Once upon a time, the basic toothbrush was constructed of natural materials such as boar bristles and bone. However, these materials made toothbrushes too expensive for the average person who was left to clean their teeth with pieces of cloth or their fingers. Many just didn’t bother to clean their teeth at all. In fact, […]
Some of the things we do for beauty and personal grooming may seem extreme, but looking back in history, it’s amazing humanity has survived as long as it has. From the many uses of animal parts and waste, to mercury ointments for disease, history is littered with hygiene habits and remedies that may just make […]
Like many people in the Baby Bust generation, I grew up on dry, boxed cereal. Sure, my mom would make bacon and eggs, waffles or even homemade donuts on weekends or other special occasions, but for the most part, we ate a vast array of sugar-coated and very tasty cereal with brightly colored boxes and […]
If you belong to a certain generation, you might recall being force-fed castor oil as a child. This common traumatic memory is thanks to the oil’s ability to rapidly relieve constipation, and, in theory, purge any bugs that could be causing illness. Castor oil has many, many amazing therapeutic abilities beyond the rather unpleasant stimulation […]
Plastics are affordable, lightweight and damage-resistant, so they are the easiest choice for food storage and lunch containers. But are they safe? You may have heard about the toxin bisphenol-A or BPA. Many products are now sold with a “BPA free” label, which is supposed to assure us that a product is safe. However, these […]
New hope for the future comes in the form of research findings that Alzheimer’s may be detectable up to 18 years before an official diagnosis. Earlier detection could mean more opportunity for treatment. The Mayo Clinic defines Alzheimer’s disease as “a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. It’s the most common […]
Our liver detoxifies everything that goes onto our skin and in our mouths. It filters out harmful ingredients in order to purify our blood. Applying chemicals every day to our skin can cause significant problems for the liver, even in the seemingly harmless form of face wash. The good news is, you don’t need to […]
And now for the latest in gross news: New research suggests that we’re surrounded by a cloud of invisible microbes and fart bacteria. As unique as our fingerprints, these clouds of bio-residue may actually help researchers understand contagious diseases better. We spread bacteria three ways: by direct contact with surfaces indoors; through airborne emissions via […]
A study has found that women who take vitamin D3 supplements do not have better bone health, suggesting that vitamin D produced in the body from moderate sun exposure — together with a combination of vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals — are all essential to bone health. According to the study, published in […]
A recent study published in Preventive Medicine (2015) found that men and seniors sleep better when they have access to nature. The study surveyed over 255,000 adults across the United States and found that participants who had access to nature slept badly fewer than seven nights per month. Those who had less access to nature […]
