How stress attacks your body, the science on fasting, nature’s Ozempic

How stress attacks your body, the science on fasting,…

September 10, 2023
by RJ Hamster

This week: Acute stress vs. chronic stress; how fasting can lengthen your life; the world’s Blue Zones; claims about nature’s Ozempic; why you might be taking the wrong drugs; the truth about chemicals in deodorants.

SIDNEY MOULDS, SCIENCE SOURCE

Do you have chronic stress? Look for these signs.

Sweaty palms. Rapid heart rate. Stomach pain. Depression. There’s a difference between acute stress and chronic stress—but both can affect your health and well-being in the short and long term. We explain what causes both types of stress, what they look and feel like—and how best to manage them.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY WHEN IT’S STRESSED

How to cope with stress:

•

YOGA: Science is proving that this ancient practice is an effective antidote to modern stress

•

NUTRIENTS: The right mix of vitamins, fatty acids, proteins, and carbs can help you fight everyday stress

PHOTOGRAPH BY JASPER DOEST

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ FROM THE ARCHIVES‌ ‌ ‌

Can fasting help you live longer? Here’s what the science says.

It might be tempting to chalk it up as a passing fad, but research has shown that intermittent fasting has real health benefits. Here’s how it really works—and how a new diet that tricks your body into thinking it’s fasting may have similar benefits.

THE SKINNY ON FASTING

THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET: It’s balanced, flexible, and helps prevent chronic diseases +

GIANLUCA COLLA, NG IMAGE COLLECTION

The 5 ‘Blue Zones’ where the world’s healthiest people live

These places not only have high concentrations of people over 100 years old—but also clusters of people who grew old without health problems like heart disease, obesity, cancer, or diabetes.

WHERE THEY ARE

ILLUSTRATION BY LUISA RIVERA

The American diet that could add 10 years to your life

It’s not a fad diet, says Blue Zones author Dan Buettner. This diet was developed by ordinary Americans, is widely affordable, is sustainable, and has a lower carbon footprint than a meat-heavy diet.

AMERICAN BLUE ZONES

PHOTOGRAPH BY DEAGOSTINI, GETTY IMAGES

Some call it ‘nature’s Ozempic.’ Are the claims too good to be true?

Berberine is a plant extract that has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for treating issues like digestive disorders and inflammatory conditions. Here’s what experts say about recent claims it can help with weight loss too.

WHAT IT CAN AND CAN’T DO

CUTTING-EDGE CURES: How ancient remedies are changing modern medicine +

YOU MIGHT BE TAKING THE WRONG MEDICATIONS

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROSEM MORTON, THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX

As your body ages, the medicines that have always worked well for you—from antihistamines to antidepressants—may start to do more harm than good. In fact, a new study shows that a surprisingly large number of adults are taking drugs that could put them in the hospital.

PROBLEMATIC DRUGS

SHOULD YOU TAKE A MULTIVITAMIN? In some cases, they can lead to dangerous nutrient imbalances. +

ARE NATURAL DEODORANTS SAFER?

PHOTOGRAPH BY SOPHIE CHIVET/AGENCE VU’/REDUX

Many natural deodorants claim not to contain ingredients like aluminum, phthalates, and parabens. But are these “safer” and “greener” products actually any better for you or the planet? We asked the experts to weigh in on the safety of the ingredients, and what’s effective in preventing both sweat and body odor.

IS ALUMINUM REALLY DANGEROUS?

PHTHALATES: How these ‘everywhere chemicals’ help uterine fibroids grow +

COUNTER OR FRIDGE?

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBBIE GEORGE, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Are you tired of having to toss out fruits and veggies? From wrapping leafy greens in paper towels to storing mushrooms in paper bags, these tips from food scientists and chefs will help your perishables stay fresh for longer.

HOW TO KEEP FRUITS AND VEGGIES FRESH

LESS-THAN-WHOLE FOODS? Why fruits and vegetables are less nutritious than they used to be +

READ MORE TOP STORIES FROM NAT GEO

PHOTOGRAPHS BY (LEFT) VSEVOLOD ZVIRYK AND (RIGHT) ANTONIA REEVE, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Scientists in California continuously infused the blood of young mice into old mice—and found that the old mice functioned as if they were young. What if something similar could be done in humans? It’s not science fiction—it’s called senolytics, and it’s a major player in the quest for longevity.

A DRUG THAT COULD REVERSE ARTHRITIS

A look inside the world of the Neanderthals

The Mediterranean diet has stood the test of time for a reason: It works

Does a woman’s fertility really plummet at age 35?

She shined a light on the disease no one wants to see

Clothing from 1600s shipwreck shows how the 1 percent lived

This empress was the most dangerous woman in Rome

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RJ Hamster

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How stress attacks your body, the science on fasting, nature’s Ozempic

How stress attacks your body, the science on fasting,…

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