Trans fats shrink the brain, increase dementia risk

March 13, 2012

study found a diet high in trans fats shrinks the brain and increases the risk of dementia. Trans fats are found in fast foods, processed foods, margarine, shortening, chips, flaky pastries, many fried foods, and many popular convenience foods. They can be identified in a list of ingredients as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil. Diet…

Heart disease is an inflammation disease

February 14, 2012

You could eat a “heart-healthy” diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight and still be at risk for heart disease. Why? Because the root cause of heart disease is inflammation, and managing inflammation goes beyond standard prevention advice.

Childhood stomach aches linked with adult depression and anxiety

February 7, 2012

A Stanford University researcher found that gastric irritation early in life could pave the way for lifelong psychological problems.

Holiday sugar hangover cure?

December 27, 2011

Did the holidays leave you with a sugar hangover, including lethargy, upset stomach, brain fog, mood swings, or joint pain? While alcohol hangover cures are a folklore staple, you can recover from your sugar hangover with some solid steps:

Anemia is a barrier to better health

October 4, 2011

Question I’m tired frequently and I have some chronic health issues I can’t seem to resolve. Answer Although multiple factors can cause both tiredness and chronic health issues, anemia should always be investigated. Unresolved anemia will thwart your journey to better health. Anemia prevents normal function Blood delivers oxygen to cells in the body and…

Why do I have brain fog all the time?

September 6, 2011

Question I seem to live in a perpetual fog, like I can’t think clearly or I’m not all the way there. Why do I have brain fog? Answer Brain fog is a sign of brain inflammation. Although inflammation in the brain doesn’t cause pain, it can cause symptoms of brain fog. The brain is protected…

Gluten can cause leaky brain and gut

June 22, 2011

Question Eating gluten doesn’t upset my stomach. Why should I consider eliminating it from my diet? Answer Eating gluten, the protein found in wheat and wheat-like grains, has been shown to make the lining of both the brain and the digestive tract permeable or “leaky.” Leaky brain A leaky brain allows bacteria, heavy metals, environmental…

Always hungry? Blame this hormone made by body fat

June 14, 2011

Question Why am I hungry all the time when I am already overweight, even shortly after eating a full meal? Answer A hormone called leptin, which is produced by body fat, controls whether you feel satisfied after eating. A hormone called leptin controls hunger If you produce too much leptin you develop leptin resistance, which…

Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?

June 8, 2011

Question: I am on thyroid hormones. Why do I still have fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and constipation? Answer: For 90 percent of Americans hypothyroidism is an immune disease, not a thyroid disease. Thyroid hormone medication doesn’t address the immune imbalances. Hypothyroid symptoms Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, affects millions of Americans, causing weight gain,…

What Does Functional Medicine Mean?

June 4, 2011

What Does Functional Medicine Mean? Question: I keep hearing the term functional medicine. How is it different from regular medicine? Answer: Functional medicine’s focus is on correcting physiological function versus manipulating the problem with drugs or removing it with surgery. Different causes for same disease Let’s say 10 different people visit a functional medicine practitioner…