In this article, we describe the scientific evidence regarding the positive effects of yoga for aging, stress, sleep, brain health and dementia, neurological and psychiatric disorders, cancer, heart attacks and brain strokes, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, respiratory disorders, neck and back pain, chronic pain conditions, joint disorders, and pregnancy and menopause.
In this article, we describe the scientific evidence from research for efficacy and safety of various weight-loss strategies like low-calorie diet (LCD) and very low-calorie diet (VLCD), very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD), meal replacements (MR), non-caloric sweeteners (NCS), high protein diet, high fiber diet, higher water consumption, intermittent fasting (IF), time-restricted feeding (TRF), Mediterranean diet, micronutrients (capsaicin, caffeine, polyphenols, Vitamin D, resveratrol, alpha-lipoic acid, carnitine, and chromium), herbal weight loss preparations, physical exercise, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
In this article, we explain how environmental air pollution can play a role in causing many common diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, dementia, etc. In the end, we give recommendations for reducing exposure and mitigating the harmful effects of air pollution.
Here, we compare the top 10 blue light blocking glasses available on Amazon. Brands include Feiyold, TIJN, Gamma Ray Optix, Cyxus, J+S Vision, ANRRI, KLIM, Gunnar, Swanwick, and Ray-Ban. Blue light glasses can reduce exposure to harmful blue light. Blue light, according to scientific research, can disrupt sleep and cause eye damage. Blue light blocking glasses can be used when working with electronic gadgets like computers, laptops, tablets, e-readers, and smart phones. They can not only protect against the blue light emitted from the screens of digital devices, but can also reduce symptoms of eye strain.
Digital Eye Strain (DES) or Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a common condition seen in people working with digital devices. Symptoms are those related to eye muscle strain and fatigue (like eye ache and tired eyes, headache behind the eyes, blurred vision, and difficulty focusing) and those related to drying of eyes (like eye irritation, excessive tearing, and redness of the eyes). Several factors are responsible for digital eye strain. These factors can be corrected or their effects can be minimized by measures like using the 20-20-20 rule, using lubricating eye drops, blink training, increasing intake of omega 3 fatty acids, avoiding the use of contact lenses, correcting errors of refraction, reducing nicotine use, optimizing monitor distance and placement, increasing screen resolution, using good screen contrast, using certain types of fonts, avoiding small font size, using an anti-glare coating on devices, and certain other measures.
Plant chemicals (or phytochemicals), which have an effect on human health, are known as ‘plant bioactive compounds’. They are commonly found in the so-called ‘superfoods’ or ‘functional foods’. Plant bioactive compounds are found in various plant-based food sources like fruits, vegetables, legumes (including lentils, peans, and beans), whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices. In this article, we explain their role in reducing inflammation with the help of the available scientific literature.
Overtraining is a real possibility in an athlete’s career, and if not detected and treated early, can have devastating consequences for the athlete. Muscle damage plays an important role in the development of overtraining syndrome. Athletes most commonly experience increased effort and decreased performance, inability to complete a training session, fatigue, loss of vigor, and other symptoms like depression. Some prevention strategies include education of coaches and athletes about the risk factors and signs and symptoms of overtraining (for early detection of this condition), individualized training regimens of athletes based on their individual capacities, avoidance of sudden increments in training load, proper nutrition and hydration, sleep and rest, and management of life stressors.
Prebiotics belong to the group of food ingredients called dietary fibers. Prebiotics exert their beneficial role on health by stimulating the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Probiotics are preparations of live bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics can lower body inflammation.
Additionally, certain vitamins like D and E, and minerals like zinc can play a role in reducing inflammation in the body.
In this article, we explain all this with the help of the available scientific literature.
Calorie (energy) restriction reduces body inflammation by reducing the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Some dietary fats (like saturated fats) may be pro-inflammatory, whereas others (like omega 3 fatty acids) may be anti-inflammatory. Similarly, some dietary carbohydrates (like high glycemic index sugar) may increase inflammation, whereas others (like complex carbohydrates) may reduce it. In this article, we explain all this with the help of the available scientific literature.
In this article, we describe the scientific evidence from research showing the connection between inflammation, chronic diseases, and aging.
Blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum. Sources of blue light include the sun, screens of digital devices, and bulbs. Blue light inhibits melatonin secretion and consequently disrupts sleep. In current times, widespread and excessive use of digital devices has contributed to sleep problems, and consequently, other harmful health effects. Blue light can also cause retinal damage in the eye (known as Age-related Macular Degeneration or AMD). Blue light effects can be reduced by taking a diet rich in anti-oxidants, using blue light filtering glasses, reducing illumination on digital devices, using dark themes, using night-mode or night-mode apps, and minimizing the use of digital devices to the bare minimum. Blue light is also responsible for daytime sleepiness in the elderly. Finally, blue light is not always bad. Blue light increases alertness, improves memory and mood, and can help in synchronizing sleep in night-shift workers, people working in the aviation industry, and patients with sleep disorders. In this article, we explain all this with the help of the available scientific literature.