The Traditional Production of Chios Mastic Gum (Video)
The story behind Chios tears… Chios mastic gum, often simply referred to as “mastiha” or “mastika”, is the resin that comes from the mastica tree, a small evergreen tree native to the Greek island of Chios. The production of Chios mastic gum to this day remains true to the original traditional cultivation practices, and…
Why is There Alcohol in My Dietary Supplement?
For supplement users trying to optimize health, the alcohol question commonly arises You just started to do a dietary cleanse, bought oodles of recommended supplements, and on the first day a recognizable liquid hits your tongue. “Alcohol? Could this possibly be alcohol?” you wonder and realize with amazement after looking at the label that…
Erectile Dysfunction and B Vitamins
Could a simple intervention like B vitamins improve ED? Multiple human studies suggest they might By far, the most common concern that comes up in discussions of male sexual health is erectile dysfunction. A large, multinational survey, published in 2004, found that erectile dysfunction (commonly referred to simply as ED) affects approximately 16% of…
Nutritional Factors in Female Fertility, Part 2 of 2
Antioxidants and reproductive health We live in an increasingly toxic world, with literally thousands of different potential toxins being released into our water, air, and soil each day by industry, agricultural practices, and our daily living.[1],[2],[3],[4] They cycle into our food supply, accumulating in animals and plants.[5],[6],[7],[8] Many environmental pollutants do not degrade over…
Nutritional Factors in Female Fertility, Part 1 of 2
As the average reproductive age rises, many turn to natural ways to enhance fertility The age at which we elect to reproduce has been on the rise for some time. Both men and women are putting parenthood on hold to pursuing a variety of things including their career, financial security, travel and global exploration,…
Natural Ways to Support Sexual Health (Video)
Supporting what goes on between the sheets… Sexual health is far more than what goes on between the sheets: factors such as hormones, stress level, and physical and emotional health each play a very important role. In this easy to understand educational video, Dr. Carrie Decker explains the roles that estrogen, testosterone, and DHEA…
The Pro-Hormone DHEA and Sexual Health
Studies suggest DHEA supports improved libido, fertility, and more To say DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a pro-hormone simply implies that it is a precursor hormone to the hormones that we more often speak of: estrogen and testosterone. However, this is not its only hormonal “job” in the body; DHEA and its sulfated form, DHEA-S, interact…
Pediatric Nutritional Deficiencies and ADHD (Video)
Essential nutrients for healthy brain function Following up on our earlier discussion of “Integrative Perspectives on ADHD“, Dr. Carrie Decker, ND, takes a look at the research and larger meta-analyses of common nutritional deficiencies in children with ADHD, as well as the role different nutrients play in pediatric brain health.
Integrative Perspectives on ADHD (Video)
As school is back in full force, and we are doing our best to “stay home, stay safe”, it can be a challenge for even the most focused individuals to maintain sustained attention for the projects at hand. Herein, we take a look specifically at the disorder known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD),…
The Antiviral and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Quercetin
The value of quercetin for respiratory health beyond allergies Quercetin is another well-known member of the polyphenol family. Considered a flavonoid type of polyphenol, quercetin is found in many fruits and vegetables, including onions, apples, cherries, broccoli, tomatoes, and berries, as well as green tea. We look to quercetin most often seasonally as a…
The Benefits of Berry Polyphenols
The abundant polyphenols found in berries deliver numerous health benefits Of all fruits, the consumption of fresh berries is something we oft seek out more than their somewhat more boring apple or banana counterparts. Whether it be berry smoothies; berry cobblers, pies, or crisps; homemade berry wines; or simply fresh berries eaten by the…
The Berrylicious Benefits of Black Elderberry
Pleasant-tasting purple berries provide powerful immune protection Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), much like echinacea, takes its place in our botanical medicinal cabinet seasonally when the seasonal colds and flu are at large. Because of elderberry’s naturally appealing taste, it is a botanical that we commonly find as a pleasant tasting syrup or chewable. But…
