There are many elements that are required to achieve optimal health. We all know that ample sleep, exercise, water, stress reduction and diet are the basic components. Within each of those categories are found sub-categories and specific recommendations.

Let’s be honest. If you’re a smoker, you’re already spiking your odds of one day being handed a cancer diagnosis.

But now new research has found that a specific smoking habit could literally be almost doubling your risk of getting lung cancer.

If you happen to be a regular reader of the HealthierTalk.com Digest (you can sign up in the right corner over there) you may have already made a change in your diet that has slashed your risk of developing colon polyps by a staggering 40%.

I’m guessing I don’t have to tell you that it’s important to eat your vegetables. Our mothers taught us that when were just kids and our doctors picked up the task of delivering the veggie message as we got older.

I’m willing to bet you’ve heard the statistics before.

As often as they get cited you might even be able to recite them in your sleep by now.

So let's get this straight: Uncle Sam says you can gobble up addictive and dangerous painkillers until you're a crazed, self-medicating, drug-addled junkie -- but smoke a little pot on your doctor's advice, and you'll go directly to jail.

The benefits of cayenne pepper might actually be of greater value to your health as a staple in your medicine cabinet rather than in your spice rack.

The real "disease" facing many prostate patients isn't cancer -- it's regret.

It's a deep regret that sinks in only too late, when you find yourself battling the lasting side effects of a surgery you never needed in the first place.

Driving gives you cancer.

Well, okay, it could if your regular route happens to include a gravel road that is.