I recently attended an integrative medicine conference. For those of you who don’t know what integrative medicine is, it’s “integrating” traditional medicine with alternative medicine practices to get the best of both worlds as treatment for your patients. At the conference, I met many interesting healthcare professionals. One of them was a naturopathic doctor from California who specialized in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In his practice, he used a combination of herbs that have been used by Chinese doctors for centuries in the treatment of various health problems. But, this doctor also was a licensed acupuncturist and made use of the […]
The modest ginger root, curcumin, is demonstrating in the lab exactly why traditional healers have used it for thousands of years. Curcumin, an ancient spice in the ginger family, also known as turmeric root, is gaining plenty of attention for its positive impact on a number of ailments. It is shining as an antioxidant, for example, as well as for its beneficial effects in prohibiting tumors, for its anti-inflammatory properties, and even for its ability to retard some of the progress of the virus that causes AIDS. This sounds like a lot of claims for a seemingly unpretentious kitchen spice. But, […]
With my busy schedule I often find myself eating out more than I should. The convenience is great but the risks could be plentiful. It all comes down to the lack of control. When we are cooking in our own kitchen it’s easy to cautious about food preparation and handling. But in restaurants this process is usually in the hands of someone we don’t know. It’s not uncommon for people to experience food poisoning several times in their lives. The symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. You’ll also feel weak and may even run a fever. It lasts a […]
Folate is a member of the B complex family. It was first discovered in 1931. The vitamin got its name from the Latin word folium, which means leaf. This is directly attributed to its abundance in leafy green vegetables. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential for the formation of red blood cells and DNA. It’s also crucial for normal fetal development. Folate Prevents Pregnancy Complications and Birth Defects Because the Western diet is high in processed foods, folate deficiencies are relatively common in the U.S. In 1960, it was discovered that folate is needed to prevent neural tube defects in […]
Like many of my patients, you’re thinking more about ways you can prevent, or improve, heart disease. And, you’ve been pretty good about using the most common ways: Diet, exercise, controlling weight and better managing stress. But, there are also 4 off-the-radar things you can do to protect your heart. Some of these you may already be doing every day and others may surprise you… 4 Uncommon Ways To Protect Your Heart If you’ve read my newsletter articles regularly, you’ve learned a lot about how to protect your heart through the most commonly used methods. You may have also learned […]
I saw a patient the other day who complained of feeling tired all the time. He also said he was getting sick more lately and even when he was well he didn’t really feel good. I suspected immediately that he was suffering from an overworked liver. The symptoms of an overworked liver mimic many other conditions. Thyroid problems, autoimmune disorders, hormone imbalances, and chronic diseases all have similar symptoms, especially in the early stages. Once, I had ruled these out, I was certain the problem lay with the liver. Liver exhaustion leads to a build up of toxins in your […]
In our tough economy, my patients frequently ask me how they can keep their nutrition up and their food costs down especially when it seems that the healthiest foods are the most expensive.
If you came into my office and asked me how you could create healthier, younger-looking skin, one of the things I would ask you about is your intestinal health. You may wonder what the connection is and this is what I’d tell you. Beautiful Skin Reflects A Healthy Gut – Probiotics Can Help Your skin needs a lot of things to stay healthy and look its best. It needs adequate water to stay hydrated and prevent sagging, careful cleansing and moisturizing, some sun protection, a nutrient-rich diet, and adequate sleep. Dull, unhealthy looking skin makes you look much older. What […]
Serotonin is a compound in the brain that promotes feelings of personal security, relaxation, and confidence. A serotonin deficiency can result in sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and a propensity to overeat, particularly carbohydrates like simple sugars. Startling research reveals that serotonin levels decline as we age! These findings provide a biochemical rationale to explain common age-related disorders such as depressed mood and sleep difficulties. Based on these discoveries, aging people may appreciably improve their health by restoring serotonin to youthful levels. The amino acid tryptophan is needed to produce serotonin in the brain. While the amount of tryptophan in a […]
4 Super Reasons to Eat Strawberries Strawberries are one of the most popular berries in the world, and they are also one of the top superfoods when it comes to fighting a vast array of diseases and health issues. Learn more, plus recipes. Shake It Up With Astounding Avocados Avocados contain more potassium than bananas. Potassium is important for regulating blood pressure, which can help prevent strokes and heart attacks. Learn more, plus recipes. Immunity Boosting Blend Strawberries are very high in vitamin C, a known immunity booster. Try this strawberry-yogurt smoothie it has probiotics which keep the good […]