1. Goji Berry: A Natural Ally for Retinal Health
Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) are gaining attention not only for their antioxidant capacity but for specific benefits to eye health. In a 2021 clinical trial, healthy middle-aged adults who consumed 28 grams (about a handful) of goji berries five times a week for 90 days showed a significant increase in macular pigment optical density, a key biomarker protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
High levels of zeaxanthin and lutein in goji berries directly support retinal function and may help prevent or slow the progression of AMD.
Practical advice:
- Enjoy a small handful (about 28 grams) of goji berries as a snack or add to cereals and salads regularly for eye protection.
- Choose organic goji berries when possible, and remember that supplementation should complement — not replace — regular eye check-ups.
Here is a comprehensive article on The Goji Berry, by Margaret Roberts.
Reference
Kim JE, Clark RM, Lee HS, et al. Consumption of goji berries increases macular pigment optical density in healthy 13(10):3371.
2. The future of computing: where silicon meets neurons
3. Honey: The Natural Sleep Enhancer?
If you’re searching for a sweet way to support better sleep, experts suggest that a spoonful of honey could be the answer. While you rest, your brain relies on a steady supply of glucose to power essential nighttime processes. Honey, with its gentle release of glucose, supports brain function and helps keep energy levels stable, reducing the chance of waking up hungry in the middle of the night.
But honey’s sleep-promoting benefits don’t stop there. By slightly raising insulin levels, honey helps more tryptophan (the amino acid needed for melatonin production) enter the brain, enhancing your body’s ability to fall into a deeper, more restful sleep.
For best results, choose raw honey, which preserves beneficial vitamins, antioxidants, and natural antibacterial properties lost during pasteurisation. Enjoy it stirred into herbal tea.
Reference
- Silva LR, Videira R, et al. Tryptophan and Biogenic Amines in the Differentiation and Quality of Honey. JAOAC Int. 2022;105(6):1368‐1378.
4. The Gotu Kola Breakthrough: Cognitive Health and Wound Healing
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), also known as pennywort, has been a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, used to address ailments ranging from indigestion to dementia. In Sanskrit, it’s called ‘brahmi,' signifying consciousness or wisdom.
Mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic texts and embraced by Chinese medicine for its reputed ability to promote longevity, gotu kola has long been valued as both a wound healer and a brain tonic. Its recent popularity in the West includes use among students seeking cognitive enhancement during exams.
Despite its storied use in enhancing memory and mental performance, scientific research in this area has only begun to emerge.
New research in Frontiers in Aging suggests that the triterpenoids in gotu kola can stimulate the growth of neuronal dendrites, supporting improved memory and learning. Additionally, its capacity to boost collagen synthesis and reduce inflammation underscores its reputation as a natural remedy for chronic wounds and various skin conditions.
As a perennial herb, gotu kola is prized for its purifying and balancing effects. Ayurvedic practitioners frequently recommend it to those struggling with distraction or mental agitation; when combined with meditation, gotu kola may help reduce anxiety and promote mental clarity. It also pairs well with calming herbs like chamomile or valerian for gentle sleep support.
Chemically, gotu kola (pennywort) is complex, containing alkaloids, glycosides, sterols, tannins, and other compounds responsible for its antibiotic and wound-healing effects. Scientific interest in gotu kola’s potential to treat conditions like herpes, cancer, and stomach ulcers is growing, though more rigorous studies are needed to confirm its benefits.
For more read the article Pennywort (Gotu Kola): The Remarkable Herb for Skin, Stress, and Wellness
5. Barefoot Grounding: Reconnect with Earth’s Energy
Did you know walking barefoot on grass, sand, or soil for just 15 minutes daily can reduce stress, improve sleep, and lower inflammation? This ancient practice called ‘grounding' or ‘earthing' lets your body absorb Earth’s natural electrons, which act like antioxidants to neutralise harmful free radicals.
Why It Works:
- Stress Relief: Direct contact with Earth’s surface reduces cortisol (stress hormone) by 25% within 30 minutes.
- Better Sleep: Grounding after sunset syncs your circadian rhythm with Earth’s electromagnetic field, helping you fall asleep faster.
- Inflammation Drop: Electrons from the ground neutralise positively charged free radicals linked to chronic inflammation.
Try This:
- Morning Ritual: Walk barefoot on dewy grass for 10 to 15 minutes (even better with sunlight exposure!).
- Desk Break: Ditch shoes during lunch and stand on a patch of soil or sand.
- Post-Workout Recovery: Sit on the ground after exercise to speed muscle repair.
