Food for Thought: Herbs and Spices that Fight Inflammation
Inflammation is one of the most problematic health issues facing the modern American population. Research from the Center for Inflammation and Mucosal Immunology at the University of Florida shows that inflammation can cause numerous health problems, including a higher risk for heart disease, bowel disorders, poor sleep, arthritis, weight gain, bone damage, and even depression. […]
Menudo: Boy Band and a Soup Made from a Cow’s Stomach
Menudo was a Puerto Rican boy band formed in the 1970s and is also a traditional Mexican soup made with beef stomach, also called tripe. When I was a young child, I was fascinated by not only this boy band but also by this strange and somewhat disgusting soup. I wondered how people could eat […]
5 Healthy Things to Add to Your Morning Routine
If you’re like most Americans, your morning routine probably looks like this: Wake up when the alarm goes off. Hit snooze and get another 10 minutes of fitful sleep. Wake up. Hit snooze again. Wake up 10 minutes later and realize you are running late. Scramble into the shower and get ready as fast as […]
Lessons Learned from the Blue Zones
Blue zones are areas of the world where a greater number of residents live to be over 100 years of age. In 2004, a study conducted by National Geographic set out to find the areas of the world where people were the healthiest and lived the longest. During the study, the researchers identified commonalities between […]
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors (a story about boundaries)
When you build a fence between your property and your neighbor’s, it is usually a good thing. Both you and your neighbor understand where your property begins and ends, and this allows you freedom within the fence line. However, when we think about boundaries, we often view them as restrictive. As human beings, we tend […]
Beware! Natural is not Always Safe
A study published in the early 1990s looked at the impact that beta-carotene (a nutrient found in carrots) had on smokers and their risk of lung cancer. The thought was that this nutrient might provide some protection from cancer. To their surprise, researchers actually found that beta-carotene increased the risk of lung cancer in smokers. […]
The #1 Question You Should Ask Your Doctor When Taking Prescription Drugs
What do you do if a prescription drug works? Do you stay on it, do you watch for side effects? These are good questions to ask your doctor when you first start taking a drug. However, the first question is the most important… Don’t be afraid to ask… it matters. -Dr. Joshua Levitt
Yes, Some Exposure to Germs Early in Life is Very, Very Good
Dirt, mud, animal hair… all those things that many try to keep their kids away from in early life may actually be a very good thing. According to numerous studies, exposure to these, and other similar germs helps to exercise the immune system and build a strong resistance later in life. It is thought that […]
Being Lonely is Bad for Your Health
A new study just confirmed a long running theory of mine that that I developed after years of observing trends that I’ve seen in my patients over many years. As a naturopathic physician, I am grateful for the ability to connect with my patients in a way that goes beyond just a superficial interaction. In […]
Anxious Times Indeed
We had a lovely evening at my house last night with the family relaxing in front of the fireplace..it was a pleasant diversion from the anxiety we all can feel in the aftermath of the horrifying events in Paris last week. Â Now that my kids are upstairs and asleep, I was catching up on some […]
