Acid reflux is a common medical condition in which digestive acids rise from the stomach into the esophagus. This causes the esophagus (the passage between the pharynx and the stomach) to become irritated, resulting in a burning sensation which, in the most acute cases, can last for up to 48 hours. While acid reflux is rarely a serious issue, it is always an unpleasant one and can ruin the lives of people who suffer from…
Moderate consumption of red wine is well-known for producing a number of health benefits. For example, recent studies have shown that red wine contains compounds that can protect membranes from oxidation, prevent several types of cancer and even treat depression and low moods. Earlier studies have also found that this much-loved alcoholic beverage, which is made from dark-colored grape varieties, can boost our cardiovascular system and protect us from heart disease. However, a new study…
Memory loss and other cognitive conditions are issues that a large number of people start to worry about as they age. A lot of us are conditioned by the media to believe that these problems are natural and inevitable consequences of aging, something that happens to us regardless of how well we look after ourselves. Of course, this is not true. Our brains are capable of creating new brain cells at any given age, and…
The twentieth century was not kind to butter. Like eggs, coconut oil and many other nutritious foods, this beloved dairy product, which is made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk, was a victim of the misguided war on saturated fats that began in the 1950s. As a result of this war, the consumption of “low fat” butter substitutes, such as margarine, actually exceeded that of butter itself. Consequently, cases of heart disease and…
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a small palm native to the southeastern United States that is characterized by its sprawling trunk and large, spear-like leaves. The plant bears dark red, olive-sized berries that have a long history of use as both a food and medicine. The American Indians particularly revered saw palmetto berries for their significant healing properties. Though saw palmetto has been used throughout history to treat coughs and colds, asthma, migraines, bronchitis, and…
