I compare the diets of the Roman gladiator “barley men” and army troopers to the modern Spartans of today. The remains of dozens of Roman gladiators were recently discovered in a mass grave in ancient Ephesus (Turkey). The clue to their identities was the rather distinct types of mortal injuries the researchers found, like being…

We can address human health and climate crises at the same time by increasing consumption of plant-based foods, including animal-free meat substitutes, and substantially reducing our intake of meat, eggs, and dairy. What does the latest research on plant-based meat alternatives say? This fact sheet is a summary of the main takeaways. Get this fact…

Does tea tree oil have enough antiviral activity to combat HSV-1 and papilloma viruses, the causes of cold sores and common warts, respectively? “It has been reported that essential oils show not only anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities but also antiviral activity.” As well, it’s been reported that “Bigfoot Kept Lumberjack as Love Slave,” according to…

How do the meat and dairy industries design studies that show their products have neutral or even beneficial effects on cholesterol and inflammation? Observational studies like “Milk and Dairy Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases and All-Cause Mortality: Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies,” which suggests that dairy might not be so bad, can be…

Dairy is compared to other foods for cardiovascular (heart attack and stroke) risk. When studies funded by industries suggest their products have neutral health effects or are even beneficial, one question you always have to ask is, “Compared to what?” Is cheese healthy? Compared to what? If you’re sitting down to make a sandwich, cheese…

What is the real story behind the recent studies that show cheese has neutral or positive health effects? In my series of videos on saturated fat, I talked about a major campaign launched by the global dairy industry to “neutralize the negative image of milk-fat among regulators and health professionals as related to heart disease.”…

Cocoa and nitrite-rich vegetables, such as leafy greens and beets, are put to the test for cognitive function. “The production of NO in the brain and its role in the control of neuronal [nerve] functions has been comprehensively investigated in animals studies.” NO, or nitric oxide, is the “open sesame” molecule that dilates our blood…

We just re-launched the Daily Dozen Challenge to help more people discover how easy it is to fit some of the healthiest of healthy foods into their meals. Join us on social media and show us how you Do the Dozen.  Plan: Pick a day to eat the Daily Dozen. Download our free Daily Dozen…

Randomized controlled studies put nuts, berries, and grape juice to the test for cognitive function. When you read articles in Alzheimer’s disease journals about eating more berries to reduce cognitive decline in the elderly, the authors are talking about observational studies, like the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study that showed that berry intake appears to delay…

How much does sweating from a sauna or exercise get rid of lead and mercury? In my video Is Henna Safe?, I talk about a study that proved lead could be absorbed through the skin and into the body. Researchers applied lead to someone’s left arm and then measured the level of lead in the…