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Full disclosure: We still believe in a balanced diet around here and that health begins on one’s plate. But it seems exercise is way more important than we thought. “Exercise affects every single system of the body. It’s not just your muscles and your cardiovascular system,” Marx de Salcedo declares on this episode of the mindbodygreen podcast. Her book includes a great deal of data and research on how exercise benefits various bodily functions....

In addition to keeping your peepers in tiptop shape, vitamin A also helps your immune system function at its best and keeps cells growing and developing as they should (and that’s not all, either).* Clearly, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes in order for your body to put the various forms of vitamin A you consume to work. When you consume retinol-containing animal foods, for example, the animal basically did one step of the process for you by converting the carotenoids they consumed from plants into that retinol form, notes Drake....

Her story echoes that of so many women suffering daily with endometriosis. But I believe it doesn’t have to be this way. It’s a condition where tissue that normally lines the uterus—called the endometrium—grows in other parts of the body where it’s not supposed to be, most commonly the abdominal cavity, where it can land on the intestinal lining, ovaries and fallopian tubes. This tissue is triggered by the same hormonal changes that trigger your period to come each month, causing this tissue to bleed as well....

Traditionally done in the morning to remove any debris that formed overnight, tongue scraping is an ancient practice that’s starting to gain modern appeal. Here are four reasons to add it to your daily routine: That’s because the scraping action of a tongue scraper collects these coatings (which can range in color from clear, white, yellow, or green, ick!) and removes them from the mouth in one fell swoop. While you can, of course, just use a toothbrush to brush the tongue, the unique shape of a tongue scraper helps it remove more bacteria per swipe1....

And then there’s the taste. According to Johnson, bilberries also have a stronger flavor profile than blueberries do. “They are more acidic, which gives them a tart and sour taste,” she adds. Jones adds that because anthocyanins and other polyphenols are supportive of healthy inflammatory responses, bilberries may help manage inflammation. “Poor inflammatory responses impact the heart, cognition, and mood, muscular function and recovery from exercise, nutrient metabolism and immune system function,” she says, “so in theory, bilberries could indirectly support all of those functions....

In 2023, that’s about to (and is already starting to) change, as the concept and personalized practice of metabolic flexibility and optimization are beginning to evolve and gain momentum. Cells make up tissues, which make up organs, which make up your body. I’m talking about your lungs taking deep breaths, heart pumping over a gallon of blood all through the body, gut digesting food and absorbing an array of nutrients, immune system mounting attacks against invading pathogens, neurons firing rapid signals throughout your nervous system, liver metabolizing and detoxifying countless compounds, muscles and ligaments holding us together and enabling us to move and be active, and so much more....

Over the years, I’ve noticed that many people approach manifestation from a place of “How can I get something to feel better?” Instead, the focus should be: “How can I feel better and therefore be an energetic match for attracting more greatness into my life?” The emphasis must be placed on healing the internal condition, not getting a hot new car or boyfriend. Universal assignments come in many forms. Maybe you’re guided to the relationship that brings up all your sh*t so that you have to finally heal your fear....

Within the realm of plant-based diets there are more specific types. A vegetarian diet excludes meat (poultry, beef, pork and the like), fish and seafood, but often includes eggs and dairy products (the term “lacto-ovo vegetarian” applies here). Some vegetarians eat honey too, whereas vegans do not. A vegan diet contains no animal-derived products whatsoever. A “pescetarian” diet refers to a plant-based diet that also includes fish and/or seafood, but no meat....

I say “brain” for a reason, because that voice talking is not you. That’s your 40,000-year-old brain doing what it was programmed to do. It was programmed to look for things that are wrong to keep you out of trouble. It’s a survival technique. But when your brain doesn’t see anything wrong in the world around you, it looks inward, and the result sounds like a nasty, awful roommate. All you have to do is learn to quiet your 40,000-year-old brain so that you can listen to it....

The film chronicles former UFC fighter James Wilks as he meets with scientists and top athletes around the world in an attempt to discover what the best diet for human health and performance really is. When we saw her cauliflower Buffalo “wingz,” we had to see what else she had to offer. So, that said, here are some of the best plant-based recipes by Morgan that are sure to satisfy....

