When you think of the most essential elements for life, oxygen is always top of the list. In fact, research shows that the brain consumes approximately 20% of the oxygen we breathe in order to fuel and energize our brain cells. Without adequate oxygen, the brain can begin to decline as far as energy, mood, memory, focus, and more. While oxygen therapy in the form of an oxygen concentrator unit (portable devices that supply patients with concentrated oxygen via a oxygen-rich gas stream) is often associated with patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and other progressive lung diseases (i.e., chronic asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema), many individuals choose to purchase a portable oxygen concentrator to personally boost and optimize their brain function in the following ways: 1. Boost energy and mood You might not think of your brain as an energy sucker, however, this organ demands about 20% of our daily energy intake just to function—and do things like keep us alert, balance mood, ward off depression, and allow us to focus and retain basic things like directions to work and our coworker’s faces. Without oxygen, the brain cells don’t function properly, and we end up falling asleep at our desks.

If you are considering daily aspirin therapy, you may already know that it has the potential to lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. What you might not know is that long-term use of daily aspirin therapy isn’t right for everyone and may cause health problems under certain circumstances. This article is not meant to replace the advice of your health care professional, but will provide an overview on the use of aspirin therapy. Use this article to help you form your own questions about the pros and cons of daily aspirin use and take those questions with you when you visit your doctor. What is aspirin made of? Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a term for medication most commonly used to treat pain, fever, inflammation, heart attack or stroke. Other uses are still being studied, including for treating certain kinds of cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease. The Lancet study recently found that a daily aspirin appeared to lower the risk of certain cancers by at least 20 percent during a 20-year period. That’s based on data from more than 25,000 patients and builds on earlier findings that aspirin may lower the risk of colorectal cancer. The report acknowledged that the research had limitations, but it does add another benefit to an ancient remedy.

Trying to eliminate food coloring from your diet? It make take a while to avoid them completely, but many health professionals believe that you are much better off without those dyes. Food coloring and artificial color additives are common in many foods, but there has been a shift in awareness. More and more consumers are becoming concerned about food quality and raising questions about whether added coloring is safe. Some experts claim that consumption of food dyes has significantly increased since 1955, from 3 million to 15 million pounds per year. The Food and Drug Administration in the United States (FDA) has already revoked approval of 91 dyes that were once widely used in food and beverages. There are actually only seven synthetic colors remaining that are allowed by the federal agency — Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3, Red #3, Red #40, Yellow #5, and Yellow #6. Red #40, Yellow #5 and Yellow #6 account for approximately 90 percent of the food dyes used in the United States today. Red No. 40 is often found in cereal, gelatin, candy, and baked goods like cupcakes. Yellow No. 5 is often found in soft drinks, pudding, chips, pickles, and mixed honey.

The story of wine is really a story about human culture. For thousands of years, the fruit for wine making (primarily grapes) has been harvested for medicinal, social, and nutritional reasons. Whether you already enjoy a good glass of wine with a meal or are wondering how wine might fit into your health and fitness plans, this article will provide a brief overview of what experts are saying about the effects of drinking wine. As always, make sure to consult your health care professional about any questions you may have about any other type of alcoholic beverage. This is especially true if you are taking any medications since some medications and alcohol do not mix well together in the body. Characteristics and definition of wine Wine is a beverage made from grapes, fermented to create alcohol. All of the familiar wine varieties people enjoy today can likely be traced back to the ancient plant species Vitis vinifera, which is cultivated on every continent except for Antarctica. Wines and winemaking shows up in archeology, ancient literature, and in a variety of philosophical and religious beliefs, some of which continue to this day. Historians speculate on the origin of winemaking, with most experts agreeing that it likely was discovered by accident through collecting and storing grapes in containers that turned to wine before they could be consumed as fresh fruit.

You’ve probably already heard about serotonin, that “feel good” chemical in the brain that does so much good for the body. Medical experts believe this chemical can level moods, promote better sleep, enhance your sex life, relieve depression and anxiety, and perhaps even help you live longer. The best part of all: this chemical is all natural and doesn’t come from the pharmacy. Serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan, found commonly in healthy foods. As a neurotransmitter, serotonin works in the central nervous system and in the general functioning of the body, especially the gastrointestinal tract. Some studies have determined that there are connections between serotonin and bone metabolism, breast milk production, liver regeneration, and cell division. That’s an important set of tasks for one neurotransmitter. Knowing this, you likely are interested in knowing what foods you can eat that will boost your serotonin levels. This article will serve for information purposes only, and will help you form the questions you’ll want to discuss with your doctor. Remember to consult your healthcare professional before making drastic changes in your diet and certainly discuss any symptoms of depression or anxiety that you may have. What is serotonin? Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is a monoamine (“mono” meaning one, and “amine” meaning amino group) neurotransmitter.