A recent meta-analysis of studies on magnesium reveals that the increased intake of magnesium is associated with decreased risk of stroke. (Larsson SC, Orsini N, Wolk A. Dietary magnesium intake and risk of stroke: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:362-6.) Magnesium supplementation has been shown in other research to […]
You’ve probably been told that over the counter pain killers, esp. NSAIDS, like ibuprofen, and Tylenol, are extremely safe. Well, not exactly. More and more evidence has been accumulating over the last few years about how dangerous these drugs are. NSAIDs (non-steirodal anti-inflammatory drugs) increase the risk of high blood pressure and chronic heart failure, irritation and […]
A new study documents the beneficial effects of fish oil supplements for elderly (average age 64) women who are also engaged in a strength training program. This adds to the growing list of impressive benefits of fish oil supplements. (Rodachi C, et al. Fish-oil supplementation enhances the effects of strength training in elderly women. Am […]
I advocate eating a small meal or snack every 3 hours or so throughout the day. This allows blood sugar levels (and insulin levels) to stay more consistent through the day and reduces the carbohydrate cravings that result from big dips in blood glucose. This facilitates the process of achieving and maintaining optimal bodyfat levels. […]
The Plastic Code Plastic bottles and containers are categorized based on what they are made of and how they can be recycled. This is given a number contained in a triangle on the bottom. This code allows us to know which ones are unsafe and to avoid. 1 (PET) Polyethylene terephthalate is used in many […]
We should reduce or eliminate toxic chemicals in our homes, since these chemicals may cause birth defects and increase our risk of chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, allergies, asthma, diabetes and cancer. In addition, many of these toxic chemicals are endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors interfere with hormones and have many potentially negative effects. In fact, […]
For the first time in history in the United States, drugs exceeded car accidents as a cause of death in 2009. ( see http://www.latimes.com/health/la-me-drugs-epidemic-20110918,0,3886090.story) This increase in drug deaths is fueled mainly by an increase in deaths cause by prescription narcotics. Some of the prescription drugs being abused the most are pain killers and drugs […]
A new paper in JAMA demonstrates that placing individuals who have high cholesterol on a diet that includes .94 grams of plant sterols/1000 calories, 22.5 grams of soy protein/1000 calories, 9.8 grams of viscous fibers/1000 calories from oats, barley, and psyllium, 22.5 grams/1000 calories of nuts and seeds per day. (http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/306/8/831.short) They were also encouraged to […]
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating more fiber reduced the risk of breast cancer. This is because women who eat more fiber have lower circulating levels of estrogen, which reduces the risk of breast cancer. This also adds to other research on the benefits of fiber, including […]
A new paper in the prestigous journal Spine found that patients with chronic low back pain (pain for six months or longer) experienced greater improvement after one month of chiropractic manipulation (3 times per week for 4 weeks) followed by treatment once every 2 weeks for 10 months (for a total of 30 treatments) than […]
