Life Elevated

If you’ve been on social media recently, you’ve probably seen the videos. People are dropping chocolate into water, swirling it around, and claiming it helps curb cravings, control appetite, and reduce late-night snacking. But the mechanism is not the ceremony, the mysticism, or the marketing. The real story is polyphenols, flavanols, antioxidants, and nutrient density — which have been shown to support appetite signals, metabolic balance, and even GLP-1 pathways. Let’s bring honesty back into the conversation. Why the Chocolate Trend Feels Good (and Why People Say It Helps) There’s a simple, grounded explanation for why people feel better when...

ArteMax & the Ancient Herb, Modern Science By Dr. Rick Cohen, M.D. ArteMax draws on one of nature’s most storied plant families — the Artemisia genus. With nearly 500 species across the globe, Artemisia includes medicinal powerhouses such as Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood), Artemisia absinthium (wormwood), and Artemisia afra. Historically used for its cleansing, immune, and anti-inflammatory properties, this genus bridges the worlds of herbal medicine, mythology, and cutting-edge science. What Is Artemisia? Artemisia is a diverse genus of aromatic herbs and shrubs in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. Native to temperate regions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, its species...

  Mitochondria — the “Powerhouses of the Cell” How they work, what their structure means for biology, and why mitochondrial failure underlies so many diseases Contents Overview Structure & Location Pronunciation & Etymology Key Functions Why Dysfunction Is a Common Root of Disease Discovery & Historical Milestones References (full working links) Overview Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles within almost all eukaryotic cells. They generate most of the cell’s usable chemical energy (ATP), regulate redox and metabolic signaling, coordinate calcium dynamics, and influence cellular form and fate. A clear primer is available in Britannica’s overview. Deeper biochemical context is covered by the...

By Kinsey Jackson MS, CN, CFMP® Many everyday foods marketed as healthy can still be high in added sugars or processed oils that place extra load on the liver. Functional-nutrition specialist Kinsey Jackson says it’s worth checking your pantry for: Highly refined vegetable oils such as soybean, corn, and canola—these are rich in omega-6 fats that can promote inflammation when intake is excessive. Added sugars like high-fructose corn syrup found in cereals, sauces, and flavored yogurts. Ultra-processed snacks that combine starch, oil, and sweeteners. “Your liver isn’t just a detox organ,” Jackson explains. “It’s central to energy and hormone balance....