Gut Health

Researchers have learned that sub-chronic sleep restriction — 4 hours of sleep or less in an evening — causes insulin resistance. And, when compared to normal sleep — defined as 8 hours in an evening — sleep restriction wreaks hormonal havoc. First, it caused insulin sensitivity to decrease by 25%. Second, the stress hormone cortisol […]

A research team, led by Melanie Ceko, looked at the role of selenium in the ovaries, and found that selenium is crucial to the development of healthy ovarian follicles. Follicles are responsible for production of eggs in women. According to Ceko: Selenium is an essential trace element found in protein-rich foods like red meat, seafood […]

Sound confusing? How do you know if you are affected? And what are you supposed to do about this MTHFR business? First, your doctor can run the MTHFR serum (blood) test to determine if you have any defects in the gene. If any defects are found, your doctor will give you specific advice. But here […]

It also seems that the media is finally starting to recognize what integrative physicians have been saying for years — helping maintain healthy bacterial balance in the gut has a positive effect on many aspects of health, and probiotics can be a key step. Let's take a look at some probiotics basics, and the latest […]

To borrow the metaphor, you may have to kiss a few frogs along the way before you find that prince — or princess — or a practitioner. But in some cases, it becomes clear that this is not a working relationship, and it's time to move on.Here are seven signs that you definitely need a […]

Researchers know that obesity and Type 2 diabetes frequently go along with Vitamin D deficiency, but they wanted to study whether low Vitamin D levels actually contribute to these conditions. According to the study's principal investigator, Stephanie Sisley, MD, "Our results suggest that Vitamin D may play a role in the onset of both obesity […]

More common are cases where the adrenal glands are producing some - but not enough - stress hormones. This is known as adrenal fatigue. (Note: the integrative health world is pioneering in this area, but conventional medicine still does not recognize that adrenal dysfunction includes more than just an absence or excess of adrenal hormones!) […]

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), 50 to 70 million Americans are affected by chronic sleep disorders as well as periodic sleep problems — issues that that can significantly impact health, alertness, and safety. The NSF also says that studies show that healthy adults have a "basal sleep need of seven to eight hours […]

The microflora in the gut form a barrier that protects against invaders by competing with harmful bacteria and viruses. These microflora actually communicate with the immune system, prompting it to attack bad bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, and to prevent more bacteria from taking up residence. When microflora aren't thriving, these harmful agents are left […]

The immune system also plays a role in restricting tumors and cancerous growths inside the body. It's important to keep your immune system strong and healthy. Here are eight things that can make your immune system weaker. Stress Stress can have a major negative impact on your immune system. When you experience continued stress, the […]

Fibromyalgia can cause pain anywhere in the body, but the most common sites include the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms and legs. Optimal treatment of fibromyalgia requires a multi-system approach that can include addressing underlying viral infections, hormone imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies. Now, two new studies show that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may help […]

How Does Poor Gut Health Affect Your Thyroid Health? Your gut is home to 70% of your body's immune system. Tissues within the gut store immune cells that attack and produce antibodies against foreign substances such as viruses or bacteria. A healthy intestinal lining allows nutrients and other biological substances to be filtered through for […]

Blaming "bad genes" on diseases like diabetes is a convenient way to escape the obvious things we can do individually, and as a culture, to prevent the escalation of an already epidemic problem. Diabetes is a combination of nutritional and hormonal imbalances. It's important to correct these imbalances at an early stage, before pre-diabetes develops […]

The more women experience unusual periods, sporadic cycles, and surprising symptoms, the more it appears that a genuine physiological phenomenon is at play. After having babies and heading into the early 40s, women notice that their bodies are changing and that they are going down the long, hot-flash-ridden path to the "change of life," or […]

People who are dealing with serious diseases like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and thyroid disease must recognize the importance of dietary guidelines in their treatment. A healthy diet is a part of living a healthy life. Fibromyalgia And Nutrition Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition whose symptoms include muscle and tissue pain, fatigue, depression, and sleep […]

"Drugs are not always necessary, but belief in recovery always is." Norman Cousins There's no one magic pill that ensures that one can live well with thyroid disease. Rather, the secret lies in finding the right doctor, the right treatments, the right attitude and support groups! Some of the best tips we've found are described […]

Losing weight with thyroid problems can be a difficult task. Therefore, thyroid patients need to know more about factors that are likely at work contributing to weight loss challenges — a changed metabolic "set point;" two key hormones: leptin and reverse T3; changes in brain chemistry due to illness or stress; and insulin resistance. Metabolic Set Point The basic […]

People feel they are under constant pressure and stress, sluggish, irritable and fatigued during most of the day and they are desperately trying to clear up that mental fogginess with coffee or other stimulants, just to crash worse afterwards. Although it's been widely accepted as the "common way of living in a working, modern society," […]

You have probably heard it before: "It's not about the gifts and parties, it's about spending time with the loved ones, introspect, enjoy good company, have a kind heart and a peaceful mind." Easier said than done. Especially when you're living with health disorders like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, the holiday season can send […]

Learn about the symptoms of adrenal dysfunction including fatigue and muscle weakness. The adrenal glands are located on the top of each kidney, and they secrete hormones that are responsible for a wide range of metabolic processes. When the adrenal glands become overactive or under active, hormone level changes can cause a number of potentially […]