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Sunday, August 31, 2025

How Humidity Impacts Your Sleep

Have you ever wondered why the temperature can feel so different even when the thermometer shows the same number? That change in how we feel the temperature is often due to humidity. Humidity impacts our comfort level at any given temperature, and if it is too high or too low, it can disrupt our sleep.

Why Does It Feel So Humid at Night?
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night wondering why your bedroom feels so humid? Humidity is closely related to temperature. When the temperature decreases at night, the amount of water in the air increases because cooler air is unable to hold as much moisture.

Other Reasons for High Humidity
The geography, climate, and seasonal changes where you live also impact how much humidity you may experience, as do many household activities. Cooking, laundry, showers, and even the simple act of breathing all increase humidity indoors, especially in poorly ventilated areas.

How Humidity Affects Sleep Quality
When the humidity level is higher, it makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate, resulting in damp, sweaty sleep. This can cause discomfort, wake you up, and make you feel restless throughout the night. Allergies and asthma are often triggered because mold, bacteria, and dust mites favor high humidity. Ensuring you keep your bedding clean with a mattress protector can help prevent the effects of some of these irritants.

Even if the humidity level is not super high, we have much less control over adjusting to humidity and temperature changes while we’re sleeping. Our body temperature shifts throughout the night. So, while you may fall asleep comfortably under your covers, you may find that you wake up hot and sweaty a few hours later.

Low humidity can also have negative effects. During winter, or if you live in a cooler, drier climate, lower humidity can cause dryness of the skin, nose, eyes, and mouth, which can also harm your sleep quality.

How to Control Humidity
Thankfully, there are various ways to control humidity that can help create a better sleep environment.

  • Adjust the temperature of your bedroom: Since humidity is so closely related to temperature, adjusting the temperature to a comfortable setting at night is helpful.
  • Increase air circulation: Allowing for air circulation or ventilation, either by keeping a bedroom window or door open, can help combat humidity buildup.
  • Run a dehumidifier or humidifier: These inexpensive appliances can maintain proper levels of humidity in your bedroom as you sleep.
  • Invest in cooler bedding: Using sheets that offer cooling benefits or thermoregulating properties can help you sleep more comfortably.

Sources
“Dry Air Can Negatively Impact Your Health – Here’s What to Do about It.” Cleveland Clinic. health.clevelandclinic/can-best-combat-effects-dry-winter-air

“Humidity and Condensation.” Level: The Authority of Sustainable Building. level.org.nz/passive-design/controlling-indoor-air-quality/humidity-and-condensation/

“Humidity and Sleep.” Sleep Foundation. sleepfoundation/bedroom-environment/humidity-and-sleep

“Ventilating.” Britannica. britannica/technology/ventilating

The post How Humidity Impacts Your Sleep appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Perfect Vegan Potato Salad: Creamy, Easy & Ready In 30 Minutes!

Tender chunks of potatoes in a yummy creamy dressing, with just the right amount of crunch and tanginess! This Vegan Potato Salad is easy to make — ahead of time too — making it the perfect option for picnics, barbecues and potlucks.

Bowl of creamy vegan potato salad with chunks of tender potatoes, celery, red onions, and dill pickles in a tangy mayonnaise dressing

This vegan potato salad delivers all the creamy, tangy flavors you crave with tender waxy potatoes, crisp vegetables, and a perfectly seasoned egg-free dressing. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s your new go-to side dish for any gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Potato Salad

I don’t think I’ve ever actually met anyone who didn’t like potato salad – and I don’t think I’ve ever met a potato salad I didn’t like either! Although I must confess that I have a sweet spot for the classic version, with tender chunks of perfectly cooked potatoes swimming in a creamy, tangy dressing that’s brightened with crunchy celery and tangy dill pickles.

But you know what? As simple a dish as potato salad can be, it’s still fairly easy to mess things up. But with just a few very simple pointers, you’ll be able to avoid common mistakes and learn how to get it perfectly right, every single time!

(more…)

The post Perfect Vegan Potato Salad: Creamy, Easy & Ready In 30 Minutes! appeared first on THF.



