Our conscious mind is busy, which means that “we” are busy and often feeling overwhelmed. We simply don’t have the time to think about anything else apart from our priorities. Or do we? Cognitive neuroscience concluded that our conscious mind is only 5% of our cognitive ability. It’s time to learn how to use the other 95%.

Fats are an essential part of the diet, and were one of the main energy sources in our early ancestors when carbohydrates from tubers and fruits were only seasonally available. However, with food processing and modern technology, we started consuming large amounts of saturated and trans fats which seem to be harmful to our health. To make informed decisions on our food, we need to understand the health risks of consuming ‘bad’ fats.

Vitamin B3, also called niacin, is one of the water-soluble vitamins, belonging to the vitamin B complex. It can be obtained from many food sources and fortified food products, and can be taken as a dietary supplement. However, important to note is that only 30% of niacin is absorbed, and with niacin’s role in cellular metabolism, having poor nutrition can cause potential health issues.

Good health comes by having our physical and mental self in balance, which is how we prevent diseases, and our health from declining. Ayurveda is a health and lifestyle system that can prevent, but can also treat diseases using different herbal preparations and other holistic approaches, which are often complementary to modern medicine.

Latest research shows that regular yoga practice can reduce hypertension, asthma attacks, effects of autoimmune diseases, and increase red blood cell count, our flexibility and core strength. For many of us who are looking to resolve certain health issues through a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, practising yoga should be a part of our daily routine.

Nearly 50% of people struggling with an eating disorder are binge eating, which makes binge eating quite common, yet not well understood. A binge eating disorder has received official classification as a mental illness in 2013, which tells us it’s the least researched of all eating disorders in terms of interventions and treatment.

Found mostly in the Pacific region, sandalwood has had many uses throughout the history – from ceremonial burning to topical applications. With its woody and calming scent, sandalwood essential oil is today one of the favourites for stimulating endorphins, the pineal gland and relaxing tensions.

Diabetes is a complicated and debilitating disease on its own, and it gets more complex to keep it in check as the time progresses. Also, getting off plan, every once in a while, and not following steps as prescribed causes other health complications and risks. Today, we will see what these health risks are.

Boswellia serrata as a herbal extract is a powerful anti-inflammatory that helps with swelling and agitating conditions such as arthritis and asthma. For a long time, it has been one of the main go-to herbs in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Today, it is being extensively researched as a part of modern medicine.

Getting a good night of sleep is not always easy, especially in today’s world of technology, blue light, stress and family commitments. Many of us spend 6-8 hours in bed, but we still don’t feel refreshed in the morning, and we don’t know the reason why. Perhaps, we might be struggling with sleep apnea.

Vitamin B2 is a water-soluble vitamin that helps our body to metabolize macronutrients and create energy. Riboflavin can be obtained from foods, but even with consumption of (processed) fortified food products, vitamin B2 deficiency can still occur. A better understanding of vitamin B2 might be helpful to improve our health.

Recent research is showing that smiling lifts our mood while decreasing stress-producing hormones such as cortisol. It also has a profound effect on our brain, and serotonin and endorphin levels. Today, we will learn how to tap into the power of smiling.