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Fighting Against Seasonal Allergies
Written by Michael A. Smith, MDon Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Now that it's sniffle and sneeze season, people are already looking for relief. Black cumin seed oil contains a known immune modulator that could potentially help millions of people dry up their sinuses.
Now, we're not talking about the spice cumin - that's a totally different plant species from black cumin. This is something else entirely.
So, although I would always advise to cook liberally with cumin, it probably won't help your runny, itchy nose. Sorry.
But black cumin, however, may very well help because it provides thymoquinone - an immune modulator. Let's explore how it works.
The Biggest Success of the Proposed Nutrition Facts Label: Added Sugars Will Mean Less Chronic Disease & More Jobs For America
Written by Michael Roizen, MDon Sunday, 16 March 2014
The United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) proposed changes to one of the most iconic, well-recognized designs to all Americans, were presented by First Lady Michelle Obama Thursday.
The changes are much more than a new design and adding a few numbers to the panel.
From a broader perspective, the FDA's proposed changes reflect a shift in the chance that health care changes in the future will be a tailwind rather than a headwind to American jobs and prosperity. After 30 years of US obesity rates climbing, there is a shift towards creating solutions that are in favor of American consumers, rather than the powerful food industry.
The FDA estimates that the changes will mean a one-time cost of $2.3 billion to the food industry for labeling, reformulation, and record keeping, plus small annual costs for recurring record-keeping. However the FDA also predicts that over the next 20 years, these changes will save an average of $21.1 billion to $31.4 billion in healthcare costs.
Two key changes : Calories per container and per more accurate portions and Added Sugars.
Hugs for Hire: Would You Pay to Cuddle?
Written by Sylvia Andersonon Sunday, 02 March 2014
The power of touch is an incredible force. A hug can instantly improve your mood or put you more at ease in an uncomfortable situation. A massage provides a stress outlet like no other. Science has even proven that human touch releases the feel-good hormones oxytocin and serotonin and decreases levels of cortisol (the "stress" hormone). But how far would you go to incorporate touch into your life? Would you pay money to snuggle?
You can, you know. In this world where you can buy pretty much anything -- including happiness -- there are now professional for-hire cuddling companies. HER Radio hosts, Michelle King Robson and Dr. Pam Peeke, recently visited with founder of Cuddle Up to Me, Samantha Hess, to learn more about her business as a professional cuddler and what that even means (listen to the segment here).
What DOES it mean?
You can, you know. In this world where you can buy pretty much anything -- including happiness -- there are now professional for-hire cuddling companies. HER Radio hosts, Michelle King Robson and Dr. Pam Peeke, recently visited with founder of Cuddle Up to Me, Samantha Hess, to learn more about her business as a professional cuddler and what that even means (listen to the segment here).
What DOES it mean?
10 Things to Never Say to Someone Who Can’t Eat Gluten
Written by Lauren Allenon Thursday, 27 February 2014
You may have read my last rant about the differences between someone who physically can not break down gluten (the protein that is found in wheat, barley and rye) and will get terribly sick if gluten ends up on their plate, to those that think gluten is for some particular reason an ingredient that once not consumed anymore will help them lose weight and eat healthy.
At the three year anniversary of my diagnosis coming up, I wanted to share to those who still don't fully understand why I can't just pick the brownies out of an ice cream sundae.
Let me help you so you won't embarrass yourself and annoy your friend.
What you should never say to someone who can't eat gluten:
Omega-7 Fatty Acids Decrease Hunger
Written by Michael A. Smith, MDon Wednesday, 26 February 2014
The Sea Buckthorn plant has an unusual concentration of the essential omega-7 fatty acid. Some nutritionists even believe it's the best source of Omega-7 fat that exists.
But why is this important to you?
Well, for starters, omega-7 helps your body maintain itself in a variety of ways, including counteracting weight gain. The discovery of this fact has obviously produced a great amount of interest among medical researchers, and initial surprising research has many predicting that omega-7 may ultimately become a powerful tool in the weight loss battle.
