Introduction: Just as there has been an explosion of positive science on the importance of vitamin D3, another nutrient, vitamin K2, is showing tremendous promise in the treatment and prevention of a wide range of health conditions. A new study, set to be published in the August issue of the European Journal of Pharmacology, indicates that this underutilized form of vitamin K might hold the key to one of the most debilitating inflammatory conditions known to humans – rheumatoid arthritis. Background Data: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the entire body, but especially the joints. There is abundant evidence that RA is an autoimmune reaction, in which

Next time you visit your favorite health food store, The Natural Way, pick up a packaged food that says "high-fiber." Flip it over, read the ingredients, and you’ll probably see inulin listed. Among its benefits, this soluble fiber—typically derived from chicory root—does double duty as a prebiotic and a sweetener, making it a go-to ingredient among manufacturers to enhance taste, increase fiber content, and make healthy foods appear healthier. Inulin 101: What is it and why is it healthy? Chicory root is a blue-flowered herb that grows throughout North America and Europe. Its roots make a great caffeine-free coffee substitute, and you can mix its plant leaves directly into your salad. But c

Would you ever eat “pond scum?” Despite this unpleasant nickname, the blue-green algae called spirulina is a nutrient-dense cyanobacterium that can often be found in still water lakes and ponds and has been eaten by people all over the world for hundreds of years. When the conquistador Hernan Cortes encountered the Aztecs of modern day Mexico, he found that they grew spirulina in large lakes and harvested the algae for culinary cakes that were sold to the local population. The Aztecs were not alone in this practice either. On the other side of the planet, natives of the Lake Chad area of Africa also cultivated spirulina to utilize for health and nutrition. So what exactly is so special about

CURAMIN® FORMULAS are award-winning, leading pain relief† products, changing lives for the better all around the world. The clinically studied ingredients in our formulas are carefully selected for non-addictive, effective and safe pain relief. No kidney, liver, or intestinal damage. Curamin doesn't mask occasional pain—it gets to the source and stops it. The Secret of Curamin's Power What's the secret? Combining the best of the best. Curamin contains a clinically proven curcumin that is significantly better absorbed than turmeric or plain curcumin products, along with a uniquely standardized boswellia extract. This special curcumin has been proven in published clinical studies to provide co

Researchers find massive amounts of Vitamin D could be the answer to the summertime nemesis of every pale person: The blistering, crimson sunburn. People who took huge doses of the vitamin an hour after a sunburn saw long-term benefits — significant reductions in redness, swelling and inflammation. That's according to researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. The school's study was the first-ever trial to exhibit the anti-inflammatory perks of Vitamin D. It's welcome news to those who've earned the "strawberry" nickname a time or two. But perhaps more importantly, the discovery raises new questions for researchers, chiefly: Could rapidly healing skin mean better

Magnesium is one of those supplements that are very well known for its benefits throughout the natural health community. Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical processes in the body. One of its most important functions is that it plays a key role is producing energy; this makes it vitality important for all cellular functions and processes. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm regular, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Its wide range of health benefits and biological activity make it effective in addressing a number of common diseases and conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic pain, diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular di

How many herbs can you say have ties to the original alcoholic version of Coca-Cola and the original version of the margarita? The damiana herb certainly has a colorful history that can be dated back to the Mayan Indians, most notably with improving sexual function in both males and females. No wonder Coke called itself the "real thing" -- well, that and the coca leaves used in the original formula. The herb is actually a small shrub that can be found in hot and humid regions in Central America, South America, and in Texas. The blossoms are said to have an odor similar to chamomile from the oils present in the plant. Damiana Central Nervous System Health Benefits Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is

Frankincense is a powerful medicinal oil that can not only boost the immune system but also kill cancer cells, a number of studies have shown. One of the most significant recent studies was conducted by researchers from the University of Leicester, England, in 2013. The researchers found that the naturally occurring frankincense compound acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) targeted and destroyed ovarian cancer cells. The findings were particularly significant because they showed that AKBA had this effect even in late-stage ovarian cancer patients, not just in laboratory trials performed on isolated cells. "Frankincense is taken by many people with no known side effects," lead resea

What Foods to Eat and Avoid for Joint Health If you suffer from joint discomfort in your knees, wrists or other parts of your body, you are by no means alone. Many people have dealt with discomfort in their joints and it is so prevalent in part because it can be caused by such a wide range of factors. From repetitive use of a joint to hereditary dysfunctions, that are a lot of ways people find themselves in discomfort. The good news about joint discomfort is that many people have found naturally alleviation simply by eating the right foods – and avoiding others. The best foods for joint discomfort are those that have natural anti-inflammatory properties and that are high in Omega-3 fatty aci

A prominent example of fascinating therapeutic oil that I encountered through my travels (and wrote about in my book) is black cumin seed oil. This oil is extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa (habet el-Baraka in Arabic). The black seeds are contained in seed pods and have an odor similar to caraway. Believed to originate in Egypt, the plant is now cultivated in North Africa, Asia, and Europe. The ancient Egyptians used the black cumin as a digestive aid and as medicine for colds, headaches, and infections. A bottle of black cumin medicine was found in the tomb of Tutankhamen for his use in the afterlife. Black cumin seed is also mentioned in the Bible as “fitch,” and both the Ancient E

Our stress-fighting adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys, are actually two different glands in one. The center of the gland (adrenal medulla) manufactures adrenaline (epinephrine). The outer part of the gland (adrenal cortex) makes several hormones called corticosteroids. They include: Cortisol. Pumped out in response to stress, cortisol regulates blood sugar and blood pressure, two key parts of our stress response, and also helps control immune function. DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate … a great word for Scrabble players). The most abundant hormone produced by the adrenal gland, its function isn't clearly understood. But one fact is well-known: DHEA-S declines with age, and man