Have you ever been too embarrassed to talk to your doctor about problems with constipation? Constipation is the irregular bowel movement and the difficulty in the passage of stools. It can often last uncomfortably for at least several weeks. This condition is usually determined when a person has less than three bowel movements a …
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the heightened pressure of the blood that is pumped through the arteries. This condition usually has no warning symptoms or signs. People typically do not even notice that they already have the condition. Over the course of a prolonged period, the constant increased pressure can cause …
Antibiotics or initially hailed as “magic bullets” and are chemical agents used in the treatment or/and prevention of bacterial infections. They may either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Before the early 20th century, treatments for infections were based primarily on traditional medicine or medicinal folklore. Over 3000 years ago, specific mixtures with …
What are we going to do about Antibiotic Resistance? Read More »
A recent study found regular use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid reflux raises the risk of stomach cancer. PPI users (Prilosec, Prevacid) in the study had twice the risk for stomach cancer compared to those who used H2-receptor acid reducing drugs (Tagamet, Pepcid). About 20 percent of Americans suffer with acid reflux and …
Heartburn? Antacids can raise stomach cancer risk Read More »
When people are working to manage an autoimmune or chronic condition, they typically focus on an anti-inflammatory diet and protocol. However, one often overlooked dealbreaker to getting better is anemia. Anemia as is a deal breaker to recovery because it means your cells are not getting enough oxygen. Without oxygen, recovery and repair can’t happen. …
Anemia may be making your autoimmune disease worse. Read More »
A weekly workout routine including high intensity intervals, spin classes, running, weight training and other sports offers us many health benefits. However, recent studiesshow that even if you get a solid hour or two of exercise daily, it may not be enough to counteract the effects of sitting for hours at a time. The good news is …
24 things that can add up to increasing your exercise. Read More »
[smps_sl_youtube data=”%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FwX7OgH121zA%22%2C%22width%22%3A%22800%22%2C%22height%22%3A%22450%22%2C%22responsive%22%3A%22yes%22%2C%22controls%22%3A0%2C%22autohide%22%3A2%2C%22show_title_bar%22%3A%22yes%22%2C%22autoplay%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22loop%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22related_videos%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22full_screen_button%22%3A%22yes%22%2C%22modestbranding%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22class%22%3A%22%22%7D” ] Diabetes may be considered as one of the most notorious chronic problem that one can have. Having this condition comes with a lot of problems that will involve issues with wound healing, nerve functions, physical endurance, and organ efficiency (particularly the pancreas). Read on and I’ll show you the wonders of …
Can Probiotics help Blood Sugar issues and Diabetes? Read More »
If you’re a sweet tooth, you can never go wrong with a delectable piece of chocolate after a long day of work or school. This is considered a comfort food and a go-to pick-me-upper for those tough days when you need a fix. Did you know that chocolate can do more for you than …
Do you have heart disease? Chocolate can’t help, can it? Read More »
The 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to researchers for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms that control circadian rhythm, our biological “clock.” This sleep-wake cycle helps us move between sleepiness and alertness at regular intervals, and regulates important functions such as: Behavior Sleep Mood Immunity Brain function Hormone levels Metabolism Although we’ve …
Do you have mysterious health symptoms — such as fatigue, pain, brain fog, unexplained weight gain — that rob you of your quality of life, but lab tests and doctors keep saying nothing is wrong? Or maybe doctors tell you your chronic symptoms are depression and you need an antidepressant. Maybe you’ve even been accused …
Pain, brain fog, fatigue, weight gain? It could be autoimmunity. Read More »
It’s not easy being female — the hormonal ups and downs each month through puberty and then menopause can range from mildly irritating to downright debilitating. Although many, if not most, women suffer from some degree of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the extreme health and mood imbalances associated with PMS and menopause are a sign your …
Stress can cause PMS, menopause problems, and more Read More »
A recent study showed a low-carbohydrate, whole foods diet low in inflammatory foods significantly decreases thyroid antibodies — the marker for autoimmune thyroid disease, or Hashimoto’s. Hashimoto’s occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland; it is the cause of about 90 percent of hypothyroid cases. This study is further evidence you …
Study shows diet tames Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism Read More »
A recent study confirmed what functional medicine has long since known — the autoimmune paleo (AIP) diet is highly successful for managing chronic health disorders. The first-of-its-kind study showed the majority of participants quickly achieved and maintained remission of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis on the AIP diet. A number of participants were even …
Study confirms autoimmune paleo (AIP) diet works Read More »
A new study that had subjects handle store receipts showed BPA absorbed through the skin stays in the body much longer than ingested BPA. The study had subjects handle common store receipts for five minutes, then wear gloves for two hours before washing their hands. BPA measurements in the subjects’ urine showed BPA levels highest …
Handling store receipts raises levels of toxic BPA Read More »