* This article was originally published here

Monday, August 25, 2025

Get In Shape: 4 Ways To Start A Home Gym

It doesn’t have to be complicated. The marvels of modern shopping make it easy to get the right equipment, either new or used, into your home for your fitness needs. But it still takes willpower and dedication to adhere to a workout schedule. Here are some suggested basic items for building a simple home gym:

  1. Yoga mat: This low-cost purchase can be used for everything from Pilates, yoga, and tai chi to basic stretching. This can also be used to help support the knees when exercises require lunges down to a knee or balance on one or both knees.
  2. Resistance bands and a set of hand weights: A variety of thicknesses of elastic exercise bands and a set of 2-, 5- and 8-pound weights should be adequate. Aim higher if you can do 12 to 15 reps without much effort. Also consider bodyweight exercise straps that can mount to the ceiling or doorway for a full body challenge.
  3. Fitness DVDs or streaming classes: Regardless of which route you take, be sure to get a broad selection to help focus on different muscle groups and prevent boredom. Online classes can be free or paid for by the class or in bulk.  Try a few out and see which ones you like best, then add them to your workout calendar to help keep you on track. Set up your screen near your workout area for easy access. If you have children at home, get them involved by having them “join” your class with you.
  4. Treadmill, elliptical trainer or recumbent bicycle: The stationary recumbent bicycle is especially good if you are overweight, dealing with knee or hip issues or looking for a good way to perform high intensity intervals with low injury risk. While these can all be expensive purchases, they are likely to be more cost effective than a gym membership – if you use them! Look for secondhand equipment; just make sure the machine you like runs smoothly and relatively quietly. If cost is prohibitive either way, schedule in time for free cardio: walk up and down any stairs in your home (or elsewhere), and go for a daily walk.

The post Get In Shape: 4 Ways To Start A Home Gym appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Thursday, August 21, 2025

3 Reasons Vitamin B1 Helps To Keep Your Body Functioning Smoothly

B vitamins support adrenal function (the glands that produce hormones that play a role in controlling blood sugar, burning fat and protein, and regulating blood pressure), calm and maintain a healthy nervous system, promote key metabolic processes, and turn starch and sugar into energy by acting as a cofactor for the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Vitamin B1, more commonly known as thiamin, influences a variety of physiological functions, including:

  1. Nervous system and muscle functioning
  2. Carbohydrate metabolism
  3. Healthy digestion

Good dietary sources of thiamin include legumes (beans, lentils), pasture-raised beef and pork, brewer’s yeast, steel-cut or rolled oats, rice bran and wheat germ, whole milk, nuts, seeds and oranges.

Try these recipes that provide B1:

I recommend taking thiamin daily as part of a B-complex supplement that contains the full spectrum of all of the B vitamins.

The post 3 Reasons Vitamin B1 Helps To Keep Your Body Functioning Smoothly appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Sunday, August 17, 2025

4 Tips For A Naturally Clean Home

Looking for a cost-effective, safe way to keep your home clean, naturally? Ditch the overpriced, artificially scented cleaners and try these four common household items:

  1. Olive oil: Use it to lubricate and polish wood furniture. Simply mix three parts olive oil to one part vinegar, or two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice to add a refreshing and clean aroma.
  2. Potatoes: Halved potatoes can remove rust from baking pans or tinware – dip the potato in salt before scrubbing or follow with a salt scrub.
  3. White vinegar: There are plenty of uses for this household mainstay: It cleans linoleum floors and glass (from windows and mirrors to shower doors) when mixed with water and a little liquid soap (castile or vegetable); cuts grease, removes stains and soap scum, and cleans toilets – you may add a bit of baking soda if you like. It can also be used as an antibacterial and deodorizer – pour undiluted vinegar down drains once a week, or add to water in a spray bottle to kill mold and mildew.
  4. Bonus Product: Tea tree oil. A useful alternative to chemical products, add 50 drops of this essential oil (found at health food stores) to a bucket of water to clean countertops and tile floors, and add it directly to vinegar/water solutions for its antibacterial properties, which are useful for killing mold and mildew in kitchens and bathrooms.

The post 4 Tips For A Naturally Clean Home appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Sleeping While Traveling

Whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure (or a little bit of both), we all know the effects of traveling long distances can really take a toll on our quality of sleep. But did you also know that too much travel fatigue and frequent jet lag can have long-term impacts on your overall health? So the next time you find yourself packing your bags, make sure you’ve also prepared to keep your body rested and at ease before, during, and after your trip.

Travel Fatigue vs. Jet Lag
Have you ever found yourself on a road trip wondering why your body is so exhausted? This most likely is due to travel fatigue. Travel fatigue can be caused by a number of different physical and/or mental stressors that occur while you’re traveling such as fears and anxieties around travel, motion sickness, longer periods of time seated, pressurized cabins, different schedules, diets, or weather, and many other aspects related to traveling. One of the biggest differences between travel fatigue and jet lag is that travel fatigue can happen during any mode of traveling and does not have to involve a time zone change.

