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 […]
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 […]
Cool weather has finally come to Southern California. The nights and early mornings can be quite chilly so what could be better than a warm drink? There’s something very comforting about settling in with a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea when it’s cool (or cold) outside. Did you know that both beverages offer a number of age-defying benefits? Plus the warm, steamy liquid is soothing if you have a cold because it can help open up nasal passages. Coffee and tea drinks are one of those indulgences that are good for you in so many ways! Let’s count […]
A new research has found out that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages every day is associated with an increase in a particular type of body fat that may affect diabetes and heart disease risk. Researchers from the American Heart Association showed that among middle-aged adults, there was a direct correlation between greater sweetened beverage consumption and increased visceral fat. Visceral fat or deep fat wraps around a number of important internal organs such as the liver, pancreas and intestines. Visceral fat affects how a person’s hormones function and is thought to play a larger role in insulin resistance which may boost Type […]
Have you ever wondered why you no longer can process information and focus quite as well as you did in your youth? Or have you ever pondered as to why it is so difficult for some people to stay away from the dessert table or quit smoking? The answer may be due to one common denominator that resides within your brain…dopamine. What is Dopamine? Dopamine is known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter that signals neurons to regulate mood and brain function and plays a large role in reward behavior. Around age 45–60, the enzyme that breaks down dopamine, called monoamine oxidase-B […]
These days chocolate comes in exciting flavor combinations that make it an adventure. I’ve seen many of these gourmet versions in stores such as Whole Foods and upscale supermarkets. I’ve also had the opportunity to sample many unusual forms of chocolate at the Natural Products Expo, which takes place in Anaheim, CA each March. By now, we all know that dark chocolate is truly FoodTrient-worthy. It’s loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and even some fiber. The flavor, texture and nuances of dark chocolate, like fine wine, are determined by where the beans are grown and how they’re processed. A 100 gram […]
Most of us are aware that protein is the building block for muscles. However, not everyone is aware that protein is made up of various amino acids, all of which have special functions in the body. Adding to the confusion, there are also many types of protein to chose from (whey, egg, brown rice, pea, soy, hemp, etc.) – all of which have different amino acid profiles. There are 21 standard amino acids, of which nine are considered essential in humans. Essential amino acids can’t be made by the body like other amino acids are, so you need to get […]
Even though humans cannot synthesize vitamin C, every tissue and cell in our body needs this nutrient for healthy growth and repair. Maintaining optimal levels of vitamin C is difficult because it is water soluble and cannot be stored in the body. This inability to maintain high vitamin C levels is recognized by researchers as limiting its potential benefit, especially with regard to chronic illness. For years, scientists have been looking for ways to boost the impact of each dose of vitamin C. Fortunately, a method has been discovered to increase the speed at which vitamin C is absorbed. Reaching peak concentrations […]
The ‘plant of immortality’, as it was called by the Egyptians, can perform miracles not just for your skin but for your hair and health as well. Aloe vera is a cactus plant that belongs to the Liliaceae family. It grows in dry climates such as those found in parts of Africa and India and has been used extensively for years. The clear, sappy substance hidden in its long, thick leaves is the magic potion. Aloe vera plant contains numerous antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. It is said to be useful in treating wounds and minor […]
A popular culinary herb and traditional healing medicine alike, burdock is an ancient plant with modern day trends worthy of our attention. Now incorporated