A common criticism of conventional medicine is that it’s too clinical. Some patients feel like they’re simply cogs in a massive medical machine that needs repair. This is one of the unintended consequences of relying too heavily on the cold, hard facts provided by science alone. On the other hand, alternative medicine can sometimes go too far in the other direction, allowing emotions to run the show. Several years ago I attended a conference in which the famed cancer patient advocate Dr. Bernie Siegel gave a presentation. He emphasized the importance of considering every available treatment option and understanding the reality of one’s condition. But he balanced that advice by adding this, “Statistics do not apply to individuals and there is no false hope”. Read more »

If you’re overweight and you snore at night, there’s a good chance you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). People with this condition are unable to get adequate quantities of air through the nose and throat while sleeping. This can lead a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream and poor sleep quality due to frequent choking and loud snoring. Even if you set aside enough time to rest, you simply will not be well rested when you wake up. This drowsy state of mind puts people at higher risk for overall mortality resulting from accidents and cardiovascular related health events. The best natural way to address this serious condition is to lose as much excess weight as possible. Today I’ll share three safe and natural techniques that may help you achieve that goal. Read more »

We all need reminders. There’s so much information to process these days that much of what we learn is often misplaced somewhere deep in the recesses of our minds. While scouring through my list of scientific resources, I was reminded of some previous topics that needed updating and perhaps more importantly, expanding. Many times I’ll focus on a specific function of a food, supplement or therapy. By revisiting these topics, I can paint a broader and more accurate picture of the full potential of these gifts that nature provides. Read more »

Valerian root extract is perhaps the most intensely studied and widely used natural insomnia remedy known to man. But what’s both fascinating and infuriating about it is that many scientists still don’t agree about whether it’s a viable alternative to pharmaceutical sleeping pills. The two most likely reasons for this are: a) herbal extracts are significantly more complicated to study than most synthetic medications; and b) there isn’t much of a financial incentive to get to the bottom of this issue. The secondary point isn’t an attempt to indiscriminately knock the pharmaceutical industry. Both the allopathic and holistic camps have a financial interest in allowing this mystery to persist. Read more »

Nothing can replace the blissful feeling we get after a good nights sleep. On the other hand, tossing and turning for hours or simply being unable to relax enough to fall asleep makes the following day quite a struggle. Sleeping pills can be helpful for the occasional restless night, but shouldn’t be used on a regular basis. It turns out that the solution to this disturbingly common problem may very well reside inside our heads. A group of scientists from Duke University suggest that simply being mindful of your thoughts and quieting your mental chatter may be enough to induce some much need slumber.
Read more »

Every article I write is based on the most current scientific information that I’m aware of. But medical research is a never ending process. New studies are constantly being released and information that was up-to-date just a few months ago cannot possibly provide the entire picture today. Because of this reality, I’m going to take the opportunity to update several past blogs with new information that you should know about.
Read more »

We’re all aware of the basic guidelines for staying healthy – don’t smoke or drink excessively, eat nutritious food, exercise regularly and keep your weight under control. That’s the standard medical advice that most doctors will give you. But the reality is that deep down we often wonder whether following those rules will really protect us from the myriad of deadly diseases that we see all around us. This doubt is further strengthened when we see instances of so-called “healthy people” dying from conditions like cancer or heart attacks. Read more »

Have you ever seen a group of people practicing the ancient art of Tai Chi? The first time I was exposed to it, I recall thinking that it seemed like a combination of slow motion martial arts and a rather stationary form of dance. It struck me as being beautiful, but also quite exotic. A kind secret ritual that I couldn’t possibly understand. Read more »

We all know what it feels like to have a restless nights sleep. The next day we feel like we’re dragging. Our mood is lousy. We can’t think straight. It’s something we all hope to avoid. But there are many people out there that go through this process on nightly basis. One of the most common reasons for this type of destructive pattern is a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Read more »

Do you feel rested when you get up in the morning? Are the bags under your eyes heavier than the bags you take to work? Is coffee your best morning buddy? If so, you really should pay attention to what modern science is telling us about the importance of sleep. Your very health hangs in the balance. Read more »