Archive for November, 2010

Best Of Red Wine Cancer Connection

November 11, 2010 Written by JP

Red wine has a mixed reputation in the medical community. Some health authorities cite evidence that indicates it may be the one form of alcohol that provides actual health benefits. Generally speaking, the positive research regarding red wine has to do with its impact on cardiovascular health. In recent years, scientists have begun to analyze the specific chemical make up of this popular beverage. In doing so, they’ve discovered several phytochemicals that could be the reason why fermented grapes discourage heart disease. Furthermore, some of these substances have exhibited benefits in other arenas, such as anti-cancer activity in animal models and in-vitro (test tube) experiments. However, these laboratory findings are often at odds with population studies that find negative associations between alcohol consumption and cancer incidence. Today I’ll examine the most recent findings regarding the alcohol cancer connection.
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Posted in Food and Drink, Men's Health, Women's Health | 3 Comments & Updates

Best Of Natural Liver Protection

November 10, 2010 Written by JP

The word “detoxification” is frequently mentioned in holistic circles. Perhaps the most important organ involved in this process is the liver. Without it, the body could not handle exposure to alcohol, environmental contaminants, junk food and even medications. The liver is responsible for promoting healthy blood (via the production of albumin and clotting factors) and combats fatigue by storing fat as an source of energy. Furthermore, it also aids in the absorption of life promoting nutrients such as CoQ10, Vitamins A, D, E and K. Simply put, without a properly functioning liver, one cannot live a vigorous life.
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Posted in Detoxification, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements | 39 Comments & Updates

Best of Almond Pecan Pancake Recipe

November 9, 2010 Written by JP

I always try to find new and inventive ways to improve the health of those I love. I keep this objective in mind whenever I scour the medical journals or surf the information superhighway. But, in all honesty, I have an even more specific agenda – to discover delicious, pleasurable and/or simple ways of promoting wellness in my family and friends. I simply despise having to tell them that they need to make difficult changes in order to achieve better health. Sometimes this an unavoidable fact of life. However, if there is any way for me to offer a kinder, gentler alternative that’s precisely what I’ll do.
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Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Recipes | 4 Comments & Updates

Best Of Natural Sinus Congestion Relief

November 8, 2010 Written by JP

If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from chronic sinus headaches, today’s column is for you. Several weeks ago my wife was in the throes of a severe sinus headache that had lasted several days. Nothing we tried seemed to help drain her sinuses at all. That is, until she came across a home remedy on the Internet that was attributed to one Dr. Lisa DeStefano. Prior to trying it out we were both highly skeptical. But that soon changed. My Healthy Monday tip of the week is to apply rhythmic pressure to your ethmoid and vomer bone in order to promote sinus drainage. Details to follow.
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Interviews, Nutrition | 8 Comments & Updates

Best of Natural Cancer Fighters

November 5, 2010 Written by JP

The other night I found myself at a local card room. I was sitting at a “No-Limit Texas Hold ’em” table playing poker with a motley group of strangers. Poker isn’t your standard form of gambling. It does involve a certain measure of luck, but it mostly requires a particular set of observational and social skills. It so happens that these same skills can be extremely beneficial in parts of life that extend far beyond the confines of the felt table, the clattering chips and shuffling cards. About half way through the evening, a rather gruff looking gentleman took a seat at the table. He looked like the kind of guy you wouldn’t want to upset or even look at the wrong way. But if there’s one lesson that poker teaches you it’s that you should never entirely trust the obvious. So I began chatting with this biker-type fellow as he devoured an enormous ice cream sundae with plenty of peanuts on top. In the course of about 15 minutes, he revealed to me that was suffering from terminal cancer. He didn’t much care about dressing well or shaving because he didn’t expect to be around for much longer. Talk about a punch to the gut!
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements | 17 Comments & Updates

Best Of Natural Memory Boosters

November 4, 2010 Written by JP

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a mind like Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Leonardo Da Vinci or Socrates? It’s an intriguing daydream to “guesstimate” what we could accomplish if only we had greater cognitive faculties. But at the end of the day, we’re all at the mercy of our genetic blueprint, environment and upbringing. That is unless you’re willing to dig deep in order to try to stretch your mental boundaries. There are, in fact, certain steps that can be taken by ordinary men and women to optimize brain function. I’m not claiming that it’ll turn an average Joe into a 21st century genius, but it just might give you enough of an edge to get further in life than you ever suspected.
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Posted in Exercise, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements | 3 Comments & Updates

Best Of Krill Oil

November 3, 2010 Written by JP

When selecting nutritional supplements we all strive to use the most effective products available. But what should we base that determination on? One option is to ask others about their personal experiences. This is commonly referred to as anecdotal evidence. Another source of data can be found in the scientific literature. Here we’re trusting that researchers are performing well designed and impartial research in a more controlled manner. Since these types of studies typically involve larger groups of people, the results may apply to broad segments of the population. But there’s another prevalent manner of learning about dietary supplements and that is information provided by the manufacturers themselves. My contention is that we ought to examine all three sources of input. Ask questions of your colleagues, family and friends. Read the product literature provided by nutraceutical companies and pose any inquires that you might have. Finally, investigate whether modern science has produced any evidence to back up the other two sources. I’ll apply this model to examine an area of debate that’s currently active in the natural health community: Is krill oil superior to fish oil?
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Posted in Heart Health, Nutritional Supplements, Women's Health | 20 Comments & Updates

Best Of Columns

November 2, 2010 Written by JP

It’s been nearly two years since I first started HealthyFellow.com. In the past twenty-three months or so I’ve yet to take any time off. The option was always there, but the truth is that I just hate being away from the action and dread the thought of missing an opportunity to share potentially healthful/helpful information with my readers. That’s what fuels my dedication and passion. But there’s a downside as well. You miss things when you never take the time to slow down. Ideas and inspiration pass you by because you’re too busy working to notice them. Lately, I’ve had this nagging feeling that I’m guilty of this very offense. For these reasons, I’ll be taking the remainder of this week off. In the coming days I’ll present a slightly different format for the site which will, in part, include more interviews with influential members of the integrative health community, such as Dr. Heather Leidy and Dr. William Davis. In the meantime, I’ll post some “best of” columns from the archives that you may have missed the first time around. Also, please keep an eye on the HealthyFellow Twitter account to stay current on breaking stories that may not make the mainstream news. And as always, I’ll be around to answer any questions posted in the comment section or sent via the contact form. Then on Monday, I’ll return with an all new column featuring the latest natural health research. Until then, be well. Read more »


Posted in General Health | 2 Comments & Updates

Mushroom Makeover

November 1, 2010 Written by JP

When I’m asked to speak about natural medicine there’s an expectation that I’ll discuss something that’s out of the ordinary. It’s not enough for me to detail the merits of eating a whole food diet, exercising regularly or sleep hygiene. There’s got to be a “hook”. In this way, my current profession is similar to my prior one as a motion picture screenwriter. Many films stick to a familiar formula – they begin with a dramatic opening sequence that demands your attention and draws you into the story that is to follow. A health presentation entitled, “Magic Mushrooms” makes a bigger impression than a lecture about “Promoting Wellness with Fruits and Vegetables”. The reality is that there’s nothing especially magical about mushrooms apart from the fact that they may improve a variety of disease states. That’s why my Healthy Monday tip of the week is to include more mushrooms in your daily diet.
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Posted in Food and Drink, Memory, Nutrition | 19 Comments & Updates