Preventative Care. Dr. David Samadi will explore the new and often debated areas of preventative care. Prevent cancer, check your blood pressure, eat the right foods and other prevention tips. Get a medical doctor's take on herbal treatments, yoga, homeopathy, acupuncture, vitamins, supplements, massage therapy, spiritual treatment and other forms of alternative therapy for prevention.
1. Turmeric
This type of deficiency causes anemia in the body, which means the body doesn't have enough red blood cells. Certain conditions include Crohn's disease, celiac disease, pernicious anemia, alcoholism and make it hard for the body to absorb enough of the vitamin. Lack of this essential vitamin can cause fatigue, and even in some severe cases paralysis and nerve damage. Treatment with a balanced diet or B12 supplements or shots brings levels back to normal.
Read MoreYou know what they say "manage your stress or your stress will manage you.” As it turns out, this is no wives tale; there is more truth behind this saying than you might realize. Perhaps the most shocking fact about stress is that it affects your body systemically, not just in one area. This stress can originate from anywhere and, at a basic level, is your body’s reaction to situations that can be perceived as potentially dangerous. As the New Year approaches, taking control of the stressors in our lives becomes ever more important to keep to our resolutions dedicated to being healthier and happier.
Read MoreOne of the biggest issues facing us as a modern society is that our lives revolve around sedentary activities. Driving, lengthy commutes, our office jobs, TV and movies. Everything is done sitting down. According to the WHO (World Health Organization) physical inactivity is the 4th leading cause of death globally. Prolonged sitting will also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 90%. Even if we exercise, a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine from researchers in Toronto, says that this sedentary lifestyle will STILL kill us prematurely by increasing our chances of disease.
Read MoreOf course, freezing yourself seems extreme but the benefits of a therapy called Cryotherapy is a 2-3 minute full-body freeze in a chamber where nitrogen-iced air circulates at minus-200 degrees Fahrenheit which has showed benefits that range from stress relief to reduced inflammation, better sleep, improved skin tone and increased metabolism.
Read MoreEveryone worries about this exact question. Over-the-counter pills while easily accessible do have side effects just as prescriptions drugs. Mixing alcohol when taking Tylenol or Ibuprofen isn't something we should do very often. Think of the time you popped a Tylenol to beat a midday headache and then got invited to drinks or it's allergy season and you're taking Claritin to beat those initial symptoms. Having one or two drinks really won't hurt you but it's important to know the specific side effects of each pill. Here's what you need to know.
Read MoreOn any given day, your body produces about 50 ounces of saliva. But I bet you aren't thinking about your spit when it comes to general health. Believe it or not, it pays a major role in your health and disease risk. Saliva is a natural mouth disinfectant. It consistently works to help maintain the health of your gums, prevent tooth decay and even wash away food particles. It also provides disease-fighting substances to prevent cavities and other infections. When saliva keeps your mouth clean is when the condition of your spit is healthy. This key bodily fluid can provide clues to other things going on in your body. Pay attention to these signs.
Read MoreTime and stress are interconnected in many ways. Perhaps the most shocking fact about stress is that it can affect all parts of your body, not just in one area. Our body responds to stress by altering the secretions of certain hormones and chemicals. Time management and productivity play a huge role especially in today's workplace in how we keep stress at bay and still feel like we've accomplished something.
Read MoreEverything is arguably related to inflammation. It can cause cancer, skin conditions, allergies, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches and painful menstruation. So what exactly is inflammation? It's a combination of heat, pain, redness and swelling that happens externally or inside the body. Childhood obesity, diabetes, rate of cancer is on the rise. Without taking care of diabetes, billions and dollars goes into it, and without fixing our diet lifestyle, behavioral changes, nothing will improve.
Read MoreEveryone experiences anxiety from time to time – it is a normal human emotion, after all. We feel nervous or anxious at work, before a big exam or when making crucial decisions in our life. For some, however, anxiety goes beyond being just a passing feeling. Instead, it causes such great distress that affects their ability to live a normal life. This is when anxiety becomes a disorder. Anxiety disorders affect about 18 percent of the American population, making them the most common mental illnesses in the country. That means that at any given time, about 40 million are suffering from some sort of anxiety disorder.
Read MoreAhh, fish oils, the never ending debate on how much and how to consume them. Here's the skinny: fish oils come from fatty fish. Yes, specifically the tissue of fatty fish such as trout, mackerel, tuna, herring, sardines and salmons. Nutritionists often favor fish oils because of two main ingredients: DHA and EPA, which are two types of Omeda-3 fatty acids. The fillets alone of oily fish contain 30% oil. White fish only contains high concentrations of oil in the liver and have much less oil. Oily fish are also good sources of vitamins A and D.
Read MoreYou’ve probably never heard of bismuth subsalicylate, but you have probably used it or bought it more than once in your life time. This intimidating compound is what we know as the pink stuff, Pepto-Bismol. Pepto-Bismol is very common over-the-counter medication, which comes in tablet or liquid form, used to cope with heartburn, nausea, indigestion and any other upset stomach problems. This medication is an antidiarrheal medication that decreases intestinal inflammation, fluid movement and electrolyte movement in the bowels and digestive system. It used to combat diarrhea, but the mechanism of how exactly it does do, is still a bit unclear.
Read MoreInterested in acupuncture but still doubtful about it’s healing powers and squeamish about undergoing the process? Many people swear by this method to defeat stress and achieve a relaxed and focused state of mind. A new survey demonstrates increasing acceptance and utilization of acupuncture for treatment and health promotion. The analysis was published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine and looked at utilization rates, demographics and reasons for using acupuncture. Overall, the researchers found that between 2002 and 2007 there was a significant increase in the number of patients using acupuncture.
Read MoreWhen we're in our twenties, hangovers tend to not be as big of a deal. Two martinis, glass of champagne and a beer to wash it down, sure we can handle that and not be out of commission the next day. Move into your thirties and maybe we start to skip the martinis but then we hit our forties and alcohol might be gone from your life because of its after effects. If this is the case, what can you do to beat that feeling? The good news is the side effects the next day are the result of an accumulation of toxins that occur when we get older, making it more challenging to process and eliminate alcohol. The result-the more toxic we are, the more intense the hangover.
Read MoreThe human body is an amazing machine, so to speak. The way in which all of these functions work simultaneously as well as the level of cognitive function humans have is unlike any other known species. There are things our body does we are unaware of but matter a great deal. Here are 15 cool facts about what's happening inside.
Read MoreDietary supplements have always played a predominate role in the world of sports. Whether a person is a competitive athlete or a casual exerciser, today’s athlete is always looking for the latest and greatest nutritional supplement that will give them the ultimate performance-enhancing edge. Competition in sports has always been high but nowadays it is more fierce and demanding than ever and this can be one way athletes seek out to improve their skills.
Read MoreVitamin K, a fat soluble vitamin discovered in the 1930’s, is best known for its role in blood coagulation or blood clotting. This form is also known as vitamin K1 or phylloquinone. However there is another form of vitamin K that hasn’t received as much attention until the 21st century – vitamin K2. Vitamin K2, also known as menaquinone, is made by our intestinal bacteria and also is found in certain food sources. Deficiencies of vitamin K1 are rare but deficiencies of vitamin K2 are more common. It is the vitamin K2 form that seems to have far-reaching roles that appear to make a meaningful difference in the health of our hearts, bones and of prostate cancer.
Read MoreBad breath is something we all deal with. But how can we really work to get rid of it? The ugly truth is even if you brush your teeth 6 times per day and floss every night, you're still not safe from the occasional case of halitosis. What happens is bacteria accumulates under the gumline and causes a terrible smell. Here are 5 tips to help finally beat that bad breath.
Read MoreWe all get in bad moods. The key is knowing how to beat it. A long-term bad mood can have significant repercussions especially on our energy levels. Although it's not always easy to snap out of it. Here's how to beat it and minimize the impact of the inevitable bad mood.
Read MoreAccording to the National Sleep Foundation, the average adult needs about 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night in order to function and feel good throughout the day. Admit it, there's some night's you don't even get close to that. It happens to all of us but there are health issues that can arise from continually not sleeping. Whether sleep deprivation comes from job related stress, long work hours, or just trying to keep up with busy social schedules, sleep aids like Lunesta have become popular. As with any prescription drug, many people cling to the easy fix of a pill. Interestingly, this may no longer be an option for many seeking sleep aids as FDA guidelines change and become stricter. Those seeking prescription sleep medications will be getting lower doses or natural alternatives (such as melatonin supplements). For this reason, everyone should know why getting enough sleep is important and how they can practice good sleep hygiene.
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