Patient Advocates

Your HealthCare Safety Net

Monthly Archive:

Homocysteine: a key to a healthy aging brain and healthy hearts. What is homocysteine you ask?

  Homocysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid (protein) in the blood that requires  vitamin B12, folic acid, and other vitamins to be converted to another essential amino acid – methionine, which is protective of your heart. The normal role of homocysteine in the body is to control growth and support bone and tissue formation. When homocysteine levels rise, they quickly begin to damage the cells and tissues of arteries and stimulate arteriosclerotic plaque growth (hardening of the arteries). Deficiencies...

Food in shape of heart with green food on left and red foods on the righ

So, if chemicals in our food, water, cleaning products, air and the surrounding environment can make us fat, what foods can help flush these out of our bodies (detox)?

We hear about detoxification in magazine articles and on TV.  What is detoxification?  Simply stated, it is the removal of harmful substances from our bodies.  As noted in the last article, certain toxins (chemicals) can have far reaching health effects, like heart disease, diabetes and weight gain. Many companies are trying to sell you detox programs.  Buyer beware!  A true medical detox program should be overseen by a health care professional knowledgeable in the full spectrum of the internal chemistry...

pesticide

Chemicals (toxins) in the environment can make you fat! What?

Multiple scientific studies published in leading medical and scientific journals highlight the link between chemicals and weight gain, diabetes and heart disease. Let’s look at the weight issue:  Mark Hyman, MD, a leading researcher and clinician, explains that “environmental toxins make you fat and cause diabetes. Inside the body, these chemicals monkey with our ability to balance blood sugar and metabolize cholesterol. Over time, the changes (from these chemicals) can lead to insulin resistance (see article, July 30, at www.patientadvocates.com)....

BPA Letters in Stamp Font

Ever wonder what BPA (bisphenol-A) actually is? What is all the controversy about? Is it really harmful?

  What is BPA? Bisphenol A is a man made synthetic compound used to make certain plastics clear and tough.  It is used to make such consumer goods as the polycarbonate plastic in water bottles, sports equipment, CDs and DVDs, plastic toys, linings of water pipes, and in the linings of food and beverage cans.  It is also used in the manufacture of thermal paper such as grocery and gas and store receipts.  (wash your hands!) BPA was used as a...

The cells of our body need that initial spark provided by CoQ10, in order to function.”

Coenzyme Q10!

Have you heard of this wonderful antioxidant that our bodies produce? We produce less as we age and so need to understand what role this plays in our health.  Tori Hudson, ND, a nationally acclaimed teacher and clinician, explains “Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of those nutrients that just keeps surprising you- with it’s diversity, it’s benefits, safety, and research. It is widely found in nature where it is synthesized in humans, animals, plants and microbes.  An essential component of...

Coconuts: Eat them for your health! Coconuts can fight bacteria, help us lose weight, raise HDL and boost brain function and more…

Coconut oil contains a unique combination of fatty acids with powerful medicinal properties; it is one of the “good fats”.  Let’s look more closely at what coconuts/coconut oil can do to improve our health: High in medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) which are really easy to absorb and turn into energy – excellent for people with problems absorbing nutrition;  they also can reduce your appetite Delicious and nutritious:  fiber, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It is high in calcium, potassium,...