers of IGF-1: Weight-Loss Promoter or Cancer Causer?

Bodybuilders and weight-loss enthusiasts may be attracted to boosting the IGF-1 hormone, but what are optimal levels for your age?

Pee: What Your Urine Color Means for Your Health

We do it every day, several times a day, but how much do you really think about your pee and whether or not it's normal? Find out here.

Estradiol: What You Need to Know About the Strongest Estrogen Hormone

Estradiol plays an important role in both female and male reproductive health and hormone levels. Learn more about this estrogen hormone.

Catecholamines and Stress Response: What You Need to Know

Catecholamines are homes that act as modulators of the stress response, aka the fight-or-flight response, and altered levels can affect health in many ways.