Archive for May, 2011

Polypill News and Research

May 30, 2011 Written by JP

The types of products that doctors recommend and manufacturers produce reveal a lot about what they think of us as health care consumers. A prevalent view in both alternative and conventional medicine is that most patients would rather take a so-called “magic bullet” that improves disease markers and/or symptoms rather than address the root cause of  illnesses. The idea is that patients are either too busy or unmotivated to make the dietary and lifestyle changes that are necessary to improve health. Sadly, this widely held notion is often based in reality.
Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Heart Health, Nutrition | 13 Comments & Updates

Health News Old and New

May 27, 2011 Written by JP

Medical research usually comes in one of two forms. There’s the common sense variety of information that reports seemingly obvious findings that most people already know. Then there’s the revelatory type, which reports new insights or unique ways of looking at old data. On the face of it, the revelations may appear to be the more important of the two. But a good reminder can have a great, if not greater impact on your health than new scientific discoveries. After all, both new and old research is only beneficial if we’re consciously aware of it and put it to good use. Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Children's Health, Diet and Weight Loss, Exercise | 3 Comments & Updates

Preeclampsia Alternatives

May 25, 2011 Written by JP

Think of all the pregnancies that take place during the course of a given year. Thankfully, most are relatively free of serious complications. But, about 5% to 8% of all expectant mothers must contend with a condition known as preeclampsia (PE) that threatens both woman and child. Preeclampsia is characterized by a dangerous rise in blood pressure that occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. Some of the possible symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision with the appearance of auras and spots, and swelling in the eyes, face and hands or edema. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation this contributes approximately seven billion dollars a year in US health care spending alone. Worldwide, it may account for as many as 76,000 deaths annually. (1,2,3) Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Children's Health, Nutrition, Women's Health | 16 Comments & Updates

Heart Saving Headlines

May 23, 2011 Written by JP

An important lesson cardiologists have learned over the past few decades is that patients don’t necessarily need to be overweight or out of shape to be at risk for heart attacks and strokes. Even more surprising to some is that the processes that underlie heart disease often begin very early in life. Fatty deposits in arteries or atherosclerosis is no longer considered the exclusive domain of adults. These undeniable facts provide justification for a steady stream of new information about how to best manage the current and ever growing cardiovascular crisis. Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Heart Health, Nutrition | 6 Comments & Updates

Avandia Alternatives

May 20, 2011 Written by JP

As of November 18, 2011, the antidiabetic drug Avandia (rosiglitazone) will no longer be available at retail pharmacies. New guidelines set forth by the US Food and Drug Administration now require that the medication only be prescribed to patients who are already benefiting from it and/or those who don’t respond to other drugs used to control blood sugar. This reversal in policy is largely due to post marketing data indicating an elevated risk of heart attacks in patients who use it. Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Diabetes, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements | 4 Comments & Updates

Questions and Answers May 2011

May 18, 2011 Written by JP

I’m always grateful to receive questions from site visitors and those who follow me on Twitter. In many instances, the inquiries posed are quite personal and/or specific in nature. Under those circumstances I reply directly and in a completely confidential and discreet manner. But some questions strike a more universal cord. When that happens, I try to post the answers in one form or another on this site for all to see. Read more »


Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements | No Comments;

Plastic Danger Revisited

May 16, 2011 Written by JP

There’s a fine line between being informed about the dangers in the environment and being paranoid about every move you make. An imbalance in this perspective could lead one not to exercise because there’s pollution in the air, avoid fruits and vegetables because they contain pesticide residues and even to become a recluse for fear of germs spread through casual contact with other human beings. Clearly, a balance needs to be struck. Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Children's Health, Detoxification, Women's Health | 7 Comments & Updates

Medical Problems and Solutions

May 13, 2011 Written by JP

Problems and solutions. Ultimately, that’s why we go to see doctors. We hope there are no problems. But, if there are, we expect to be informed about a solution. That’s fine as far as it goes. However, there’s a whole lot more that you and your physician can get out of a typical office visit if you simply ask a few reasonable questions.
Read more »


Posted in Alternative Therapies, Heart Health, Women's Health | 4 Comments & Updates

Salt Sensitivity

May 11, 2011 Written by JP

There’s nothing like a controversial study to stir up the hornet’s nest that is modern medicine. If you think politics is contentious, just try going up against decades worth of health care policy and theories. That’s exactly what a small group of researchers from the University of Lueven, Belgium and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) did recently.
Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Nutrition | 7 Comments & Updates

Asthma Alternatives

May 9, 2011 Written by JP

Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that asthma rates are on the rise although pollution and second hand smoke exposure is declining. According to data collected in 2009, approximately 25 million Americans are now living with this inflammatory lung condition which causes coughing fits, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and wheezing. What’s more, no age or ethnic group is immune to this trend. However, those without medical insurance are more at risk because the typical price tag associated with conventional asthma treatment rings in at over $3,200 per person/year. This explains why roughly 40% of uninsured asthma patients report that they’re unable to buy the prescription medications needed to address their symptoms. (1) Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Children's Health, Nutritional Supplements | 23 Comments & Updates

Chocolate News You Can Use

May 6, 2011 Written by JP

At this years Natural Products Expo West, a new line of cocoa-based supplements received a great deal of attention. This is the latest example of a renewed sense of excitement surrounding the health potential of Theobroma cacao extracts and foods. However, not everyone is ready to embrace chocolate as a health food. Some health authorities are hesitant about giving their seal of approval, citing concerns ranging from increased cardiovascular risk to obesity. Who are we to believe? Should we place our faith in supplement manufacturers who suggest a broad array of health benefits or the skeptics that still consider chocolate merely candy? Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink, Heart Health | 12 Comments & Updates

Menstrual Cramp Alternatives

May 4, 2011 Written by JP

The concept of connectedness is a guiding principle in the holistic management of dis-ease. On an individual basis this may present itself in how symptoms are viewed. For instance, if you have trouble with indigestion, a holistic physician may consider any number of causes including a bacterial infection, how well you chew, psychological stressors and your food selection. In other words, a symptom is viewed within the context of the whole body and, even, your thought processes. From a more global perspective, connectedness extends to how an individual’s well being impacts those around them. Dysmenorrhea is a prime example of how an imbalance in the body and mind can cause discomfort and pain to those directly and indirectly affected by it. Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutritional Supplements, Women's Health | 23 Comments & Updates

Dukan Diet Review

May 2, 2011 Written by JP

At the end of last year Mrs. Healthy Fellow and I took a trip to Paris and the French Riveria. While there we surveyed the natural health and nutritional landscape. A term that kept coming up in our travels was The Dukan Diet. According to the cover of the book bearing the name, this dietary approach provides nothing less than “The Real Reason the French Stay Thin”. Now The Dukan Diet has made its way to Canada and the United States. It’s been modified to address a few cultural differences and is slated to become the next “it” diet. The question is: Should you consider adopting the principles contained within the pages of this weight loss guide? Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Nutrition | 20 Comments & Updates