Eye strain used to be something you experienced from trying to read without proper lighting. It was something our parents used to warn us about when we played too many video games or sat too close to the television. In today’s day, that could still be the case, but changes in screens, light technology, and the increased use of digital devices has us experiencing eye strain earlier and more frequently. The digital era has us questioning the health effects of blue wavelengths of light, since we can’t seem to pry our eyes away from screens, including laptops, monitors, tablets and

Antioxidants are protectants, like bodyguards for your cells and their interior parts, including DNA. We have systems in place all over the body stationing these antioxidants to prevent the body’s tissues from getting damaged from what is called oxidative stress. As part of our normal metabolism, we create molecules called free radicals. These free radicals are highly reactive molecules and in small amounts they can actually do us a few favours, but in larger concentrations they can cause havoc, leading to oxidative cell damage and inflammation. Because we collect free radicals from sources other than the body’s regular metabolism, such

Perceived mental or emotional stress causes a number of different reactions in the body. It’s been linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk, increased blood glucose (sugar) levels and diabetes-related complications.   Our adaptation to stress involves a three-step process. The “alarm phase” is your body’s first reaction to acute stress. This is your fight-or-flight reaction that keeps you on high alert for dealing with a perceived threat. It temporarily disrupts your body’s functioning systems like blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar balance so that you can better manage whatever is coming at you.   After you’ve gotten over the initial shock

Each step of estrogen metabolism and detoxification, with multiple possible enzymatic reactions, can influence a person’s degree of estrogen-related health risks, including that of gynecological and breast cancers and endometriosis. Phase I and II detoxification reactions can create multiple different types of estrogen metabolites, and the proportion of each produced can have major implications on the resulting risk of oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cancer proliferation. The actions of these active metabolites can prompt or exacerbate estrogen-related disorders such as endometriosis, while the production of other metabolites can reduce risks or even provide protection. During the first phase of estrogen

A standard Western diet is commonly high in sodium or salt intake which has been noted as a contributing factor for cardiovascular disease and the development of high blood pressure. Fast foods, fries, chips, packaged foods (especially those that contain seasoning blends) are loaded with salt. The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 2.3g of salt per day, however, it’s been reported that less than 10% of the American population actually follows this advice.1 Although salt is related to water balance in the body (volume and fluid pressure), excessive or inadequate amounts of salt intake can affect the

Humans can experience a range of mood alterations, including feeling anxiety and depressed. Read more to find out what kind of herbal medicine you can consume to help you better functioning.

Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, Coenzyme Q10, N-acetyl cysteine, melatonin and many others have been shown to enhance fertility by improving egg and sperm quality. They do this by protecting cells, mitochondria and DNA from a process called oxidative stress. Antioxidants are just that – anti-oxidation molecules. They can transform or neutralize potentially damaging compounds, such as free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body, keeping them in check. What is Oxidative Stress? The production of ROS in the body is a natural part of our biology. These molecules, which include hydrogen peroxide and superoxide and