Jet lag occurs when a person travels in the air across multiple time zones, which throws off their circadian rhythm. Our circadian rhythms are crucial in telling our bodies when we should and shouldn’t be at rest, so when that is thrown off by a time zone change, our bodies experience exhaustion, insomnia, disorientation, and mood swings that can oftentimes interrupt our day-to-day schedules and lives. While jet lag is a term many of us are familiar with and have even experienced, many people are unaware of its impact. While jet lag is a temporary sleep problem, its effects can become chronic if the circadian rhythm is out of sync long enough. This is most often found in regular travelers such as pilots, flight attendants, politicians, businesspeople, and athletes who are frequently traveling across time zones.

Traveling Sleep Tips
To combat the effects of travel fatigue and jet lag, it’s important to prepare and adjust before, during, and after your travels. Start by making a plan for when you can sleep and how much you’ll need to adapt:

  • Before your trip, focus on getting a few nights of quality sleep so that you’re not already sleep-deprived.
  • Approximately three days before your trip, start slowly adjusting your bedtime back or forward an hour at a time to adjust to a new time zone.
  • If your trip is two days or less, try sticking to your normal sleep schedule as much as possible.
  • If you are landing at night local time, try to avoid sleeping on the plane so that you can sleep upon arrival. If you’re arriving during the day, sleep as much as you can during the flight so that you can stay awake as long as possible.

Keep in mind the accommodations you’ll have both during your flight and during your stay. Here are a few things you may want to pack with you just in case:

  • It may be helpful to bring an eye mask to help you sleep on planes or in a lighter room.
  • If you’re sleeping in a place you’re unfamiliar with for an extended period of time, it may be helpful to bring your own bedding for quality, comfortable rest.
  • A quality mattress and pillow protector can help you feel clean and protected on a bed that isn’t your own.

Finally, allow yourself to plan as much as possible beforehand so that you combat extra stressors and avoid additional symptoms of jet lag and travel fatigue. Here are a few additional tips that may be helpful:

  • Even if your body is feeling tired, try to reduce or avoid caffeine when you travel as this can disrupt your sleep even more.
  • If you’re having trouble falling asleep, a deep breathing exercise can be beneficial.
  • Try to eat healthy and exercise regularly during your trip. Even though we may prefer to “treat” ourselves while traveling, a healthy diet and exercise can help make up for jet lag and travel fatigue.
  • Keep checklists to reduce stress before and during your trip.
  • If possible, give yourself time to recover after your trip before jumping back into your busy schedules.

Sources

“6 Tips for Better Sleep When You Travel.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. hopkinsmedicine/health/wellness-and-prevention/6-tips-for-better-sleep-when-you-travel

“How to Travel the World Without Jet Lag.” National Library of Medicine. ncbi.nlm.nih/pmc/articles/PMC2829880/

“Jet Lag: Navigating Symptoms, Causes, & Prevention.” Sleep Foundation. sleepfoundation/travel-and-sleep/jet-lag

“Travel and Sleep.” American Thoracic Society. thoracic/patients/patient-resources/resources/travel-and-sleep.pdf

“Travel and Sleep.” Sleep Foundation. sleepfoundation/travel-and-sleep

The post Sleeping While Traveling appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Friday, August 15, 2025

3 Reasons To Eat More Green Beans

A childhood favorite, green beans are one of only a handful of varieties of beans that can be eaten fresh or only lightly cooked. In addition to their crunchy texture and pleasantly mild taste, green beans are a good source of vitamins K, C, A and manganese, as well as fiber. Adding green beans to your daily fare can help to:

  1. Promote strong bones.
  2. Protect against heart disease.
  3. Prevent colon cancer.

Green beans also have anti-inflammatory effects and support immune health. When choosing, look for organic beans that are green, plump and crisp, and keep the cooking times to a minimum to preserve nutrients. Unwashed beans can be stored in the refrigerator for about one week.

Try greens beans in this True Food Kitchen restaurant exclusive recipe, French Bean Salad.

The post 3 Reasons To Eat More Green Beans appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Heart Health& B3

  • Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, plays many vital roles in the body:
    1. It lowers harmful cholesterol levels while raising the more protectiveHDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. Some studies show a cardiovascular risk reductioneffect as the HDL level rises. Being sure to incorporate regular exercise and healthy fats like olive oil, avocado and nuts will help keepHDL up as well.
    2. It may reduce the incidence of asthma-induced wheezing.
    3. It may be helpful in treating or preventing atherosclerosis, second heart attacks, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoarthritis.

    Chicken breast, tuna and veal are good dietary sources of niacin as are truly whole grains.

