Category: Uncategorized

  Dr. Robert DiSilvestro of the Ohio State University reports on a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods that  in research with healthy, middle-aged adults, consumption of one apple a day for four weeks lowered by 40 percent blood levels of a substance linked to hardening of the arteries.  Apples lower blood levels of the “bad” cholesterol which plays a central role in inflammation and damage to the lining of our arteries which leads to “hardening of the...

The Institute of Functional Medicine explains that “It is an evolution in the practice of medicine… shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, addressing theh whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease.” How is Functional Medicine different?  Functional Medicine investigates the...

A study published in the journal Neurology, described in HealthDay, explains the amazing finding that “one-third of people die in old age with little or no signs of problems with thinking, learning or memory, yet when brain autopsies are done, they actually have clear evidence of Alzheimer’s disease” -Robert S. Wilson, Ph.D., professor, neurological sciences and behavioral sciences, Rush University Medical Center)”They [technically] have the disease, but it’s not expressed clinically.” How does doing intellectually challenging activities save your brain...

First, how can ibuprofen help us?  Classed as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), it inhibits your body’s production of chemicals called prostaglandins which play a role in the production of pain, fever and inflammation.  So, it is most helpful to relieve the pain of arthritis, mild to moderate aches and pains  (including menstrual pain) such as muscle aches, headaches, toothaches and backaches. It also is used to reduce fevers.  What a wonderfully helpful medication. How can it harm us?  The National...

Mary Ackerley, MD, explains that “studies have suggested that magnesium is inversely related to hypertension, which is a risk factor for stroke.” Research has demonstrated that “for every increase in magnesium intake of 100 mg per day total stroke risk was reduced by 8 percent.  In addition American’s with levels below the RDA are more likely to have an elevated C Reactive Protein (CRP), which also contributes to cardiovascular risk.  Studies have shown a clear correlation between magnesium intake and...

Mitochondria can be damaged.  Why does this matter?   Let’s look at what our mitochondria do for us: • Produce ATP (energy) to fuel our metabolic engine • Help to regulate communication between cells and tissues • Increase their mass in response to an increased need for energy • Help to regulate metabolism and use of nutrients So what can go wrong? • Mitochondria can be damaged by free radicals if there are not adequate antioxidants to neutralize them •...

The Cleveland Clinic teaches us that “Metabolic syndrome is a collection of heart disease risk factors that increase your chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.” Also known as Syndrome X, this condition affects more than one in five Americans.  This number increases with age.   What does it look like? A waistline of 40 inches or more for men and 35 inches or more for women (measured across the belly) A blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg or...

A study by the NIH, reported at the annual American Academy of Neurology in March, reported that people who drink four cans or more of soda daily are about 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with depression later in life than people who don’t drink soda! Fruit punch had an even greater effect, with participants who drank four cans, or cups, a day 38 percent more likely to develop depression, according to the study. The study also showed a greater...

You might be experiencing a condition known as Adrenal Fatigue or non-Addison’s hypoadrenia and it is diagnosable and treatable.  The previous post explaining your Adrenal Gland and its importance mentioned a hormone it produces called cortisol.   Cortisol (which is produced from cholesterol) gives us energy in the morning, helps to keep us going during exercise, daily work and stress.  It is the “fight or flight” hormone, or what gives us the “shivers” in near accidents in traffic.  When you...