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.
15 science-based benefits of vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for optimal health. Only a handful of foods contain significant amounts of this vitamin. These include fatty fish, organ meats, certain mushrooms and fortified foods. However, unlike other vitamins that you can only get through your diet, vitamin Read More...
Malaria mortality rates have fallen drastically, new vaccine shows promise
Since 2000, malaria mortality rates have fallen by 66% among all ages groups and by 71% among children under five in Africa. The massive drop is a testament to the hard work of malaria prevention workers, but there is still much work to be done to rid the world of the disease. A new vaccine Read More...
Omega-3 fatty acids linked to lower risk of heart disease
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish and dietary supplements are associated with lower odds of heart disease even in people already at elevated risk because of excessive levels of fats or bad cholesterol in their blood, a research review suggests. The American Heart Association recommends eating at least Read More...
The data are in: Eat right, avoid diabetes
Here’s a new medical study with a conclusion that might just change your life: eat healthy. Sure, you’ve heard it before, but this time the benefit is the prevention of diabetes. That’s a big deal, especially if, like so many other people. you are at risk for the disease. More on Read More...
Researchers discover cancer-killing mechanism in Indian pepper plant
Researchers have uncovered cancer fighting properties in a spicy Indian pepper plant called the long pepper. Suspected of having medicinal properties for thousands of years, researchers have now found that a chemical within the long pepper called piperlongumine (PL) can silence a gene that is often Read More...
Living near heavy traffic increases dementia risk, say scientists
People living near a busy road have an increased risk of dementia, according to research that adds to concerns about the impact of air pollution on human health. Roughly one in 10 cases of Alzheimer’s in urban areas could be associated with living amid heavy traffic, the study estimated Read More...
Buy this container for $50,000 and start growing enough food for 150 people
Along with clean energy and water systems, an off-the-grid community needs a way to produce enough food for all its members. The Farm From a Box, complete with solar-powered electrical system, WiFi, and much more can help any off-the-grid village do just that. The portable container costs $50,000, Read More...
Forget survival of the fittest: it is kindness that counts
Why do people do good things? Is kindness hard-wired into the brain, or does this tendency arise via experience? Or is goodness some combination of nature and nurture? Dacher Keltner, director of the Berkeley Social Interaction Laboratory, investigates these questions from multiple angles, and Read More...
Omega-3 supplements can help prevent childhood asthma, study finds
Science News from research organizations Date: Source: University of Waterloo Summary: Taking certain omega-3 fatty acid supplements during pregnancy can reduce the risk of childhood asthma by almost one third, according to a new study. Share: FULL STORY Taking certain omega-3 fatty acid Read More...
Scientists manipulate brain activity to boost confidence
What does confidence look like in the brain? And can we use this information to help boost confidence in those who suffer from low self-esteem or self-doubt? A new study sheds light on these questions with a new brain-scanning technique that can read and amplify the brainwaves of a high-confidence Read More...