From discovering that the circadian rhythm exists to identifying the hormones and genes underlying it, the science of chronobiology has come a long way in the past century. New research technologies and methods have brought even more discoveries in just the last several years. We now know more than ever before about how our biological clocks operate, with new discoveries...

When it comes right down to it, the typical Western diet is not a healthy one. Americans and a growing number of Europeans eat high levels of fat, including saturated fats that are known to be a health hazard. In fact, modern medical research blames much of the prevalence of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease on our...

A precise balance of salts in the body is important for a variety of biological functions, from nerve activity to fluid balance. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that salts are also involved in maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle. However, new science reveals that salts appear to play a much bigger role than expected, acting as...

Pregnancy is a time of high nutritional needs for both the mother and the unborn child. During pregnancy, not only must you support your own body through many huge changes, but you also need to provide the basic building blocks of nutrition so your baby can grow and flourish. While doctors encourage getting as many vitamins and nutrients as possible from a...

Glucose metabolism and regulation are central to human health. We depend on a complex system to ensure that glucose is funneled to the areas where it is needed at the correct times and in the correct amounts. Many diseases, including diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome have been linked to dysregulation of glucose and insulin. New research suggests that the circadian...

While depression was once viewed as mere sadness, today we recognize that it is a biochemical disorder that can often be treated with medication and therapy. Unfortunately, the wide range of available depression medications sometimes fails to help patients who are suffering from this disease. New research has found that combining antidepressants with omega-3 fatty acids and other dietary supplements...

When most people think of a vitamin that contributes to eye health, they think of vitamin A. However, new research reveals that vitamin C may be just as important. Scientists studying the link between vitamin C and cataracts recently discovered that getting enough of this essential nutrient may be just as important in preventing age-related eye degeneration as genetics and...

Serotonin, which is often referred to as the "happiness hormone," is most often associated with happiness and feelings of well-being. While this inhibitory neurotransmitter definitely has an effect on mood, it also affects our brains and bodies in a variety of other ways. Low serotonin can impact nearly every system in the body, causing symptoms that interfere with just about every...

Today's society has access to a wider range of entertainment, education and convenience than ever before thanks to modern technology. Cell phones, tablets and laptop computers are more portable than ever, allowing us to lead lives in which we are constantly in touch. However, the huge preponderance of screens we're exposed to emanate unnatural light that can prevent human brains from...

Although we often associate vitamin deficiencies with past eras, they are a modern epidemic as well. While most people today generally get enough vitamins in their diet to prevent serious diseases such as rickets and scurvy, many still live with sub-clinical levels that aren't sufficient for optimal cellular function. This can lead to vague symptoms such as fatigue, malaise and sleep...