"You are what you eat' is a common phrase toss around the medical field, but few truly believe in the positive or negative impact of our diet, dependent on the foods chosen.  Cancer is the leading cause of death and  impacts approximately 38% of people every year, with that percentage appearing to climb higher every decade.  According to cancer.gov, in 2018 there will be 1,735,350 new cancer cases diagnosed, with the most common including breast, lung, prostate, colon, skin, bladder, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney, endometrial, leukemia, pancreatic, thyroid, and liver cancer.  The national expenditure for cancer in 2017 was estimated at…

I met Jack 10 years ago when I introduced my son to tennis. Now, I’m not a great tennis player. I’m not even good, but I love it, and spending time with my son has always been fun. So, I thought, why not? It would be something he and I could do for fun. So, I took him over to the courts and showed him the basics, which was I all knew. We had a great time and he seemed to really enjoy the game for itself. While we were playing, a man approached us. He was an older gentleman,…

Cancer is likely the most dreaded diagnosis any person can hear.  The disease can impact any organ system from the digestive tract, breast, blood, genitourinary, skin and central nervous system.  The link between cancer and chronic inflammation is well known.  As a result, much research has been done regarding herbs, including Curcumin or Turmeric, and their potential ability to act as a preventative or a means of intervention at various stages of disease.  What is the connection between Curcumin or Turmeric, chronic inflammation, and cancer?   Curcumin or better known as Turmeric by many, is an herb that has been used…

There are numerous types of berries and fruits out on the market for purchase as whole food or even used as powdered extracts in herbal form.  They have been touted for many years as being a vital part to our diet and health, but do they really provide benefits?  Research indicates that making berries a part of your daily diet can stabilize blood sugar levels and improve diabetes control. Can a serving of blueberries in whole food form or even as part of berry extract herbal powder provide significant benefits towards improving your health?  Let's dive into it! [caption id="attachment_2880"…

Blood sugar or glucose related health concerns are on the rise, often accompanying metabolic conditions, insulin dysfunction, and diabetes.  The problem goes much further than just a 'high' reading on a finger stick or in the urine. Unregulated blood sugar, diabetes, and insulin levels indicate altered cellular metabolism and are connected to a host of clinical health ailments.  Looking beyond the host of medications routinely prescribed, are there more natural options including herbs and dietary approaches that can be of benefit? When we think of elevated blood sugar, we almost…

Making the decision to eat clean can get tricky when it's hard to tell what's really natural and what's not. Unless you're shopping exclusively in the section where you can pick up and smell the food before you buy it, you may not be getting what you think you're buying. As smart as consumers are, the companies tend to stay a step ahead by using terms to hide the processed ingredients on their labels. So, as the 'all natural' green drinks have become popular, so have the labels become a little more challenging to decipher. This is why we put…

I am one woman in a crowd of millions just like me. We are all looking at ourselves in the mirror with disdain, focused on the parts of our bodies that simply will not cooperate with our goals. We have tried every diet out there, getting results with some but they never stay, or we get nothing at all. Yet, each morning, we stand again in front of that horrible enemy, the mirror, and see ugly. My thunder thighs have always been where my eyes ultimately plant themselves. They’ve been that way since I was a pre-teen, no matter how…

Protein.  It is a vital macronutrient for our health, not just supporting our muscle strength, but also mental function and overall cellular health.  The ultimate question comes as to whether we are consuming enough of it, relative to our lifestyle and health, and maybe that more could be beneficial? As with all things, the more we know and understand, then the more opportunities there are to take advantage and apply for our own health. When we think of protein, the first image that comes to mind is a male or female bodybuilder or athlete. So, right off the cuff, our…

Turmeric and Curcumin are two very popular words in the world of health and inflammation, but do you understand the difference? There are many foods and herbs available to us to enhance our overall health, but sometimes we just 'hear' benefits through marketing but fail to understand truth.  We may hear about benefits, but are not clear on what type or dose of that herb is most beneficial and in what circumstances. Turmeric is one such herb with clear health benefits but a large amount of confusion. This bright off-orange…

Back pain and sciatica are extremely common and will impact upwards of 75-80% of all people at some point in their life.  The pain can range from just annoying to outright crippling, not only dependent on the severity of the condition but also how we 'respond' to that problem.  Men and women are both impacted by back pain, which is often attributed to something we have done physically, such as a wrong movement or improper lifting.  While this is true to an extent, there are many contributors.  Through a deeper understanding, we can help to provide relief and improve our…