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.

Calcium is an essential mineral, important for bone, teeth, nerve and muscle health. It is especially important in adolescence in order to support bone structure, function and growth. As there are particular groups of people that have a higher calcium requirement, we need to know if we are getting enough calcium from our diet or if there is a need for extra supplementation.

The refreshing scent and aroma of oranges always puts a smile on our face. It gives us the zing. Sweet orange essential oil does even more, as it stimulates relaxation and helps with inflammation, especially due to viruses and bacteria.

Protein is an essential building block for our muscles, hormones, neurotransmitters and many other tissues in the body. Given that nearly 10% of our brain is made of protein, it’s important to understand how protein impacts our brain and affects our cognition, mood, energy levels and other functions.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, vital for our physical and mental health, and more research is now coming out on complex interactions between vitamin D and different body functions and processes. In children, deficiency in vitamin D can have a significant impact on their health and development.

We are becoming more reliant on medication as a quick fix. But these “quick fixes” are not long-term solutions. To make significant and positive changes in our life, we need to have more understanding of our thoughts, emotions and actions. This is where hypnotherapy can assist us in making that first step.

For a very long time, fats have been labelled as bad, and diets high in carbohydrates and low in fat have been advocated. Today we know that fats are important for daily functioning of our body. Understanding fat, different types of fats and their importance, can lead to eating a balanced and healthy diet.

Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient holistic approach to health and wellbeing, where mind, body and spirit are equally important. While modern medicine focuses mostly on treatment, ayurveda looks at how we can prevent diseases. This is why nutrition is only a part of the answer and the balance between mind and body is highly sought after to achieve health.

Food is not inherently bad or good, it is just that we as individuals reacted differently to it. Since we all have unique genetics, the same nutrients can affect us in different ways. That means that we should know which foods protect and nurture our body and health, and from which foods we should stay away from based on our unique genetics.

Cancer is on the rise, and though our cancer mortality rates are decreasing due to advancements in medicine, people are still going through the traumatic experience of cancer treatments. Perhaps, it’s time to focus on prevention instead of treatment, which is where nature comes to the rescue.

Thiamine is an essential nutrient for converting food into energy. It is involved in glucose metabolism and is a key player in nerve, muscle and heart function. Vitamin B1 can be found in many food sources but sometimes deficiency can occur in vulnerable populations. In this article we will explore the uses of thiamine for our health and the possible side effects.

Zinc is an essential nutrient for human health, and is involved in hundreds of chemical reactions in the body. It is especially important for our immune system, growth and reproductive health. We get zinc from our food, and need to consume it daily, but zinc deficiency is common and can have serious effects on our health. So, how can we prevent this and use zinc to maximise our wellbeing?