Dysthymia — also known as persistent depressive disorder, chronic depression, or dysthymic disorder — is a long-lasting form of clinical depression. It often lasts for several years at a time, with symptoms coming and going, changing from day to day and week to week. (1) Many people with dysthymia or “dysthymic mood” can benefit from…
Vanilla extract is widely used in both commercial and domestic baking, perfume manufacturing and aromatherapy, but many people don't realize the array of health benefits that come from using vanilla oil, even though it is not technically an essential oil. Internally, pure vanilla oil fights inflammation, works as an antidepressant and contains high levels of antioxidants…
The vast majority of adults have been "on a diet" at some point in their lives, usually with the hopes of losing extra weight. One look into the plethora of diet advice and dietary plans available today, and it's easy to feel instantly overwhelmed by information, much of which is contradictory. From diet pills to…
Excessive sleepiness, hallucinations and sleep paralysis are all characteristics of narcolepsy, a chronic neurological disorder that makes it difficult for the brain to control sleep-wake cycles. (1) This disorder adversely affects the quality of life as symptoms include extreme drowsiness and falling asleep unwillingly during an activity like work or school. In fact, research indicates…
Throughout the day, you probably pay attention to how your back feels, what positions support your back and help to align your spine properly. But are you sure that your bed allows for that same back support and comfort? We spend one-third of our lives in bed, so choosing the right bed for lower back…
For decades, dietary fat has been plagued with a bad reputation as reduced-fat products hit the shelves and low-fat diets took center stage. However, dietary fat as well as essential fatty acids are two critical components of good health. Fat plays a role in just about every aspect of health, right down to the very…
Is a Western lifestyle to blame for increased rates of male infertility? All signs are pointing to yes. According to a recent report, sperm counts of men in North America, Australia, Europe and New Zealand have dropped by more than 50 percent in less than four decades, and show no signs of stopping. Most recently,…
Did you know that genetically modified mosquitoes now exist? It's true! To date, these scientifically engineered insects have already been released in several areas around the world. Their creation and release have been met with many questions, including is it just a coincidence that GM mosquitoes started flying around in Brazil just before a number…
As important as it is to comprehend the meaning of qi in order to fully understand Chinese philosophy as it pertains to health, there isn't a literal equivalent in the Western world or an easy way to explain what it represents. In the U.S. and other Western nations, qi is much like what we think of as…
How much sugar per day do Americans consume? Today, the average adult living in the U.S. consumes about 22 teaspoons of added sugars every single day, including from hidden sugar foods they might actually believe are "healthy." Compare this to the amount of added sugar recommended by authorities such as the World Health Organization and…
