Many of the most widely used treatment interventions for addiction engage with the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of the problem. It is absolutely important to address all of the aspects that contribute to health, and when it comes to physical, mental, and emotional wellness nutrition is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. It is increasingly being recognized that there is a close, exacerbating relationship between problematic substance use and poor nutrition. Addiction destroys the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. Drug and alcohol abuse can cause nutritional deficiencies and issues with digestion. Users often have depleted […]
Second only to teeth, bones are your body’s strongest material. And even though they’re solid, bones are dynamic, living tissue, made mostly from collagen and calcium phosphate, a mineral that hardens bone exterior. But as you age, existing bone density breaks down faster than new bone is made, increasing risk of osteoporosis, a condition that reduces bone density and raises chance of fractures. Stay strong with naturally minded advice from a physical therapist (Marilyn Moffat, PT, New York University, New York), a nutritionist (Ann Gibson, CHHC, founder, AdventureWellness.com, Boulder, Colorado), and a naturopathic doctor (Justin Pollack, ND, co-owner, Mountain-River Naturopathic Clinic, […]
In Loma Linda, Calif., a community of Seventh Day Adventists has a life expectancy that’s nine to 11 years greater than that of other Americans. Another Blue Zone is Sardinia, Italy. The Sardinan’s credit three very interesting food staples to good health and a longer life. Can The Sardinian Diet Increase Your Lifespan? If I tell you about cannonau, cazu marzu, pecorino sardo or carta musica, and how they could extend your lifespan by 6, maybe even 10, years, would you know what I was talking about? Not likely, unless you’re a Sardinian who’s familiar with the typical diet eaten in this Italian-island culture off […]
Constipation is an unspoken discomfort most people will experience at some point in their lives. It is a symptom, in fact, that appears for many different reasons but is not a disease on its own. Slow transit of stool can be caused by medications, health conditions, a sedentary lifestyle, hydration status, hormonal shifts and certain foods. Constipation strikes women more often than men; they are at 2.5 times more likely to report this symptom. Constipation can be cured or lessened with natural remedies including food and certain types of activity. Constipation can be different for each person but generally means […]
You probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that helps regulate metabolism, heart rate, energy levels and body temperature. But thyroid disorders are very common. It’s estimated that 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, and as many as 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. Thyroid disorders can mimic several other health conditions, making them more difficult to diagnose. If you even suspect you might have a thyroid problem, consult with your primary care physician or endocrinologist as soon as possible. The most common […]
Think acne appears just on teenagers? Or eczema is common only on a baby’s bottom? Turns out , acne, eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions can crop up regardless of age and have a host of culprits, including the environment, diet, hormones and chemicals in everyday products. “Toxic overload is the cause of all of these skin conditions,” says Laeh Benyamin, a lead practitioner at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy in Boulder, Colorado. Luckily, managing—or even eliminating—symptoms is not impossible. The first step? Diet. “All people that have these issues need to go on an anti-inflammatory diet and avoid sugar, white refined […]
Lentil soup is a nutritional powerhouse! When combined with other vegetables and spices, lentils will leave you feeling full longer than other types of soups. Part of the legume (bean) family, lentils contain high levels of both soluble and insoluble fiber, making them a satiating and low calorie choice, helpful for weight management. Soluble fiber absorbs water and creates a gel consistency that is known for binding cholesterol-containing bile and escorting it out of the body, helping you detox. Insoluble fiber consists of plant-compounds that the body cannot digest, helping contribute to healthy bowels. Together, this high fiber content can […]
A new vaccine that can protect celiac sufferers against gluten exposure could be closer than you think. NexVax2, a vaccine that stops the body from reacting to gluten, could allow celiac patients to eat a normal diet. As we know too well, the only successful treatment for celiac disease is to adhere to a strict diet, free from even the smallest traces of gluten. To treat celiac disease and make a gluten-free diet unnecessary, Boston based scientists at ImmusanT have developed an injectable vaccine that can cause cells to become unreactive to gluten. This means that ImmusanT’s vaccine would allow for […]
What is a “superfood”? Most doctors and nutritionists will say that there is no scientific definition of “superfood,” that it is a marketing buzzword applied to foods that are good for you. Functional medicine specialist Dr. Marsha Nunley, founder of H.E.A.L. Medical, agrees but says: “While it is true that there is no legal or medical specification for a ‘superfood,’ it is without question that there are foods that are high in healthful nutrients and adding them to your diet may reduce your risk of chronic disease and improve your overall health and well-being.” Superfoods are packed with combinations of […]
The key to pumping up the immune system to prevent allergies could be as easy as eating a bowl of bran and dried apricots, researchers in Australia suggest after a recent study. Researchers at Monash University found in experiments with mice that increasing levels of dietary fiber and vitamin A may prevent or reduce allergies to things such as peanuts. The study suggests the immune system’s interaction with bacteria in the gut prevents allergic reactions, the researchers report, and that boosting gut bacteria using either prebiotics in the form of dietary changes or probiotics to encourage beneficial bacterial development could […]


