Tag: Mind & Body

The Flu, You, and What to Do

If there was ever a season to not celebrate, it’s flu season. Statistics show that most people get the flu from October to May. That’s more than six months out of the year. What is the flu? Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs….


US Regulators Authorize COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses for 16- and 17-Year-Olds

U.S. drug regulators on Thursday authorized booster doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 16- and 17-year-olds. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cited in its announcement data showing the vaccine becomes significantly less effective over time. “Since we first authorized the vaccine, new evidence indicates that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 is waning after the second…


The Key to Liking Yourself Better

Honestly, do you genuinely like the person you have become? If you’re like me, sometimes I like me, sometimes I don’t. None of us are perfect: We all have flaws that are not life-threatening. I’m always trying to improve myself, wanting to present myself well. I think much of this comes from a background in…


Rapid Vitamin D Delivery May Result in Better COVID Outcomes

Since the start of the pandemic, natural supplements have been a bone of contention with researchers, pharmaceutical companies, doctors and health experts. Newly published data again support past research that vitamin D has a significant impact on COVID-19. Vitamin D was discovered in the early 1900s. Work by Sir Edward Mellanby from Great Britain and…


Herbs Can Help Lower Blood Pressure

Heart disease has ranked No. 1 in the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. for years. In 2020, 690,882 people died from heart disease. This is compared to 633,842 who died in 2015, which represents a 9 percent jump in six short years. One of the key risk factors for heart disease…


Chocolate Fruit Dip

Recently, we had a birthday party for one of our daughters. Many family birthdays have been celebrated while abiding by a gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free diet. Thankfully we never feel deprived. I’ve developed many recipes to accommodate our dietary needs while still indulging in a celebratory treat. Our little lady requested a chocolate fruit dip…


Do We Need to Rethink Addiction in the US?

Addiction is a serious problem here in the United States, and it has a severe impact on millions of people every year. When we think about addiction, we often make reference to alcohol, drugs, and prescription medication. Fentanyl, a drug many times more potent than heroin, was a crisis waiting to happen. And while we…


Are Vitamin Supplements Healthy or a Case of Overkill?

For many people, the idea of moderation is a tough one.  For some reason, they seem to think that if a little bit of something is good for you, a lot must be really good.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Take vitamins, for example.  When I ask my patients about the supplements they’re taking, more and…


Protect Yourself from Respiratory Infections with Probiotics

According to University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers, doctors frequently misuse antibiotics when treating patients hospitalized with respiratory tract infections. In a study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, doctors at two Pennsylvania hospitals were found to be using antibiotics to treat patients with viral infections, which are known to not respond to…


5 Great Ways to Boost Your Toddler’s Immunity This Winter

Many families with young children struggle their way through winter as they face an onslaught of colds. Catching a cold or flu is more common during this period since most of us spend more time indoors breathing less fresh air, and we are therefore more exposed to the microbes that spread illness. Because children love to touch…