Posts Tagged ‘Yogurt’

H. Pylori Integrative Care

September 11, 2013 Written by JP

If you walk into your doctor’s office with symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, frequent burping and heartburn you will likely be evaluated for a potential H. pylori infection. This common bacterium can, but does not always, cause unpleasant symptoms. However, if symptoms do arise, it’s important to address the infection in order to protect against chronic stomach inflammation, ulcers , increased risk of stomach cancer and beyond. The most common treatment for Helicobacter pylori is a combination of three medications – two antibiotics and an acid suppressing drug.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements | 6 Comments & Updates

Jicama Three Ways

June 18, 2012 Written by JP

One of my favorite, summer snacks is fresh jicama. It’s got everything you can possibly hope for in a healthy, low carb treat. Jicama is crunchy, refreshing and is kissed with just the right note of sweetness. This under appreciated root vegetable, which is also known as Mexican turnip or yam bean, is a noteworthy source of dietary fiber, potassium and Vitamin C. And, since it’s largely comprised of water, jicama is also an excellent way to stay hydrated as the thermostat rises. As a bonus, a generous, one cup serving of jicama contributes less than 50 calories to your daily tab.

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Posted in Diabetes, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 4 Comments & Updates

Fermented Foods for Allergies

December 12, 2011 Written by JP

Seasonal allergies can be quite confounding. The word “seasonal” infers a predictable time frame during which you can expect your eyes to water, your nose to run and probably a fair share of sneezing to boot. But, in reality, allergies are notorious for keeping their own time table. Then there’s the word “allergies”. It suggests that there’s something identifiable and specific that triggers an immune response. However, there’s nothing in the air that the naked eye can perceive. Ironies aside, this leaves countless people with no other option than to keep a steady supply of antihistamines, decongestants and steroid medications on hand.

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

Practical Health Choices

July 20, 2011 Written by JP

Part of the reason why I make it a point to describe positive scientific studies is to offer hope. Buried within the statistics of clinical trials are dozens, hundreds and sometimes even thousands of individual success stories. But, I fear that’s often forgotten. The people who take part in the interventions I document are just like you and me. They have doubts about their ability to get healthier. They’re pressed for time. They may not even fully trust the people conducting the research in the first place! However, the one thing they accomplish, at least for the duration of the trial, is to act in pursuit of better health. Read more »


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Posted in Diabetes, Diet and Weight Loss, Heart Health | 4 Comments & Updates

Antibiotics and Kefir

January 13, 2011 Written by JP

You’ve probably been told by family, friends and possibly even a physician or two to eat yogurt to counteract some of the adverse effects of antibiotics. The justification is that probiotics in yogurt replenish many of the healthy bacteria that are wiped out by such medications. But there’s another fermented dairy product on the block that you might also want to consider. Kefir is a drinkable source of probiotics that generally contains a higher proportion and broader range of active cultures than yogurt. This reality forms a strong theoretical basis for considering kefir during and after any antibiotic regimen. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink | 17 Comments & Updates

Yogurt Shopping

December 16, 2010 Written by JP

The yogurt section in health food stores and super markets isn’t what it used to be. Today there are more varieties of cultured dairy products than ever, without even touching on the multiplicity of flavors available. These days, you can buy yogurts made of cow’s milk, goat’s milk, rice or soy. There is also a wide array of additives or functional ingredients to consider. The options range from soy-based phytosterols which help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol to probiotics which support a healthy immune system. However, with greater access to alternatives comes the responsibility of the consumer to discern which products are legitimate and which are just gimmicks.
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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 11 Comments & Updates

Milk and Constipation

May 17, 2010 Written by JP

This is my second entry in a series of columns that will be carried on the Healthy Monday web site. As a reminder, the goal of the Healthy Monday program is to offer practical suggestions that may help reduce the incidence of preventable disease. In my opinion, one of the best ways to accomplish this objective is to address the underlying issues that lead to health disorders in the first place. Get to the root of the problem rather than simply rely on medications to manage symptoms. Read more »


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Posted in Detoxification, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 13 Comments & Updates

Yogurt for Fresh Breath

February 7, 2009 Written by JP

Let’s be honest. Having bad breath stinks. It’s makes everyone uncomfortable. The person with bad breath suffers. The people who are exposed to the bad breath suffer. It’s just an annoying problem that leads to feelings of self consciousness for everyone involved. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Dental Health, Food and Drink | 7 Comments & Updates