On top of the mental side effects of COVID-19 and social isolation, seasonal changes (at the end of spring and fall) can exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety. The winter, in particular, leads to hibernation-like symptoms, which can manifest as overeating, oversleeping, and feeling withdrawn, to name a few. These mood shifts are biochemically related to the circadian rhythm, light, and temperature, so manipulating these resources can help manage the symptoms....

However, quinoa is not technically categorized as a cereal grain (which include oats, wheat, barley, rye, corn, rice, sorghum, and millet). Quinoa, along with amaranth and buckwheat, is a “pseudo-cereal grain” because it is not harvested from a cereal grass but instead from a tall leafy plant that is a relative of spinach, beets, and chard. Simply put, quinoa is a starchy seed with super health benefits! As with any packaged products, it is always important to read the label and choose a quality brand....

Although nuts are primarily made up of fats (mostly monounsaturated, omega-3, and omega-6), they also have a sufficient amount of protein, which is great news for anyone looking to diversify their protein profile (looking at you, wannabe plant-based eaters). Pecans come in at 2.6 grams of protein per ounce. While 2.6 grams of protein is nothing to write home about, pecans have the highest phytochemical concentration of flavonoids of all tree nuts2, and that has to count for something....

Over the course of a year, I lost 150 pounds. I was half the size I once was, and I’ve been able to maintain this weight loss for the last six years. These days, I truly feel like I hit the weight-loss jackpot. Here are some of the ways that I struck solid gold with my weight-loss journey (and how you can, too): I started out by examining what I was eating on a daily basis....

Maca is an adaptogen, meaning that it adapts to what the body needs and has a balancing effect. As a result, it helps to maintain equilibrium and balance stress levels. As an adaptogen, maca can also support hormone balance. Research has found that it can reduce hot flashes and night sweats1 in postmenopausal women. It can also help manage PMS symptoms. This superfood has a reputation as an aphrodisiac and fertility enhancer, too, and studies have demonstrated that it improves male libido and increases blood levels of pituitary hormones in women2....

As a result of this accident, I have spent nearly a decade with chiropractors, acupuncturists, orthopedists, osteopaths, and spinal specialists trying to find ways to alleviate the pain stemming from injuries in my cervical spine. Here are just a few tips and tricks that I have learned along the way. Also, think about rolling your shoulders down and together on your back any time you can. Good posture allows the neck to be in its ideal, least stressed position....

While it may not be easy, there is light on the other side of heartache, and a toolbox of healthy coping mechanisms can help you get there in one piece. Here, we asked experts to explain what heartache is really all about, plus how to deal with it. Here’s what they had to say. As licensed marriage and family therapist Shane Birkel, LMFT, explains, we’re naturally wired for relationships as human beings....

That doesn’t sound like a lot, but gather 1,000 people with vaginas in a room, and eight to 20 of them will have taken needle-to-netherbits. Here’s everything you need to know about the process, risks, and benefits of vaginal piercings. “Genital piercing” is the most commonly used industry term, and for people with vaginas, “vulva piercing” would be the most accurate description. The vulva is the external part of the genitalia, including the external clitoris, inner and outer labia, the vaginal opening, and the mons pubis—these are the areas where you can get a “vagina piercing....

While the base protein-packed white bean soup is a star on its own, author Jenny Rosenstrach (of the blog Dinner: A Love Story) thinks there’s something special about the extras. “As with many soups, this one is about the add-ons,” she writes, “Serving it with the three suggested toppings (croutons, pesto, scallions) will take this to the next level, but you’re still OK if you only have the time or sanity for the first two....

A fixed air sign ruled by Saturn in ancient astrology, and Uranus in modern astrology, Aquarius (called Kumbha in Vedic astrology) energy is eclectic, creative, and forward-thinking. It’s truly a sign ahead of the times, and Aquarians are always looking forward into the future with a cool, airy perspective. As such, they’re sometimes labeled as the archetypal outsiders or eclectics of the zodiac. Aquarius is represented by the Water Bearer—a figure emptying a jug of water....