A shift is taking place in the choices we make about food. For generations, we’ve been influenced by taste, traditions and often our waistlines, prioritizing appearance, pleasure and personal satisfaction. But according to international advertising agency TBWA’s new Future of Food report, growing trends are putting people and our planet first. The fascinating compilation was… Read more »
Good news rarely follows the devastation caused by World War. Lost lives, jobs and the familiarity of everyday reality is upended affecting every aspect of life. Food and water, the basic factors that sustain life, are no less affected as well. However, in the country of Norway, positive health effects did come out of World… Read more »
Why is today’s younger generation facing more chronic diseases such as joint pain, autoimmune, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular than our grandparents’ generation? What we are putting in our bodies on a daily basis has much to do with it. Our bodies are built to process and receive all our nutrients from food, which should maintain… Read more »
“Healing is not just a matter of time, but also opportunity.” – Hippocrates Most of us have grown up in a world where processed foods and fast foods are the norm. Soda and sugary cereals for breakfast, donuts and coffee with cream and sugar at break time, candy bars and bagels in the afternoon and… Read more »
Registration is now open for the 11th annual International Plant-Based Nutrition Healthcare Conference (PBNHC) taking place September 8-11 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert. This annual CME-accredited medical event brings together health care professionals from around the world to learn the latest research on the power of nutrition to… Read more »
Maybe you are like me, and although you don’t have a full-blown diary allergy, you consciously consume dairy and have earmarked which forms affect you and how – stomach grumbles, maybe a bathroom trip and/or sinus congestion. I’ve tried alternatives, each with their pros and cons (taste being a theme in the con column) and… Read more »
Average American adults eat 10-15 grams of fiber daily, significantly less than the 22-34 grams recommended to prevent common health maladies including obesity, cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders and colon cancer. Current research supports even higher recommendations of 50 grams daily for ideal metabolic health, which includes optimal blood sugar (fasting glucose), triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood… Read more »
If you struggle with your relationship with food and your body, you are not alone. According to a Harris Poll, 70% of U.S. men and 80% of women suffer from food guilt. As a result, the dieting industry is a $71 billion industry that has people doubting themselves and their bodies. These statistics tell me… Read more »
When I reviewed Jason Fung, MD’s The Obesity Code (2016), I commented that Dr. Fung taught me how not to eat. Dr. Fung promotes fasting as a cornerstone of weight loss and overcoming obesity. He also promotes a very low carbohydrate diet that is essential for burning off excess body fat. One of my patients,… Read more »
If you are a fan of Desert Health, you’ve probably heard many top docs say that the healthiest way to improve overall wellbeing is to cut sugar and carbs, leading culprits in today’s chronic disease and obesity epidemics. One of the easiest means is to remove processed sugars and grains, key principles behind Paleo and… Read more »
Many use this time of year to make lifestyle changes to look leaner and feel healthier. To help, I thought I’d propose a “planned food experiment” to inspire readers to prioritize meals and snacks around protein. Protein is the most filling macronutrient and, in the right amount, keeps cravings and hunger at bay for hours.… Read more »
Does it seem like the advice on how and what to eat swings from one extreme to another? One perspective says avoid fat, the other says fat won’t hurt you. A headline warns about the dangers of red meat and another says you need more protein. Unfortunately, this confusing barrage is likely to continue, and… Read more »
Discussions around muscle usually revolve around “fitness” level and not health. However, muscle is vital for survival and built and maintained by amino acids from protein, so nutrition and muscle maintenance are worth a discussion. Up until our mid-30s, hormones accelerate our growth. Yet as we age, we rely more on amino acids and require… Read more »
Have you ever stopped to think how much the composition of the human body and planet earth are the same? This realization gives deeper meaning to the phrase “you are what you eat.” Fruits and vegetables grown in earth’s bountiful soil are merely the method of delivering the many elements, minerals and microbes our bodies… Read more »
Most of us take vitamin supplements, but what about minerals? Minerals are natural organic matter created over time and found in the earth’s many elements. Before commercial farming, nutrient-dense minerals were plentiful in our soil and the foods we ate. Today’s fruits and vegetables are often void of these substances due to depleted soils, thus,… Read more »
With the “Food as Medicine” conference in town this September, I thought it fitting to spotlight one of the healthiest spices around, turmeric. Turmeric has climbed the spice ladder and is one of the latest crazes in food stardom. This fame is well deserved, from its sacred color to its long list of health benefits.… Read more »
Mark Hyman, MD is the author of more than 20 books on nutrition. Like me, he trained in family medicine and is now a champion for functional medicine. As a leader in the field, he has served as chairman of the Institute for Functional Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine for many… Read more »
Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from the traditional Japanese food, natto, which is made from fermented soybeans and has been enjoyed for centuries. Natto is sticky with an earthy, slightly bitter taste, much like aged cheese and is believed to contribute to the longevity of the Japanese people. Nattokinase’s medicinal benefits were first discovered in… Read more »
Mother Nature’s goal for fall is to fatten us up for the cold winter ahead. So she gave us apples and pumpkins…which usually end up in irresistible pies…topped with ice cream. These nostalgic months tempt us with seasonal tastes we’ve been anticipating all year, and there is no reason to deny ourselves. With a few… Read more »
The date fruit is one of the oldest cultivated tree crops and has been grown for thousands of years, yet they are often misunderstood. When most people think of dates, they think of a sweet, sugary fruit that should be avoided, especially for those with diabetes. However, this is a proven misnomer. While not a… Read more »
