Melanocyte-stimulating hormone is a name for a group of peptide hormones produced by the skin, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus. In response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, its production by the skin and pituitary is enhanced, and this plays a key role in producing colored pigmentation found in the

Have you ever experienced a sugar headache? That blood sugar spike caused by simple carbs (and the subsequent drop in blood glucose) is one of the least understood migraine triggers. This reaction is referred to as reactive hypoglycemia. If we don’t eat enough calories for our bodies’ needs, then o

Jama Research Article September 2020 This isn’t the first study to suggest a link between poor sleep and weight gain, but the authors argue the use of wearable technology like Fitbits gives researchers the opportunity to accurately track participants discreetly, without relying on the memory of the

The human heart is a remarkable organ. Every 24 hours, it beats over 100,000 times and pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood. That’s enough to fill an oil tanker! It’s also amazingly resilient. Biologist Alexis Carrel, the winner of the 1912 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, concluded that given a

Chromotherapy is the science of using colors to adjust body vibrations to frequencies that result in health and harmony. Each color possesses frequencies of a specific vibration, and each vibration is related to different physical symptoms. Our bodies need the sun's light to live. It provides color

Melatonin and cortisol are hormones that regulate our sleep / wake cycles. These hormones suppress each other, and have opposite rhythms. Cortisol levels begin to rise as the sun dose, or just before our normal, regular time to wake up. Cortisol increases our body temperature, where melatonin lowers

The irony is that castor oil has a long history of use throughout the ages in food, industrial, cosmetic, and medical industries. This unique oil demonstrates its versatility in medicine, as it can be used both internally and topically for a multitude of purposes. The research behind its chemistry,

Full spectrum / broad spectrum CBD oil This can be purchased OTC pretty much anywhere. It contains all the cannabinoids (minus THC) found in the Marijuana plant. Certain cannabinoids are anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor growth, antimicrobial, aid with sleep, stabilizes blood sugar, reduces muscle spa

Most of us continue to look for that “magic bullet” when it comes to health and longevity. What if there was a magic bullet that could help you be healthier and live longer? It turns out the body already has a mechanism that can do all of this and more! It is something called “autophagy” (pronounced

Many of us experience changes in our minds and body as we age such as: decreased energy, brain fog, mood swings, digestive issues, and issues with losing weight. This is not a natural progression of aging, nor do we have to suffer these changes. You can positively impact these changes with a few li

Not only for the environment but for anyone that breaths the air. Since when did ‘clean’ have a smell? In my mind, clean is the absence of smell, like cloths that were hung outside to dry, Nothing in nature smells like Pine-Sol, or Irish Spring. If you can smell it, then you've absorbed it either t

Ah, summertime. So many ways to enjoy this beloved season—beach trips, barbecues and long warm days spent enjoying the outdoors, to name a few. Unfortunately, summer also brings with it pests of all kinds, including the most troublesome among the creepy crawly set—mosquitoes and ticks. However, peo

When shopping for jewelry, do you consider what metals make up earrings, bracelets, rings, and other shiny items? A report by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) in California detailed that cadmium was present in numerous jewelry items tested from stores including Ross, Walgreens and Nordstrom

We're in a new age of convenience and connectivity, and with it comes new health concerns. More than ever, our eyes are in front of screens - from smart devices and computer monitors to televisions and movie screens. And, more than ever, people of all ages are complaining of eye fatigue, headaches

Stepping outdoors into sunlight, your eyes are being exposed to a variety of visible (and sometimes invisible) light rays that can have a range of effects. There is an inverse relationship between the wavelength of light rays and the amount of energy they contain. Light rays that have relatively l

Mouthwash destroys bacteria in your mouth that can contribute to the growth of cavities and other dental diseases. Unfortunately, mouthwash kills all types of bacteria, including the beneficial ones that help produce nitric oxide. Special bacteria in the mouth convert nitrate to nitric oxide. In f

Atmospheric pollution is a hot topic right now, but did you know that the air quality in your home can be 5x worse than the outside air. New peer-reviewed data clearly articulates that air pollution, especially ultrafine particles generated from burning natural gas, wood, and incense (who knew?) has

Decreasing fats, such as animal protein, and increasing whole grains is common modern-day advice on what to eat for a healthy heart. While this type of diet may be beneficial for some blood types, it may not be for others. Because those with Blood Types A and AB have higher rates of heart disease,

Deep sleep is critical to maintaining a robust memory, but both decline with age. A small new study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience suggests that one easy way for older adults to get deeper sleep and stronger memories is to listen to a certain soothing sound called “pink noise” Inter

The body doesn't distinguish between physical and psychological threats. Whether you are stressed over a busy schedule, traffic jams, financial issues, or what you are hearing on the news, your body still reacts just as strongly as if you were facing a life or death situation. If you have a lot of

Castor oil is the most unique of vegetable oils. It is an inexpensive oil that offers multiple health benefits. In fact, castor oil has been around such a long time, that its first usage dates back to 4000 BC. This oil is indigenous to the Mediterranean Basin and India, although it does grow in man

This can be purchased OTC pretty much anywhere. It contains all the cannabinoids (minus THC) found in the Marijuana plant. Certain cannabinoids are anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor growth, antimicrobial, aid with sleep, stabilizes blood sugar, reduces muscle spasms and intestinal spasm. It’s just grea

Detoxification is a very broad term. Supporting your methylation cycle is one way to boost your glutathione and help detoxification, but there are many approaches to detoxification. While supporting methylation helps in the detoxification of heavy metals and other harmful toxins, there are other wa

What are casomorphins Naturally occurring opiate-like compounds containing casein fragments, which are commonly found in cow’s and goat milk protein. When casomorphins are consumed they attach to the same brain receptors as addictive drugs such as morphine and oxycodone. Once these compounds bind t

The term FODMAP is an acronym, derived from "Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols". Or easier said, these are short-chain carbs that move through your intestines and are resistant to digestion. Instead of being absorbed into your bloodstream, they reach the far end of your intestine

Lavender essential oil and aloe vera are two easy to use home remedies that offer healing benefits for minor burns and skin irritation. With summer comes more time spent outside, and the risks of sunburn and skin irritation increase. Whether your skin is tingling from the kiss of the sun or feeling

Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol. It is produced from the gonads, adrenal glands and the brain where it can be found in higher levels, compared to the blood. Essentially, pregnenolone is known for its anti-inflammatory properties that may help boost cognitive function

The idea that certain eye movement patterns can correct vision abnormalities such as near- or farsightedness has been around since the 1920s. While there's no scientific evidence to support these claims, exercising the eyes does have health benefits. The eyes are supported by bands of muscles (t

Digestive complaints are among the most common health concerns. If you're experiencing distress, a holistic practitioner will evaluate the foods and substances you are eating to identify where a reaction exists. There are many ways to conduct a dietary analysis, including food diary, food allergy

There’s no escape from leaky gut – it will affect each of us in some degree at some point in our lives. People with an MTHFR mutation or methylation issues are more likely to experience leaky gut in its more severe form. Here’s an overview of how methylation and leaky gut are connected. Methylat