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Showing posts with label health tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health tips. Show all posts

Friday, September 12, 2025

4 Reasons To Eat Garlic For Your Health

  • Garlic is more than a culinary mainstay that can add flavor to meals; it is a natural, traditional medicine that has antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Research indicates regular consumption of garlic may:
    1. Alter how cholesterol is metabolized in the body, making it less likely to oxidize which is the most concerning aspect of cholesterol as it relates to plaque and heart disease risk.
    2. Lower blood pressure and risk of clot formation, thus reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack.
    3. Combat respiratory infections such as common colds and sore throats.
    4. Reduce fungal or yeast infections.

    Eating raw garlic after it has been chopped or mashed releases the herb’s full potential. That’s because the active component, allicin, forms only on contact with air. I suggest chopping garlic and letting it sit for 10 minutes to get the full health-giving potential. Garlic loses its antibiotic properties when you cook or dry it, and commercial garlic capsules do not preserve the full activity of the fresh bulb.

    You can make raw garlic more palatable by chopping it fine, mixing it with food and eating it with a meal, or cut a clove into chunks, allow to sit for 10 minutes and swallow them whole like pills.

    Try these appetizers featuring garlic:

The post 4 Reasons To Eat Garlic For Your Health appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

8 Signs Of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer remains the second most common cause of death from cancer among men, and the American Cancer Society predicts an estimated 299,010new cases for 2024, an increase of over 100K from 2020. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases significantly after the age of 65, and one in nine men will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

Many cases of prostate cancer are discovered during routine blood work that reveals an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level – a possible indicator of prostate cancer. If you have any of the following symptoms, it could be an indication of concern and should prompt you to contact your physician:

  1. Frequent urges to urinate, especially at night
  2. Difficulty starting urination or stopping mid-stream
  3. Weak or interrupted urinary flow
  4. Painful or burning urination
  5. Erectile dysfunction
  6. Painful ejaculation
  7. Blood in urine or semen
  8. Recurrent, persistent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs

Learn how to prevent prostate cancer and other men’s health concerns.

The post 8 Signs Of Prostate Cancer appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* 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

Saturday, August 2, 2025

3 Reasons New Yorkers Live Longer

According to the New York City Department of Health, a New Yorker born in 2004 can expect to live 78.6 years, nine months longer than the average American. Add this to the fact that the life expectancy of New Yorkers is lengthening faster than that of other Americans, and it’s worth taking a look at some reasons why:

  1. Less smoking. The city’s wide-ranging smoking ban of 2003 is estimated to have decreased deaths attributable to smoking by 10 percent.
  2. Healthier food options. New York (like other large cities) attracts a critical mass of people who demand fresh, organic or otherwise superior food choices. There are also a large number of farmer’s markets to increase access to locally grown produce and sustainably raised animal protein.
  3. Walking. Perhaps most importantly, New Yorkers walk far more than do most suburban Americans, or even residents of other large cities (perhaps due to the fact that New York’s high-density urban amenities make walking uniquely viable for shopping, commuting and other daily tasks). They also tend to walk faster.

The good news is you don’t have to move to New York to avail yourself of these advantages. Anyone, anywhere, can decide to stop smoking, walk more and seek out healthy whole foods. The number of farmers’ markets has doubled in the last decade, and demand on grocery stores has increased their offerings making fresh produce more available everywhere. It is also likely that replicating these three advantages in your personal environment could provide additional advantages beyond New Yorkers due to less exposure to pollution and the stress of big city living.

The post 3 Reasons New Yorkers Live Longer appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

How To Perform the 4-7-8 Breath To Relieve Unhealthy Stress

Including breath work into your daily routine can lower stress and improve overall health. The 4-7-8 (Relaxing) Breath can help: it is utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no special equipment, and can be done anywhere. Although you can do the exercise in any position, sit with your back straight while learning the exercise. Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth and keep it there through the entire exercise. You will be exhaling through your mouth around your tongue; try pursing your lips slightly if this seems awkward.

  • Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
  • Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
  • Hold your breath for a count of seven.
  • Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
  • This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

Note that you always inhale quietly through your nose and exhale audibly through your mouth. The tip of your tongue stays in position the whole time. Exhalation takes twice as long as inhalation. The absolute time you spend on each phase is not important; the ratio of 4:7:8 is important. If you have trouble holding your breath, speed the exercise up but keep to the ratio of 4:7:8 for the three phases. With practice you can slow it all down and begin inhaling and exhaling more and more deeply.

The post How To Perform the 4-7-8 Breath To Relieve Unhealthy Stress appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Friday, May 9, 2025

The Dirty Dozen Plus: Foods You Should Only Buy Organic

Eating fresh produce is the best way to obtain the nutrients that support optimum health, but the pesticides used on many crops remain a major health concern. By choosing organic foods, you can reap the health benefits of fruits and vegetables without exposing yourself and your family to potentially harmful chemicals. Pesticides present real health risks, particularly to children and those with health concerns. The toxicity most commonly associated with pesticides in animal studies include disruptions in the normal functioning of the nervous and hormone systems, as well as increased risks of cancer.

As part of my support of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and their recently updated Shopper’s Guide, I am presenting the newest “Dirty Dozen Plus” list – produce you should buy only in organically grown form. This includes both their fresh and frozen forms. According to EWG, common growing practices make the crops listed below the most likely to contain higher pesticide residues:

The Dirty Dozen Plus (2024)

  • Strawberries
  • Spinach
  • Kale, collard, mustard greens
  • Grapes
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Nectarines
  • Apples
  • Bell and hot peppers
  • Cherries
  • Blueberries
  • Green Beans
    + Potatoes

Also find out what foods are acceptable to eat when non-organically farmed, in the most recent Clean 15 list.

