Pickleball Boom Brings Unexpected Surge in Eye Trauma

A widely used grease remover and dry-cleaning chemical called tetrachloroethylene (PCE) has been linked to liver fibrosis, a condition that causes scarring and loss of liver function even in people who don't drink alcohol or have obesity Researchers found that people with measurable levels of PCE in their blood were three times more likely to have liver fibrosis, and for every tiny one-nanogram-per-milliliter increase in PCE, the risk increased fivefold PCE exposure often occurs through inhaling fumes from dry-cleaned clothes, contaminated air, or drinking water, and the chemical can also enter through the skin, affecting the liver, kidneys, heart, and nervous system Long-term exposure to PCE has been linked not only to liver disease but also to nerve damage, reproductive issues, and several cancers, including those of the bladder and liver, prompting the EPA to begin phasing it out Lower your risk of liver damage by switching to solvent-free wet cleaning, letting dry-cleaned clothes air out before use, replacing household products that contain PCE, and supporting liver repair through clean nutrition, hydration, and sun exposure

Pickleball's explosive growth has led to a surge in serious eye injuries, with emergency room cases increasing by 405 each year between 2021 and 2024 Most eye injuries occur in players over 50, whose slower reflexes and vision changes make them more vulnerable to high-speed impacts and falls The sport's modern paddles can launch balls over 60 miles per hour at the kitchen line — just 14 feet apart — leaving players less than half a second to react Despite the sharp rise in injuries, there are still no universal safety rules requiring protective eyewear in recreational or professional play Wearing shatterproof glasses, warming up, and improving balance are simple steps that protect your eyesight and keep pickleball fun, safe, and injury-free

President Trump's Executive Order 14212 established the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to address the nation's escalating childhood chronic disease crisis The MAHA Commission identified four key drivers of illness — poor diet, chemical exposure, chronic stress, and overmedicalization. It also introduced a coordinated national strategy built on research, systems reform, public awareness, and accountability In a recent report by Dr. Robert Malone, one of RFK Jr.'s appointed vaccine advisers, he explains that Congress must turn MAHA's executive directives into law to ensure the reforms become lasting national policy Malone categorized the MAHA legislative agenda into five areas of reform — addressing food standards, medical accountability, agricultural freedom, agency coordination, and government transparency To show your support, call or write your representatives directly, because real reform starts when your voice reaches the people writing the laws that shape your family's future

Exposure to artificial light at night disrupts your body's natural sleep-wake rhythm, raising your risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure A large-scale study found that adults living in the brightest nighttime environments had up to a 56% higher risk of heart failure and a 47% higher risk of heart attack compared to those in the darkest settings When combined with air pollution, bright night environments amplify cardiovascular risk even more — nighttime light accounted for up to 39% of the extra heart failure risk linked to polluted air Nighttime light not only harms your heart but also increases the risk of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, while reducing exposure to bright daylight worsens these effects Restoring a natural light-dark cycle — bright days and truly dark nights — helps regulate your hormones, protect your heart, improve mood, and reduce your risk of chronic disease

Antidepressants like SSRIs are strongly linked to hyponatremia, a dangerous drop in blood sodium that disrupts nerve and muscle function The risk is highest in the first two weeks of treatment, when sodium levels plummet to life-threatening lows that trigger confusion, seizures, or fainting Older adults, especially women over 80, are among the most vulnerable, with nearly 1 in 15 experiencing profound sodium loss after starting these drugs Symptoms of drug-induced low sodium often mimic worsening anxiety or depression, leading to misdiagnosis and unnecessary increases in medication Natural strategies like optimizing nutrition, restoring key vitamins and minerals, daily movement, sunlight exposure, and restful sleep offer safer ways to support mood and energy without creating sodium imbalances

New research shows that overall human performance — combining intelligence, emotional balance, and judgment — peaks between ages 55 and 60, making midlife a time of strength, not decline While mental processing speed slows with age, emotional intelligence, wisdom, and decision-making power continue to grow, helping you handle stress and relationships more effectively Your brain adapts by strengthening networks that regulate emotion and memory, allowing smoother coordination between thought and feeling for wiser, more integrated choices Eliminating seed oils high in linoleic acid (LA) and eating about 250 grams of healthy carbohydrates daily supports cellular energy and protects brain function Staying physically active, prioritizing sleep, and pursuing lifelong learning help maintain focus, clarity, and vitality — proving that your 50s and 60s can be your most productive, fulfilling decades

Rising salt levels in soil and water are destroying farmland worldwide, with 16.6 million square kilometers now salt-affected — an area roughly the size of South America Saline agriculture offers a powerful solution by using salt-tolerant crops, smart irrigation, and natural soil restoration methods to turn degraded land back into productive farmland Research shows countries like China, India, Pakistan, Argentina, and the U.S. have millions of acres suitable for saline farming, which could help feed hundreds of millions of people without relying on scarce freshwater Techniques such as gypsum treatment, drip irrigation, and phytoremediation — using plants themselves to absorb and redistribute salt — is helping restore soil fertility and protect food supplies These same principles apply beyond farms; by managing salt, adding organic matter, and choosing resilient plants, even home gardeners can help revive soil health and contribute to global food resilience

Skin cancer affects one in five Americans, with nonmelanoma types like basal and squamous cell carcinoma making up most cases. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is found to offer a strong preventive effect A recent study published in JAMA Dermatology associated niacinamide use with a 14% lower overall risk of developing additional nonmelanoma skin cancers, with the greatest benefit seen after the first cancer diagnosis Earlier research showed that taking 500 milligrams of niacinamide twice daily reduced new nonmelanoma skin cancers by 23% and precancerous lesions by up to 15% Niacinamide protects your skin by restoring NAD+ for DNA repair, reducing inflammation, supporting immune defenses, and strengthening the barrier that maintains moisture and resilience against environmental stress For long-term use, smaller daily doses of 50 milligrams three times per day are safe and sustainable. Combining niacinamide with sensible sun exposure habits and good nutrition strengthens skin defense naturally

A cough isn't just a symptom — it's your body's built-in alarm system, warning you about irritation, infection, or hidden lung problems that need attention Different types of coughs — dry, wet, tickly, or chronic — reveal unique clues about your health, helping you identify whether you're dealing with allergies, pollution, or something more serious Air pollution, smoke, and chemical exposure age your lungs faster, reduce breathing capacity, and trigger chronic coughs even in nonsmokers, but removing these irritants allows your lungs to heal Nebulized hydrogen peroxide offers a powerful, research-backed way to stop viral respiratory infections at the source, often improving symptoms within hours when used early and correctly Natural remedies such as raw honey, steam inhalation, and hydration support your body's healing process better than cough syrups, which suppress the reflex your lungs need to clear infection

Rhythmic breathing techniques like Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) create measurable changes in brain activity that mirror deep relaxation and meditative awareness while keeping you fully awake and alert EEG scans show that SKY breathing increases theta and delta brain waves — patterns linked to restorative rest and emotional balance — while reducing alpha waves tied to sensory distraction and stress These brain shifts demonstrate how controlled breathing helps your nervous system move from "fight-or-flight" stress to a calm, parasympathetic state, supporting focus, better sleep, and improved mood Even beginners experience these benefits, as rhythmic breathing immediately quiets your brain's background "noise," promoting mental clarity, energy conservation, and emotional stability Practicing rhythmic breathing for just 10 to 20 minutes a day trains your brain to enter relaxation faster, giving you a free tool to manage anxiety, sharpen focus, and restore balance anytime you need it