What Level of Coffee Consumption is “Healthy?”
Razi Berry Up to three cups of coffee per day is associated with a lower risk of stroke and fatal heart disease, according to research presented at ESC Congress 2021.1,2 “To our knowledge, this is the largest study to systematically assess the cardiovascular effects of regular coffee consumption in a population without diagnosed heart disease,” […]
Caffeine Not the Best for Fighting Sleep Deprivation
Razi Berry Rough night of sleep? Relying on caffeine to get you through the day isn’t always the answer, says a new study from Michigan State University. Researchers from MSU’s Sleep and Learning Lab, led by psychology associate professor Kimberly Fenn, assessed how effective caffeine was in counteracting the negative effects of sleep deprivation on […]
Back to Basics
Dr Nicola Dehlinger, ND As we approach the new year, resolutions are typically on everyone’s minds. Especially after a particularly challenging 2020, we are looking for ways to ensure that 2021 will be different. The clean slate of a new year is often a springboard to create new goals and inspire change. My invitation to […]
No Safe Amount of Caffeine During Pregnancy
Razi Berry Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should be advised to avoid caffeine because the evidence suggests that maternal caffeine consumption is associated with negative pregnancy outcomes and that there is no safe level of consumption, finds an analysis of observational studies published in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine. Caffeine is probably the […]
Eating to Ease Anxiety
Nicola Dehlinger, ND As the days start to shorten and an autumn chill comes back into the evening air, many people start to experience an uptick in feelings of anxiousness. Anticipating dark cold days, returning to school, and letting go of the “freedom” of summer can cause us to worry more, and feel less at […]
Caffeine May Worsen Anxiety
Razi Berry Caffeine can boost energy, improve alertness and produce a general feeling of well-being – when used in moderation. Go past the sweet spot though, and that same elixir can cause insomnia, jitters and feelings of nervousness. Those who already struggle with anxiety may be particularly susceptible to its effects and should monitor their […]
Energy Drinks May Increase Risk of Heart Attack
Razi Berry Not in everyone, but in those with an increased risk of current cardiovascular disease, energy drinks may not be a good idea. A team of researchers has recently found that consumption of a single energy drink can decrease the diameter of blood vessels by an average of 50 percent.1 As vasculature narrows, the blood […]
Do You have a Food Allergy, Food Sensitivity or Food Intolerance?
Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND Food Allergy Definition A food allergy is an inappropriate immune system response to a food that can be determined by the production of antibodies to the food. The commonly accepted definition of food allergies, involves more specifically the production of IgE antibodies to foods. These are also called Type I immediate […]
Anandamide: An Endocannabinoid and “bliss molecule”
Razi Berry Hemp and cannabis products such as CBD oil are becoming increasingly popular in the natural health market. The active components of cannabis and hemp are cannabinoids – THC and cannabidiol are the most prevalent and well known. But the human body actually produces its own cannabinoids, endocannabinoids. A neurotransmitter and the “bliss molecule” One […]
Want Better Performance Results From Caffeine? Hint: Drink Less of it
Node Smith, ND America’s Drug of Choice: Caffeine And we certainly use it to its maximum potential, pushing ourselves to stay up later, get up earlier, work and play more, and do everything FASTER, with our ever-present cup of Starbucks in our hand – or red bull, or black tea, or coke, or monster energy […]