“Although certain types of approved pesticides can be used in organic agriculture, they are often natural substances, whereas conventional agriculture uses harsher man-made pesticides,” says registered dietician, Erika Fox, RDN. Additionally, Fox says organic produce is grown using natural fertilizers compared to conventional, which uses (you guessed it) synthetic fertilizer. Our soil contains critical microbial life that typically gets destroyed when crops are sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and so on....

“Sixty to 80% of our immune system is in our gut and is known as the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT),” registered dietitian Ella Davar, R.D., CDN, previously told mbg. That means that more than half of your immune system relies on a healthy gut, so keeping your gut microbiome balanced with probiotic foods and drinks, like ACV, is especially important for fighting off colds. While there haven’t been any studies that directly connect apple cider vinegar with immunity specifically, research published in Synthetic and Systems Microbiology in 2018 stated that probiotics, in general, are effective for fighting off colds3 and flu-like respiratory infections because they nourish the immune system....

Whether you’re trying to suss out your relationship compatibility with a crush or your marriage compatibility as a long-term couple, this compatibility test will give you some clues—but it’s also important to understand what exactly it means to be compatible with someone. Here’s a simple, five-minute compatibility test to try out: This romantically compatibility test will take about 5 minutes. Answer each question as honestly as possible for the most accurate results....

A word on the virus: HSV is incredibly contagious, and it’s caused by skin-to-skin contact—things like kissing or drinking after a person who has active lesions, touching the person’s skin, or sharing objects like silverware, lip balms, or razors. And while there’s a certain stigma around them (“They can affect a person’s confidence and self-esteem, especially for those who get them several times a year,” says board-certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, M....

Recently, a number of scientists and doctors have been discussing another measure to support immune and respiratory health: vitamin D. It’s important to acknowledge that at this time, however, there’s no confirmed cure or guaranteed way to avoid contracting COVID-19. As far as preventive measures2 go, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially recommends washing your hands with soap and water frequently, socially distancing yourself from other people, covering your nose and mouth with a face mask in public, shielding your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and disinfecting frequently used surfaces regularly....

According to psychiatrist Gail Saltz, M.D., people use deflection as a way to get someone else “off course,” so to speak, if they’re being criticized and feel the need to defend themselves. Typically, they’ll deflect onto the person calling them out, though they can also shift blame to an entirely separate person. (For example, a child getting scolded for making a mess might say, “Johnny started it.”) “The person who’s doing the deflecting may or may not be using some denial themselves in defense of whatever’s making them uncomfortable or anxious,” Saltz notes....

I get patients like Thom more often these days. They’re overworked, underslept, sometimes feeling spiritually empty, and oftentimes wanting to discuss tapering off pharmaceutical drugs (like Xanax or Prozac) their conventional doctors prescribed, seaking a more holistic, natural regimen to alleviate depression or anxiety (of course, never go off prescription medicine without a doctor’s guidance). Newer studies1 show your microbiome can also influence other emotions like anxiety, which I see far more often among patients like Thom these days....