The beginning of Spring is a great time to think about the changes you can make to reduce stress in your everyday life, including the stress you put on your body through your diet and lifestyle choices. Stress can be physical and mental. Physical stress happens when we eat foods that are fried or otherwise…
Author: Ramona Levacy Billingslea
I am a 50-something Texan with a feisty cat and a supportive husband of 25+ years. With a Master's degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing, I have taught creative writing at Texas Tech, won awards for my writing and been blessed to be mentored by Horn Professor and poet Dr. Walt McDonald. I earn a living by helping my husband's family run a health food store, but my avocation is writing. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my triumphs and tragedies as I continue to work on figuring out what life is all about and on growing my ability to share my writing. May your own journey be a blessed one.
A Surprising Use For Rhodiola
You may be used to hearing about rhodiola when it comes to energy or mood concerns, but this hearty herb has more potential up its leaves. Find out how your lungs may benefit from rhodiola in this recent study. Rhodiola improves lung function in COPD COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gradually reduces lung capacity…
Supplements Know-How: A Primer To Smarter Supplement Buying
Supplements should not be purchased in ignorance. The more you know about what to look for in a quality supplement, the more likely you will have success in choosing products for your health goals. Here are some tips for your next foray into the supplement aisle. Know what laws govern the industry FDA guidelines under…
Seeking Your Best Breast Health
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is also the most frequent cancer suffered by women. These studies on nutrients that support a healthier life after a cancer diagnosis, as well as nutrients that may support breast health should be…
Keep Your Wits: Nutrients Support Brain Function
Alzheimer’s accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, but it is definitely not a normal part of aging. These studies looked at how resveratrol and omega-3s may reduce chances for Alzheimer’s disease and preserve brain function. Resveratrol shows promise in AD Doctors theorized that the anti-inflammatory nutrient, resveratrol, might slow the progression of…
How Motivations Can Keep You Exercising
I would rather sit through an episode of Teletubbies than do a workout. My exercise is clumsy, painful, sweaty, and one more thing I have to do in a day that is already too full of responsibilities. Despite all of these drawbacks, I exercise five days a week, including yoga workouts, and have done so…
College Kids May Not Know It All
Even though college-age young adults are eager to assert their growing independence, they can often still use guidance when it comes to their nutrient needs. In these studies, researchers explored the difference vitamin E and omega-3s might make in a young adult’s diet, even up to age 30. Discover how these nutrients help ensure physical…
Get Nutty Over These Food Facts
Did you know that all the cells in your body have cholesterol? Even though we’ve given this waxy, fat-like substance a bad rap over the past two decades, your body uses cholesterol to help it make hormones, vitamin D, and substances you use to digest food. Your body produces the cholesterol it needs, but there…
Don’t Let Lipids Weigh You Down
Cholesterol is a conundrum. Too little, and your body notices the difference. You need the right amount of cholesterol to maintain mood, support the brain, and during pregnancy, among other things. On the other hand, if you have too much cholesterol, it can become a bad thing in your system. Excess lipids often oxidize, which…
Be Heart Smart With These Promising Nutrients
Any time is a good time to turn our thoughts to heart health. In recent studies, these nutrients showed promise in supporting three different aspects of heart health. Black Raspberry for Blood Pressure Black raspberry extract may lower blood pressure in those with elevated levels. In this study, 45 people with prehypertension took a placebo…
Early-Stage Discoveries May Lead to Larger, Human Trials
Many human trials begin on the basis of earlier, lab studies. Here are some of the most recent findings that seem to warrant further investigation. ATP boosted blood flow ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the energy fuel in every cell in the body. In this lab study, blood flow in rats during exercise increased as…
Motivation Mondays: Exercise for Life
Exercise—we all know we need to do it, but many of us would not put this task in our top ten list of things we like to do. So, how do you motivate yourself to make exercise a regular part of your life? It might be helpful by beginning with some of the basic reasons…
Betsy's Health Foods: Always taking your health & your budget to heart 
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