Posts Tagged ‘Coffee’

Prescription 2017: Rooibos Coffee

January 12, 2017 Written by JP

If you’re a coffee lover, like me, here’s a simple, tasty hack that can help you start 2017 off right. I discovered this technique very much by accident. One afternoon, I was debating whether to have a cup of coffee or tea. I looked through my tea collection and considered the usual suspects: matcha, oolong and white tea. All three provide a bump in energy, albeit a milder bump, than coffee. Additionally, they’re abundant reservoirs of health promoting phytochemicals (catechins, flavonoids, theaflavins) not present in coffee. Decisions, decisions!

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Heart Health | 13 Comments & Updates

Integrative Parkinson’s Disease Care Part One

July 25, 2015 Written by JP

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is in the news on a weekly basis. According to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, there are approximately 50,000 to 60,00 new cases of PD diagnosed each year in the US alone. And, currently, it is estimated that up to 6,000,000 adults are living with PD worldwide. Thankfully, a significant amount of research is being directed at finding a cause and successful treatment for Parkinson’s. Still, it’s widely acknowledged that there’s a long way to go before a cure can be claimed.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Exercise, Mental Health | 28 Comments & Updates

Prescription 2015: Coffee for Liver Health

April 27, 2015 Written by JP

If you put any given food under the microscope, you’ll typically find some good elements and some not so great things. The proportions of each vary, but a mixture of both is to be expected. Coffee presents a fitting example of this gastronomic truism. On the one hand, some health authorities point to the supposed dark side of java. They note that coffee may contribute to and/or instigate cardiovascular complications, gastrointestinal symptoms, poor bone density and sleep disorders. On the flip side, coffee’s proponents proclaim that it’s one the leading sources of antioxidants in the modern diet. This inconvenient reality may explain why coffee drinking populations tend to demonstrate a lower risk for a number of diseases, including dementia and select cancers.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Diabetes, Food and Drink | 26 Comments & Updates

Prescription 2014: Supplement Your Brain

August 14, 2014 Written by JP

It’s rare to find someone who is entirely satisfied with how their brain functions. Some people have periodic or persistent episodes of “brain fog”. Others find themselves prone to distraction. Also, complaints about sluggish cognitive processing and memory recall are commonplace in my consulting work. Then, there are those who are relatively pleased with their mental acuity, but would be even happier to have an added edge. In all of these cases and more, certain supplements can make a difference above and beyond the basic measures that most people employ to stay healthy.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Memory, Nutritional Supplements | 36 Comments & Updates

Chronic Cough Alternatives

June 1, 2014 Written by JP

The so-called “common cold” usually comes and goes in an expected, generic manner. You’re congested for a few days, you sneeze and your throat aches for a week tops. In most cases, it’s not a big deal and requires little or no medical intervention. But, for some, a lingering cough can stick around long after the cold exits stage right. There are several reasons why this typically occurs including bacterial infections, chronic irritation of the airways and/or overuse of nasal decongestant sprays – more than three days.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Children's Health, Nutritional Supplements | 11 Comments & Updates

Coffee Enema Research

May 12, 2014 Written by JP

A few weeks ago, I was listening to Dr. Wayne Dyer’s popular podcast on Hayhouse Radio. For the most part, Dr. Dyer’s programs feature content relating to psychological and spiritual matters. However, from time to time, he shares insights into his personal health care journey. On this particular occasion he revealed that he was enthusiastic about a time honored, natural therapy which supposedly cleanses and detoxifies the liver – coffee enemas. This is by no means a new concept in the field of holistic healing. That said, it has remained quite popular throughout the past several decades much to the scorn of the conventional medical establishment.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Detoxification, Food and Drink | 4 Comments & Updates

Natural Products Expo West 2013 Part Three

April 5, 2013 Written by JP

In my final column about Natural Products Expo West 2013, I’m going to focus on three unconventional items that may improve the quality of many lives. But, you might be surprised to learn that the products in question consist of a butter substitute, coffee for those with digestive issues and lavender oil that’s taken orally. On the surface, health conscious consumers understand that many buttery spreads contain unhealthy ingredients such as hydrogenated oils. Coffee is frequently regarded as a “no no” for anyone living with GERD or irritable bowel syndrome. And, while lavender oil is perhaps the most popular aromatherapy ingredient, it’s typically not intended for internal use.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Mental Health | 6 Comments & Updates

Caffeine Brain

April 18, 2012 Written by JP

For the next few moments, I’d like you to conjure up an image of what you think caffeine does to the brain. Did you come up with negative or positive imagery? When I think of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, hot cocoa or tea, I associate them with the promotion of brain health. I know this goes against the common stereotype of caffeine as overly stimulating. However, modern science is starting to show a consistently positive trend in trials investigating the role of caffeine consumption and neuroprotection.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Memory, Mental Health | 18 Comments & Updates

Coffee and Cancer

March 30, 2012 Written by JP

On a recent flight from London to Los Angeles, I was asked a question that comes up rather frequently in my line of work: Should coffee be avoided because it’s acidic and, therefore, promotes cancer? The basis for this inquiry is almost always sensational information found in select books, magazines or websites advancing the theory that good health depends on a proper balance of acid and alkaline forming foods in one’s diet. In most instances, the proponents of this hypothesis claim that an overly acidic diet contributes to lower systemic oxygen levels which, in turn, provides a fertile breeding ground for cancerous cells.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 15 Comments & Updates

Brewing Better Health

December 16, 2011 Written by JP

Peek inside the Healthy Fellow kitchen pantry and you’ll find an assortment of dried leaves and powders that are intended for brewing or mixing with hot water. And, now that Winter has finally taken hold, I’m putting them to use on a daily basis. But, my pantry selections aren’t just predicated upon preference and taste. I’m also factoring in the latest science about their relative health benefits.

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Posted in Diabetes, Food and Drink, Heart Health | 2 Comments & Updates

Green Coffee Extract

July 29, 2011 Written by JP

Last week, I stopped into a popular coffee shop and ordered a large, iced Americano. While waiting to pay, I noticed an advertisement for a new line of icy, fruit flavored drinks that featured green coffee extract. That’s right, green coffee. Combining coffee and fruit may seem like an odd pairing, but, in reality, the flavor of raw coffee beans bears little to no resemblance to the brewed forms of coffee enjoyed the world over. Taste issues aside, you may be wondering why green coffee extract would be included in summery drinks and/or so called “functional foods” in the first place. Read more »


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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements | 9 Comments & Updates

Aging Well News

June 17, 2011 Written by JP

I’ve used the term “anti-aging” before, but I’ve never been entirely comfortable with it. To me, there’s something slightly strange about the concept. After all, I’m not opposed to the process of growing older. In fact, one of my greatest hopes is to live a long and rich life with Mrs. Healthy Fellow and those we love. This steadfast desire remains constant despite my implicit knowledge that our bodies and minds will change as time goes by. But in health and all things, not all change is created equal. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Men's Health, Women's Health | 8 Comments & Updates

Coffee Calcium Controversy

February 1, 2011 Written by JP

This past weekend I was catching up with my parents. They mentioned that they had attended a women’s health seminar hosted by a local physician. One of the points made by this particular speaker was that calcium supplements should never be taken with coffee. She went on to explain that coffee impairs the absorption of this essential mineral and could be counterproductive for anyone attempting to support bone mineral density. Since calcium supplements and coffee are prevalently used these days, I decided to take a look at what the medical literature has to say about this timely topic.
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Posted in Bone and Joint Health, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 7 Comments & Updates