Almost 70% of adults in America are considered overweight, and 35% are classified as obese. If rates continue, and many experts believe they will, 75% of the population will be either overweight or obese by the year 2020. Anyone who glances at the statistics knows something is clearly not right. What could be causing this sharp rise in weight-related issues? (more…)
Indigenous people of the Andes have consumed maca root (commonly referred to as Peruvian ginseng) for centuries, calling upon this superfood as a natural remedy for a diverse range of conditions. While considered a root vegetable and food staple in the Andean diet for thousands of years, Western researchers have only recently discovered this ancient herb and the many benefits it may provide for women. Sexual health, improving fertility, and combating the effects of menopause are only a few benefits this healing herb has to offer. (more…)
One of the most common (and unpleasant) side effects many patients complain about when using prescription antibiotic drugs is antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). [1] One possible countermeasure to this longstanding and potentially serious concern may lie in the use of probiotics. While this may sound like a common sense solution to natural and holistic healthcare experts, much of the mainstream medical community is just now catching on to the idea. [2] (more…)
Life has its ups and its downs, and no one is immune from the mental effects of challenging times. Fortunately, whether you're feeling down, anxious, or just wish to maintain a steady mood, natural approaches do exist. Getting adequate sleep and a balanced diet are fundamental, and exercise also offers dramatic results. [1] [2] Meditation, another stress-relieving and mind-balancing tool, can hone focus and may even slow age-related thinning of the frontal cortex. [3] Additionally, some plants and herbs, like Rhodiola rosea, offer bioactive chemicals that support the nutritional charge […]
I have already discussed my disdain for gluten in previous articles, citing numerous research studies reporting its negative effects on the brain and digestive health. Gluten is a very hard protein found in wheat, barley, and rye products, and most individuals today are sensitive – if not downright intolerant – to its structure. One topic frequently overlooked is the relationship between gluten consumption and thyroid disease. Although the connection between nutrition and thyroid health has been circulating in the medical and nutrition literature for years, it's only recently that we're […]