Most thyroid issues are autoimmune by nature. Around 70-80% of the autoimmunity issues can be traced to gut infections. On the flip side, having gut infections can increase the likelihood of an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disease needs three things to occur. The three risk factors include genetic predisposition, intestinal permeability, and environmental triggers like …
It’s now common knowledge that nighttime exposure to computer, tablet, and TV screens sabotages sleep —the light they emit simulates sunlight, thus suppressing sleep hormones. However, plenty of daytime sunlight is vital for good sleep. Most of us don’t get near enough. Research shows the average person spends less than an hour a day outside. …
Plenty of sunlight needed for a good night’s sleep Read More »
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that can surprisingly turn your life around for better or worse, depending on its current condition. To help it veer towards the benefit-laden side, lifestyle change is one of the approaches, especially in patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. In this article, we’re going to talk about how your lifestyle …
Do you really understand your thyroid labs, and why should you care? It’s important to know what is happening with your labs because knowing is power. Getting to the root cause of your problems can make a big difference in your health. When you have lab work performed, your results are compared to normal ranges. …
Your hypothalamus in your brain stimulates your pituitary gland to release TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). When your thyroid gland receives this hormone, it increases T4 production (inactive hormone), thus increasing T3 (active hormone) in the process. T4 is converted to T3 in the liver, gut and peripheral tissues. It then goes to the cell receptors …
Are you being exposed to Toxins that affect your Thyroid? Read More »
Let’s review some thyroid physiology before we get into nutrition. Learning how the thyroid works will help you understand how to take care of it. The hypothalamus is a portion of your brain that has sensors that can detect what is happening in the blood. The endocrine system is a group of organs that release …
Do you have to be concerned with thyroid nutrition? Read More »
Before we start understanding conversion, let’s take a look at the physiology of how the thyroid gland works. When your body senses that your thyroid hormone level is low, the hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland in the brain to produce TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). TSH tells the thyroid gland to start producing more thyroid hormones. …
Is your Thyroid Hormone being Converted to the active form? Read More »
The adrenal glands are two parts of your body that are located on top of the kidneys. They are mainly responsible for burning fats and proteins, controlling your blood sugar levels, regulating the blood pressure, and helping you effectively cope up with stress. On the other hand, the thyroid gland is the butterfly-shaped organ found …
If you complain of mild to moderate pain a doctor will freely prescribe NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, they are not benign as you think, especially if taken long term. NSAIDs are linked to numerous health complaints. Common brands of NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). Celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren) are …
The road to chronic disease — from arthritis to heart disease — is paved with sugar and refined carbohydrates. It’s a freeway that leads straight to insulin resistance syndrome, given the right conditions, most notably being overweight and inactive. The devastating chain of events that leads to chronic disease goes like this: Carbs and sugar …
Eating yourself sick: Insulin resistance and disease Read More »
You can eat fermented foods every day and take all the probiotic supplements you want, but if you aren’t also feeding those intestinal bacteria what they want, you could be throwing your money away. That’s because to thrive and multiply, healthy gut bacteria need to eat. And what your gut bacteria like best is …
What your gut bacteria need to eat to survive and thrive Read More »
Although managing an autoimmune condition requires us extra care with diet, stress levels, sleep, and exertion, that doesn’t mean making travel off limits. Many people with autoimmunity have learned how to travel flare-free, even though it may take some extra prep time before hand. Be mindful to go into a travel experience with the mentality …
Travel tips to prevent autoimmune flares on the go Read More »
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You could be developing an autoimmune disease, one of the most common diseases today, and are not aware of it. This is because autoimmune diseases sometimes start off as “silent” autoimmunity. This means your immune system is attacking tissue in your body but the damage isn’t bad enough to cause symptoms yet. Autoimmune disease is …
If you use artificial sweeteners to avoid gaining weight, you’re not only wasting your time but also possibly causing future health problems, according to a new study. The study found that not only do aspartame and sucralose not prevent weight gain, they also raise the risk of disease in people who use them regularly. …
Artificial sweeteners fail dieters; cause health risks Read More »
Most people worry about high blood pressure, and with good reason as it portends numerous health risks. However, low blood pressure brings a different set of problems, such as reduced brain function and increased mortality risk. If the upper or lower number deviates by more than 10 from 120/80, it pays to be aware low …
Having low blood pressure also carries health risks Read More »
Snoring happens when the tissues and muscles in the upper airways become too “floppy” during sleep and vibrate. Researchers found simply exercising those muscles to maintain their tone can help reduce snoring. In a 2015 study, researchers looked at groups of men and women who did not have obstructive sleep apnea, which is associated with many …
Do you dread going to the doctor because you know they will pin your health problems on your weight? Or maybe you quit going to the doctor all together to avoid feeling embarrassed and ashamed. Because the stigma attached to body size has been shown to cause weight gain, researchers are calling for doctors …
