Articles written by Laura Owens

A long standing vitamin D researcher argues that ensuring employees have adequate D levels will increase efficiency, lower healthcare costs.

Feb 17, 2012 - Laura Owens

More than just a decoration, pumpkin meat, seeds, oil and extract provide numerous health and medicinal benefits, qualifying it as a super food.

Oct 17, 2011 - Laura Owens

Researchers have discovered a brain chemical called orexin that may help activate the body's ability to burn its own fat and potentially reverse obesity.

Oct 6, 2011 - Laura Owens

Research suggests a person's happiness and life satisfaction is influenced by their culture, with financial prosperity contributing but to a limited degree.

Sep 6, 2011 - Laura Owens

Gene mutations in autism are more complex than thought, and while the hereditary link is a piece of the puzzle, environmental factors are increasingly so.

Jun 10, 2011 - Laura Owens

I've been drawn to dragonflies the last two years. Vast symbolism behind this beautiful ancient winged-creature has appeared across continents and cultures.

May 11, 2011 - Laura Owens

Neuroscientists have developed the first comprehensive brain map, creating technology to advance drug discovery, targeted treatments, and human genetics.

Apr 28, 2011 - Laura Owens

How do we move into happiness from pain? It's a gradual and habitual practice that includes appreciating and surrounding yourself with positive people.

Apr 14, 2011 - Laura Owens

Extracted epithelial cells from breast milk may offer women early, accurate, non-invasive breast cancer risk assessment.

Apr 6, 2011 - Laura Owens

Elevated cortisol can exacerbate some symptoms of PMS. Tulsi, or Holy Basil, can help the body adapt to and cope with stress by lowering cortisol levels.

Mar 30, 2011 - Laura Owens

Chronic stress elevates cortisol which creates excess fat around the middle. Adequate intake of vitamin C however, may lower levels of this adrenal hormone.

Mar 9, 2011 - Laura Owens

This ancient herb can help modulate cortisol in the body, one of the primary hormones associated with abdominal fat, type 2 diabetes and inflammation.

Mar 3, 2011 - Laura Owens

The science behind happiness reveals some interesting insights for individuals who want to make a habit of increasing their mental well-being.

Mar 1, 2011 - Laura Owens

Research suggests there's a link between premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how some women synthesize estrogen, vitamin D and calcium during menses.

Feb 28, 2011 - Laura Owens

A report finds that lifestyle changes offer psychological, physiological, economic and societal benefits that drug therapy and counseling don't.

Feb 24, 2011 - Laura Owens

Exposure to room light before bedtime delays melatonin production and shortens its duration at night which negatively impacts sleep.

Feb 9, 2011 - Laura Owens

The social hormone improves facial processing, emotional recognition and subsequently, social interaction. There is a risk for an inverse effect however.

Jan 28, 2011 - Laura Owens

Extreme childhood stress, including poor parental interaction, disrupts a key gene involved in GABA, a brain chemical that affects mood and other processes.

Jan 19, 2011 - Laura Owens

Social networking and communication technology has exploded to a point where scientists can now measure the impact on the human brain, behavior and society.

Jan 12, 2011 - Laura Owens

While there are numerous ways people can improve their well-being, the following are highly beneficial because of their widespread impact.

Jan 10, 2011 - Laura Owens

New vitamin D guidelines are stirring a debate among some doctors and researchers who insist the revised RDA is still too low to provide health benefits.

Dec 6, 2010 - Laura Owens

A sleep hormone produced by the pineal gland improves sleep issues in children with autism, resulting in positive side effects for the entire family.

Dec 1, 2010 - Laura Owens

Harvard psychologists found that language might not just convey a person's thoughts, it may influence specific thoughts and attitudes.

Nov 17, 2010 - Laura Owens

In the first aging and happiness study of its kind, researchers followed the same subjects for 12 years and found older people happier than younger.

Nov 9, 2010 - Laura Owens

Biofield therapies offer healing benefits research suggests, although additional exhaustive and rigid studies need to be done to validate past results.

