As a health conscious individual, you probably know the importance of drinking plenty of fluids. It is likely that you sip lemonade on hot days, drink water during tough workouts and pack sports drinks in your child or grandchild’s lunch bag for soccer practice. These are all important steps to squelch the common causes of dehydration, but what about the uncommon causes that catches you unaware? A wide array of medical issues can lead to dehydration. Considering that our bodies are made up of 50% to 65% water, this element is critical to virtually all our physical functions. Every organ […]
When it comes to preparing food, I like to go all out. Cooking brings me such joy that I’m willing to go to any length to share the pleasures of the table with others. When the weather turned warm this year, I decided it was time to make ice cream. I have a small ice cream maker for home use, but I quickly realized it wouldn’t produce enough to feed all of my family and friends. So, I bought a professional ice cream machine. And then I bought a blast freezer to go with it, to freeze the ice cream so […]
Once we pass the age of 40, we become prone to developing certain vision related conditions like cataracts and possibly macular degeneration. However, as I tell my patients, become proactive now to protect your vision! First, let me explain a little about both of these conditions. Cataracts are an outgrowth on the lens that distorts vision. Over 17% of Americans over 40 have cataracts and it is a very common vision problem. They are caused by aging, over-exposure to ultraviolet light, as well as oral and spray (as in asthma inhalers) steroids that get in the eyes. Cataracts typically have […]
How can you improve your own well-being? Here are five non-intuitive lifestyle tweaks that can dramatically improve your life –Laugh more, meditate, learn to forgive and let go, connect with nature, and get your hormones checked for goodness sake! Let me explain: 1. Laugh, no joke! I’ve met people that simply don’t laugh, smile or have a sense of humor. That is stressful to the mind and body since laughter and smiling have been researched and correlated with stronger immunity and better mental health. This is why I have prescribed comedies to patients over the years or have them practice […]
If you are feeling blue, fatigued or having trouble remembering things and you think it’s just winter doldrums – think again. It is just possible you might not be getting enough vitamin B12, and you have a deficiency that can cause serious problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The many body systems affected by vitamin B12 deficiency underscore the vitamin’s importance in their proper functioning. “The deficiency of the vitamin appears to mimic symptoms of seriously degenerative diseases, and often is not diagnosed ,” said Sally Pacholok, a registered nurse who was diagnosed with a B12 […]
Eyesight is a critical sense to protect, especially as a person ages. Macular degeneration, cataracts and other age-related deterioration of the eyes are real concerns. You may have heard suggestions such as “eat more carrots to improve your eyesight” or seen supplements targeted towards eye health. Does diet make a difference and are supplements indicated? Read on to learn more about foods and supplements for healthy aging of the eyes. The vitamin with the largest body of research in support of eyesight is vitamin A; likely the reason you’ve been told to eat your carrots as a child. Orange vegetables […]
Life can get in the way of you doing the things you know you should do to be healthy. Luckily, there are simple hacks you can try to get back on track and stay there. As a person who prioritizes wellness, you already know you should prioritize healthy foods, stay hydrated, move your body often and get plenty of sleep for optimal health. But following a healthy lifestyle is a juggling act full of distractions and diversions. Sometimes you drop the ball on healthy habits. You may have to work through lunch and end up eating from the vending machine. […]
One of the hottest trends for skin and hair care products, argan oil, has a little secret – this powerful anti-aging oil goes way beyond beauty when it comes to being healthy, effective and useful. Argan oil is from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa), which grows almost exclusively in Morocco. You’ve probably seen a variety of skin and hair products that contain argan oil, because it’s known for its effective moisturizing properties. There’s been research that suggests the fatty acids in argan oil support healthy, hydrated skin, reduce hair damage and contribute to glossiness. What’s surprising about […]
I see patients all the time who are confused about antioxidants. Often they think if they take vitamin C, they’ve got their bases covered. This just isn’t the case. To understand why, let’s take a deeper look at how your body works. When you eat food, the process your body uses to convert it to energy creates byproducts called free radicals. These free radicals are reactive molecules. When they encounter a healthy cell, they damage it and also create more free radicals. This process happens all through your body both in water-based tissues and in fat-based tissues. Your body uses antioxidants to clean up […]
Many of my older patients have told me that if they had to pick a condition to get as they got older, it would be something other than one that affected their brain and mental performance. After all, who you are now, who you were in your past, your life’s memories are all stored in your brain. If you started to develop impairment of your cognitive function, who you are may be decreased, or completely lost, to you. That’s why I tell my patients to do everything possible to keep their brain function healthy and optimize their mental performance. These […]