It doesn’t take long once you learn about functional medicine to realize it attracts primarily women. Why? Chronic disorders affect more women than men and conventional medicine’s treatment of women often ranges from disappointing to dehumanizing. Conventional medicine failing women When women show up at doctors’ offices with “mystery” symptoms from chronic disorders they …
The American Heart Association (AHA) recently announced coconut oil is bad for you. This is the same advisory organization that endorses breakfast cereals loaded with sugars and artificial additives. It’s important to look at this coconut oil advisory in context: Saturated fats have been proven repeatedly not to be bad for your health or raise the …
Sadly, millions of women and girls absorb high levels of toxins every month thanks to lax manufacturing standards of tampons and sanitary pads. These products are loaded with highly absorbable industrial contaminants — the body takes in more toxins through the vaginal wall than through ingestion. Manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients …
The United States enjoys liberal access to nutritional supplements. We can buy virtually any supplement from multiple sources either at the local grocery store or online. Other countries can be more stringent when it comes to access and don’t enjoy near the wide range of variety. However, the freedom around nutritional supplements in the …
Aging gracefully is all about taking care of your mitochondria — the little energy factories in each cell. As we get older, their function can start to diminish, which plays a key role in aging of the body. However, new research has shown a little-known strategy to boost the longevity and function of your mitochondria — …
If you struggle with excess weight or high blood sugar, your blood tests show may also show fatty liver (high liver enzymes). Although fatty liver has no overt symptoms, a liver filled with fat hinders detoxification, promotes inflammation, may increase gallstones and increases heart attack risk. So a fatty liver means eat less fat, right? …
Although the autoimmune paleo (AIP) diet is a well-known foundation for managing chronic health issues, some people are dismayed to find embarking on it makes them feel worse. What gives? The sudden change in diet can temporarily upset your chemistry and reveal hidden health problems. If you have been accustomed to eating gluten, dairy, grains, sugars, …
It’s nice to think eating organic food and using “green” household and body products keeps us toxin-free. While those measures certainly help, the sad truth is we are nevertheless inundated with unprecedented levels of toxins in our air, water, food, and everyday environment. Numerous studies link toxins with myriad health disorders, including autoimmunity, cancer, brain …
It’s an embarrassing subject we like to put behind us, but hemorrhoids can be a real bummer, with the pain of sitting butting into everyday tasks. Although hemorrhoids tend to run in families, certain measures can prevent your backside from continually taking front and center. Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and …
Gluten-free folks accustomed to eating rice-based gluten-free breads, pastas, cereals, and other substitutes may be consuming dangerously high levels of arsenic. In fact, a 2017 study showed people on a gluten-free diet consuming rice-based products on a regular basis showed almost twice as much arsenic in their urine compared to those who did not (and 70 percent …
For decades the diet industry has conned consumers into thinking good diet products are low in fat. This led to a boom in the creation of low-fat, high-carbohydrate, and often high-sugar “diet” products that promote fat storage, prevent fat burning, increase cravings, and raise inflammation. Not only can diet foods make you fatter, they can …
Recent studies have shown rice can be dangerously high in inorganic arsenic, particularly rice grown in the southern United States. This is bad news for gluten-free people who eat rice-based products — one study showed people on a gluten-free diet have twice as much arsenic in their urine compared to controls (and 70 percent more …
Recent studies have shown rice can be dangerously high in inorganic arsenic, particularly rice grown in the southern United States. This is bad news for gluten-free people who eat rice-based products — one study showed people on a gluten-free diet have twice as much arsenic in their urine compared to controls (and 70 percent more …
Have you been hearing the term “Intermittent Fasting” a lot lately? Do you wonder what exactly does this mean, and is it something that could help you with your health? Intermittent Fasting, or IF, is not a fast that you do once or twice a year. It’s mini fasts on a daily or weekly …
Recent studies have shown rice can be dangerously high in inorganic arsenic, particularly rice grown in the southern United States. This is bad news for gluten-free people who eat rice-based products — one study showed people on a gluten-free diet have twice as much arsenic in their urine compared to controls (and 70 percent …
For decades the diet industry has conned consumers into thinking good diet products are low in fat. This led to a boon in creation of low-fat, high-carbohydrate, and often high-sugar “diet” products that promote fat storage, prevent fat burning, increase cravings, and raise inflammation. Not only can diet foods make you fatter, they can …
When it comes to autoimmune disease and other chronic health conditions, taming inflammation is the name of the game. This can be difficult because the body creates vicious cycles where inflammation keeps feeding more inflammation. This makes halting the progression of autoimmune disease and chronic health issues difficult…but not impossible. However, we now know about …
Nitric oxide for autoimmune and chronic disorders Read More »
If you want to get fit and lose weight, you should exercise as hard as you can, for as long as you can, every day, right? Wrong! Research shows extreme exercise can cause chronic health problems and make you feel worse. (What constitutes over exercise depends on the individual and their fitness level.) Recovery time is as …
Extreme exercise is good for you, right? Not exactly Read More »
