There is some controversial new research surfacing that contradicts what science has believed for decades about AIDS and HIV. And this new information may have an impact down the line on other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's, fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease even lupus and psoriasis.

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Air travel with its frequent delays, security, cramped spaces and jet lag can be stressful, but does it make you more likely to contract a contagious disease?

On a typical commercial jet aircraft there are about twenty air exchanges per hour while cruising. In the last two decades airplane manufacturers have elevated air re-circulation levels to as high as 50 percent of all cabin air in an effort to reduce the engines' workload and thus increase the plane's fuel-efficiency. The latest World Health Organization report says there is no evidence that recirculation of cabin air facilitates the transmission of infectious diseases on board.

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Green tea's history goes back to 2737 BC and the Chinese Emperor Shennong who – it is said – accidentally drank water in which a tealeaf had been boiled. This history of being linked to the highest tier of Chinese society made green tea expensive and inaccessible to the general population. It was not until the fourteenth century that green tea became widely enjoyed throughout China – revered for its taste and medicinal qualities. Later explorers brought the tea back to Europe and the British imported tea plants to India where they thrived. Today it is grown throughout the world.

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Why We Drink It

Why has a substance that apparently offers no nutritional value – no vitamins, no minerals, no enzymes – become so widely used throughout the world? Many coffee drinkers enjoy the taste. And for those who don't there are countless additives to mask the flavour like sweeteners, milk, and chocolate syrup to name just a few. Other people drink coffee for the caffeine boost. Many people swear they can't get going in the morning without a cup of coffee – or several. They feel physically tired and mentally foggy without their morning brew. Most regular coffee drinkers argue their habit isn't doing them any harm. In fact, they'll point to reports touting the health benefits of coffee citing studies that claim regular consumption reduces the risk for heart disease and diabetes for example.

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When most people think of things that are good for eyesight, they immediately think of carrots. However, new evidence suggests there is much more involved in keeping your eyes healthy. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in those older than fifty in developed countries. Now it is striking at a much younger age leading researchers to believe that early prevention is the real key to eye health. So beginning now is the right time to prevent disease and improve your eye health.

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Surprisingly, the key bone-building years for both men and women is 12 to 25. We need to begin caring for our bones – and our sons and daughters bones – now. If we believed everything the media told us we would think that calcium loss is the only cause of osteoporosis and that simply taking high doses of calcium would solve the problem. Unfortunately this is not true – osteoporosis is a far more complex problem involving an intricate and delicate relationship between bones, hormones, nutrition and the immune system.

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Humans have one of the longest natural life spans of the animal kingdom and this may in part be due to the wealth of antioxidants in our omnivorous diet. Research shows antioxidants help our bodies resist heart disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and in fact, are implicated in preventing more than 60 different diseases. Antioxidants are a critical part of our lives yet most of us don't know exactly what they do or appreciate how they do it.

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Mushrooms are as delicious as they are mysteriously unique. While often thought of as a vegetable and prepared like one, mushrooms are actually fungi, a type of living organism that has no roots, leaves, flowers, or seeds. Button mushrooms have grown wild and been consumed as food by hunter-gatherers since prehistoric times. Throughout the ages mushrooms were thought to have special powers. The Egyptians believed they granted immortality. Ancient Romans called them food for the gods. And many cultures such as Russia, China, and Mexico believed that eating mushrooms gave superhuman strength. It seems they all may have been right.

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Vaginitis is a term that describes various conditions that cause infection or inflammation of the vagina. These conditions can result from a vaginal infection caused by organisms such as bacteria, yeast, or viruses, as well as by irritations from chemicals in creams, sprays, or even clothing that is in contact with this area. A woman's vagina normally produces a discharge that usually is described as clear or slightly cloudy, non-irritating, and odor-free. At one time of the month there may be a small amount of a very thin or watery discharge and at another time, a more extensive thicker discharge may appear. All of these descriptions could be considered normal. A vaginal discharge that has an odor or that is irritating usually is considered an abnormal discharge. The irritation might be itching or burning, or both. The itching may be present at any time of the day, but it often is most bothersome at night.

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There is little that compares to the nutritional value of organic vegetables and, according to new research, eating your greens may be even more important than previously thought. As adults we should eat three or more servings of vegetables a day because consuming fresh vegetables is a key cornerstone to optimal health. Canada's Food Guide says – eat at least one dark green and one orange vegetable each day such as broccoli, kale, romaine lettuce and spinach and carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash.

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