The post Heart Health& B3 appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Why Chia Should Be Part Of Your Healthy Diet

Perhaps best known as the source of “fur” on novelty planters called Chia Pets, chia is the highly nutritious seed of a desert plant called Salvia hispanica. An important part of the diet of ancient Aztecs and Mayans, chia seed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vital minerals including calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

It has a nutty flavor and gives some added consistency to your foods – try sprinkling whole or ground seeds on cereal, yogurt or salads, or grind and mix them with flour when baking. Chia is undergoing a well-deserved renaissance and is widely available online and in natural food stores. Seek out organic versions and experiment on all kinds of foods – you’ll likely find it a tasty addition to your diet!

The post Why Chia Should Be Part Of Your Healthy Diet appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Monday, August 11, 2025

Can Coconut Oil Be Unhealthy?

While I am increasingly persuaded that consuming modest amounts (no more than two tablespoons daily) of natural saturated fats such as virgin coconut oil is not hazardous, I still recommend extra-virgin olive oil, nuts or avocados as the main sources of fat in the diet. The bottom line is that coconut oil is 82 percent saturated fat and may be as bad for your heart as other oils high in saturated fat, such as butter, beef fat, and palm oil – all of which should be consumed in moderation, as excess saturated fat may raise levels of Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and LDL cholesterol which increase cardiovascular risk.

While it is possible that coconut oil is less harmful than other saturated fats, I use it more on my skin than I do in my diet. Although I prefer skin care products with natural anti-inflammatory activity, some components of coconut oil have been studied for their benefits to both skin and hair. The lauric acid found in coconut oil is available in a wide variety of skin and hair care products, including body and facial cleansers, soap and sunscreens. Clinical research supports the safety of these products in general, and the utility of coconut oil to help moisturize skin in particular.

The post Can Coconut Oil Be Unhealthy? appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Sunday, August 10, 2025

3 Reasons You Should Be Eating Tomatoes This Summer

This fruit, which many consider to be a vegetable due to its lack of sweetness, is a seasonal staple. Chopped in salads, sliced with fresh buffalo mozzarella, pureed for gazpacho or eaten fresh off the vine, a ripe tomato in summertime is a delicious and healthful treat. Tomatoes are:

  1. Low in calories.
  2. Excellent sources of vitamin C, and provide vitamins A and K, potassium, manganese and fiber.
  3. A source of lycopene – researchers have linked the lycopene (a carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red color) with a lowered risk of heart disease and cancers, including those of the prostate, breast, colon and lung, as well as being helpful in lowering high cholesterol. To get the tomatoes with the most lycopene content, choose smaller sized ones with the darkest red color.

To get the full health benefit of tomatoes, especially their lycopene-driven and anti-cancer potential, keep in mind that carotenoids are fat-soluble and are better absorbed into the body when eaten lightly cooked and paired with healthy, monounsaturated fats such as extra-virgin olive oil.

The post 3 Reasons You Should Be Eating Tomatoes This Summer appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Can Certain Foods Be Bad For The Thyroid?

If thyroid health is of concern to you, you should be aware of the foods that contain natural goitrogens. These chemicals can cause the thyroid gland to enlarge by interfering with thyroid hormone synthesis. Common food goitrogens include cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower (corn, sweet potatoes and lima beans are other sources). If you eat generous amounts of cruciferous veggies (which ideally should be the case!), you can inactivate much of the goitrogens by cooking them – try lightly steaming them, so you can retain the benefits of the antioxidant and cancer-protective effects cruciferous vegetables offer. The bottom line is that I believe it is far better to eat a wide variety of these healthful veggies regularly than avoid them, especially when preparing them cooked.

Another goitrogen source may be soy. Excess consumption of soy can affect thyroid function, but is generally only a problem in those taking levothyroxine or other thyroid replacement medication. If you are on such medication, tell your doctor how much soy you consume so your dosage can be adjusted, if necessary. You should also know that if you eat soy foods at the same time that you take thyroid hormone, they may directly interfere with its absorption. To be safe, do not eat soy within three hours of taking your medication. Moderate soy consumption should not be a problem – that means one serving a day of whole, organic soy products, such as one cup of soy milk or a half cup of tofu, soy protein (tempeh), or crispy soy nuts.

Overall, use the moderation rule with these very healthy foods. Avoiding them completely means you miss out on the beneficial compounds and fibers, so find a balance that does not overdo it, and make them a consistent and regular part of your diet. Keep your healthcare provider updated though, and have your labs measured regularly so that your thyroid hormone levels and medications can be balanced properly.

The post Can Certain Foods Be Bad For The Thyroid? appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here