You may have heard the saying, “Laugh till it heals.” Current research agrees; laughter is considered a form of medicine. And it is a sharp gift that can cut through fear. During these stressful times of facing a buggy-man named COVID-19, it may be time to use this gift as a blessed weapon because laughter… Read more »
While many look negatively at China and their cause and effect of COVID-19, there is much we can learn from their actions, insights and use of both Eastern and Western medicine. One of my teachers, John Chen PhD, OMD, is a pharmacist and fifth-generation Chinese medicine doctor who graduated from USC. He explained that China… Read more »
While white blood cells (WBC) account for only one percent of our blood, they have an enormous impact on our entire system and protect the body from illness and disease. Moving within our bloodstream, they work with our immune system as little warriors constantly doing battle to fight infections, bacteria and other foreign invaders. Most… Read more »
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has wide ranging actions on our body as an antioxidant, immunomodulator, co-factor for collagen and hormone production, and as a pro-oxidant burst in high doses.1 Vitamin C is well established for its treatment of infections and has been shown to shorten the duration of the common cold as well as reducing… Read more »
Surely, you’ve heard of the Freshman Fifteen. Now the term ‘Quarantine Fifteen’ has been coined for the weight one may gain during the COVID-19 pandemic while staying cooped up inside without much to do except, well, eat. While gyms and group fitness classes have been closed or canceled for the foreseeable future, there’s no reason… Read more »
Over the past month, I have seen a surge of patients presenting with anxiety and/or depression in my practice. “I am so scared, scared to go out, scared to be home alone, scared of how I am going to pay my bills, and scared that my family members and friends could die in the next… Read more »
Living through a pandemic raises our awareness of the importance of our immune system. In preventing illness, there are generally two main principles: Don’t get it in the first place; Have a strong defense system in place to fight the intruder and render it inactive. We have rapidly transitioned to behaviors that address the first… Read more »
Following an anti-inflammatory diet can be confusing. Where do I start? What are the most inflammatory foods? How can I personalize such a diet for the food intolerances I have? Will Cole, DC, a functional medicine expert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, simplifies this topic in his new book, The Inflammation Spectrum (Avery, 2019). Dr. Cole does… Read more »
The year is 2020 and I’m on an island called Pandemic. The plan was to relax and enjoy the spring while preparing for the summer surf season. As I look out to sea, the series of waves catches my attention. There is a calming element to watching the tide go in and out. Depending on… Read more »
Who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter? Back in the day, a king-sized Reese’s didn’t stand a chance around me. Now, with a healthier diet, I have found you don’t have to give up this addictive combo; simply change the ingredients for a guilt-free (and nutritious!) pleasure. These Chocolate Almond Peanut Butter Cups from raw… Read more »
You can’t talk about good health and proper nutrition without focusing on hydration as physical dehydration can land you in the emergency room. But eating dehydrated food can have quite the opposite effect on your body. The dehydration process seals in nutrients and provides delicious snacks with a long shelf life. Dehydrated food can be… Read more »
During these unprecedented times when we are required to practice social distancing and shelter at home, families caring for a loved one with dementia at home face increased isolation and emotional challenges. Not being able to socialize in person with friends and extended family are difficult enough for everyone. Keeping a sense of structure and… Read more »
As I write this, we are in the midst of unprecedented times, coming to grips with the idea that the world, as we knew it, is changing daily due to the coronavirus pandemic. Life seems surreal as if watching a futuristic science fiction movie, yet we are the stars. With all the doom and gloom… Read more »