Why Athletes Swear by Foam Rollers—And Why You Should Too - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Depression and anxiety are common but often ignored after stroke, making recovery harder and increasing the risk of long-term decline A large NHS study found that talking therapy helped 71% of stroke survivors improve their mental health, with nearly half fully recovering Starting therapy within six months of a stroke gives you a much better chance at full recovery and lowers the risk of getting worse Melatonin and methylene blue help protect brain cells during a stroke by limiting oxidative damage and preserving energy production Ginkgo biloba shows promise for improving cognitive function after stroke when used early, giving your brain more support to rebuild

Story at-a-glance Sleep apnea, especially during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, causes oxygen drops that damage small brain vessels and raise dementia risk, often before cognitive symptoms become noticeable New research links REM-specific oxygen loss to white matter lesions and entorhinal cortex thinning, two key markers of early neurodegeneration in aging and Alzheimer’s disease Standard apnea scores like apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) often miss these deeper risks because they don’t measure oxygen depth or track when during sleep the damage occurs Long-term studies confirm that even mild, untreated apnea accelerates brain aging and disproportionately increases dementia risk in women compared to men Treatments like breathing machines, oral devices, and lifestyle changes reduce apnea severity and help preserve brain health by ensuring proper oxygen delivery during sleep  

Story at-a-glance Foam rollers are cylindrical devices that apply pressure to muscles, helping relieve tightness and inflammation while improving flexibility and range of motion Research shows foam-rolling significantly boosts flexibility immediately after use, but provides minimal improvements in athletic performance like jumping, sprinting, or strength training Foam-rolling is theorized to work through three mechanisms — loosening fascia around muscles, improving blood circulation and temperature, and activating nerve receptors that reduce pain perception Studies demonstrate foam-rolling enhances pre-workout preparation by improving ankle mobility and single-leg balance, making it effective for warming up before exercise as well Four basic foam roller exercises target major muscle groups — hamstrings, back, calves, and quads, each performed for approximately 30 seconds per area

Story at-a-glance Mosquitoes are drawn to your body’s natural scent, heat, breath, and even clothing color, making some people far more attractive to them than others Genetic factors account for about 62% of how attractive you are to mosquitoes, with identical twins showing nearly identical mosquito appeal in lab tests People with type O blood are bitten significantly more often than those with types A, B, or AB, though this doesn’t impact how many eggs mosquitoes lay afterward Everyday choices like using scented lotion, wearing red or black clothing, drinking alcohol, or being overheated all raise your mosquito bite risk Plant-based oils like Russian sage and wild mint repel mosquitoes as effectively as DEET in lab studies, offering a safer way to protect yourself without toxic chemicals

Story at-a-glance Research reveals vitamin D deficiency damages blood vessel health, impairing their ability to relax and significantly contributing to erectile dysfunction and broader vascular problems Optimal vitamin D levels (60 to 80 ng/mL) are essential for sexual function, as low levels reduce nitric oxide availability and weaken response to erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra Vitamin D activates protective proteins that shield blood vessels from oxidative damage, while deficiency allows harmful superoxide molecules to build up and attack vascular tissue Direct sunlight exposure is the best natural source of vitamin D, but supplementation with D3 is often necessary during winter months or for those with limited sun exposure For maximum effectiveness, vitamin D supplementation should be paired with magnesium and vitamin K2, which help activate and direct vitamin D to where it's needed most

Story at-a-glance DMSO is an "umbrella remedy" capable of treating a wide range of challenging ailments due to its combination of therapeutic properties (e.g., reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and reviving dying cells) One of DMSO's unique properties is its ability to enter through the skin and carry anything it dissolves with it as it rapidly travels throughout the body, greatly enhancing the potency and viability of many pharmaceutical drugs Because of this, numerous pharmaceutical preparations over the years have combined DMSO with a commonly used drug, and in many cases, demonstrated significant safety and efficacy of the combination to drug regulators These DMSO combination therapies are able to treat challenging illnesses, such as significant musculoskeletal injuries, antibiotic resistant infections, persistent fungal and viral infections, chemotherapy resistant cancers, and chronic pain Many of the most promising uses of DMSO result from combining it with another natural or conventional therapy, as in many cases, a combination can do what DMSO cannot do alone for someone. This article examines the clinical evidence for specific DMSO combination therapies

Story at-a-glance A specific type of fiber called beta-glucan, found in oats and barley, was shown to reduce levels of harmful PFAS chemicals in the blood within just four weeks Participants who consumed beta-glucan experienced significant drops in legacy PFAS compounds like PFOA and PFOS, which are linked to cancer and hormone disruption The fiber group was the only one to show a meaningful reduction in the seven most high-risk PFAS chemicals identified by the National Academies of Sciences, including those that raise your risk for thyroid disease, cancer and ulcerative colitis In a follow-up study using mice, animals exposed to high PFAS levels but fed beta-glucan had lower blood PFAS, improved fat metabolism and less liver stress compared to controls The key to beta-glucan’s effect is its gel-forming action in your gut, which traps PFAS and interrupts their reabsorption cycle, allowing your body to eliminate them through stool

Story at-a-glance Merck’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shot clesrovimab (Enflonsia) was approved even though 11.71% of babies in the trial experienced serious adverse events, including seizures, brain injury, and death Infants who got clesrovimab had a 350% higher risk of upper respiratory infections — exactly the type of illness this shot claims to prevent The injection is given in a single, fixed dose regardless of infant weight, putting smaller, younger babies at greater risk due to disproportionately high exposure Babies who received the shot had a threefold increase in severe neurological reactions compared to those given a placebo Only about 25 babies in the U.S. succumb to RSV each year, making the known risks of clesrovimab far outweigh the threat the virus poses to most children

Story at-a-glance Osteoarthritis develops slowly from cartilage breakdown in weight-bearing joints, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune attack that causes rapid, symmetrical joint inflammation Morning stiffness lasting over an hour, fatigue, and fever indicate rheumatoid arthritis; brief stiffness that improves with movement suggests osteoarthritis instead Rheumatoid arthritis typically strikes small joints symmetrically (both wrists, hands) while osteoarthritis affects single joints like knees, hips, and spine asymmetrically Eliminating inflammatory vegetable oils, boosting vitamin K2 intake and sipping bone broth help rebuild cartilage and reduce joint inflammation naturally Supporting mitochondrial health calms autoimmune inflammation by increasing your body's natural "off switch" for inflammatory responses and joint damage

Story at-a-glance Motivation isn’t just about willpower; it also starts with brain chemistry. Dopamine drives your internal momentum to act, and thiamine plays a key role in keeping this system energized Thiamine deficiency disrupts energy metabolism in high-demand organs like the brain and heart. Early symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, irritability, and poor physical recovery after exertion New research shows a fat-soluble form of thiamine called tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD) increases your motivation to exercise by activating brain arousal systems Thiamine also helps your body clear fatigue by improving lactate handling and carbon dioxide output, both of which are essential for efficient recovery after physical or mental exertion To support healthy thiamine levels, eat nutrient-dense whole foods that provide a spectrum of B vitamins, avoid alcohol and refined sugar, supplement when needed, and correct magnesium deficiency