March 10, 2016

Ginseng: Supports a Healthy Libido

The term ginseng refers to a family of plants belonging to the group Panax, the roots of which have been used in traditional healing for millennia. While ginseng has been cultivated in East Asian countries, including China, Korea, Vietnam, and Bhutan, the ginseng that is arguably the most prized grows wild in North America, specifically in Wisconsin and Canada. Siberian ginseng is completely different from Asian and American ginseng. Nevertheless, this herb has benefits of its own.    Ginseng is an Adaptogen Ginseng is known as an adaptogen, meaning that it helps the body adapt to a variety of conditions. The […]
February 23, 2016

Dong Quai: The Female Ginseng

Dong quai is a root known as the “female ginseng.” Ginseng is well-known for its ability to support endurance, memory, sexual function (particularly for men), and heart health. Dong quai’s use in Chinese medicine has been documented for more than one thousand years, mainly for easing women’s menopausal symptoms, which is why it’s called the “female ginseng.” But it’s not just for women. It can actually benefit men and women alike with many other aspects of health including mood, bone, joints, lungs, brain, and heart. Female Ginseng Offers Relief from Female Hormone Issues Like ginseng, dong quai is used as a […]
February 21, 2016

Does Berberine Fight Diabetes?

Berberine is a yellow compound found in several different plants including barberry, goldenseal, phellodendron and Oregon grape. Berberine has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing properties, but in recent years, much research has been published around its role in protecting against cardiovascular disease as well as treating diabetes and insulin resistance. How does It work? Berberine activates a specific enzyme called adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, or AMPK. AMPK is also sometimes called the “metabolic master switch” because it plays an important role in regulating metabolism in the body. Increased AMPK activity benefits the body in so many ways. For those with […]
January 26, 2016

Citrus Takes a Big Bite Out of Aging

It’s January, prime citrus season and the trees are heavy with fruit here in southern California. In my backyard I have several navel orange trees, a couple Meyer lemon trees and a small lime tree. I also have citrus groves in San Diego with more than 100 grapefruit, orange and lemon trees. My friend, who has a horse ranch nearby, has a couple of grapefruit trees that are practically ignored, but at this time of year they are full of the juiciest, tastiest pink grapefruits.  I suspect the combination of benign neglect and plenty of natural fertilizer from the horses […]
December 27, 2015

Age Not Always a Barrier for Surgery

Irwin Weiner felt so good after heart surgery a few weeks before turning 90 that he stopped for a pastrami sandwich on the way home from the hospital. Dorothy Lipkin danced after getting a new hip at age 91. And at 94, William Gandin drives himself to the hospital for cancer treatments. Jimmy Carter isn’t the only nonagenarian to withstand rigorous medical treatment. Very old age is no longer an automatic barrier for aggressive therapies, from cancer care like the former president has received, to major heart procedures, joint replacements and even some organ transplants. In many cases, the nation’s […]
December 15, 2015

Glaucoma – Manage It For Better Eye Health

I frequently advise my over-40 patients that regular eye exams every 3-5 years should be part of your health maintenance. One of the most important reasons to receive regular eye care is to check for glaucoma – a build up of fluid pressure within the eye that can silently progress to vision loss! I write silently progress because glaucoma has very little noticeable signs or symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage and vision loss alerts you to its presence. In fact, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. However, progression of glaucoma can be prevented with early […]
December 7, 2015

Curcumin May Fight Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers in the world. Globally, in 2012, it affected a staggering 232,000 people and resulted in 55,000 deaths. Interestingly enough, curcumin, from the spice turmeric, may actually help to treat this deadly disease, according to research. In fact, a new study out of Brazil shows curcumin alone or in combination with another drug may help to stop the progression of the disease. The results were published in the journal, PLoS One. Curcumin Reduced Tumor Size and Increased Survival Melanoma is showing resistance to commonly used chemotherapy, leading scientists to look for alternatives. To […]
November 23, 2015

Resveratrol: The Nutrient That Fights Bone Loss

Historians acknowledge the ancient Greek philosopher, Hippocrates, as the father of medicine. He’s perhaps most remembered by naturopathic physicians for his famous quote, “Let food be thy medicine”. As we get further into the 21st century, it’s amazing that instead of creating more synthetic drugs to treat conditions, medical researchers are more and more looking at what Nature has already created that we’re not using. That’s why I want to tell you about this “new” treatment for building bone density, especially in older men. It’s actually been in most of our diets for ages but we’re just starting to learn […]
November 16, 2015

California’s Longevity Hotspot

The U.S. is known for its skyrocketing rates of obesity and diabetes. But there’s a pocket of people (around 9,000) who have been found to live relatively longer and healthier life, on average. They are the Seventh Day Adventists of Loma Linda, California. People from this region tend to live about 4–10 years longer than the average Californian and make up one of the longevity hot spots in the world. So what is it about this community that makes them special? Below, we’ll examine their lifestyle and habits. How Do They Compare to Other Americans? The Loma Lindans are the […]