Category: Uncategorized

Mark Hyman, MD, leading clinician and educator of Functional Medicine, addresses the issue of the vaccine: “The Cochrane Collaboration, an independent group of scientists who have no link to any industry or government agencies …states that after analyzing all of the data on the flu shot, they have concluded that it really doesn’t work well. It doesn’t even cover most of the influenza infections that people get.” But……..who should get the vaccine?  Dr. Hyman recommends “For people who are debilitated,...

  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...

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...

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 synthetic...

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,...

  First, what is it?  Insulin is produced in the pancreas and is responsible for regulating delivery of glucose (sugar) into cells to provide them with the material to create energy.  In insulin resistance the normal receptors on the cell walls that “open up” the cell to let in the sugar do not work.  Consequently the pancreas pumps out more insulin to force the cells to open to the sugar.  This leads to high levels of both insulin and sugar...

Studies are published about cancer and its causes all the time.  What one must do is evaluate the study for validity.  The most recent study published on the potential link between omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) and prostate cancer suggests that higher levels of these fatty acids raise the risk for prostate cancer.  Unfortunately, the media grabbed the headlines and drew conclusions that were erroneous. Why?  Well, the study used data from a previous research project that had different...

  How would you like to be better at problem solving, learning a new language, increasing your ability to focus, regaining body function due to a stroke, or recapturing some lost brain function from a brain trauma such as an auto accident? Your brain is capable of all of these things.  The process is called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to your brain’s potential to reorganize to better meet current needs – to adapt – through creating new pathways that allow it...