The other day I was craving tacos. The hunger was fierce. So, I decided to head to my favorite Mexican restaurant to satisfy my appetite. Usually, I choose between either coconut shrimp or carnitas. But, on this particular day, I wanted to try something different. But, I quickly became overwhelmed by the possibilities. Granted, this […]

Dietary fiber gets a lot of praise for helping people feel full and for lowering the risk of certain types of disease. Yet many types of dietary fiber exist — and they don’t all work the same, according to a small new study. “When you actually get down to it, fiber is incredibly heterogeneous. It’s […]

Sulfur, a vital nutrient for cellular functioning, may not be at the top of your list of supplements, but it is one mineral you cannot live without. Read on to learn how you can boost your vital energy and metabolism by adding more sulfur-rich foods to your diet Sulfur is a natural, non-metallic mineral and […]

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are not made in our bodies, so we must get them from our diet. There are three forms: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). There is evidence from studies, according to the Mayo Clinic, that suggests consuming the recommended amounts of DHA and EPA through either fish […]

Think twice before popping these pills that shrink your brain, kill your memory and put you in the path of a deadly disease with no cure. One person made an astonishing recovery from severe dementia after quitting multiple meds – including over-the-counter products. Be very careful. Story at-a-glance Anticholinergic drugs block acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that […]

Even the healthiest ones contain this ingredient, which radically increases oxidative stress and triggers mitochondrial dysfunction. STORY AT-A-GLANCE Researchers found a connection between the intake of iron and seed oils high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in people with Type 2 diabetes Both high dietary iron intake and an […]

Could a key part of the solution for many health problems, including obesity, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart disease and even malignancy, be found in your muscle mass? Find out how this organ of longevity ‘talks’ with your immune system and disposes of at least 80% of the sugar in your blood. Story at-a-glance Muscle-centric medicine is […]

For years, natural health experts and knowledgeable physicians and nutritionists have advised the Mediterranean diet for its heart-healthy, life-prolonging effects.  High in healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and fish and low in saturated fats, sugar, and red meat, the benefits of this way of eating are backed by an accumulating body of international scientific evidence.  Now, […]

Coffee contains many bioactive compounds that influence metabolism directly, causing your colon to contract and promoting bowel movements, as well as indirectly, via neurohumoral responses. Story at-a-glance There’s an, often unspoken, effect of coffee drinking that many would consider a benefit — it makes you poop Colon activity increases quickly after a cup of coffee […]

Can you get fat from eating late at night? Should you cut all carbs if you’re serious about losing weight? We turned researchers on these topics help separate myth from fact and set the record straight on healthy eating habits. Are Carbohydrates Bad For You? Carbohydrates are one of the three major nutrients in the […]

There’s no denying it – the appearance of dragon fruit can be a little off-putting.  This unusual-looking fruit is sheathed in thick, reptilian-looking scales tinged with a fiery-looking pinkish-red.  Never fear, though.  Like the artichoke – which it somewhat resembles – the dragon fruit is hiding a delicious taste under its armored skin. Scientists report […]

Eggs are a key ingredient in many recipes but that doesn’t mean you can’t bake those cookies or make those pancakes if you’ve run out or can’t have them due to dietary restrictions such as allergies or veganism. While they may not work for recipes where eggs are the main ingredient, there are plenty of easy ingredient […]

One of the best ways you can improve the nutrient value and social benefit of your food is to eat local. Throughout most of human history, humankind ate food that was close at hand, according to the natural change of seasons, out of necessity. But this practice has numerous benefits, including tying us more closely […]

The most common complaint my functional medicine colleagues and I hear from our patients is, “I’m always tired, my energy is low, and I can’t seem to pull myself out of this slump.” Chronic tiredness is ubiquitous today. It can range in severity and have a myriad of underlying causes. Yet when it comes to […]

In a fascinating study conducted at the University of Copenhagen, researchers found that vitamin D is essential in order to activate the body’s immune system. Without it — or with insufficient levels — the immune system’s killer T cells can’t fight off serious infections and instead remain unheroically dormant. But with sufficient levels of vitamin […]

