Melatonin Production in Preschoolers Inhibited by Bright Light
Node Smith, ND A recent study has shown that an hour of bright light inhibits melatonin production in preschoolers for up to 50 minutes after the lights are turned off.1 Melatonin is known as the principle sleep-regulating hormone and is largely responsible for the circadian rhythm of sleep in the body. It is produced by […]
Growing up surrounded by greenery increases cognitive function later in life
Node Smith, ND Humans have an intimate connection with nature; it is part of the human evolutionary process, to be in contact with the natural world. This is commonly referred to as the biophilia hypothesis, and more and more research is supporting its practical impact on our lives, and especially the lives of our children […]
How Your Child Gets to School May Affect Their Level of Achievement
Node Smith, ND I Hated Riding the Bus to School When I was growing up, I remember hating the bus ride to school. However, a recent doctoral thesis from Karlstad University has me questioning whether it may have been a beneficial experience. According to the dissertation, the mode of transportation and the activities during the […]
Turmeric Tea for Colds and Flu
Sarah Cimperman, ND Turmeric Has a History as Both Food and Medicine Traditionally it has been used to treat small pox, arthritis, liver disease, digestive problems, menstrual disorders, and cancer, as well as respiratory conditions and infections.1 Curcumin, one of the active compounds inside turmeric, may be best known for its anti-inflammatory activity, but research […]
Breastfeeding May Lower Risk of Mother Later Developing Hypertension
Node Smith, ND American Journal of Hypertension Supports Breastfeeding A recent study in the American Journal of Hypertension supports breastfeeding. Why? Because it has been linked to a lower risk of developing hypertension after menopause.1 The study associates women who breastfed more children, and for longer periods of time, as having a decreased risk of developing […]
Bedtime Smartphone Use May be Impacting Sleep and Nutrition
Node Smith, ND Cleaning up Nighttime Sleep Routines You may have heard that if you’re having trouble sleeping you shouldn’t look at a digital screen for at least an hour before bed. This is a common naturopathic recommendation, and simply one of a handful of recommendations for “sleep hygiene.” Sleep hygiene is how we “clean” […]
Sugar Drinks Linked to Childhood Asthma
Node Smith, ND The American Thoracic Society recently concluded in a study that children who consume large amounts of sugary beverages in early childhood, or their mothers drank these types of drinks while pregnant, may be at greater risk for developing asthma.1 Asthma is an increasingly common respiratory condition marked by a constriction of the […]
“Screen Addiction” + Warning Signs in Children
Node Smith, ND How vs How Much Many parents and caregivers are asking the question: “How much screen time is too much?” According to a recent study1 conducted at the University of Michigan, this may be the wrong question. The study suggests that how a child uses a device is far more important than how […]
How we are Loved Early on Impacts us for a Lifetime
Razi Berry Time Well Spent is Time Spent in the Present, Offering True Connection Some of my earliest and most profound memories of my father are of him simply looking at me. He worked a lot when I was young, and his one day off was in the middle of the week, so when I […]
Childhood Brain Injuries Could Lead to Future Alcohol Abuse
A new research study has investigated the link between traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in children and future alcohol abuse. The study concludes that there is supporting evidence that TBIs sustained in childhood increase the risk for alcohol abuse behavior as an adult.1 This is not research looking at alcohol’s role in causing TBIs, which is […]