Personal Health

Folate is perhaps best known as a critical nutrient during pregnancy, but it serves important roles in your health throughout your lifespan. Here’s what folate does, where to find it, how much you need, and how it differs from folic acid.

Vitamin K may not get as much attention as some of the other vitamins, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Stranded in the middle of the alphabet, it plays several important roles in your health. Here’s what you need to know about what vitamin K does for your body, how much you need, and where to get it.

Worldwide, figures for obesity continue to rise to mind-blowing levels, including obesity in children. A fundamental shift in awareness and nutritional education is necessary in order to address this issue head-on. Jyl Steinback, of the nonprofit Shape Up Us, discusses the issues influencing our children’s eating habits — and the ways in which teachers, parents, and the children themselves can improve nutritional knowledge and experience for kids.

Vitamin B12 is a hot topic in the vegan community since it’s one of the few nutrients hard to obtain on an entirely plant-based diet. That doesn’t mean meat-eaters should gloat, though: many omnivores suffer from B12 deficiency as well. So what is B12, why is it important for health, and how do you know if you’re getting enough?

Eating more plants and less animal products can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. But excluding meat and dairy doesn’t always guarantee good health. Dr. Joel Fuhrman discusses the findings of a recent study on vegan bone health that found vegans were at a greater risk of fractures than meat eaters. Read on to find out what this study really means, and how you can take action to protect your bones and your overall health.

Organic fruits and vegetables cost more than conventional ones — sometimes a lot more. So is it always necessary to choose organic? Or are some conventional fruits and veggies just fine? In this article, we go in-depth into the Environmental Working Group’s report on the 12 dirtiest and 15 cleanest items of produce, so you can make smart decisions to protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful pesticides.

A prostate cancer diagnosis can disrupt a man’s life and cause distress for his loved ones. Conventional medical treatments are often necessary, but they leave a lot of proven and valuable healing resources out of the picture. Diet — particularly a plant-based diet — and lifestyle, can lower your risk and improve chances of recovery from prostate cancer. Author Bruce Mylrea shares some of his story and what has helped him in dealing with prostate cancer.

Hormonal imbalances are common throughout various stages of life. They can cause a huge range of conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, obesity, fatigue, and even cancer. While some of the causes of hormonal imbalance are beyond your control, there is a growing body of evidence that your diet and lifestyle choices can make a huge difference.

Vitamin D has been making headlines as an immunity booster, but it’s so much more than that. This misunderstood compound — produced when sunlight hits our skin — is crucial for health in many other ways. But how much vitamin D do you need, where can you find it, and why is it so important to get enough? Here’s what you need to know about the role of vitamin D in your health.

You’ve probably heard that broccoli is good for you. But do you know what’s even better for you? Broccoli sprouts, which are baby broccoli plants less than a week old. If any veggie can claim the title “superfood,” broccoli sprouts are it. And the magic ingredient that gives them their greatest superpowers is an antioxidant called sulforaphane.

When you think of taking care of your teeth, what comes to mind? For most people, the list includes brushing regularly, flossing (maybe), and going to the dentist. But did you know that what you eat and drink are also vitally important to your oral health? Here’s what you need to know about the best diet and lifestyle habits to keep your pearly whites happy and healthy.

When we talk about food, we typically focus on what we’re eating. Kale, good. Donuts, bad. But how we’re eating is also important. Are we wolfing down our food while driving or scrolling through Instagram? Are we using food to distract ourselves from unwanted feelings? Or are we eating consciously and gratefully, nourishing our bodies with good food choices? In this article, we’ll explore the challenge — and power — of mindful eating.