Our bodies go through a whole lot of wear and tear as we go about our daily lives, which leads to some challenging conditions during our golden years. We’re already predisposed to ailments thanks to genetics and our environment, but poor nutrition takes those risks even higher. The common diseases that come with age have […]

The world’s love affair with pasta traces back thousands of years to Asia, where archaeologists believe the first noodles were produced. There’s been no turning back from this versatile and delicious comfort food favorite. Its reputation has been bruised in recent years, however, taking hits from the low-carb diet trend, wheat allergies, and accusations of […]

When it comes to the health status of millions of Americans, there is definitely room for improvement.  And, that’s putting it mildly.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, a stunning two out of three adults in the United States are currently either overweight or obese.  In addition, the American Heart Association reports that over […]

The world’s love affair with pasta traces back thousands of years to Asia, where archaeologists believe the first noodles were produced. There’s been no turning back from this versatile and delicious comfort food favorite. Its reputation has been bruised in recent years, however, taking hits from the low-carb diet trend, wheat allergies, and accusations of […]

If you have heart failure, there’s good news and bad news on how much it would help you to cut back on salt. New research finds that while it doesn’t prevent death or hospitalization among patients, it does appear to improve their quality of life. Patients with heart failure have been told for years to reduce the […]

Is your endocrine system healthy? If you suffer from regular insomnia and other sleep issues, dull skin, depression, low energy, alopecia, a low sex drive, weight gain, puffy skin, excessive fear, anger, or ADHD, the answer is no. These are just some of the many symptoms that pretty much guarantee a sluggish endocrine system. Basically, […]

With its disabling loss of cognition, judgment, and memory, dementia is a truly devastating condition.  And it is becoming more widespread.  Alzheimer’s disease – the most common cause of dementia among older adults – is currently affecting over 6.2 million Americans.  Experts predict that the incidence will double by the year 2050. Many scientists believe […]

Believe it or not, there are thousands of varieties of rice, with colors ranging from black to purple to red and more. Of course, the type of rice most of us know best is white rice. You may have heard some people say rice isn’t nutritious or it will lead you to gain weight. But […]

What do blueberries, spinach and dark chocolate have in common? They’re all rich in flavonoids, the chemical compounds found in plants that give them color—and medicinal powers. Research shows flavonoids provide a wide range of health benefits, from fighting cancer and lowering the risk for heart disease to preserving brain function. They’ve even been used […]

Who would have thought that the zany cartoons we grew up with could contain accurate nutritional information?  Viewers of a certain age might remember “Popeye the Sailor Man,” who gobbled cans of spinach whenever he needed a boost of muscular power to fight the villainous Bluto.  As it turns out, Popeye’s strategy was surprisingly sound. […]

Avocado toast has become the favored breakfast of the healthy and fit, and now new research suggests their choice may protect their hearts. People who ate half an avocado twice a week had a 16% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21% lower risk of heart disease, compared with people who never or rarely ate the […]

Commentary Hundreds of studies show it destroys health and causes dramatic reductions in IQ, since it accumulates in your brain. In 1997 they started removing it, but essentially replaced one brain-harming substance with another. Part 1  Part 2 March 21, 2022, Megyn Kelly of “The Megyn Kelly Show” interviewed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about his […]

What Is IBS? IBS is a chronic disorder that affects the large intestine and causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea. As many as one in five Americans have symptoms of IBS. The cause of IBS isn’t well understood but stress, large meals, certain foods, and alcohol may trigger symptoms in people […]

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is so essential for protecting and enhancing immune function that it is often referred to as “the muscle of the immune system.”  However, new research published in The Journal of Nutrition shows that it may also help people over 50 retain muscle mass. For the graying population of the United States, this […]

Fear about potential nuclear fallout has resulted in Europeans stocking up on iodine. As reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP), March 8, 2022:1 “European countries have seen stocks of iodine fly off the shelves due to fears it may be needed to counter the risks of thyroid cancer if Russia’s invasion of Ukraine causes a nuclear […]