I know from experience that being in school is stressful, tedious, and all too often overwhelming. You have your schedule, exam and paper dates/deadlines, and professors that you can only hope have the same teaching techniques that suit your learning style -- all of which you have little to no control over. However, there are some things you can control during the school year and some of those things include how you take care of yourself via diet and supplementation. If you support your body and brain by nourishing it appropriately, not only will you feel better but you have the full potential to increase your academic performance. I will be doing a 4 part article series for students which will discuss brain health, stress support, concentration, and test anxiety.This article is Part 2 and will focus on supporting our stress centers using B Vitamins and adaptogens.

Need a new cleanser for your oily skin, without drying yourself out for the winter months? Check out Holly's recommendation: John Master's Bearberry Oily Skin Balancing Facewash...

We are deep into Alberta’s cold winter days, and as we slow down to keep warm, our bodily functions follow suit and can become a little sluggish. Thankfully there are many herbal helpers to aid us through this time. Our Seasonal Detox Tea is full of roots that can help in a many ways, from supporting liver cleansing and function, to encouraging healthy elimination of waste and toxins. A balanced whole foods diet and exercise are also essential in keeping us strong, so that we can stay energized and radiant throughout the winter!

It is no secret that sleep disturbances affect all of us at some point in our lives. Right now, 1 in 10 adults suffers from intermittent or chronic insomnia. There are 30 million Americans alone who report struggling with chronic insomnia annually, and our problems are just getting worse. Read on for the final installment in this series: Insomnia and Indigestion: The Hidden Correlation, or How You Can Be Sleep-Disturbance-Free for the Rest of Your Life...

Find out the latest research news on your favourite supplements that have been clinically shown to help with everything from sexual function to heart disease....including MACA.

This article was written by Mustafa Farooq, a third-year political science student at the University of Alberta. This article is reprinted from its original publication in the Edmonton Journal on November 10, 2010. It was reprinted on the OptiBlog prior to the holiday season as part of our healthy living recommendations, responsible celebrating included.

Enzymes, can you live without ‘em? No, you can’t! Some people are aware of this, but most have no idea.

So what the heck is an Enzyme? Well, one way to look at it is that enzymes make the difference between raw foods and cooked foods. From a scientific perspective, enzymes are complex chains of amino acids called catalysts, that make our digestion work better, our metabolism work easier, and that, most importantly, give us more energy! Read more to find out how you can optimize your enzyme intake.

This article was written by Dustin Russell, health consultant and raw foods specialist at Optimum Health Vitamins. Whether you’re seeking out local, raw, organic ingredients, looking to become a better chef, learning about hauling your own spring water or about growing and raising your own food year round, Dustin thrives on bringing your awareness back, teaching you strategies to get on the road to radiant health, sustainably, successfully, wherever and however you live. As an Optimum Health Consultant and renegade determined to bring change to the planet, he hopes to empower you with the latest and greatest in health freedom practices.

This is a series of articles covering common pregnancy questions and issues about the process and what you can do to take control over your birth and your wellness throughout your pregnancy.
Topics covered will be:
1. Nausea and other common pregnancy related problems
2. How to support your body for optimum development, both internally and externally.
3. Development through mental preparation
4. Birthing support protocol.
5. Postpartum Care

Read more for Part Two...

This article was written by Jessica Curran. Jessica has been employed at Optimum Health for three years and has a strong passion for women and children’s health. Using natural means to treat her own health and the health of her family, she has overcome many obstacles in her life using holistic methods and looks forward to helping others overcome their obstacles. She is currently working on her Science Degree in Nutrition at the University of Alberta and plans to continue with her education into Midwifery and Naturopathic medicine.