7/26/24: Tree bark power, ancient snakes, and poop matters

Happy Friday my friend,

What should we do with those little silica gel packets that often come in shipping packages? Click here to watch a 30-second video on imaginative ways to reuse silica packets in smart, eco-friendly ways!

ECL TRIVIA: What magnificent amphibian, known for its colorful skin and poisonous secretions, is critically endangered due to habitat destruction and the chytrid fungus? (Answer below)

🌎 Planet Health

🌲 TREE BARK: Trees are even bigger heroes than we thought! New research reveals tree bark can absorb methane, a potent greenhouse gas, in addition to carbon dioxide. Researchers argue that this new evidence demonstrates trees are now 10% better at overall sequestration than previously thought.

♻️ PLASTIC PHASE-OUT: The U.S. Federal Government announced "federal procurement of the disposable plastics from food service operations, packaging and events" is to be phased out by 2027. The goal is to "reduce emissions, protect public health, and spur markets for new sustainable products,” said the White House press release. Phasing out single-use plastic products on Interior Department-managed lands by 2032 is also a listed goal, which will help our National Parks stay beautiful and pristine.

🐍 ANCIENT SNAKES: Hibernophis breithaupti, a species of recently discovered fossilized snake, lived in North America 34M years ago. Because the fossils were found all in one piece in Wyoming "with the bones still arranged in the proper order"— which is unusual— scientists say the discovery of these snakes add important new information about the evolution of small, burrowing boas.

🧑‍⚕️ Human Health

💩 POOP STUDY: How often do you poop, and why does it matter? "Fiber-fermenting gut bacteria, often associated with health, appeared to thrive in a 'Goldilocks zone' of bowel movement frequency, where people pooped between 1-2 times per day," reveals a new study published in Cell Reports Magazine. More than 1.4k healthy adults' clinical, lifestyle, and multi-faceted data was collected, revealing that the frequency of bowel movements is connected to long-term health, noting that chronic bowel imbalance (like constipation or diarrhea) relates to our mental health, kidney health, and bloodstream toxicity.

🧠 BRAIN & ANXIETY: People with major anxiety disorders, but without depression, showed decreased activity in areas of the brain responsible for controlling thoughts and emotions, according to new research. "Impaired function in this network (of the brain) could contribute to symptoms of anxiety, such as an inability to control unrealistic worries," says the study’s findings, adding that it "highlights the importance of targeting specific brain regions in treatments for anxiety disorders."

🥕 BABY CARROTS: One of the easiest ways to get vital nutrients from food may be... "grab-and-go" baby carrots! Beta-carotene, the carotenoid that our bodies convert into vitamin A, is very prevalent in baby carrots and according to new research, eating just three servings of baby carrots a week can give a significant boost of important nutrients found in the orange root vegetables, with study participants showing a 10.8% increase in carotenoids in their skin after just 4 weeks.

⚡️Bathing in electromagnetic frequencies

Feeling drained in our tech-saturated world?

Modern life surrounds us with electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by devices we use every day (wifi-routers and cellphones at the top of a long list).

While the long-term health effects of EMFs are still being studied, some people – including myself – choose to take precautions.

This collection offers a variety of EMF-protection strategies to help you manage your exposure. Find phone pouches, laptop shields, and anti-radiation blankets designed to reduce your exposure to this minimally tested radiation.

Here are some of the benefits of using EMF-protection products:

• Peace of mind: Whether the science is conclusive or debated for another few decades, you can find comfort in taking steps to reduce your EMF exposure, before the long-term data is truly analyzed in an unbiased way.

• Improved sleep: EMFs can disrupt sleep patterns. Using an EMF-blocking blanket might help you achieve a better night's rest, and therefore could improve overall health.

• Increased focus: If you find yourself feeling drained or weak after using electronic devices, an EMF-protective laptop shield might be worth a try.

If you're concerned about EMF exposure, this is a potential solution to reduce how many of these frequencies pass through your muscle, organs, and brain tissue.

Use code ‘ECL’ at checkout and get 20% off your whole order.

Check it out HERE. 

Creature Feature

🐨 KOALA WEATHERVANE: Did you know cuddly koalas can predict scorching summer days? New never-before-seen behavior research published this week reveals these iconic marsupials lower their body temperature on cool mornings before hot days arrive, a survival tactic that zoologist Dr. Mella says “is hypothesized to have something to do with solar radiation and the redistribution of warm core blood to the cool body periphery.”

Nutrition 101

⚡️ TAURINE: Taurine is an amino acid-like compound, particularly in seafood, meat, and dairy products. It plays a crucial role in various physiological functions, including regulating electrolyte balance, supporting heart health, vision, and function of the central nervous system. Taurine is also a common ingredient in energy drinks, but if you plan to supplement taurine, some at the Cleveland Clinic advise sticking to a whey, plant-based, or collagen protein powder supplement instead. Learn more about taurine here.

💬 Poll

⬅️ Last poll’s results

Have you ever grown your own sprouts?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes! So easy! 🌱 (71%)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Have not tried. (29%)

To a healing future,

— Rob

P.S. The telecommunications industry is one of the largest on Earth, and if you’ve seen corrupt data manipulation in fields like Big Pharma, Big Oil, etc…consider that the potential negative impacts of EMF would be devastating to large multi-national companies. While the debate on the science continues, I find it best to use the ‘precautionary principle’ and reduce my exposure just in case. These products can help. Code ‘ECL’ at checkout gets 20% off everything right now.