health

Keeping your mind and body in check - popular topics in health and medicine to maintain a long and healthy life.

Then I Started Drinking Tap Water
We never bought the big jars of mineral water, unlike our neighbors. We’d get bottled water mostly when traveling. Well, I live in California, not Flint, and the water is well sanitized, well quality-controlled.
By Seema Patelabout a year ago in Longevity
Coriander:
Did you know that the food that fell from Heaven was like that of a coriander seed? "And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey".
By Lisa Briskeyabout a year ago in Longevity
What Supplements Should I Take Daily? A Doctor's Simple Guide
“What supplements should I take every day?” If you’ve ever stood frozen in the vitamin aisle, surrounded by colorful bottles promising better sleep, stronger immunity, or glowing skin, you’re not alone. With so many options (and so many bold claims), figuring out what your body actually needs can feel like trying to solve a riddle with no clear answer.
By L.Bushay17about a year ago in Longevity
there arent more people with autism
When a certain part of the internet starts shouting at me or when parents of autistic children speak up I tell them my qualifications. Firstly I am the parent of 2 adult autistic kids, I work with autistic adults and I have researched the subject for 35 years. I have had numerous on line arguments on the subjects, many of them trying to explain my headline argument.
By ASHLEY SMITHabout a year ago in Longevity
These 5 Foods Were Quieting My Brain — Until They Triggered My Tinnitus
1. I Didn’t Realize How Loud “Silence” Could Be Ringing in my ears grew louder every day. Silence turned into torture — buzzing, hissing, and inability to focus. I blamed stress, tinnitus natural progression, or maybe my headphones. I tried ear drops, sound machines, even meditation — but nothing changed.
By Tinnituscurefixabout a year ago in Longevity
5 Most Common Causes of Post-Workout Knee Pain
Mild knee pain or stiffness after an exercise is normal, but if it persists, it might indicate a significant condition. There are several possible reasons, including ligament tears, osteoarthritis, and runner's knee. Your diagnosis will determine the appropriate course of treatment.
By Amelia Grantabout a year ago in Longevity
What Is ‘Inflammation’?
As a veteran health science writer, I am confident that every single human being should internalize one word into their vocabulary: ‘inflammation’.
By Seema Patelabout a year ago in Longevity
Partially Bionic. Top Story - July 2025.
Sunday – frozen up No, no, no, no, no, what happened?? The muscle seized; I couldn't move my knee, couldn't walk - what happened? Please stop!
By Andrea Corwin about a year ago in Longevity
Two Occasions That Almost Killed Me!
I often talk about irritants. There are four types of irritants that can cause either chronic or acute health issues: psychological, biological, chemical, and mechanical.
By Seema Patelabout a year ago in Longevity
Digital Detox Diaries: What 30 Days Without Social Media Did to My Brain
Day 1: The Twitch to Check I never thought it would be quite this difficult. All I did was remove Instagram, TikTok, Twitter (or X), and Facebook from my phone. That should be simple, right? However, by the end of the first day, I noticed my thumb was trying to reach for those vacant spots. I was astonished. I wasn’t even pondering over the action — it was mindless. It was at that moment I understood how habitual social media had become for me. It wasn’t just a routine, it was a vice grasping tightly. Week 1: The Empty Space The first week was certainly strange. My phone habits became withdrawal habits. I found myself tuning into things like the news, memes, seeing what friends were up to, and scrolling through random funny clips. But after a few days, something bizarre occurred: boredom set in. It wasn't the the negative, frustrating type of boredom — it was the positive variety. The sort of productivity that inspires a person to grab a book. Or take a leisurely stroll. Or write in a journal. Or make a phone call instead of just scrolling through likes. The mind has space once