Vitamin K is the name given to a group of fat-soluble vitamins that are primarily responsible for aiding blood clot formation in our bodies. In fact, the reason why vitamin K was never named vitamin F (the next logical step after vitamin E) was to emphasize its central role in blood health: the “K” actually stands for “koagulation,” the German word for “clotting.” In healthier times, deficiencies in vitamin K were rare since traditional diets…
Coconut oil, which is derived from the meat of matured coconuts, is possibly the healthiest oil in the world. Rich in good saturated fats and important minerals, the regular consumption of coconut oil has been linked to reduced cholesterol, boosting of the immune system, weight loss, superior digestion and metabolism, and much more. It is, in short, a truly amazing food. However, if there’s one department in which coconut oil excels even more than healthiness,…
The lucuma (Pouteria lucuma) is a subtropical fruit native to Peru, Chile, and Ecuador. It is especially popular in Peru, and is closely linked to the nation’s culture. For example, lucuma is commonly found at the burial sites of indigenous people, and it is often incorporated into the ancient Moche people’s artwork. Even today, lucuma is Peru’s most popular ice cream flavor, trumping both vanilla and chocolate. Lucuma is not well-known outside of South America,…
In 2008, an American writer and explorer named Dan Buettner published a book entitled The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. This book, which was an extension of a report Buettner wrote for National Geographic in 2005 about longevity, contained information about five regions in the world in which people lived for an unusually long time (often over 100 years, as proven by verifiable birth certificates). These five…
Reishi mushrooms, also called lingzhi mushrooms, are a species of medicinal mushroom characterized by their kidney-shaped cap and tough texture. Though widely appreciated throughout the countries of their native Asia, reishi are especially venerated in China. In fact, practitioners of ancient Chinese medicine have been prescribing reishi for a host of medical conditions such as high blood pressure and fatigue for at least 2,000 years. Even today, reishi are held in high regard by the Chinese, and have retained their traditional…
