Couples preparing for a new pregnancy can optimize the health, viability, and probability of a pregnancy by enhancing fertility with herbal remedies. Herbal remedies have a long history of optimizing women’s and men’s hormonal health safely and effectively. When used in conjunction with a clean healthy diet, exercise, and proper stress management, herbs can tonify… Read more »
Daily toxin exposure in children has risen dramatically in the past few decades. Children are now exposed to potentially harmful chemicals in everything from plastic wares to sunscreen to pesticides, in food to air pollution and beyond. Chemical toxins have the capability to alter growth and development in children producing potentially lower IQs, increasing risk… Read more »
Healthy sleep habits in children are essential to their physical, mental, and emotional development. Children will show an improved mood, increased IQ, better grades, and seem all around happier with as little as 20 more minutes sleep per night. Establishing a bedtime routine helps parents and children get the extra rest they need. But as… Read more »
Until recently, childhood earaches and infections were primarily treated with a routine course of antibiotics. However, research now shows that childhood earaches can resolve within 10 days time with or without antibiotic use.1 In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics has taken a more conservative stance on how often and when antibiotics are actually necessary… Read more »
Childhood anxiety is increasingly an issue that many parents have difficulty treating naturally and successfully. Anxiety in children may be caused by numerous issues including food choices and nutritional status. Children do not always need pharmaceutical meds to combat anxiety. There are many natural remedies, dietary recommendations, and behavior modification strategies to moderate anxiety prior… Read more »
Treating Shingles Naturally
- By Shannon Sinsheimer, ND
- November/December 2015
Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by exposure to the herpes-zoster virus. It can also be a reactivation of childhood chickenpox caused by the same virus. Shingles can be a very painful condition and early treatment is essential to reduce long-term discomfort. Of course antiviral medication can be warranted; however, natural therapies are highly… Read more »
Seasonal pollen, grass, and environmental allergies can spike in the desert during the fall, especially during the grass scalping and reseeding times. Children commonly suffer from seasonal allergies and it can affect their mood, concentration, and well-being. Seasonal allergies can be treated with dietary changes and nutritional supplements, which help avoid the grogginess and side… Read more »
D for Depression
- By Shannon Sinsheimer, ND
- September/October 2015
Vitamin D is a nutrient present in almost every single cell in the body. It is primarily used to regulate calcium and mineral uptake, mineral metabolism, and bone growth. However, the abundance of vitamin D in the body’s cells indicates it has much broader actions than may be entirely known. One main role of vitamin… Read more »
It’s the start of a new school year, and parents are faced with the same challenge: how to prepare healthy, easy, and nutritious school lunches every day. Healthy school lunches do not need to be time consuming, or expensive. The key to creating nutritious lunch options is staying well stocked and thinking ahead. Maintaining a… Read more »
Physical Signs of Nutritional Deficiencies
- By Shannon Sinsheimer, ND
- July/August 2015
Nutritional deficiencies often go unnoticed or undiscovered in routine lab work and annual physicals. However, each vitamin, mineral, and nutrient has specific deficiency signs and symptoms that commonly occur. By paying attention to changes in our body’s physical health, deficiencies can be assessed before any long-term complications. A list of common nutritional deficiencies below is… Read more »
There are no safe plastics. Products made with plastics contain harmful chemicals, and exposure to plastics and their toxic constituents can cause long-term health consequences in developing babies and children. Certain types of plastics, such as BPA, have been banned in bottle nipples because of health concerns associated with BPA toxicity in infants.1 However, when… Read more »
It’s Good to Get Sick!
- By Shannon Sinsheimer, ND
- May/June 2015
Health and wellness is traditionally viewed as the absence of disease while feeling vital, energetic, happy, and content. However, the complete absence of all signs of illness is not always an adequate measure of a stronger immune system or complete vitality. In fact, it is good for a body to get sick. Getting sick for… Read more »
With the desert summer heat fast approaching, it is important for parents to recognize early signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration in children, as well as how to treat and prevent them. Children lose water much faster than adults so they do not regulate their temperature as well. It is important to understand that children… Read more »
The Issue with GMO Food
- By Shannon Sinsheimer, ND
- March/April 2015
During the last decade, there has been increased focus on foods and chemicals thought to be harmful to the body. Of particular controversy are Genetically Modified Organism (or GMO) foods. Despite all the attention, many people are still unaware of exactly what GMO foods are, and why are they potentially harmful. The term “GMO food”… Read more »
In recent years, medical research has shown that an increasing number of children are Vitamin D deficient. Currently, 1 in 10 children in the U.S. is estimated to be Vitamin D deficient, and 60 percent of children have suboptimal levels of this vital nutrient.1 Vitamin D is primarily necessary for building strong bones in growing… Read more »
Treating Anxiety with Nutrition
- By Shannon Sinsheimer, ND
- January/February 2015
Feeling anxious or having episodes of anxiety can be very overwhelming and debilitating; yet struggling with daily anxiety is a common issue for many people. Fortunately, there are many simple, natural approaches to reducing anxiety. One of the simplest – and a necessary fundamental treatment – is a healthy diet as dietary choices can either… Read more »
Cold and flu season is now upon us and as parents, knowing what to do ahead of time can alleviate unnecessary stress and discomfort for our little ones. The first part of combating winter illnesses is of course prevention. This time of year, it is essential to continually remember to wash hands prior to eating,… Read more »
Managing Diabetes During Holidays
- By Shannon Sinsheimer, ND
- November/December 2014
For any person with diabetes or pre-diabetes, the holidays can be a trying time. The season presents many opportunities to eat outside of a typical low-glycemic diet plan, and blood sugar levels can soar. However, there are ways to enjoy your holiday celebrations while maintaining your health, weight, and blood sugar levels. Dietary Choices The… Read more »
The thyroid gland has many roles and responsibilities in the body. A minor shift in optimal thyroid health can have significant effects on the entire body, including the ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy. When an otherwise healthy couple struggles to conceive, a simple adjustment to thyroid function can drastically improve fertility and pregnancy… Read more »
One main health concern for parents of babies and toddlers is whether their kids are receiving an adequate and nutritionally balanced diet. Parents have many dietary questions, such as when to introduce solids, appropriate food choices for baby, and the correct protein and nutritional needs of a toddler. There is not one perfect way to… Read more »