3 easy habits for a long, disease-free life

Telomeres (tiny bits of DNA that influence longevity and health) have been causing quite a stir among researchers lately—and for good reason. The length of these protective caps on the end of chromosomes determine how quickly cells age, and how prone we are to having a stroke or developing cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, vascular dementia, diabetes and osteoporosis. Essentially, the shorter your telomeres, the shorter your lifespan. And yet, we don't have to be at the mercy of our genetics. Have a look at the following tips which help foster strong telomeres—as well as resistance to disease and aging.

Want to increase telomere length? Adopt these three habits

One simple morning trick that can help you shed excess weight

By  Annie Daly

(Women’s Health) "Rise and shine" isn't just something you should say in the morning to drag yourself out of bed. According to a new study from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, published in the journal PLOS ONE, actually doing it—i.e., getting up and catching a couple quick rays—may help you lose weight.

Researchers asked 54 participants, average age 30, to wear a wrist monitor that tracked their exposure to morning light for seven days straight. They also had them keep food diaries to record their caloric intake. As it turns out, the people who got more morning light had lower BMIs than those who got less—and that was regardless of their age, how active they were, and what they ate.

Is mold making you sick?

Suffering from brain fog, chronic fatigue or insomnia? How about depression, migraines or inflammation? If so, you may have a problem with an internal mold infection.

Associated with an astounding number of health issues, mold toxicity is a common -- although often hidden -- source of declining health. Thriving in humid climates, or wherever water damage is present, the fungus releases spores into the environment, which infiltrate the air, along with carpet and furniture, clothing, mattresses and bedding. People living or working within these spaces inhale the spores, which then reproduce in the body and (for the more harmful varieties) subsequently release mycotoxins. Mold and mycotoxins can be ingested through contaminated food as well. You can learn more about this hazard here.

Mysterious virus spreading across U.S. and Canada and primarily affecting vaccinated children

By Dave Mihalovic

(Prevent Disease) It's being considered a severe respiratory virus known as EV-D68. It hits hard and fast and has already created an outbreak in Colorado, Missouri, Utah, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, and four more states in the Midwest. It has also crossed over the Canada with confirmed cases in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Although there is no known vaccine for the virus, ironically a common theme has been discovered in those who have been infected...they have all been vaccinated.

The symptoms can mimic those of the influenza virus, but can have a much more dire impact on those that fall ill. Dr. Mary Anne Jackson, the hospital’s division director for infectious disease shared her concern with CNN.

"It's worse in terms of scope of critically ill children who require intensive care. I would call it unprecedented. I’ve practiced for 30 years in pediatrics, and I’ve never seen anything quite like this."
The Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has infected more than 150 children in the U.S., and has recently spread to Canada with 18 confirmed cases in three provinces.

Searching for a good egg: Which type is best - Organic, free-range, pastured or cage-free?

If you eat eggs, the variety you choose can make a big difference in nutrition. Conventional, organic, free-range or pastured? Terminology can be confusing or downright misleading. Mother Earth News decided to cut through the hearsay by testing pastured eggs to see if they lived up to their reputation as a higher quality food. The results may surprise you.

The dark underbelly of certification

To some, it may be shocking to learn their pricey, supermarket organic eggs have very little nutritional difference between conventional, "battery hen" types. Or that free-range can simply mean a chicken has access to a cramped outdoor space for a few minutes a day. Like most matters concerning commercially produced food, certification can be wildly deceptive. To clarify, the Food Renegade offers the following insights about the different varieties of eggs: