The Miraculous Medicine of a Grateful Heart

Amidst the busyness of life, it is easy to forget the little things that contribute to our overall health and wellness.  Gratitude, defined as an appreciation of the good things in one’s life, is one of those often-overlooked things. Recent research in quantum science and psychology, however, indicates that one of the most powerful components… Read more »

Transforming Care through Wisdom and Compassion

In 2021, the renowned New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care launched the Contemplative Medicine Fellowship, a 12-month training for physicians, advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, designed to immerse participants in the alleviation of suffering while supporting clinic responsibilities. The following editorial, which first appeared in the international journal Palliative & Supportive Care,… Read more »

Look Up, Lean Back

We all look down too much. Our modern culture has us frequently looking down at devices, keyboards, papers and books. However, our neck is designed for us to be looking in the opposite direction. All the muscles in the back of the neck are erector muscles; our hunter-gatherer bodies should be looking forward and up. … Read more »

Understanding Vertigo

Dizziness, or vertigo, is a frequently reported symptom among those seeking medical attention. Patients often describe their symptoms as their body moving in a swaying or rotating motion, the environment around them appearing to do so or both. Vertigo can have a diverse range of causes and presents with varying characteristics. However, certain factors can… Read more »

Do You Know Your (New) Numbers?

Many of us set an ideal target weight based on what our scale tells us. But, that’s only a fraction of the story. Here’s how testing your body composition gives you the full story and how to most effectively improve it. Beyond weight and height, body composition considers your individual muscle, organs, bone, fat, tissue… Read more »

Making Sense of Cannabis Packaging

Sometimes it feels like you have to be Indiana Jones to decipher all the information on a cannabis product packaging (or be a chemist named Jeff Spicoli). So, to help our Senior-High students better understand what they’re buying, we offer this handy explanation of those numbers and nomenclature. Ratio. The most common products sought as… Read more »

Mark Hyman, MD’s Young Forever

More than 10 years ago I became interested in two areas of alternative medicine: functional medicine and anti-aging. Functional medicine addresses the present health habits of a person to prevent or reverse disease. Anti-aging medicine addresses the future and seeks greater longevity and health span. As I attended conferences in both areas, I was impressed… Read more »

Fiber: The Carb You Should Be Counting

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 »

Chilling with My Valentine

This past Valentine’s Day, I was getting over a cold, so I asked my sweetheart if we could forego the dinner and vino for something really good for us.  So, we headed to the new Restore Hyper Wellness to try a rejuvenating cryotherapy session. I thought the rush of blood might enhance my state of… Read more »

Making Peace with Your Plate

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 »

Life in the Fasting Lane

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 »

Living Wellness with Jennifer

Siempre Mejor

Since June of 1940, guests looking to enhance wellness arrived on a land originally belonging to the Native Kumeyaay at the base of Mt. Kuchumaa, a sacred peak historically protected by shamans. This earthly temple rises above Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. In those early days, guests traveled to listen to Edmond Szekely who… Read more »

Dr. Robynne Chutkan’s The Anti-Viral Gut

In The Anti-Viral Gut, integrative gastroenterologist Robynne Chutkan, MD builds upon her previous books, especially The Microbiome Solution (2016), to provide an update for maintaining a healthy gut and immune system. This is an important book for our times as 70% of the immune system is in the gut and the health of our gut… Read more »

lmr lipoprofile test

LDL: Not Always Bad and HDL: Not Always Good

A lipid panel has become a standard test in a health check-up. It measures total cholesterol, LDL lipoprotein, HDL lipoprotein and triglycerides. LDL is usually thought of as “bad” cholesterol and HDL is “good” cholesterol; triglycerides are circulating fat particles. Generally speaking, an abnormally high cholesterol is associated with heart attack and stroke. But let’s… Read more »

Taken Out of ConTEXT

Texting. The good, bad and the really ugly. Ever had this digital exchange? I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU THINK I’M YELLING. I’M JUST TRYING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU. WHAT DID I SAY TO MAKE YOU THINK I’M ANGRY? IF IT’S ABOUT LAST WEEK, I’M SORRY. HOW MANY TIMES CAN I APOLOGIZE? LEAVE IT… Read more »

Mark Hyman, MD’s The Pegan Diet

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 »