Below, we'll explore the details.
5 Keys to Living a Long, Healthy, Happy Life
Written by Michael Roizen, MDon Friday, 07 February 2014
Last week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that found American's life expectancy has yet again increased for both men and women. Individuals born in 2009 can expect to live longer than ever before - approximately 78.5 years, up from just 78.1 years one year ago.
A gain of more than a third of a year in just one year. At this rate, this might be interpreted to mean the 30 year old person (in 2010) making healthy choices who would have been estimated to live to 95 in 2010, would make it to 115+ by the time she is 90 in 2070.
Since the data were collected and analyzed, life expectancy has increased even higher to 78.7 years, according to the CDC website, in-line with this potential. But will these be healthy vibrant years. Yes, you can make them that.
Thanks to improvements in medical technology for treating heart disease and stroke, Americans are living longer lives than ever before. The downfall of these technologies is that while they are able to buy a few extra years, they are not necessarily providing quality years of health and wellbeing.
Prevention is needed to do that.
What Your Food Looks Like Can Help Your Digestion
Written by Holly Lucille, ND, RNon Monday, 03 February 2014
We used to have a saying in school: "HEAL THE HOLE". Because so much of one's overall health depends on taking in nutrients, assimilating, digesting and absorbing them in order to have optimal health. Digestion truly is the key to being well and vital.
Did you ever hear that digestion actually starts in the mouth, not in the stomach?
Well guess what? Neither of those places is where the mighty and imperative digestive process can and should begin.
Digestion actually starts in the eyes and in the nose. Yes, I said the eyes and the nose.
Modern Day Thyroid: Thinking Things Through
Written by Holly Lucille, ND, RNon Thursday, 30 January 2014
Have you been feeling a little "off" lately? Lack of energy, always feeling cold, trouble concentrating, or unexplained weight gain could be a sign of an underactive thyroid. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, upwards of 27 million Americans suffer from some type of thyroid disorder. Of those, it's estimated that half remain undiagnosed.
Misdiagnosed and Misunderstood
Hailed as "the master" of our endocrine system, second only to the pituitary, the thyroid is a small gland shaped like the outspread wings of a butterfly that sits at the base of the throat. It excretes two hormones - thyroxine (also known as T4) and triiodothyronine (or T3) - that regulate metabolism within every cell in the body.
Low levels of these hormones slow everything down, and it's why symptoms of hypothyroidism often include weight gain and fatigue, as well as constipation, depression, irritability, low body temperature, sleep disturbances, forgetfulness, edema (fluid retention), hair loss, decreased libido, joint pain, and a hoarse voice.
Yet, because these symptoms can resemble a host of other diseases, the thyroid is often overlooked by physicians.
Can Hypothermia Save Lives?
Written by Michael A. Smith, MDon Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Did you know that ice can potentially save your life?
If you're having a heart attack, it could.
Scientists are discovering how cooling the human body down several degrees can actually save lives. This isn't the stuff of science fiction, but the result of many years of research.
If you find this interesting, read on to find out how hypothermia is making a difference in the medical field. Who knows, it may actually save your life one day.
Health Benefits of Donating Blood
Written by Michael A. Smith, MDon Sunday, 15 December 2013
Donating blood has many health benefits. Not only will you help someone in need of blood, but you will also help optimize your health and wellness. Here are the top three health benefits from donating blood.
Protect Your Heart by Reducing Oxidative Stress
Iron in your blood can oxidize resulting in damage to your cells and tissues. The increase in oxidative stress is most dangerous to your cardiovascular system. According to a new study published by the American Medical Association, giving blood every six months led to fewer heart attacks and strokes in test participants ages 43 to 61.
Excessive iron is thought to contribute to heart disease, especially at its early stages. Donating blood on a regular basis reduces the iron stores in the body and this study supports the theory that reducing iron appears to preserve cardiovascular health.
