Many of us will recall those itchy, red blisters we suffered as children. Chicken pox is the common name for the varicella-zoster virus, which causes a very itchy, highly-contagious skin rash. The virus most commonly affects children between the ages of 4–10, but chicken pox can also affect adults who have never had the virus…
If you spend time along rivers or lakes in the southern or northeastern parts of the U.S., be sure to watch out for poison sumac. Poison sumac is considered a much rarer plant compared to poison ivy (but it is more poisonous). So depending on where you live, you probably have much less of a…
More than 2 million new cases of the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were reported in 2016, according to a new report, 2016 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (1) This is the highest number of cases reported for these diseases, and the CDC is…
When most people think of protein, they think high-protein foods like chicken, grass-fed beef, eggs, and beans and legumes. But did you know that this essential macromolecule your body needs to build new cells can be consume through protein bread? Yes, you read that right — high-protein bread. Manufacturers all over have launched the revolutionary…
Proton-pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in the world. In fact, one study estimates Americans spend $11 billion on PPIs each year. (1) These popular pills are prescribed for the prevention and treatment of acid-relation conditions like acid reflux. But you may or may not be surprised to learn that…
Scleroderma is a rare and difficult disease. Also known as systemic sclerosis, it affects about 75,000 to 100,000 people in the United States. It can be a severe condition that can cause significant physical distress, disability and shortened life expectancy. Many patients with scleroderma are uncomfortable and self conscious about their appearance. This leads to…
Hippocrates was to thank for the famous quote, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food" — which we translated to "food is medicine" and use as our motto. Still to this day medical doctors and historians consider Hippocrates to be the founder of medicine as a "rational science." Considered to be one…
For an organ that has no known purpose, the appendix sure causes its share of problems. Approximately 300,000 appendectomies are performed each year. In fact, it's the most common emergency surgery in the United States. Appendicitis symptoms must be taken seriously. Both children and adults require emergency medical attention immediately. According to the Cleveland Clinic,…
According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 15 million adults in the U.S. have social anxiety disorder. Onset typically occurs at 13 years old, and over one-third of people suffer with the symptoms for 10 years or more before seeking help. Social anxiety disorder causes extreme fear in social situations where judgment and being…
Tens of millions of Americans suffer from acne. In fact, an estimated 70 percent–90 percent of young adults, both males and females, suffer from acne. And recent studies show that the prevalence of adult female acne has increased. Yet so many can't seem to find a treatment that actually works! Most turn to prescription drugs or…