again. It enjoyed a soothing silence for the first time in several months. Week 2: Increased Productivity, Reduced Disorder By the second week, it seemed like I was accomplishing more. I was no longer multitasking between different applications or getting sidetracked every few minutes. My mind felt... sluggish, but in a positive sense. As if it was beginning to learn how to relax. I was getting better sleep. No more mindless scrolling at night. No blue light drowning my sleep. No more sleep comparing my life to someone else's filtered highlights. Week 3: The Mental Detox Kicks In Social media had been affecting how I think. This was the week it hit me. There was a time when I thought in tweets or captions. The moment I spotted something interesting, the first thing that came to mind was how I would share it with the world. But now? I’ve learned to appreciate things for what they truly are. I was not reaching for my phone every two seconds. For the first time in a long while, I could sit down with a cup of coffee and across from me was my phone, untouched. Not scrolling, not checking, not proving a point, no need to showcase anything. It was liberating. There were no obligations I needed to fulfill. I could be fully present in my own life. Week 4: Real Connection Returns In the last week, I reached out to people and realized I could actually engage with them instead of DMs, through proper texting or even calls. I invited a friend out for coffee, and to my surprise, we spoke for two hours without ever glancing at our phones. Realizing how much of a real connection I’d been missing without social media shocked me. Likes and emojis will never be true substitutes for belly laughter or deep wildly funny, witty, tear-jerking conversations with friends. Moreover, I stopped feeling like I was falling behind in life. Everyone else’s lives felt as though they were moving their lives a million times faster than mine. The moment I ditched social media, that feeling magically vanished. I was free to live my life without endless comparisons. What Social Media Detox Came With Here’s a list of benefits I gained: Increased Focus: Reading was easier because I could complete entire articles or books without losing focus. Sleep Quality: Countless hours of uninterrupted scrolling translated into better sleep and more vivid dreams. Reduced Anxiety: Compared to the past, I felt calmer without the need to update and compare myself with others. Mood Enhancement: I stopped seeing a highlight reel of everyone else’s lives which improved my mood. Relationship Improvement: I was able to engage in real life conversations with those around me and connect on a deeper level. What I Missed And What I Did Not Missing out on memes was hard, and so was missing out on everything my friends were up to. But the pressure to keep up with trends, the feeling that 'I should be doing more,' FOMO, and the endless stream of depressing news was gone. My online experience during the break helped me determine what I truly enjoy doing and what merely fills time. Will I Get Back? Yes - but in another way. I will return to social media, but with management. I won't be scrolling first thing in the morning or right before bed. No mindless scrolling at any time. Notifications will be off. I will slim down the accounts I follow to only those that either enlighten me or lift me. I aim to keep my brain calm and focused. I want to prioritize living over posting, and when I do, it’ll be in a way that won’t matter much. Closing Notes A 30-day social media detox shifted my perspective on the world as a whole and myself as well. I learned that being alive does not mean I have to be in “on” mode all the time or “up to date.” I cannot simply be. In case you are thinking about attempting, go ahead. It is worth it, even though the first few days are challenging. After that, the hard part gets easier, and what is waiting on the other side is invaluable. More time, more peace, and more clarity. Sometimes the best way to reconnect is to disconnect.
By mini Khanabout a year ago in Longevity
Prostate Health and Benign Enlargement: Causes, Symptoms, and a Complete Natural Guide. AI-Generated.
