Recently, a reader asked for my opinion about so-called meat substitutes. Since the topic of vegetarian alternatives to meat is rather complex and nuanced, I’ve decided to write about my answer on this site. But, before I offer my perspective, I want to make it clear that I’m exclusively focusing on the nutritional aspects of the issue. I’ll leave the ecological and philosophical arguments for other commentators and forums.

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A highlight of Natural Products Expo West 2013 was a spellbinding presentation given by Paul Stamets, the famed mycologist. The talk was originally intended as a discussion about the effects of medicinal mushrooms on immunity. However, by the time Paul stepped off the stage, he had covered a broad range of applications for mushrooms which included their utility as non-toxic insecticides, in the promotion of greater biodiversity and as natural decontaminating agents for use during nuclear fallout and oil spills. But, as the lecture came to an end, Mr. Stamets also touched upon the potential of select mushrooms in bolstering the immune system. What’s more, he went on to describe how his mom used a specific mushroom alongside conventional care to heal herself of stage 4 breast cancer.

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Some health news practically begs to be told. This past week I received two emails and one Twitter message about a possible connection between higher HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels and a reduced risk of cancer. So my first item of business today is to review that data which comes courtesy of my favorite naturopathic physician in Oregon, Dr. Orna Izakson. Our second stop on this Twitter Thursday examines a proposed link between a specific type of fat and improved brain function in older dogs. That gem is brought to us by Dr. Michael Eades, a leading authority on living a healthy low-carb lifestyle. Last, but not least, there’s a new superfood recipe straight from the test kitchen of Dr. Jonny Bowden – the natural health guru to Hollywood and beyond. Read more »

I’m a big fan of some of the cooking shows that have recently been popularized on cable and satellite television. I find it interesting to see how notable chefs reinvent classic recipes in order to set themselves apart from the culinary pack. One way they do so is by “deconstructing” a meal. This essentially entails shuffling around the typical ingredients contained in a popular or classic dish and presenting them in a new and interesting way. That’s what I’ve tried to do with this recipe that would be a delicious, but healthful appetizer or hors d’oeuvres. Read more »

According to the US National Cancer Institute, it is estimated that more than 186,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC) this year alone. As many as 29,000 of those very same men will lose their lives because of this dreaded affliction that occurs almost exclusively in men over the age of 45. Read more »