Pro Tip: For urban dwellers, use conductive mats or sheets indoors to mimic grounding effects.
6. Harnessing the Power of Red Beet Nitrates for Vascular Health
Recent research highlights the potent cardiovascular benefits of naturally occurring nitrates in red beetroot. When consumed, these plant nitrates are converted to nitric oxide, leading to improved vasodilation, lower blood pressure, and enhanced blood flow.
A 2022 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that older adults consuming 70 ml of concentrated beetroot juice daily for 12 weeks lowered their systolic blood pressure by an average of 8 mmHg compared to placebo, and also saw improvements in exercise capacity. These effects are attributed to beetroot’s unique nitrate and polyphenol content.
Practical advice:
- Add 70 to 140 ml of beetroot juice to your daily routine, or blend cooked beetroot into salads and smoothies for heart and vascular health support.
- If you’re on blood pressure medication, consult your healthcare provider prior to high nitrate supplementation.
7. High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound: Non-Invasive Precision Healing
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is revolutionising non-invasive medicine that aims to kill cancer cells with high frequency sound waves.
First conceptualised in the 1940s but only clinically adopted in the 1990s (notably for prostate cancer), HIFU has broadened its impact to include hopeful therapies for kidney, liver, and pancreatic tumours, and uterine fibroids. The technique uses precisely focused ultrasound energy to rapidly heat and ablate targeted tissue, leaving surrounding healthy areas almost untouched.
Recent advances bolster HIFU’s appeal: real-time imaging and enhanced targeting increase both safety and efficacy, enabling practitioners to achieve more predictable and effective results. Pioneers like Anthony Holland are exploring its potential even further, including innovative research on using specific frequencies for non-invasive cancer treatment, and as adjuncts to mind-body healing.
While HIFU offers less recovery time and fewer complications than surgery or radiation, it isn't suitable for all tumours, especially those near sensitive structures. Availability remains limited to specialised centers, but ongoing research continues to expand its promise.
I encourage those interested in HIFU to look into frequency-based healing.
8. Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 Destroyed 20% of Cancer Cells in Lab
Intriguing new research from the Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro suggests that music, specifically Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, may have surprising effects on cancer cells.
Led by Dr. Márcia Capella, scientists exposed both healthy and cancerous cell cultures to various music genres. Remarkably, about 20% of the cancer cells were destroyed after just a few days of exposure to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, while healthy cells remained largely unaffected. Similar results were seen with György Ligeti’s Atmosphères, but Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos showed no significant impact.
Researchers are still investigating the underlying mechanisms, with hypotheses focusing on the role of rhythm, frequency, and intensity. While replacing chemotherapy with music is a distant notion, this study adds to a growing body of evidence that music, sound and frequency, may exert real and measurable biological effects on our bodies.
Further studies are underway to better understand this phenomenon and its potential therapeutic applications. Here is our article on The Healing Power of Beethoven’s Music.
9. The historical truths mainstream medicine forgot
If you prioritise children’s health and safety, I urge you to listen to this Joe Rogan Experience episode featuring nephrologist Dr. Suzanne Humphries — a conventionally trained medical doctor who has dedicated years to rigorously researching vaccines, immunity, and medical history.
She is the acclaimed author of Dissolving Illusions: Disease, Vaccines, and the Forgotten History, a groundbreaking work that re-examines mainstream narratives around vaccination and disease.
This conversation is a must-listen for parents. Dr. Humphries addresses critical questions about childhood vaccine safety with clarity and evidence-based insights — from which vaccines pose risks to why historical context matters in modern medicine. Her analysis bridges functional medicine principles with decades of clinical expertise, offering a perspective rarely heard in mainstream discourse.
Don’t miss this eye-opening dialogue — your perspective on public health may never be the same. And especially, if you are a medical doctor vaccinating children, please take note!
10. Mucuna Pruriens: Dopamine and Hormone Support
Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as velvet bean, is gaining recognition for its remarkable neuro-supportive properties. This tropical legume is a rich natural source of L-DOPA, the direct precursor to dopamine — a critical neurotransmitter for mood regulation, motivation, libido, and motor control.
Groundbreaking research has shown that Mucuna pruriens supplementation can significantly improve motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, often with fewer side effects compared to synthetic L-DOPA preparations.
Beyond its neurological benefits, studies suggest that Mucuna may also support hormonal balance and fertility in both men and women. Supplementation has been linked to improved sperm quality and testosterone levels in men. Mucuna may enhance ovulatory function in women, likely through its ability to combat oxidative stress and modulate key reproductive hormones.
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