According the American Thyroid Association, over 20 million men, women and children have one form or another of thyroid disease. Over the course of the average lifetime, it is estimated that about 12% of the populace will fall into this category. Perhaps the most disconcerting part of this trend is that over 60% of those living with thyroid dysfunction are unaware of it. The consequences can be quite significant, putting unwitting individuals at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, depression, infertility, osteoporosis, pre-term pregnancies and beyond.

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Seaweed is a familiar component in traditional Asian diets. Historical accounts indicate that the use of seaweeds such as gim (Porphyra sp.), kombu (Laminaria japonica) and miyeok (Undaria pinnatifida) in Japanese and Korean recipes have both a culinary and medicinal rationale. In recent years, scientists in the U.S. and abroad have begun to investigate the potential of edible seaweeds in relation to disease risk. In particular, cancer specialists and epidemiologists are investigating how and why seaweed may reduce the incidence of the most common malignancy among women: breast cancer.

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No matter where in the world you’re reading this, you’re almost certainly aware of the crisis that’s unfolding in Japan. Among other things, the tragic events of this past week have drawn much attention to two otherwise obscure substances that are used to protect against radioactive fall out. Potassium iodide is the better known of the two. Prussian blue isn’t making much news yet, but that may change as the level of concern about radiation exposure continues to spread.
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Even the healthiest foods and remedies aren’t recommended for certain people. A bowl of freshly picked, organic green leafy vegetables is a wonderful addition to most diets. But it can be a veritable poison if you happen to be allergic to the greens in question. Likewise, exceedingly benign treatments such as massage therapy need to be applied in an individualized manner. Does it make any sense to give a deep tissue massage to someone with a bleeding disorder? The fact of the matter is that all natural remedies ought to be viewed subjectively. Adverse reactions are not the exclusive domain of conventional medicine. (1,2,3) Read more »

This past weekend a client consulted with me about how to select healthier food options when dining out. In practical terms this often means asking for substitutions for starchy and/or sweet food items. For example you can request to have a side of grilled asparagus or wilted spinach instead of pasta or risotto. However this suggestion sometimes segues into a common concern among those trying to lose weight or otherwise improve their health. “You mean I can never eat risotto again?!” The short answer is, “Of course you can”. But the more nuanced response is that such delicacies should probably be saved for special occasions and not be eaten as a regular part of your menu plan.
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