It's well-known that probiotics, available from both fermented foods and supplements, support digestion and gut function. Can probiotics also improve mental health? A new study suggests there are benefits of probiotics for people dealing with depression. How so? A little known fact is that certain gut bacteria are linked to depression, while others are associated…
This is part three in Casey Hersch’s articles series about how to defeat chronic illness. Part one was Using Integrative Approaches for Living with Chronic Illness. Part two was Integrative Healing & Becoming An Empowered Patient. If you live with a chronic illness or have landed in the Emergency Room, then you know imaging studies and…
It’s estimated that up to 25 percent of all adults are at least marginally deficient in vitamin B12 (also called cobalamin). Some experts believe this number may actually be a lot higher, since it’s suspected that there are many cases of undetected vitamin B12 deficiency. This means there are millions of people likely struggling with…
Although it may sound like a complicated process, methylation is the basis for life. What does methylation do in the body? It helps embryos first develop and grow and then assists in gene expression, nutrient conversion and many other bodily processes. Methylation supports functions of the cardiovascular, detoxification and neurological systems, just to name a…
Wind rustling through the leaves of a mighty white oak. The pretty, thin whistle of the white-throated sparrow. The trickle of a stream as it ripples by. These are the woodland sounds that bring me peace, and now there's evidence proving what many of us already suspect — nature sounds prime our bodies for better health. (In…
I bet you’ve heard of the candies known as jujubes, juju fruits or Jujyfruits. Despite having "fruits" in their names, these variations of chewy, colorful, artificially flavored candies are anything but healthy. So why do these unnatural products have the same name as the natural exotic fruit — jujube fruit — that’s loaded with health…
Is it five fruits and five veggies a day that we're supposed to aim for? Exactly how many fruits and vegetables should we eat every day? According to most health authorities, such as the USDA, adults need between 1.5 to two cups of fruits and two to three cups of vegetables daily. (Men require a…
If you're like me, you find yourself eating peanut butter on a regular basis for its versatility and, of course, delicious taste. However, if you are a fan of certain types of Skippy peanut butter, you need to be aware of the recent Skippy peanut butter recall. According to a voluntary class II recall filed…
By now, you've probably heard about and seen sprouted grain bread at the grocery store or farmers market. It may seem like a new dietary craze, but the methods used to prepare sprouted bread have existed for thousands of years. If you're looking for a healthier, more digestible and better absorbed type of bread, it's…
This is part two in Casey Hersch's articles series about how to defeat chronic illness. Part one was Using Integrative Approaches for Living with Chronic Illness. During my childhood, I suffered from one illness after another. My parents believed that doctors had all of the answers to our life and health problems. Their perspective, though…
