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For decades, statins—the most common cholesterol-lowering medications—have been recognized as a lifesaver for those with heart disease. Although statins have positively revolutionized heart health, some studies highlight the lesser-known concerns of the medication: energy-sapping, increased diabetes risk, and, for many people, muscle pain. Puzzling Link Between Statins, Insulin Resistance A recent systematic review of 11 epidemiological studies with nearly 47 million participants found associations between statin use and decreased insulin sensitivity, and increased insulin resistance—both significant factors for developing Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, statins were found to reduce glycemic control and elevate fasting glucose levels. Experts are uncertain about the ...

How many times have you resolved to change something about your life only to give up after a few weeks—in spite of detailed plans and gushing motivation? Change is hard. And, like many things, it’s even harder to achieve on our own. But, as it turns out, we have an invisible actor working behind the scenes that plays a huge role in our habits—for better or worse. It’s our unconscious mind. By learning to collaborate with this hidden partner, studies show we can better achieve the transformations that seem impossible through willpower alone. Think It Takes 21 Days to Form a Habit? Think Again The common belief is that habits form in 21 days. However, research suggests otherwise. A 2012 paper in the British Journal of General Practice traced the 21-day figure to pl...

Our brains often instinctively crave sugar. It could be a slice of cake during times of stress, a bar of chocolate when bored, or a sweetened coffee when needing a pick-me-up. The inability to quit sugar may not stem from a lack of willpower but rather from not fully grasping the nature of sugar and not finding the most effective methods to quit. Sweet Cravings: The Instinct for Survival and Growth “Sugar is very important for our body and our brain. And I think this is where a lot of the difficulty (in cutting out sugar) lies,” Jessica Russo, a clinical psychologist from Philadelphia, told The Epoch Times during an interview. Sugar serves as the primary energy source for every cell in our body and much of the food we eat is broken down into various sugars. “The brain is t...

There’s a concept in Japanese tea ceremony from Zen, roughly translated as “one chance in a lifetime,” or “one lifetime, one meeting.” It’s such a beautiful idea: Any meeting you have with someone is unique, fleeting, and will never happen again—even if you see this person every day. What would life be like if we could learn this kind of deep appreciation for any moment? I notice myself often in a hurry for something I want to happen right away. I want it to be fully finished, yesterday. I’m overlooking the incredible moment that’s happening right now. I notice myself frustrated with other people, even if I don’t want to admit that frustration. I want the other person to be different from how they are, want them to change. I’m missing out on the beauty of being with this pers...

For many people, death feels contrary to all that is good in life, like the wrong finale or a mysterious curtain falling in the middle of an act. Yet, evidence suggests the body sees it differently. Many palliative care experts argue that a body dying naturally of old age or an incurable illness knows how to die in a comforting and possibly euphoric way. Except in rare cases, the final stage of death isn’t as painful and disturbing for the dying as it is for the loved ones watching. Learning to trust the body’s natural dying process may feel absurd. Still, according to experts, this acceptance increases peace when death approaches. Understanding the Dying Process A few years back, during my work as a hospital RN, our physicians admitted a petite older woman, whom I’ll call Delo...

When I paint my pictures on my phone each morning, doing two or more sometimes, this is how I meditate. I also sit and watch my hummingbirds fly in and drink and fly out, anything that will put you into a ZEN state is meditating. Also cleaning does it for me when I have major issues to work through.....the stillness comes in and so do all my answers. Mindfulness and self-compassion are now buzzwords for self-improvement. In fact, a growing body of research shows these practices can lead to real mental health benefits. This research—ongoing, voluminous, and worldwide—clearly shows how and why these two practices work. One effective way to cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion is through meditation. For more than 20 years, as a clinical psychologist, res...

With 1 in 3 Americans living with high blood pressure, the condition can hardly be ignored. Ask any primary care physicians about the percentage of patients in their practice with a diagnosis of hypertension. They will tell you that the vast majority of their patient population has this pervasive and potentially devastating health condition. As one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, this largely preventable diet- and lifestyle-driven condition deserves attention. Most people are unaware that drug therapy is not the only way to lower blood pressure. In fact, evidence suggests multiple natural ways to keep your blood pressure in check and within the normal range. 1. Say No to Trans and Hydrogenated Fats One of...

“Brain fog” is a frequently mentioned symptom in recent years.When people describe themselves as having brain fog, they often mention poor memory, difficulty concentrating and slow thinking. In addition to COVID-19 related brain fog, intestinal problems can also be one of the factors that trigger brain fog. What are the ways to improve brain fog from the intestines and brain? According to Dr. Chih Hao Lin, neurologist and director of the Brain Stroke Center at Lin Shin Hospital, brain fog is cognitive dysfunction. Memory, judgment, behavior, emotions, languages, spatial sense, and other cognitive functions are all part of the brain’s operations. Brain fog is not a disease, but a symptom. Although it manifests in the brain, it can also be caused by poor intestinal health. The intes...

Walk by a beverage cooler in any store and you’ll be struck by lightning bolts and bold lettering screaming, “Energy!” The makers of these drinks promise that ingredients like caffeine, amino acids, and herbal extracts will deliver superhuman focus and motivation by the sip. Yet lurking beneath the pull tab is a danger that may outweigh any lift the drink offers. It’s important to ask, “What if the cost of this burst of energy isn’t just money?” The Evolution of Energy Drinks The origins of energy drinks can be traced back decades before their rise to mass popularity. In 1929, the glucose-based drink Lucozade Energy (formerly Glucozade in 1927) was introduced in the United Kingdom as a nutritional supplement for hospital patients recovering from illnesses, including the flu. ...

In my teens, I had terrible cramps that came every month with my periods. They were so painful that I was incapacitated for one week out of every four, making my life miserable. I went to countless doctors and specialists, who either told me to “deal with it” or prescribed medication. The drugs were so powerful that, even though they took the edge off the pain, they made it difficult to function. After years of searching for a more sustainable solution, three separate doctors told me I should have a hysterectomy to remove my uterus. I was fifteen years old. None of the doctors I saw did any tests or conducted any investigation into why I might be having such severe cramps. When I was finally told a hysterectomy would be my only option, no one even asked if I wanted to have childre...