Category: Mind & Body

What Holistic Medicine Can Do for You

Holistic medical providers come in many forms, but what they all have in common is a commitment to treating the person instead of a disease. Their scope of practice may vary widely, from traditional herbalists and bodyworkers to naturopathic physicians and functional medicine doctors. The oldest extant practice of holistic medicine comes from ancient China….


Building Your Immune System With Laughter

Despite the enormous benefits of laughter, we are often just too tired and stressed to take the time to indulge in a good belly laugh. Today, adults just do not laugh as we used to—regardless of how much our body, mind, and soul benefit from it. The health benefits of laughter are even more far-ranging…


Remedies for Winter-Weary Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the body and is ever-changing. It exists to protect us from the harshness of the surrounding environment, help regulate body temperature, gather sensory information, and also plays an important role in the body’s immune function. With spring in the air and winter receding, we may roll up our…


Overprescribing Statin Drugs

I recently met with a new primary care physician. At the close of the appointment, the doctor ordered a lipid panel to check cholesterol levels. After the results were posted, his nurse called to report that the doctor had prescribed a statin (cholesterol-lowering) drug that he would like me to start right away. There was…


Child Suicide Becoming an ‘International Epidemic’

Billions of people across the globe continue to live under COVID-19 lockdowns or heavily restricted life. And for almost all of us, life amid the pandemic in 2020 was an isolating and difficult year. Now, doctors are warning that children, in particular, are experiencing grave mental health consequences as a result of the lockdowns—leading to…


Short Bursts of Exercise Slow Cognitive Decline

Want to keep your brain sharp as you age? Exercising for as little as 10 minutes a few times per week can help stop mental decline in its tracks. We already know that engaging in regular exercise is one of the healthiest habits you can adopt, regardless of your age or current physical condition. Studies…


Bleeding Gums May Indicate Vitamin C Deficiency

If your gums bleed easily when you brush your teeth, you may need more vitamin C, according to a study by University of Washington (UW) researchers.1 Bleeding gums can be a warning sign of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, that results from infection and inflammation in your gums and the bone supporting your…


Are Lectins in Food Good or Bad for You?

Might lectins help explain why those who eat more beans and whole grains have less cancer? Lectins are proteins in plants that bind to carbohydrates. Plants use them to defend against microorganisms and some of those useful properties make lectins toxic and hard to digest. Lectins are to blame for the great “white kidney bean incident” of…


‘Microbreaks’ Keep You Engaged on Tough Work Days

Research shows people are more likely to take “microbreaks” at work on days when they’re tired—but that’s not a bad thing. Microbreaks seem to help tired employees bounce back from their morning fatigue and engage with their work better over the course of the day, the researchers found. Microbreaks are short, voluntary, and impromptu respites during…


Staying at the Edge of Uncertainty

When we get into a situation that feels uncertain, most of us will immediately try to get to a place of certainty. Instead of writing a blog post, I’ll find myself wanting to check emails or my favorite websites. Instead of having a difficult conversation, we’ll stay in a bad situation for longer than we…