The prostate gland is a vital part of the male body, playing a key role in reproductive and urinary functions. As men age, many face a common issue known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)—a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that can significantly affect quality of life due to its symptoms. In this article, we’ll explore the causes and effects of prostate enlargement, the roles of hormones and nutrients, and the best natural strategies to maintain a healthy prostate. --- What Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)? BPH simply refers to the enlargement of the prostate gland, which is located below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. As it grows, it can press against the urethra, causing: Frequent urination, especially at night Difficulty starting or maintaining urination Weak urine stream Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying Sometimes, urinary retention These symptoms can reduce quality of life, particularly for older men. Around 50% of men over 60 have BPH, and this rises to 90% in men over 80. --- Location and Function of the Prostate The prostate is situated just below the bladder and encircles the urethra. Normally, it's about the size of a walnut, but it can grow significantly with age. The prostate's main functions are: Producing fluid that forms part of semen, nourishing and protecting sperm Acting as a muscle that helps propel semen during ejaculation --- Hormones and Prostate Enlargement Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Testosterone is responsible for male traits like muscle and hair growth. It's converted into DHT by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Elevated DHT levels contribute to prostate enlargement and hair loss. Some medications inhibit this enzyme to lower DHT. Estrogen’s Role Estrogen is formed by the conversion of testosterone via the enzyme aromatase. As men age and body fat increases, aromatase activity rises, boosting estrogen levels. Estrogen stimulates prostate enlargement and increases prolactin, which also affects prostate growth. Aromatase activity can be naturally reduced by eating cruciferous vegetables (like cabbage and broccoli), cooked mushrooms, and lemon peel. --- Nutrition and Prostate Health Tomatoes: Rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce prostate cancer risk. Lycopene is absorbed better from cooked tomatoes (sauce, paste). Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts contain compounds that help protect against prostate cancer. Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries are high in antioxidants and reduce inflammation. Fatty Fish: Salmon and sardines are rich in omega-3, which fights inflammation. Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and Brazil nuts offer healthy fats and vitamins. Green Tea: Contains strong antioxidants like EGCG. Zinc: Essential for prostate health, inhibits 5-alpha reductase, and boosts testosterone. Zinc deficiency is linked to BPH, inflammation, and prostate cancer. --- Zinc and the Prostate The prostate holds over 100x more zinc than blood plasma. Research shows zinc deficiency is associated with prostate enlargement, inflammation, and even cancer. Causes of deficiency include: low intake of red meat, excess whole grains (due to phytic acid), low stomach acid, certain medications, alcohol, and sugar. Best sources: oysters and grass-fed red meat. --- Vitamin D’s Role Vitamin D deficiency is linked to prostate enlargement and its symptoms. Taking 2,000–6,000 IU/day may help reduce prostate size and improve symptoms. Absorption is best with food or fats. Sunlight exposure is also a key source. Vitamin D boosts immunity and reduces inflammation. --- Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) Pelvic floor muscle imbalance caused by poor posture, obesity, weak core muscles, or trauma can lead to chronic inflammation of the prostate. Symptoms mimic bacterial prostatitis, though no infection is present. Many doctors prescribe antibiotics or NSAIDs without results. Effective treatment involves pelvic floor strengthening and stretching exercises. --- Recommended Pelvic Floor Exercises Stretches and strengthening like frog pose, leg openings, and knee lifts These exercises relieve pressure and enhance blood flow to the prostate Regular practice can greatly improve BPH symptoms --- General Tips for Prostate Health Avoid sitting too long, especially on narrow seats (e.g., bicycles) Reduce processed foods, sugar, and fast food Maintain a healthy weight and reduce excess body fat Get quality sleep regularly Exercise consistently Monitor zinc and vitamin D levels See your doctor regularly if urinary symptoms appear --- Conclusion Prostate health is influenced by hormones, diet, and lifestyle. Understanding the role of testosterone, DHT, estrogen, and nutrients like zinc and vitamin D can help prevent or treat BPH. A balanced diet rich in cruciferous vegetables, cooked tomatoes, berries, fatty fish, and nuts—along with pelvic floor exercises and proper nutrient levels—can support prostate health and improve quality of life.
By Omer Mohammedabout a year ago in Longevity
I Was Finally Able to Sleep Again After Months of Tinnitus – The Free Tracker That Helped Me
Tinnitus, or the ringing sound in the ears, is a condition that affects millions of people around the world. It severely impacts sleep, concentration, and overall quality of life. For me, it was an endless nightmare that kept me from sleeping for months. Every night, the ringing in my ears would get louder—sometimes like a soft echo, sometimes like a sharp scream. Whether it was day or night, it never went away. Even trying to meditate, change my diet, or distract myself made no difference. I was completely exhausted—mentally and physically.
By Tinnituscurefixabout a year ago in Longevity