Oct
A preliminary study in JAMA Internal Medicine reported that older women in Spain who ate a traditional Mediterranean diet enhanced with extra-virgin olive oil were less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer. The breast cancer study was bootstrapped onto a landmark clinical trial in Spain called Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea (PREDIMED). In 2013, the first results […]
Oct
Longan fruit is a common Chinese herb prescribed to women for its blood warming and beautifying effect. The fresh fruit is juicy and sweet with a round black shiny seed inside surrounded by white succulent pulp. Because the fruit resembles the eye of legendary dragon, hence the fruit is named “Dragon’s eye” in China. Dried […]
Oct
Did you know that the perfect training partner could be one who can offer you emotional support, rather than strictly practical? The benefits of exercising with a partner (or even a larger group) have long been discussed. From the motivational benefits to the opportunity to learn new techniques and making sure you never miss a session – all […]
Oct
Dieters who go vegetarian not only lose weight more effectively than those on conventional low-calorie diets but also improve their metabolism by reducing muscle fat, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. The study was conducted by the researchers at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington DC. […]
Sep
Back in college years, I went through a “red hair” phase – I was fascinated by my friend’s warm red hair gleaming beautifully in the sunlight and had decided to dye my naturally black hair to red. That was the first time I used a chemical dye – I could still remember the chocking chemical […]
Sep
Recent studies have shown that physical exercise seems to prevent cognitive impairment and dementia in old age. However, how exactly exercise affects brain metabolism therefore affects the incidence of dementia is unknown. In order to understand why, gerontologists and sports physicians at Goethe University Frankfurt examined the effects of regular exercise on brain metabolism and […]
As a scientist myself, it is bothersome to see misconceptions going around without a solid scientific base. “Saturated fat” has long been blamed for the increase of the cardiovascular disease—and it turned out that trans-fat, a compound produced in mass through the commercial production in order to stabilize vegetable oil for the sake of modern […]