Prickly pear: discover the healing power of an ancient Aztec superfood

If you live in Latin America, or a semi-arid region of the United States, a wild superfood may be ripe for the picking in your own backyard. Known as prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp), the leaves and fruit of this desert plant can be harvested and consumed to treat a variety of conditions -- including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and inflammation.

Native to the mountainous areas of Mexico, prickly pear cactus has been used since ancient times as a potent medicine, as well as a daily food source. Many of the nutritional advantages of the plant are attributed to its growing habitat—namely, volcanic soil and high altitude. The Aztecs so valued prickly pear that it was considered food fit for warriors and royalty. Jump to the present day and you'll find health enthusiasts have also embraced the food for boosting stamina, improving health and slimming down.

Is DHEA a veritable 'fountain of youth' in a bottle?

A seeming miracle, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is known for its ability to turn back the hands of time, decrease fat storage, ease coronary heart disease and osteoporosis, alleviate depression and improve fertility and sexual arousal. But can supplementing with this natural steroid really provide a magical cure-all as many headlines claim? Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN, NP, takes a look at the enthusiasm surrounding DHEA and separates fact from fiction.

What exactly is DHEA?

A precursor to all major sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone), DHEA is a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol and released by the adrenal glands. We produce the most DHEA in our 20s, and by the time we reach 70, production has been reduced to about 20 percent of what we had in our youth. When we have healthy levels of DHEA, we feel vibrant, clearheaded and joyful. There is also evidence that adequate DHEA may help ward off cancer, Alzheimer's and obesity. However, just as DHEA can prevent health issues, it can also disrupt balance when taken in supplemental form.

Concerned about cancer, inflammation, memory loss or diabetes? 'Holy Fruit of the Himalayas' can help

With environmental pollutants, radiation, stress and chemicals bombarding us at every turn, simply consuming a clean diet isn't enough to ensure health - additional fortification with nutrient-dense superfoods is often required to avoid serious disease and illness. Luckily, a bright orange Himalayan berry can tackle many of our modern health issues and encourage a robust future.

Sea buckthorn fruit is loaded with over 190 bioactive compounds, including omega-3 and omega-7 fatty acids - the latter is a rare fat in the plant kingdom which is beneficial for weight loss and healing the gastrointestinal tract. The berry is considered one of the world's most balanced fruits, providing powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. Rich in beta-carotene, flavonoids and vitamins C, D, E and K, sea buckthorn also contains a substantial complex of B vitamins and 20 minerals. Moreover, it supplies between 4-100 times more vitamin C than any other fruit or vegetable. With such an impressive nutritional profile, it's no wonder the fruit has long been considered a healing treasure in the mountainous Himalayan regions in which it grows.

Danger: Chemtrails – Aerial Spraying of Toxic Chemicals

(ThriveMovement) By Foster Gamble

Governments and corporations are deliberately manipulating and altering Earth’s climate, endangering the lives of people all over the world. Two of the most extreme cases of geo-engineering are chemtrails – the release of toxic chemicals into the air that are poisoning people and the planet – and HAARP – an electromagnetic antenna array based in Alaska that can send radio-frequency radiation over large geographical areas and manipulate weather patterns causing earthquakes, tsunamis, and more.  These projects represent some of the worst crimes in history, yet most people are unaware of them.

Keep brain shrinkage at bay with fish oils

Can an abundance of fish oils in the diet keep your brain from shrinking? A new study published in the January 2014 issue of Neurology says yes.

A natural indicator of normal aging (but also a sign of Alzheimer's disease), reduced brain size can foreshadow problems involving mental health, clarity and cognition. Due to this connection, researchers are enthusiastic about the latest findings linking omega-3 fatty acid consumption with larger brain volume.

An eight-year study

Hubless Sada Bike Can Be Folded to the Size of an Umbrella

(Inhabitat)

By Lidija Grozdanic

Foldable bikes have been around for some time, but Sada Bycicle pushes the limits of space-saving design by folding to the size of an umbrella. This hubless bike features a frame that folds away for maximum portability – it can even be packed in a regular-sized backpack!

The Sada Bike has a standard bicycle dimension with 26-inch wheels that are attached to the frame using an anchoring system. The entire structure can be folded with a single movement and packed in a container that can also be used as a backpack.