A naturally occurring compound, betaine anhydrous is an amino acid derivative composed of the amino acid glycine and three methyl groups. In the body, its primary role is as a methyl donor, transferring those extra methyl groups to other compounds. This is important for promoting a healthy methylation cycle, keeping our metabolism running smoothly, and supporting liver detoxification.* Betaine is often talked about as a pair with its more mainstream sidekick choline, an essential nutrient often included with B-complex supplements because its benefits are very similar....

I’ve also been under the impression that an OTC cream like Monistat or a prescription antifungal like fluconazole is the only acceptable treatment for yeast infections. But recently, I was listening to a podcast on which several women were talking about successfully using boric acid—yes, that white powder that’s often used as a pest killer and home cleaner—to not only treat yeast infections when other methods had failed but to do so quickly and gently....

Many people, at the advice of their doctor, take vitamins before, during, and after pregnancy. These tend to be highly targeted for optimal fetal growth and development—as well as maternal health. But those who already had a supplement may be left wondering where their other products fit into the lineup. Like, say, collagen supplements: Are they pregnancy safe, or do you need to put them on the bench for the time being?...

We stopped trying to be better than each other and instead started looking for ways to make an unfathomably challenging time just a little bit better for everyone. “I definitely see parents being more sensitive, patient, and adaptable. The pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to connect with their children, regardless of age, and I’ve yet to speak to a parent who hasn’t appreciated this,” says Reva McPollom, an education expert, CEO, and founder of Lessonbee, agrees....

There’s no denying that disposable diapers affect the environment negatively. The production of the plastic and the gels that make up the diapers produces waste that must be disposed of. Then think of the packaging and marketing process—the dyes, the boxes, the delivery—and all the environmental costs that come with that. Also, the diapers are made from polypropylene, a type of plastic that is made from the nonrenewable resource petroleum and will not biodegrade under landfill conditions....

One hot debate is whether you can add collagen to coffee (or any warm beverage, for that matter). Some declare the high temperature can mess with its benefits; others assert it’s totally stable, offering up a menu of decadent, collagen-infused sips. What’s the right move here? Find our investigation ahead, based on the latest research. However, collagen is not completely indestructible: “Really high, prolonged temps can be a denaturation culprit,” says Ferira....

Well, some ingredients come with notable cautions, while others seem to be pretty tolerable or wholly benign. Where does collagen fall on that spectrum? Let’s dive in. As far as its role in the body, it helps make up the structure of our skin, bone, cartilage, muscle, and more, with the purpose of helping tissues be elastic and withstand stretching (so, for example, it keeps skin looking young and supple).* We actually make our own internal supply of collagen, via our cells’ fibroblasts (assuming they have the amino acids and other required nutritional building blocks they need)....