Oct 28, 2010 - Laura Owens

Scientists once believed parental and societal factors largely shaped an individuals' politics; yet research reveals a more complex and integrated view.

Oct 19, 2010 - Laura Owens

While stress remains high in the minds of Americans, individuals have the power to create more calm in their own lives and in turn, in the lives of others.

Oct 5, 2010 - Laura Owens

Many people try a number of treatments to address chronic pain, infertility and sexual dysfunction, yet the cause may be due to undiagnosed blockages.

Sep 28, 2010 - Laura Owens

While research shows animals have a positive affect on people's emotional and physical well-being, animal-human interactions are decreasing in societies.

Sep 27, 2010 - Laura Owens

Money matters for quality of life, yet age, autonomy, feeling respected, job satisfaction, and other factors affect how a person's feels day to day.

Sep 3, 2010 - Laura Owens

Philosophers, spiritual leaders, self-help gurus, even scientists profess to know what makes a person happy, yet the core principles remain unchanged.

Aug 30, 2010 - Laura Owens

After a task force presented new breast cancer screening guidelines, discussions re-emerged about the use of infrared imaging to improve detection rates.

Aug 26, 2010 - Laura Owens

Mood disorders have become almost commonplace, yet while drug therapy may offer temporary relief, alternative treatments may offer a safer option.

Aug 12, 2010 - Laura Owens

Anxiety and depression have become a mental health epidemic. While medications may offer temporary relief, natural alternatives may offer safer solutions.

Aug 12, 2010 - Laura Owens

A new study finds supplementing with calcium may slightly increase risk of heart attacks. Researchers suggest a review of current calcium recommendations.

Aug 3, 2010 - Laura Owens

The cultural climate in this nation for caregivers remains mixed, yet women have the individual and collective power to forge change.

Jul 30, 2010 - Laura Owens

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and their young children may trigger autism symptoms in kids genetically pre-disposed to the disorder.

Jul 25, 2010 - Laura Owens

This inhibitory calming chemical, the brain's built-in Valium, may be the key to treating patients who don't respond to other mood therapies.

Jul 19, 2010 - Laura Owens

Research reveals that people with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to experience cognitive decline associated with memory disorders.

Jul 15, 2010 - Laura Owens

The baby blues and more serious postpartum depression has been linked to new mothers, yet research finds one in ten new dads get depressed the first year.

Jun 29, 2010 - Laura Owens

While most teens stay up late, a study found that the amount and timing of morning light can alter a child's natural nighttime sleep cycle.

May 6, 2010 - Laura Owens

This ancient spice containing the active ingredient curcumin has broad and powerful medicinal properties including improving cirrhosis of the liver.

Apr 26, 2010 - Laura Owens

As scandal again shakes the Vatican, the celibacy mandate stirs debate. Yet the abuse of children is caused by a complete failure in the church's system.

Apr 21, 2010 - Laura Owens

Research reveals that low levels of vitamin D may contribute to Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel diseases.

Apr 18, 2010 - Laura Owens

Neurotheology, the study of the biological basis of spirituality, while controversial may offer a more holistic understanding of religious experiences.

Apr 12, 2010 - Laura Owens

People who habitually shift negative belief patterns, are grateful, compassionate, in fellowship, humorous and optimistic are generally happier.

Apr 2, 2010 - Laura Owens

While the number of drugs to treat dopamine-dependent depression is growing, people interested in avoiding medication can try natural alternatives to increase dopamine.

Mar 29, 2010 - Laura Owens

While serotonin and/or norepinephrine drugs are often the first line of treatment for people with depression, dopamine therapies might be more effective for some.

Mar 25, 2010 - Laura Owens

Evidence suggest adequate levels of vitamin D may improve success with weight management programs and lower incidence of obesity in some.

Mar 19, 2010 - Laura Owens

Research regarding depression and low serotonin revealed a weak association, yet drug company SSRI advertising doesn't reflect existing data.

Mar 15, 2010 - Laura Owens