The mineral zinc has received some attention as of late because it appears to help fight the common cold when taken at the onset of symptoms. However, new research has shown another potential use in regard to idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, also known as SSNHL.

You may enjoy eating processed, supermarket-bought foods because they taste good, but what if you find out that these products contain a dangerous sweetener that may have long-term effects on your health? This sweetener is none other than high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the leading source of calories in the United States today. HFCS lurks in many so-called "healthy" food products – even some which are not naturally sweet.

While a nutritious diet accounts for about 80 percent of the benefits derived from a healthy lifestyle, exercise cannot be ignored, and there's evidence suggesting that exercise protects against telomere shortening as well. Yet another lifestyle strategy that can have a beneficial impact is intermittent fasting.

I find it troubling that the average man now consumes roughly 35 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup and 47 pounds of cane sugar every year. It's no wonder a large portion of the population suffers from health conditions brought about by a high-sugar diet, such as:

• Obesity and insulin resistance
• Elevated triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Depleted levels of vitamins and minerals
• Arthritis and gout
• Liver disease and cardiovascular disease
• Cancer

Nutritionists have long been interested in the dynamics of telomere length in the body, and how telomeres figure in to human health and life expectancy. Telomeres were first discovered in 1973 by Alexey Olovnikov.

He found that the tiny units of DNA at the very end of each chromosome—the telomere—shorten with time because they cannot replicate completely each time the cell divides and they may be the most powerful biological clock that has yet to be identified.

Hence, as you get older, your telomeres get shorter and shorter. Eventually, DNA replication and cell division ceases completely, at which point you die. However, a growing body of research is showing that certain nutrients play a huge role in protecting telomere length; greatly affecting how long you live.

High-intensity exercise can reap numerous health benefits, and combining it with intermittent fasting takes your fitness up a notch. Properly done, intermittent fasting will enhance your metabolism, fat-burning, and human growth hormone (HGH) production.

There are many considerations to remember when you exercise in a fasted state. This infographic on intermittent fasting provides a recommended schedule and eating to follow, as well as other fasting tips to use.

Both inorganic and organic forms of mercury are highly toxic to humans; however, inorganic mercury is not as easily absorbed by the body. Inorganic mercury, such as mercury vapor, is toxic if inhaled in large concentrations and can cause acute pneumonia. Inhaled gaseous mercury is absorbed into the blood.

One of the best ways to achieve healthy bones is a diet rich in fresh, raw whole foods that maximizes natural minerals so that your body has the raw materials it needs to do what it was designed to do.

Feeling sluggish or out of sync? Struggling with skin problems, aches and pains, or digestive problems? Can't seem to lose weight? It might be time for a body detox.

The nutrient in the news is turmeric, which is no surprise as there are so many research studies that show it has powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and antioxidant properties.