What are Antioxidants?
How Do Antioxidants Support Healing? Certain foods – including beautifully-marketed “superfoods” – are celebrated for their antioxidant properties. But what does that even mean? What are antioxidants, and why are they important? What is oxidation? Oxidative stress? As the name implies, antioxidants fight oxidation. But what is oxidation? Let’s take a closer look: If…
A Resinous Extract For Liver Health and Repair
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has quickly become the leading cause of liver disease in the Western world.[1] The current recommendations upon first diagnosis of NAFLD are diet and lifestyle management. While these are certainly the most important places to start, as a clinician, I find these recommendations to be difficult for some of…
Live Long and Prosper
How a great diet can add years to your life Do you want to live to be 90 or 100? Thanks to advances in medical science, that goal is increasingly within reach. Most of us don’t want to live longer, however, if we are going to be burdened by the diseases of aging –…
Nutricosmetics: Nutrients for Beautiful Skin
The scientific effects of hydrolyzed collagen To state the obvious, nearly all of us would like to improve our well-being and appearance, regardless of our age.[1] This universal desire has triggered a continual search for strategies to slow visible aging. First and foremost, great-looking skin is associated with a healthy diet, adequate exercise, sleep,…
Chocolate for Heart Health
Cacao may stave off cardiovascular disease History of chocolate Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a box of chocolates. In addition to being a token of affection, however, chocolate is also a medicinal super food that may support cardiovascular health. Perhaps it’s no wonder that we like to present chocolate in a heart-shaped box….
Vitamin K2 for Strong Bones and Flexible Arteries
The vitamin that sends calcium where it’s needed. Calcium is an important mineral for bone health, muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting.[1],[2] But more calcium isn’t necessarily better: If calcium deposits in the walls of arteries, it can cause the blood vessels to become stiff, thus increasing the risk of heart disease. [3],[4],[5]…
Breastfeeding for Mom’s Brain Health
Moms who breastfeed may be protected against cognitive decline later in life. Data suggests that breastfeeding a child may protect a woman against cognitive decline later in life. Specifically, a 2021 study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) assessed the cognitive performance of women over the age of 50 to see if…
NAD+: Health or Hype?
What the research says about nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide What is NAD+? NAD+, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme – or enzyme “helper” that supports important reactions in the body. NAD+ is needed to help turn nutrients into energy, and is thus a key player in mitochondrial health. NAD+ also helps repair damaged…
Alzheimer’s Disease: The Great Morbidity of the 21st Century
The role of diet, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids in cognitive health Alzheimer’s disease is one of the illnesses Americans fear most, affecting one in nine people over the age of 65.[1],[2],[3] The disease causes a gradual loss of memory, orientation, and reasoning, creating great difficulties for both the affected individual and for…
Herbal Approaches to Low Libido in Menopause
Menopause is associated with many often-lamented symptoms that can have drastic effects on a woman’s comfort, happiness, and daily life activities. Hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings are commonly discussed because of their prevalence (up to 80% of women experience hot flashes during menopause[i]). Though less often discussed, low sexual desire is another…
Hypothyroidism and Gluten-Free Diets
Why gluten and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis don’t mix Evidence shows that eating wheat and gluten may drive the autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the body’s master of metabolism, regulating important functions like digestion, energy production, mental sharpness, sweating, skin healing, fat burning, and heart rate.1 What is hypothyroidism? Is it the…
Ways to Ease Inflammation and Depression
Smart lifestyle choices for a happy brain and healthy mood In last week’s post we explored the ways in which inflammation can cause depression. The science shows that we cannot blame genetics alone for depression. That’s a good thing: it means there is a lot we can do to heal our brains. Here are…
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