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.
Brain training app increases the levels of cognition-improving neurochemical
A new study shows how a particular brain exercise can directly increase the production of acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is essential for the brain to effectively process memories and learning. Levels of acetylcholine in the brain have been seen to decrease with age, and concentrations are Read More...
Scientists discover enzyme that plays a key role in many inflammatory disorders
Overwhelming research shows that inflammation lies at the root of most degenerative diseases from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's to osteoarthritis and cancer. But what causes the inflammation? Researchers have identified one enzyme that plays a key role in a biological mechanism common to many Read More...
The relationship between germs, gut health, inflammation and Alzheimer's
The invention of sewage pipes increased our lifespan from 35 to 50. Antibiotics took us to an average lifespan of 75. Now we face the next health challenge: viruses and microbes that cause inflammation. Infection is at the root of all degenerative diseases from Alzheimer’s and cancer to Read More...
New powerful drug against malaria, scientists face one more challenge
Malaria is still a big killer in developing countries. In 2016, the disease claimed 455,000 lives and caused 216 million cases. A new drug has been approved that provides a potent, new weapon against malaria: it can wipe out the parasite from a person's body with a single dose. There’s still a Read More...
The power of turmeric: eye drops for glaucoma treatment
Many studies show that the spice turmeric is a powerful ingredient to reduce the inflammation that is the root cause of many degenerative diseases. The challenge is to get turmeric in the right amount in the right place in the body. The spice doesn’t dissolve easily in the bloodstream. Now Read More...
The first long term study shows that standing desks help people feel better
Sitting is the new smoking. And it doesn’t help much when you sit at your desk for a long day and then spend an hour at the gym. You need to get off your chair regularly. That’s where sit/stand desks come in. The first study following sit/stand desk users for over a year shows that people feel Read More...
‘Ultrasound waves can activate blood vessels, cure dementia without side effects’
Reduced blood flow is thought to trigger diseases like Alzheimer's due to brain cells not receiving the oxygen and nutrients they need for thinking, learning, and memory. Nerve cell death and damage are one of the main causes of dementia. A Japanese team of scientists has shown that ultrasound Read More...
Stress can cause depression, research suggests, and that points to a solution
Many studies show that inflammation in the brain and depression are linked. However, it’s not clear whether depression leads to inflammation or the other way around. In new research, it has been discovered how stress triggers an immune response in the brain that leads to inflammation and Read More...
Here are the best—and worst—cooking oils for your health
If cooking oil becomes too hot, it not only harms the flavor, but many of the nutrients in the oil degrade—and the oil will release harmful compounds called free radicals. So, it’s important to know which type of oil is best to use to sauté, bake and Read More...
Eat fish for a longer life, says 16-year study with 500,000 people
Research about the right healthy diet can be very confusing. But some trends like eating more vegetables, less meat and more fish are pretty consistent. A new 16-year study analyzed the data of almost half a million men and women and concludes that a diet rich in fish predicts a longer Read More...