The black seeds of the Nigella sativa plant are quite possibly the most famous seeds you’ve never heard of. Believed to have originated in the area spanning the eastern Mediterranean to India, N. sativa played, and continues to play, an important role in the traditional medicine of every culture with access to it.

Xylitol. You’ve seen it in chewing gums. You’ve brushed your teeth with it. You can even pronounce it. (Zye-li-tall, by the way.) But did you know it has benefits beyond sweetness? Read on to learn about xylitol’s sweet cavity prevention and sinus- and ear-infection protection.

If recent headlines about heavy metals—like arsenic, lead, or cadmium—in your food have caught your attention, you may have a lot of questions. It seems shocking to hear that something so potentially dangerous could be in our food. While the facts are more nuanced than most news reports would lead you to believe, it’s true that we are all exposed to heavy metals on a regular basis.

America, we have a problem.

You’ve likely seen it in your social media feeds and maybe in your friends’ cupboards—sea moss—the seaweed that has everyone talking. So, what is sea moss and is it really all it’s cracked up to be?

We’ve all been told the importance of drinking enough water, but this is just one part of the story. We need electrolytes too. From athletes to couch potatoes, electrolytes are essential for good health.

Omega-7s are a class of monounsaturated fatty acids that, while not as widely known and researched as their cousins, the omega-3s and omega-6s, also plays a role in human health. Palmitoleic acid and vaccenic acid are two omega-7 fats that have been garnering attention. There are few food sources of these two fats.

If you find yourself feeling grumpy with every seemingly pointless daylight saving time change, you’re not alone. Research shows that daylight saving time (DST) can be a bit of a sneaky troublemaker. Around 55 percent of us feel a bit groggy after the switch, and there's more to it than just feeling sleepy—DST can actually increase our health risks.

Castor oil is pressed from the seeds (often referred to as beans) of the castor plant (Ricinus communis), an evergreen shrub that is native to western Asia and northeastern Africa, but today is grown in other warm climates too.¹ Castor oil is around 90% ricinoleic acid, a unique fat that is believed to be responsible for castor oil’s benefits.² Castor oi

What Are Natural Flavors?

Although the FDA has not defined the term “natural”, it does specify that “natural flavors” must be extracted from a natural source (e.g., plant material, essence, or extractive).¹ However, only a small fraction of all natural flavors’ ingredients are flavoring compounds.

Bloating and gas; acid reflux; constipation; inability to lose weight; chronic fatigue; hormonal imbalances… sound familiar? If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it could be a sign that your liver is overburdened and is not functioning optimally. It may be time to give it a boost from its BFF, milk thistle!

What should you eat to promote health and vitality? Is it plant-based, vegetarian, low-fat, high-fat, Mediterranean, high-protein, gluten-free, paleo…..??? All the conflicting diet information out there is enough to drive you crazy trying to figure out the right approach! Where do you even start?