Almonds
Almonds are a relative to the peach, apricot, and cherry. Classified into two categories, sweet and bitter, sweet almonds are the variety that is consumed, while bitter almonds are used to make almond oil. Almonds are thought to have originated in western Asia, and...
August is Psoriasis Awareness Month
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that affects four percent of the U.S. population. Psoriasis is caused by a pileup of skin cells that have replicated too rapidly. It appears that rather than a disorder of the skin, psoriasis is primarily a condition that owes its...
Prevent Muscle Mass Loss as You Age
Aging is associated with many physical changes. One of the most obvious and preventable changes is the loss of muscle mass and strength. The medical term for this process is sarcopenia, from the Greek meaning of “poverty of flesh.” Sarcopenia is to our muscle mass...
Is Sugar a Drug? How Refined Carbs Can Trigger Food Addiction
Introduction Addiction is linked to activity within a special area deep in the center of the brain known the nucleus accumbens. Sometimes called the brain’s “pleasure center”, this cluster of brain cells modulates the effects of the neurotransmitter dopamine – the key...
Turnips
Turnips, as well as cabbage and broccoli, are a member of the cruciferous vegetable family. Cultivated over 4,000 years ago in Asia, turnips increased in popularity throughout Medieval Europe, until the more popular potato was introduced in the 18th century. Turnips...
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer
Introduction: The recent controversial study on omega-3 fatty acids and prostate cancer risk (click here to read my comments) has led to a lot of questions about the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in breast cancer and other health conditions. While the total level of...
Does Fish Oil Really Boost Prostate Cancer?
On July 10, 2013, the media jumped on news that too much fish oil might boost prostate cancer risk. As someone who has studied the many benefits of fish oil for many years, my alarm bells went off. The story seemed, well, fishy to me. So I did what a good scientist...
9 Natural Ways To Treat Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition of the gums and support structures in the mouth. It causes bad breath and bleeding of the gums when flossing. But it's more serious than that. Periodontal disease is a manifestation of a more systemic condition, such as...
Fish Oils and the Teenage Brain
Introduction: The long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA found in fish and fish oil supplements are critical to brain development and function throughout our lifetime. New research has found that EPA and DHA are especially important to the teenage brain. During...
Eggplant
Eggplants are a member of the nightshade family with potatoes and tomatoes. Although commonly thought of in a deep purple shade, eggplants also come in lavender, jade green, orange and light yellow. Originally found in India, the eggplant was cultivated in China....