Today’s edition of Twitter Thursday focuses of three topics that I think can positively impact your health care. In the first segment I’ll continue my quest to dispel the myth that eggs are an unhealthy food because of their cholesterol and saturated fat content. The middle segment will bring to light an emerging theory that some cases of appendicitis may not require surgical intervention. Lastly, I’ll add my two cents to a popular list of the “12 Best Smoothie Ingredients”. By the time you’re done reading today’s column, I hope you’ll take away a few ideas and insights about how to better serve your own wellness and beyond.

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This week’s edition of Twitter Thursday offers up several important reasons to exercise more often and new information about a nutraceutical/spice which may protect against the damage caused by heavy metal exposure. My guests today are Shari Roan, a health columnist from The Los Angeles Times; Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, the founding president of the Bastyr University and Missy Chase Lapine, “The Sneaky Chef”. Read more »

Alternative and complementary practitioners differ from most conventional physicians in that they tend to take a more global view of wellness. To them, a symptom is just a sign that the body as a whole is out of balance. Therefore, simply prescribing a medication to address a specific symptom doesn’t quite cut it as far as alt-med providers are concerned. They believe that you must consider the totality of what’s going on with the patient. Is diet playing a direct or indirect role in the current circumstances? Are there certain nutritional supplements that may address an underlying deficiency? Could exercise improve the overall function and structure of the patient’s body? Do mind-body or stress management techniques have any role to play in the recovery process? No stone is left unturned and no treatment option is off the table. Read more »

I hear a lot of advice about diet and exercise in my daily life. Many of the statements made by so-called experts and laypeople alike are quite definitive in nature. “Eating fatty foods and sugar will make you fat.” “The key to staying slim is moderation.” “It doesn’t matter what you eat, just eat sensibly.” “You need to exercise if you really want to lose weight. Diet alone won’t cut it.” But nutrition, much like life, is shaded with many gray areas. There are fine distinctions that apply to almost every diet “rule”. One aspect of weight loss which received a lot of attention this year has to do with the role that exercise plays in weight management. Read more »

The last thing anyone wants to do when in pain is exercise. Certain injuries require allowing the body time to recover. However, mental and physical discomfort shouldn’t always be used as an excuse to slow down. In fact, many times, the desire for bed rest may actually be counterproductive. This certainly appears to be the case with some very common, inflammatory conditions that affect both the body and the mind. Read more »

If I asked you to invent a form of physical activity that supports the body, mind and spirit, you’d be hard pressed to come up with something better than dancing. Let me start by telling you that I am not a dancer. When I do dance, the only benefit that I’m aware of is the laughter that it incites in others. It’s just not something that comes naturally to me. But that’s really beside the point. There are very good reasons to consider incorporating dance into your life. As odd as it may seem, scientists from all over world are asking their patients to put on their dancing shoes. Read more »

I’ve noticed that some people tend to compartmentalize their health conditions. Doctors and lay people alike often think about organs and systems in isolation. It’s not uncommon for someone to identify the status of their health by mentioning a particular condition, such as diabetes or heart disease. But the truth is that any serious health concern or collection of symptoms is almost always influenced by seemingly unrelated conditions. This concept is widely embraced in the holistic community but has gained slower acceptance in the allopathic medical establishment. Regardless of what kind of doctor treats you, I think it’s important to emphasize the subtle links between body systems. Today, I’ll illustrate an example by connecting the dots among several separate news items. Read more »

We’re all aware that a nutritious diet and exercise are vital components of a healthy lifestyle. You can benefit from one without the other, but you’ll get the best results by combining them. Modern research is demonstrating that the manner in which we incorporate these two elements into our lives can have a powerful impact on the results. Today’s blog looks at a simple strategy that may help you to burn more fat, improve your work-outs and curb your appetite.
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Why do so many people dislike exercise? There are obviously many reasons. Some are legitimate and others are more likely a sign of laziness. But one of the most common excuses may not be an excuse at all. If you find it hard to exercise because you feel worn out, then there may be a scientific reason why. But more importantly, there may also be a simple way to help you dread exercise less while at the same time improving the quality of your work out. Read more »

I found two new items today that made me feel quite hopeful. Anytime I find real evidence that a natural therapy can help manage a chronic health condition, it inspires hope in me, knowing that the alternative usually involves the use of long term medication or a surgical procedure of some sort. These two latter options carry a very real risk of unintended consequences (”side effects”). On the other hand, many natural options carry a very real possibility of “side benefits”. Read more »

Do you exercise? Are you planning on starting an exercise program? In either case, you’ll want to exercise in the most efficient way possible. In today’s blog, I’ll provide some new research that may help you construct a more effective exercise regime. Read more »

We all know the most common health benefits associated with regular exercise: enhanced heart health, assistance with weight management, healthier circulation and better mood. But, I think you might be surprised by some of the revelations made in a recent New York Times column by Jane E. Brody. Read more »