Innovative Health LLC

04/21/2026

What Black Sesame Can, and Can’t, Do

Black sesame seeds are having a viral moment, with claims that they can lower blood sugar, reduce heart disease risk, and even reverse gray hair. The science is more measured. Black sesame is nutritious and contains somewhat higher levels of fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than white sesame, but that does not automatically translate into major proven health benefits.


Research on sesame overall suggests possible modest improvements in BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol, but the evidence is still considered low quality. Only one small study in a review looked specifically at black sesame capsules, and it found a drop in systolic blood pressure in people with prehypertension over four weeks.


What about gray hair? There is currently no evidence that black sesame, or any specific food or supplement, can reverse it. So enjoy black sesame as a flavorful, nutritious ingredient, but not as a miracle fix.

06/08/2023

We are looking for a nurse to join our Wellness Seeker Team at Innovative Health.! Reach out if you're interested!

04/29/2022

The healthy bacteria in your gut (your microbiome) is hard at work keeping your body and mind healthy. So how do you keep it healthy? Companies are constantly releasing products claiming to restore a healthy microbiome, but the data shows mixed results.

The bacteria inside your gut provide numerous physical and mental health benefits. This bacteria, called the microbiome, is constantly evolving and changing thanks to your diet and lifestyle.

04/27/2022

Even though Americans are reducing their overall risk for stroke, there has been an alarming increase in a deadly type of stroke in the last 15 years - especially in younger adults

A team of experts examined nation-wide trends over a 15-year period to evaluate any patterns associated with certain types of strokes.

04/25/2022

The gut microbiome can be affected by all kinds of things, especially when it comes to your diet. It can be so sensitive that even the way you take your coffee can impact healthy probiotics in your gut.

Eating a diverse and nutritious diet can support a health gut microbiome and allow the good probiotics in your digestive system to thrive. Lowering your stress and having a good sleep routine are also great for the probiotics in your tummy.

04/22/2022

Diets higher in saturated fat are often thought of as risky when it comes to heart health. A new study shows that, at least in the short term, diets with higher saturated fats don't contribute to higher heart disease risk.

A common diet these days is the low-carb, high-fat diet which goes against previously held beliefs that a diet high in fat contributes to heart disease risk.

04/20/2022

Diets rich in alpha lipoic acid may help you live longer according to a new meta-analysis of over one million participants. Nuts, soybeans, flaxseed, and avocados are all high in alpha lipoic acid and can lead to a 10% reduction in all-cause death.

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an amino acid that supports metabolism and has been shown to reduce all-cause mortality, including death related to heart disease.

04/18/2022

TikTok may have you running to grab scotch tape to tape your mouth before bed, but experts say there is little to no evidence about this practice. Mouth taping to reduce snoring at night is probably not as helpful as you think (and could be harmful).

While breathing through your nose is preferred, experts say there is little to no data showing the benefit of forcing your mouth shut with tape while you sleep. People who have nasal breathing issues could also have problems trying to sleep with their mouth taped shut.

04/15/2022

Autoimmune diseases are linked to genetic factors, but scientists know there are additional environmental triggers for these chronic illnesses. A new study shows evidence of a virus that can attack the T cells and cause an autoimmune disease to develop.

Researchers recently discovered the role a virus can play in autoimmune disease progression. By infecting mice with a virus similar to one found in humans, they found the virus attacked the immune system’s T cells.

04/13/2022

Exercise that supports heart health doesn't have to include aerobic workouts like running or cycling. A new study shows how muscle-strengthening exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even some cancers.

When focusing on heart health and reducing your overall risk of an early death, people tend to focus on running, cycling, or other aerobic activities.

04/11/2022

Women are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease and a hormone may be to blame. A recent study done in mice shows how the follicle stimulating hormone activates the driving pathway that causes neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's Disease.

Women are much more susceptible to Alzheimer’s Disease than men and it wasn’t fully understood as to why until recently.