Health
Finding good health news amidst a pandemic can be quite daunting. That’s not the case with The Optimist Daily, where positive news is in high supply. Our Health section covers the latest good news from the health sector, featuring solutions ranging from mental and physical health to immunity, nutrition, and cutting edge medical research.
Could AI help prompt doctors to have difficult discussions about death?
At the Optimist Daily, we’re always on the lookout for solutions—whether they may be for lighter issues like gardening, or for much heavier topics, like how we can best discuss how to prepare for death. Today, we’ll be touching upon the latter. The question of how and when to prepare for Read More...
BLM protests didn’t spike COVID cases. Here’s why and what we can learn from them
Preemptive reopening, poor tracing capabilities, a refusal to wear masks...the list of factors contributing to the new COVID-19 spike in the US is very long, but one thing that didn’t seem to contribute to rising case numbers were the Black Lives Matter protests. Why not? Let’s take a Read More...
5 ways to boost your microbiome this summer
There's no debating the importance of a healthy gut for overall well-being—and now, more than ever, staying in optimal health is top of mind for most people. Luckily, summer is a great time to get your microbiome in prime shape. As we enter these mid-summer days, here are some fantastic ways you Read More...
Three foods that may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes
Most cases of diabetes are type 2, and their prevalence is rising. Seeking to address the spread of the disease, researchers from Harvard and the University of Cambridge identified three key food groups that could lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Studying 9,754 people with type 2 diabetes, Read More...
Doctors in Rome successfully separate conjoined twins in rare surgery
This week, surgeons in Rome successfully separated two-year-old twins with a rare congenital defect. Twins Ervina and Previna's skulls were fused back-to-back and shared vital blood vessels — a condition that occurs around once in every 2 million births. The 18-hour operation took place at the Read More...
Oregon will officially vote on legalizing psychedelic psilocybin therapy
Back in August 2019, we published a small story about activists in Oregon working to decriminalize the use of magic mushrooms (psilocybin). Today, we’re here to tell you that these activists have taken a big step towards achieving their legalization goal. After more than a year of work and Read More...
Link between physics and neurodegenerative diseases offers hope for new treatments
Phase transition allows water vapor to condense into dew drops. This process is also what allows brain cells to constantly reorganize their inner machinery. In people with ALS and Alzheimer’s, this process is interrupted. This connection between physics and disease could provide vital clues for Read More...
Scientists find a way to heal badly broken bones with electricity
Healing a broken bone can be a lengthy — and painful — process. One way to speed it up? Add electricity. When bones are placed under pressure, they naturally produce a small electric current that encourages bone cell growth. Doctors have long taken advantage of this fact, using implants to Read More...
Give your pasta dish a health boost with these alternative noodles
Eating a healthy diet and having noodles for dinner aren’t mutually exclusive. These days, there are many varieties of noodles that will fill you with nutrients rather than just carbs. As a nutritionist and wellness expert, Frances Largeman-Roth R.D. has tried all kinds of healthy noodles and Read More...
Telehealth is booming in popularity and is now available for your pets
Telemedicine is booming during the pandemic. For simple aches, pains, and the common cold, an easy phone or video call appointment with your doctor can save you time, money, and the risk of leaving your home. But what about your pets? Fortunately, telehealth veterinary services are also here to Read More...