But what happens when there isn’t any danger around, and you still find yourself hypervigilant and activated, as if you’re unable to return to a baseline of relative security? Trauma may be the invisible factor stimulating those overwhelmingly intense feelings—and causing an overreliance on survival instincts, sometimes referred to as a trauma response. “When we experience something traumatic or have been exposed to prolonged stress, it causes part of our brain, the amygdala, to go into hyperdrive where we see and feel threats in nonthreatening situations,” licensed therapist Chioma Moronu, LCSW, tells mbg....

“There’s three types of omega-3 fatty acids,” Cording goes on to say. “There’s ALA, DHA, and EPA. ALA is a plant source, and then EPA and DHA are both found in animal products—primarily fish.” Oily fish—such as tuna, anchovies, salmon, mackerel, and sardines—are especially rich in EPA and DHA, which is why they’re often featured in fish oil supplements. With so many fish oil and omega-3 supplements on the market and diverse factors like source, form, bioavailability, quality, traceability, and sustainability to consider, there’s a lot to unpack—so, let’s dive in....

Well, I have some good news: You don’t have to be a world-renowned cardiologist to know healthy oils from unhealthy ones. It’s all about identifying your favorite healthy oils, learning to use them the right way, and then sticking to those habits. And one healthy oil in particular, called flaxseed oil, is worth learning about in more depth because of its exciting health benefits. If you’re particularly nutrition-savvy, you know that there are different types of omega-3s....

These are just a few questions that the principles of “food combining” aim to answer. Here, we dig into whether or not this Ayurveda-inspired way of eating has real perks, plus how to do it. The basic concept of food combining was then revived in the 1920s through the Hay Diet. The Hay diet was formulated by the New York-based physician William Howard Hay and classifies foods as acid, alkaline, or neutral....

Our brains are filled with GABA receptors. When activated, these receptors trigger a chain reaction that reduces neural firing and brain cell activity. “GABA interaction with its receptors increases the threshold for cells to become reactive. It relaxes the cells and inhibits reactivity,” explains integrative neurologist Ilene Ruhoy, M.D., Ph.D.. When this happens, our stress response dulls, our brains quiet down, and we slip into rest and relaxation mode. Exercising, eating a healthy diet, and practicing relaxation techniques are all ways to support healthy GABA levels in the body naturally....

Research has shown that people on a gluten-free diet are unintentionally exposed to gluten on a fairly regular basis. One study of 105 people with celiac disease found that 91% of study participants were exposed to gluten a few times a year, and 63% didn’t realize they were exposed until they developed symptoms. If you’ve been glutened, there are some steps you can take that may help. And, while they’re not as effective as avoiding gluten entirely, they should be able to do at least something to ease your pain....

In India, the holy basil plant is sacred and holy, often used in religious ceremonies and for energetic protection. The plant’s presence in the home is thought to stave off disease and repel insects and foreign smells. Here’s how holy basil might help to relieve symptoms of adrenal fatigue and thyroid imbalance. Adaptogenic herbs such as holy basil support the body’s response to stress and its ability to naturally cope with occasional anxiety and fatigue—slowly and gently, without jolts or crashes....