The American diet is filled with calorie-rich and nutrient-poor foods. No wonder there is an epidemic of childhood obesity, ADD/ADHD, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. People are overweight yet nutritionally starving! So what can we do about this crisis? The answer starts with your fork! When talking about nutrition with my patients, I always tell… Read more »
Lyme disease is grabbing headlines nationwide. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) new Lyme disease cases are 4 times more common annually than new cases of HIV/AIDS. It is also thought to be the leading cause of ‘vector-borne’ infections in the U.S. Lyme disease is defined as an infectious illness that results from… Read more »
March is National Nutrition Month and the theme this year is “Revamp Your Plate.” The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is encouraging Americans to follow the guidelines set forth by the USDA’s new MyPlate graphic that illustrates half your plate should be fruits and vegetables, one fourth lean protein and one fourth whole grains. MyPlate… Read more »
Winter and spring are challenging for a person like me for two reasons: the cold weather does not agree with my joints; and my practice is busier during this season due to the influx of desert visitors. As a massage therapist, I give 30 massages a week, approximately 6- 60 minute massages , 5 days… Read more »
When you plan your next meal, don’t forget to include some raw broccoli and a few strawberries…they may just save your life. Heart attack, cancer, stroke and respiratory disease are the leading causes of death in the U.S., and for the most part these conditions are easily preventable. Sulforaphane, diindolylmethane and ellagic acid are three… Read more »
The first official day of spring is March 20th. It marks a time to welcome the beautiful hues and heady aromas nature provides. Morning Glories, Lilacs, Pansies and Lavender open their blooms and thrive. The benefits of Lavender are that it adds beauty to a table in the form of a fresh or dried bouquet,… Read more »
Spring symbolizes rebirth and change. As we reflect on new beginnings, we are motivated to restore and refresh our own lives. Spring cleaning around the house or garage creates a sense of satisfaction, and a fresh start to the new season. Similarly, a colon hydrotherapy cleanse gives our bodies a fresh start, creating that same… Read more »
Many health experts are using a new term to describe the combination of diabetes and obesity called ‘Diabesity’. It is now believed that Diabesity may be the largest epidemic the world has ever faced. Some estimates predict the total number of individuals with “obesity induced diabetes” will reach 366 million worldwide by 2030, with an… Read more »
Diabetes can be managed and prevented with food choices. It sounds simple, but old habits are hard to change and people often don’t know the right choices for their specific requirements. Fortunately, diabetes is one of two conditions for which nutritional counseling is covered by Medicare and most major medical insurance. Desert Health® sat down… Read more »
The art and science of health diagnosis is performed by health care professionals who consider two main bodies of information. First, the health care professional is told the subjective symptoms by the patient. This includes the patient’s medical history, and the nature of the symptoms, such as discomfort, pain, and how well various body functions… Read more »
The average American consumes 160 pounds of sugar each year and the inflammation that this produces can be a killer. In my book, The Family Guide to Naturopathic Medicine, Diabetic Syndrome (DS) is the term I use to describe this inflammatory disease that may affect up to two thirds of the U.S. population. People with… Read more »
Winter is the time when our skin gets the most dry and dull, and suffers a condition called “winter itch.” We moisturize as much as possible to keep our skin from cracking due to cold temperature. Understanding how your skin functions and what natural ingredients are most beneficial will help you choose the proper skin… Read more »
Most people know that B vitamins are “good” for your health, but why? If you don’t know, B ready to B informed. B vitamins are one of the most commonly deficient nutrients in Americans. Very common medications, such as cholesterol lowering medication (statins), oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, anti-biotics, and antacids, rob our body of… Read more »
Recently there has been a renewed interest in one of the most ancient of medical practices: cupping, or the application of suction cups to the body. Although we don’t know where cupping originated, as far back as 2,500 B.C. in China and Egypt cupping was highly respected as a treatment, and ancient Greek physicians practiced… Read more »
Diabetic neuropathy is defined as damage to the nerves that occurs due to long-term, unregulated high blood sugar levels from diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy, the most common form of diabetic neuropathy, is experienced as a loss of sensation, numbness, tingling or burning in the arms and legs. Toes and feet are the most affected areas, and… Read more »
The Coachella Valley Health Collaborative will kick off its 2012 Healthy Lifestyle Challenge on January 11. Almost 1,000 Coachella Valley residents have participated in the collaborative’s previous challenges. It is expected that more than 1,500 people will participate in the 2012 challenge. Geared toward local organizations, businesses and residents, the Challenge is a community call-to-action… Read more »
Many people have heard of the terms oxidative stress, antioxidants and free radicals, but may not understand what they really mean. The process of oxidative stress can be difficult to comprehend, but a basic understanding is very important. Oxidative stress is a general term used to describe the steady state of oxidative damage in a… Read more »
We live in a toxic world. Our air, water, land, and foods are loaded with toxic chemicals. A recent study of infants (blood drawn from the umbilical cord at birth), indicated that the average child at birth had over 250 different toxins. From an evolutionary perspective, these toxins are a relatively recent problem. Our current… Read more »
Color is known to affect our mood and emotions, but did you know that the colors in foods do more than just look tasty? I often tell my clients to eat a rainbow everyday, and here’s why… Colors in foods promote the expression of healthy DNA coding and are called phytonutrients – chemicals in foods… Read more »
Resiliency, the ability to move and adapt to our changing world, is what keeps us alive. This same quality is also what keeps us young. On the surface we look for resiliency in our skin as a sign of youth, but that resiliency is even more important in our organs and our joints. Over time… Read more »