There are trillions of tiny organisms living inside your gut right now—and they may be influencing your emotions more than you think. Section 1: What Is the Microbiome? Microbes are tiny living things that are usually too small to see without a microscope. They can be found everywhere on Earth and living inside our bodies. Main Types of Microbes Bacteria: Single-celled organisms with no nucleus that live almost everywhere. Viruses: Tiny infectious agents that need a host cell

Vitamin D is important during the teenage years because it helps the body absorb calcium, which is needed to build strong bones (National Institutes of Health [NIH], Office of Dietary Supplements, 2025). One national study found that about 9% of children and young people ages 1 to 21 were vitamin D deficient, representing about 7.6 million people at the time of the study (Kumar et al., 2009). Adolescence is an important period of bone development. During these years, bones gr

By Kat Pachas BSN, RN Imagine never knowing whether your next meal or a stressful day will throw your gut into chaos. For millions of women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), this happens every day. They deal with unpredictable waves of cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea (6, 9, 17). For them, these symptoms can feel like they have a mind of their own. IBS is very common, affecting 10–20% of the global population. Women are up to th

For many people, caffeine is part of their daily routine, whether it comes from coffee, tea, energy drinks, or other products. While it is best known for increasing alertness, caffeine can affect several systems throughout the body. How Caffeine Affects the Brain Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, meaning it acts directly on the brain to promote alertness and reduce feelings of tiredness. Moderate amounts may also support processing speed and memory. However, con

Walking into a supermarket and shopping for healthy groceries can be a challenging process for many people, as many shelves are stocked with foods that are convenient, affordable, and ready to eat. Foods such as packaged snacks, sodas, instant noodles, sugary cereals, and certain frozen meals fall into a category known as ultra-processed foods. They are derived from natural food sources that contain industrial additives, flavorings, and synthetic ingredients to make the food

Memory and thinking can change gradually with age and cognitive impairment. Researchers are studying whether factors such as vitamin D status may influence brain health, but current evidence does not show that high-dose vitamin D can prevent or reverse cognitive decline. Introduction Vitamin D is best known for helping maintain healthy bones and muscles. In recent years, researchers have also been asking whether it may play a role in brain health, particularly as people age.

You may go on social media one night before you go to sleep as a 14-year-old kid who recently got into the gym, and you see another 14-year-old benching 405 pounds like it’s air. You try to remember what you were benching earlier today. “Dang, 135. I am so behind.” This exact thought is present in so many young lifters today who are among the fitness community, and there is a large issue that has developed as a consequence, which is performance-enhancing drugs, unapproved pep

Image by jcomp on Magnific Have you ever wondered the link between what you eat and how you feel? Next time when you stop at a fast food joint for lunch, pay attention to how your body feels after. The link between what you eat and how you feel has been extensively explored. To understand how the pendulum shifts towards a diseased state, it is important to consider the contribution of diet to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a significant contributor of the onset

What is Lactoferrin? Lactoferrin is a naturally occurring iron-binding protein found in the milk of mammals, with the highest concentrations present in colostrum and breast milk. It is also found in saliva, tears, and other bodily fluids and is produced by immune cells throughout the body, where it plays an important role in the body’s natural defense system. Its ability to bind iron is responsible for many of its actions. Because of its wide range of biological functions

Did you know a human body weighing 110 pounds contains the equivalent of 40 teaspoons of sodium chloride, or salt? (1) Our bodies maintain a narrow window of “normal” when it comes to sodium levels. Health problems can arise when sodium levels become lower or higher than the normal range. Older adults sometimes have health conditions that can cause difficulty maintaining a normal sodium blood level. Figure 1. Saltshaker spilling salt on a table. (1) What Is Hyponatremia

You cannot directly "add" synovial fluid from the outside, but you can improve its quality, quantity, and lubricating function through movement, nutrition, and supporting the physiological healing of the synovium. [1] Keep the Joints Moving Why is Movement Important for Joints? Synoviocytes constantly produce synovial fluid in response to joint mechanical loading, which can arise from compression and shear forces. Synovial joints work on a pumping mechanism; every time the jo

Although, easier said than done, running provides many benefits. It improves coordination and exercises your heart. Which is often overlooked because many forget it even is a muscle just because one can't visibly see it. As they would with their arms or maybe even their legs or glutes. However, running strengthens not only your skeletal muscles but also your heart, making it more efficient at pumping blood and supporting long-term cardiovascular health But what are some ways

By : Linda Boone BSN, RN You’ve started your weight-loss journey. Your stomach has finally settled, the constant cravings have quieted, your waistline is shrinking, and the number on the scale keeps moving in the right direction. Everything seems to be going exactly as planned-until you notice something unexpected. The hairbrush is fuller, the shower drain is collecting more strands than usual, and your once-thick ponytail feels noticeably thinner. Now, instead of celebratin

A pile of plastic trash; picture courtesy of Unsplash Microplastics have been found in varying amounts within many tissues and organs of the human body. There are many theories detailing the possible link between microplastics exposure and the development of inflammation, hormone disturbances, and increased risk of chronic illnesses. Understanding the effects of microplastics exposure and its possible effects on the human body are critical in assisting people in making choic

Postprandial somnolence, commonly referred to as a "food coma" or the "post-lunch dip," is the transient state of drowsiness and lethargy that occurs following a meal. This physiological response is characterized by a measurable increase in sleepiness, which typically peaks one to two hours after eating. The intensity of this effect correlates positively with meal size and caloric density; larger, energy-rich meals tend to produce more pronounced somnolence.

Image by Kampus on Magnific Vitamin D: What is it and why do we need it? Vitamin D is a vital nutrient needed by your body for maintaining good health. It helps your body absorb calcium and keeps your bones strong. The combination of calcium and vitamin D is important to prevent osteoporosis, a condition that thins and weakens the bones making them more likely to break. Vitamin D is also important for nerve function and strong immunity. What are the sources of Vitamin D? Ther

Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually, with changes in the body occurring years before blood sugar levels reach the threshold for diagnosis. One of the earliest and most significant of these changes is insulin resistance, a condition in which the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, the hormone responsible for helping glucose move from the bloodstream into cells for energy. As a result, the pancreas must produce increasing amounts of insulin to keep blood sugar

By: Jonique George Introduction There’s a popular saying: “you are what you eat”. In many ways, this saying rings true. It’s been well established that a healthy diet can aid in the circumvention of various diseases. But wouldn’t it be nice if our diets could have a positive impact on mental health as well? Sure, eating a chocolate chip cookie when you’re sad usually makes the day seem a little brighter, but scientists are now investigating whether certain foods can actually

Water makes up 50–70% of human body weight and is essential for every bodily function. This paper reviews the potential health benefits of distributing water consumption evenly throughout the day, based on current physiological evidence and reliable medical guidelines. Contrary to popular claims, there is no conclusive evidence proving that drinking water “every hour” is superior to drinking when thirsty in healthy individuals. However, adopting a regular schedule can be bene

Intermittent fasting has gained more and more popularity over the last decade as a tool to become healthier. However, new research has shown that intermittent fasting may not have as many benefits as we think it does. What is Intermittent Fasting? Intermittent fasting has many different types. Typically, it refers to fasting in one time period and eating normally in another. The most popular type is the 16:8 window. This is when you fast for 16 hours and eat normally in the