 

The post The Dirty Dozen Plus: Foods You Should Only Buy Organic appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Sunday, May 4, 2025

How Daily Habits Impact Your Sleep

A healthy night’s rest starts way before your head hits the pillow. Establishing essential habits throughout your daily routine won’t just help you feel healthier throughout the day, it will also help you sleep better through the night.

Diet

Something that has a huge impact on our sleep is our diet. Specific foods can have a huge effect on our body’s ability to get deep, restful sleep, and when our bodies are lacking key nutrients, it is much harder to get the quality sleep we need. Some foods that can help improve your overall quality of sleep include fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Avoid eating spicy, fried, and acidic foods as well as alcohol and caffeine too close to bedtime.

Another important aspect that your diet has on your sleep is when you eat. Try sticking to a consistent dinner schedule to help follow your set bedtime and ensure that your food is fully digested so you can fall asleep easily and stay asleep through the night.

Exercise

Exercising not only has numerous health benefits for our bodies, but it also helps your body produce melatonin, making it easier to fall asleep at night with the additional benefit of helping prevent acid reflux. Exercising also helps reduce stress, which is one of the key inhibitors when it comes to getting quality sleep. It has been found that exercising in the morning, soon after waking up, can have some of the best sleep-enhancing benefits. But remember, exercising at any point in the day is better for your sleep quality than no exercise at all.

Preparing Your Sleep Space

Before slipping under the covers, it’s also important that your sleep space is set up in a way that supports your sleep needs. Follow these tips to help ensure your sleep space is serving you in a positive way:

  • Prepare your room for bed: Making sure your room is cool and dark will help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night.
  • Reserve your bed for sleep: While many of us love a good lie in bed, ensuring your bed is just for sleep is another way to signal to your body that it’s time to unwind.
  • Protect yourself from allergens: Utilizing a mattress and pillow protector can create a barrier between you and allergens, allowing you to breathe and sleep peacefully.
  • Choose comfortable, quality bedding: Covering yourself with bedding that is supportive, comfortable, and natural can help you get the quality sleep you need.

Bedtime Routine

Having a consistent bedtime routine is also a great way to improve your overall sleep quality. Because our bodies react so strongly to habits, sticking to a routine each night can help signal to your body that it’s time to relax and get ready for bed.

Beyond your evening shower, nightly tea, or book in bed, an important part of your nighttime routine is clearing your mind. The stress buildup of the day creates a huge hindrance to our ability to both fall asleep and get the deep, restful sleep we need. Journaling and goal setting can be great ways to rid your mind of the day’s stressors and help you avoid overthinking before bed. Additionally, meditation and deep breathing help your mind and body relax and prepare for slumber. The 4-7-8 breathing technique is a great way to calm your mind and help you fall asleep.

Sources
“Bedtime Routine for Adults.” Community Health Network. https://mychn.org/bedtime-routine-for-adults/

  1. “Get Moving to Get Better Sleep.” National Sleep Foundation. thensf/get-moving-to-get-better-sleep/
  2. “Healthy Sleep Habits.” American Academy of Sleep Medicine. sleepeducation/healthy-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits/
  3. “Healthy Sleep Starts Before You Hit the Sheets.” National Sleep Foundation. thensf/healthy-sleep-starts-before-you-hit-the-sheets/
  4. “Is Eating Before Bed Bad?” Sleep Foundation. sleepfoundation/nutrition/is-it-bad-to-eat-before-bed
  5. “Nutrition and Sleep.” Sleep Foundation. sleepfoundation/nutrition
  6. “The Effect of Physical Activity on Sleep Quality and Sleep Disorder: A Systematic Review.” National Library of Medicine. ncbi.nlm.nih/pmc/articles/PMC10503965/
  7. “Stress and Sleep Disorder.” National Library of Medicine. ncbi.nlm.nih/pmc/articles/PMC3538178/

The post How Daily Habits Impact Your Sleep appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here

Sunday, April 27, 2025

4 Ways To Avoid Meat With Added Growth Hormones

An estimated two-thirds of the cattle raised in the U.S. are given hormones, including growth hormone, testosterone and estrogen, to help boost muscle growth and production. Unfortunately, the growth may not stop at the animal and may incite certain, concerning tissue growth in humans that consume the meat. Make minimizing your consumption of meats that have added growth hormones a priority: hormone residues in food may increase the risk of breast cancer and other reproductive system cancers among women, and may promote development of prostate cancer in men.

Consider the following when shopping:

  1. Know which animals are likely to contain these unwanted hormones. Currently cattle and sheep are the only animals allowed to have growth hormones added. The USDA does not permit the use of hormones in hogs; chickens, turkeys and other fowl; or in venison.
  2. Read labels carefully. Look for the words “no hormones administered” on packaging, which indicates these chemicals were not used in raising the animals.
  3. It is even better to source meat from local sources that raise the animals using natural, organic methods – for example, seek out 100% grass-fed beef. It’s less likely hormones are used in small, local farms that are committed to quality. It is always a win if you can meet with the farmer and discuss raising practices. If they are currently using hormones, your interest may get them thinking otherwise.
  4. Use meat alternatives if hormone-free animal products are cost-prohibitive. You can substitute vegetable protein for meats (beans, legumes and mushrooms are hearty vegetarian options that work well as meat substitutes); or use faux meat, such as products made from whole, organic soy (not soy protein isolate) that duplicate the texture and appearance of meats. This goes for dairy as well, which may also contain hormones. Many great alternatives exist now from nut milks for drinking, to cashews and nutritional yeast for creating a cheese flavor and texture.

The post 4 Ways To Avoid Meat With Added Growth Hormones appeared first on DrWeil.com.



* This article was originally published here