The season of gifts and gratitude is upon us once again. The joy of the holidays often arrives with the challenging task of finding the perfect present for family and friends. This year, consider the gift that keeps on giving: the gift of good health. Health-related offerings show you care about someone’s long-term happiness, not… Read more »
When it comes to health, many underestimate the “power of the plate.” However, scientific evidence on food’s ability to hinder or heal continues to grow and is now referred to as the Food as Medicine Movement. Today, that movement is larger than ever. For 15 years, Desert Health has published articles about the effects of… Read more »
Dear Friends, As we present our holiday edition to you, we turn the page on our 15th anniversary year. Desert Health is truly a community effort, and I am so grateful for all who have brought us here today: the caring doctors, practitioners and health organizations at the heart of who we are, who continue… Read more »
In September, the second annual Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit once again convened scientists, innovators, medical professionals and community members to discuss the impact of environmental factors on public health. Presented by the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation, the event reiterated the environment’s impact on our most vulnerable populations, including east valley children and seniors,… Read more »
The holiday season asks a lot of us. Between family gatherings, social obligations, gift shopping, year-end work deadlines, and the kids’/grandkids’ school activities, it’s easy to feel you’re being pulled in a dozen different directions at once. What if, instead of white-knuckling your way through, you had an anchor—something that kept you grounded no matter… Read more »
This summer, the Pacific Institute, a global nonpartisan think tank, released “Breathing Hazard: Air Pollution in the Salton Sea Region,” describing and assessing complex and growing air quality threats in the valley. The Salton Sea – about 35 miles southeast of Palm Springs – is California’s largest lake and a major stopover for hundreds of… Read more »
The Indio High School Health Academy is a comprehensive four-year program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of health care professionals in the Coachella Valley. Through a combination of classroom instruction, clinical simulations and community engagement, students develop essential skills and earn industry-recognized certifications. The program has seen remarkable growth in recent years. The Academy… Read more »
Not many people are aware of the effects Ozempic and other semaglutide medications can have on the mouth. However, in clinical observation, many dentists are seeing oral side effects that are now commonly referred to as “Ozempic teeth.” Ozempic, the brand name for semaglutide, is an injection used along with exercise and diet to improve… Read more »
In today’s digital world, simply having a website or social media account is no longer enough. People are constantly searching online, comparing providers and making decisions, but what truly inspires them to act isn’t visibility—it’s credibility. And credibility, in this era, is built through trust. Trust has become the most powerful marketing tool. It’s no… Read more »
Let’s be blunt: if you think erectile dysfunction is rare, think again. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of those topics that many men hesitate to discuss, yet it affects millions worldwide. ED isn’t just about getting older—it’s an actual health condition that can strike at any age. What’s more, it can be a symptom of… Read more »
In my practice, I often see people struggling with low self-worth. They find it difficult to identify positive attributes in themselves and are usually underdeveloped emotionally. The cause of this deficit most commonly arises from family of origin issues, but there are other facets behind this disruptive problem that require exposure, exploration and processing towards… Read more »
When your feet hurt, it makes everything harder. We’re always on our feet, making the pain impossible to ignore. The most common causes of foot pain include Morton’s neuroma, bone spurs, tarsal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis and stress fractures. Sometimes it’s hard to tell which one is causing the discomfort, but differentiating the pain is… Read more »
In the bustle of modern life, reaching for a ready-made meal often feels like a lifesaver. Marketed as convenient and quick to prepare, these packaged and processed foods promise to save you time and effort. But if you find yourself relying on these foods every day, you need to consider the true cost of this… Read more »
Blue Zones Project Palm Springs Festivities October 4 marked the official launch of Blue Zones Project Palm Springs’ Well-being Festival. Over 900 community members gathered at the aptly named Wellness Park for a day celebrating natural movement, eating wisely, social connection and the right outlook. The three-hour event began with inspiring words from City of… Read more »
There is a moment in yoga when strength meets stillness, when movement becomes meaning: standing in Warrior II, the feet press into the earth, arms extend wide, heart open, gaze steady. At seventeen, my first yoga teacher offered a lesson that has never left me. She said, “The drishti is your gaze point, an external… Read more »
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many people notice a subtle, or sometimes dramatic, shift in mood, motivation and energy. For some, these winter blues deepen into a clinical pattern known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — a recurrent depressive episode that begins in late fall and lifts by spring. Symptoms often… Read more »
When I consider what the healthiest diet is for us, I think biologically. To fully understand current human biology, it helps to understand our evolutionary biology. Daniel Lieberman, professor of evolutionary biology at Harvard has distilled this complex subject in his 2014 book, The Story of the Human Body. He traces our evolution from chimpanzees… Read more »
Heart disease has been the leading cause of death worldwide for over two decades; more specifically, ischemic (coronary) heart disease, which accounts for over nine million deaths annually.1 However, while annual screenings for certain types of cancers are recommended for everyone, heart disease screenings are only recommended for high-risk individuals, leaving the decision for screening… Read more »
In September, clinicians, researchers and advocates from around the globe gathered to explore how food functions as medicine at the International Plant-Based Nutrition Healthcare Conference (PBNHC). Four immersive days featured industry leaders along with the latest science and breakthroughs proving the power of nutrition and the purpose of compassion in health care today. PBNHC has… Read more »
As the holidays approach and 2025 is drawing to a close, this is the time to reflect on this year’s health successes and in which areas you want to see growth or improvement next year. If enhancing lifespan is part of your goals, here are three evidence-based strategies that have stood the test of time:… Read more »