Blue Zones are regions of the world where residents have a longer life expectancy and lower rates of chronic disease than the expected average. The culture within Blue Zones, such as daily activities, social networks, and diet, appears to be the main influence in this phenomenon.

Food is not always “just food” since we all might react differently to certain nutrients. This is most evidently seen when we talk about coffee and caffeine, since some of us absorb caffeine much slower, which has a negative effect on our health. The reason for this is our unique genetics.

Understanding various hamstring issues, including tightness, strains and tendinopathy, is essential for effective treatment and injury prevention. Sedentary lifestyles often contribute to hamstring tightness. Adopting stretching and dynamic exercise routines can help alleviate hamstring issues.

Potassium is a key electrolyte and an essential mineral important for proper functioning of the heart and muscles, and it also assists in reduction of cardiovascular diseases and the risk of stroke. Though potassium deficiency is rare, there are certain individuals and age groups that could benefit from more potassium in their diet and supplementation.

When we look back over the last few decades, we can see that our society is becoming more sedentary. With such a lifestyle, it is very common for our glutes to become weak. This can lead to different issues, such as low back pain, knee and hip pain, and abnormal gait or walking.

Plant-based products consist of plant ingredients, without any animal derived ingredients. Unlike a plant-based diet that consists of plant foods that have gone through minimal processing, plant-based products can contain 5-10% additives.

Managing type 1 diabetes is an everyday job if a person is to remain healthy post-diagnosis and minimise and avoid other health complications that may arise. Insulin therapy, great food choices and meal plan, as well as general movement and exercise are the 3 pillars fundamental to managing type 1 diabetes.

It is safe to say that advancements in the food industry, and the inclusion of food additives to many foods have helped world hunger, making food production cheaper and extending the shelf life of food. However, does the pursuit of making food cheaper to produce have an impact on our health?

Eggs are a staple food in most Kiwi diets. Different egg farms have different farming methods, which produce different quality of eggs. In this article we explore egg producers in New Zealand and verification certifications that allow us to make informed choices about eggs.

Yoga is often seen as a form of practice and stretching that only has a positive impact on our physical health. In this article, we will discuss how yoga can be used as a form of therapy to help with mental health conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Pre-Traumatic Stress (PTSP) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In the second part of looking into these two types of diets, we see that plant-based diets can assist with cognitive health, diabetes and reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease. However, they also might increase the risk of non-communicable diseases due to micronutrient deficiencies.

Research suggests that 70% of our immune system is located in our gut, which tells us that our gut microbiome plays an important role in our overall health. Today, we’ll see how probiotics fit into this environment, and we’ll also look at the health benefits and potential risks of supplementing with probiotics.