A second study of 2,682 men in Finland, reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that men who donated blood at least once a year had an 88 percent lower risk of heart attacks than non-donors. This same group of researchers published a follow-up study and found that men who donated blood were less likely than non-donors to show any signs of cardiovascular disease.1
My Eating Disorder: Lover, Best Friend, Tormenter
Written by Sylvia Andersonon Friday, 13 December 2013
You're back! Glad to know I didn't scare you away with Part 1 of my turmoil and trouble with ED. And if you're joining me for the first time, ED = Eating Disorder, not Erectile Dysfunction... I'll save that topic for the experts (see Part 1 of the blog here).
When I last left you, I was talking about all the ways an eating disorder can envelop you, taking you to the deepest, darkest places of your soul. It's a sickness – and it really IS a sickness, mentally and physically – that seeps into every pore of your being. It becomes the absolute most important thing in your life and does not care who (or what) is sacrificed in the process whether it's friends or family members... or husbands, marriages.
A positive? You get really good at math. In the good old days of my eating disorder, I was constantly calculating calories consumed vs. calories burned in my mind, figuring out just how many hours of exercise I would need to burn off that apple I had for dinner. To be honest, I still do this to some extent; I'm just eating a more "acceptable" amount of food.
An eating disorder never gives you a rest. It consumes every second, every minute of your day, from the moment you wake until you fall asleep. I even dream about it.
When I last left you, I was talking about all the ways an eating disorder can envelop you, taking you to the deepest, darkest places of your soul. It's a sickness – and it really IS a sickness, mentally and physically – that seeps into every pore of your being. It becomes the absolute most important thing in your life and does not care who (or what) is sacrificed in the process whether it's friends or family members... or husbands, marriages.
A positive? You get really good at math. In the good old days of my eating disorder, I was constantly calculating calories consumed vs. calories burned in my mind, figuring out just how many hours of exercise I would need to burn off that apple I had for dinner. To be honest, I still do this to some extent; I'm just eating a more "acceptable" amount of food.
An eating disorder never gives you a rest. It consumes every second, every minute of your day, from the moment you wake until you fall asleep. I even dream about it.
Leaky Gut & A Possible Connection to Hot Flashes
Written by Holly Lucille, ND, RNon Friday, 13 December 2013
We had a saying in Naturopathic Medical School that stated, "if you want to heal a person, heal the gut." It's fitting that I have written about digestive issues like intestinal permeability or "leaky gut syndrome" and all of its complications various times in the past decade and the time has come again.
Intestinal permeability describes a cascade of symptoms and disorders that stem from small intestine's semi-permeable membrane becoming excessively permeable for a variety of reasons, allowing infiltration of microbial and metabolic toxins (as well as undigested food) into the bloodstream. These symptoms include fatigue, immune deficiency, food allergies, asthma and eczema.
Intestinal permeability may also be a contributor to other modern illnesses such as insulin resistance, obesity, neurotransmitter disorders, autoimmune disorders and cancer. In fact, it may account for 50 percent of chronic illness.
One symptom that I have not linked to intestinal permeability in the past, which has been getting my attention lately, is the vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, an overlooked aspect of inflammation.
Intestinal permeability describes a cascade of symptoms and disorders that stem from small intestine's semi-permeable membrane becoming excessively permeable for a variety of reasons, allowing infiltration of microbial and metabolic toxins (as well as undigested food) into the bloodstream. These symptoms include fatigue, immune deficiency, food allergies, asthma and eczema.
Intestinal permeability may also be a contributor to other modern illnesses such as insulin resistance, obesity, neurotransmitter disorders, autoimmune disorders and cancer. In fact, it may account for 50 percent of chronic illness.
One symptom that I have not linked to intestinal permeability in the past, which has been getting my attention lately, is the vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, an overlooked aspect of inflammation.