Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you have too much to do in the time you have available? These days, that’s where I am. One way that I deal with such situations is to set up parameters for myself. I try to do it in a constructive manner which deflects the stress that often accompanies a typical time crunch. Instead of feeling as if I don’t have enough hours in the day, I think to myself: How can I do something different with the limited time I do have? What I usually come up with is a challenge. My challenge for today is to present three health promoting news items that are no longer than three sentences in length each – a sort of rapid fire version of my typical daily column.
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This past week several readers inquired about my opinion on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s pending approval of a genetically modified salmon known as AquAdvantage. I’ve decided to share my perspective in the context of a column so that you might all understand my position on this controversial topic. My hope is that it helps you to decide whether GMO salmon is right for you and your families.
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Summertime is berry-time. This year, several encouraging studies have accompanied the seasonal influx of these succulent fruits. My Healthy Monday tip of the week is to include more fresh and frozen berries in your diet in the hope of reducing the risk of blood sugar and cardiovascular danger (metabolic syndrome), liver dysfunction, poor cognition and various forms of cancer. Read more »

Today I’m announcing a new feature on HealthyFellow.com. Every Thursday I plan to highlight some of the more informative and useful messages I find on Twitter. As you may know, HealthyFellow has a very active presence on Twitter where I share facts, research and tips in addition to what is covered on this site. I also use this form of social media to follow some of the leading health experts in the field. Here are some of the more noteworthy “tweets” that I came across during this past week. (Please note that “tweets” are often written in a short-hand style because you are limited to 140 characters per message.) Read more »

The Internet is my medium of choice. It’s the primary tool I use to reach the very people I hope to affect in a positive way. However, this same platform is also being used by others in ways that can be hurtful. Sometimes the root of the damage stems from greed. I’m sure you’ve seen online advertisements for products that claim to effortlessly reverse Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and even extend your lifespan. Fortunately, many people recognize that those sales pitches are hyperbolic at best and downright unbelievable at worst. But what happens when you receive an email from a family member or friend that contains health related information that claims a miraculous medical cure? The person who sent the information obviously cares about you and isn’t asking for any financial compensation. In short, the advice given in such emails is coming “from the heart”. What could possibly be wrong with that? Read more »

I’m going to end this week by engaging in some good ol’ fashioned mythbusting. Have you ever heard a doctor emphatically state that you should never combine nutritional supplements and conventional cancer treatment? How about all those so-called experts who tell you that eating lots of fat will put you on the fast track to chronic disease. Are they as right as they think they are? I’m sure many of you have been made to believe that skin care creams sold by dermatologists are more effective than those you can buy at your local supermarket or the cosmetics counter of your pharmacy. Let’s put that notion to the test. Finally, can we at least agree that chocolate is fattening? I mean come on! Everybody knows that! It’s time to reconsider what we’ve been taught and take a closer look at what the real scientists are actually trying to tell us. Read more »

Life may seem rather complicated when you look at all the moving pieces. Living in today’s world means that you must constantly be aware of cultural and environment considerations, governmental regulations and political issues, interpersonal relationships, religion and spiritual practices and technological advances. Ignoring any of these elements could spell trouble or otherwise put you at a disadvantage. But if it ever seems as if all of that is too much to handle, just remember that your brain is already overseeing a vastly more complex landscape every minute of every day – the incredibly intricate and magnificent machinery that resides within the body. It requires the utmost precision and skill to coordinate all of the disparate functions and physiological components that are absolutely vital in order to keep us alive and thriving. In most instances, the mind manages this enormous task seamlessly. Read more »

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. Read more »

Science is always marching forward. In order to keep up with the most recent developments, it’s essential that I regularly update previously covered topics. Sometimes the information I find expands upon or supports prior findings. On other occasions new complications and contradictory evidence presents itself. These instances are at least as significant as the supportive data. My primary goal is to present accurate natural health information that is scientifically based and that will hopefully yield positive results in a real world setting. Part of this process will involve periodic changes of position as dictated by emerging research. Read more »

It seems as if so much of the information out there about natural medicine either glorifies or vilifies this long held tradition. The truth about holistic health care is difficult to come by because it’s often influenced by the prejudices of those interpreting the data. This same observation applies to me. I have a tendency to accentuate the positive aspects of natural healing techniques. I do this because there is science that supports my view, but also because most media outlets and the modern medical establishment tend to dismiss the validity of many alternative and traditional health practices. Having said that, I do try to present a balanced account of things. In doing so, I will occasionally bring to light certain precautions that I believe are warranted, even when using 100% natural remedies. Read more »

One of the greatest challenges to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is finding practical ways to properly nourish ourselves while “on the go”. An occasional indulgence in an unhealthy meal or snack isn’t the end of the world. But too often, that lapse is enough to throw off overall momentum for longer periods of time. This is a real concern for those who are trying to manage chronic health conditions or who have embarked on weight loss programs. Today I’ll review one of my favorite snacks, which not only helps support good health, but allows me to stay on plan even during the busiest of times. Read more »

The trouble I have with most medications is that their primary purpose is not to promote healing, but rather to mask troublesome symptoms. They generally don’t address the cause of the problem and, frequently, they result in unintended adverse effects. But, to be fair, sometimes even the finest holistic physicians simply cannot pinpoint the root cause of an illness. In those instances, alternative health practitioners often resort to the use of natural medicines. This is often a more attractive option because alternative remedies are generally safer and sometimes provide considerable “side benefits”. Read more »

It’s part of human nature to overlook the potential of very “ordinary” things and instead seek out more exotic solutions to problems in our lives. This is very often the case in the field of natural medicine. We’re far more likely to hear about a new “superfruit” from a remote location than to read about similarly impressive features found in items available at the local supermarket. I can think of no better example of this than in the case of Zingiber Officinale, otherwise known as ginger root.
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