Lemongrass, a plant native to India and Southeast Asia, looks like stiff grass stalks (it really is a grass!), but it smells and tastes a bit like lemon or lime. The stalks, which can reach five feet in height, also grow in Australia, Africa, and the United States. The oil from lemongrass is used to scent soaps and bath products, as a potent antiseptic, and, when diluted and applied to the skin, to reduce acne. Lemongrass contains citral, which studies have shown induce cancer cells to self-destruct. Lemongrass also contains vitamins A, B, and C, plus calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. […]
In today’s food-conscious world, many of us want to get more benefits from the food we eat. Functional foods provide just that. A functional food is a natural food or manufactured food that has benefits beyond basic nutrition and calories. According to Mayo Clinic nutritionist Jennifer K. Nelson, R.D., L.D., “All foods are functional because they provide varying amounts of nutrients and energy to sustain growth or support vital processes. However, functional foods are generally considered to offer additional benefits that may reduce the risk of disease or promote optimal health.” Functional foods can also act like health supplements. For […]
Due to confusion and lack of federal oversight of the cosmetics industry, there are companies that use the term “organic” in their product names primarily as a marketing tool.
Dr. Daniel G. Amen’s latest book, Unleash the Power of the Female Brain: Supercharging Yours for Better Health, Energy, Mood, Focus, and Sex, is a kind of homage to his wife, mother, and five sisters.
Very few Americans have ever
Dr. Arthur Agatston is a leading preventive cardiologist and an associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. A pioneer in the field of noninvasive cardiac imaging, Dr. Agatston’s scientific work with Dr. Warren Janowitz, first reported in 1991, resulted in the Agatston Score, a method for
“Eat your vegetables!” is a familiar refrain of parents the world over. When I was a young girl in Southeast Asia, my father insisted I eat my vegetables. He was a doctor and he knew the power of eating whole, fresh foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Today, I see so many quick-service restaurants offering meat and cheese and bread (pizza, hamburgers, mac & cheese, chicken nuggets) but no cooked vegetables. It’s distressing. And although some fast-food chains now offer salads, many kids don’t really enjoy eating them. So what is a parent to do? For children to get the benefits of nutrient-rich […]
When pollen is flying through the air on a spring or summer breeze, foods that reduce allergy symptoms can be a lifesaver. Eating specific compounds—such as the FoodTrients omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, gingerol, oleuropein, and quercitin, as well as probiotics—go a long way toward reducing the swelling of nasal passages and the production of antihistamines. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in large, deep-water fish, whole grains, and nuts. You can also take omega-3 supplements daily to help fight inflammation. Curcumin is an ingredient of the spice turmeric. I have a few recipes using turmeric if you need some ideas for […]
Chemotherapy took its toll on
Regenerate Joint Health Are aching, creaking joints making your simple daily activities uncomfortable? For many of my patients, joint pain prohibits them from exercising and that’s not a good thing. I have to tell them that sore, aching joints does not have to be a function of getting older. The truths is, sore, aching joints and bones, are more likely due to nutritional deficiencies, specifically Vitamin D! That’s right. In fact, many health researchers believe there is an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency today, especially amongst older people. Most of my patients, like many people across the country, are deficient […]