As important as it is to comprehend the meaning of qi in order to fully understand Chinese philosophy as it pertains to health, there isn't a literal equivalent in the Western world or an easy way to explain what it represents. In the U.S. and other Western nations, qi is much like what we think of as…
Unbeknownst to most, healthy fats in your diet, including long-feared cholesterol, are proving to be key players in brain and psychological health. In previous generations, people believed cholesterol clogged arteries and caused heart problems. However, today we understand that the standard Western diet, which contains a large amount of hydrogenated fats and refined carbohydrates, leads to…
You may not have realized it, but chances are you've consumed something called butyric acid before, and believe it or not, your body produces it as well. It's true — butyric acid, also known as butanoic acid or BTA, is a saturated short-chain fatty acid found in butter, ghee, raw milk, animal fats and plant oils. It's also formed in…
Own a spiralizer and unsure of what to do with it? Notice all of the recent cook books and Instragram pictures featuring use of low-calorie vegetable "noodles" and ready to give them a try yourself? Well then, welcome to the world of zoodles! "Zoodles" is a nickname for zucchini noodles, or spaghetti-like strands made from spiralized,…
Different types of hernias develop inside different parts of the body, causing an abnormal bulging of one area into another. A hiatal hernia, also known as a hiatus hernia, forms inside the diaphragm, the muscular area that lays between the chest and the lower abdomen. It's the most common diaphragmatic hernia, with the prevalence rate of hiatal hernia is between 13 percent…
It’s now estimated that more than 60 million American adults experience heartburn symptoms at least once a month. Surveys have found that the number of people reporting daily or weekly heartburn and/or acid reflux symptoms has risen nearly 50 percent over the last decade. (1) If you're one of these people, wondering how to get rid…
Between 20-44 percent of the total population of those living in Western, industrialized nations suffers from GERD. Many experts believe that the alarmingly high prevalence of GERD is a direct result of eating a modern, highly-processed diet. Up to 40 percent of Americans experience GERD-related symptoms at least monthly. Around 10-20 percent experience GERD symptoms…
Are you someone who shies away from foods that pack a little extra heat, or do you prefer spicy? Turns out, if you're the type to choose the mild salsa, you might want to rethink that strategy. According to a new study out of the University of Vermont, chili pepper benefits might help you actually live…
Most of us have misplaced our keys or found an item we thought we’d lost forever buried in our closets. But this month, researchers published a new organ study, highlighting something most of us didn't know we ever had — a new body part. Though doctors have long known about the mesentery, a membrane that…
You might consider yourself a true “coffee lover”, one who knows all the latest research about coffee nutrition facts and benefits, but would you be willing to try an unconventional way of using coffee to improve your health? While drinking coffee has its well-documented benefits, that’s not the only way to reap the rewards of this antioxidant-packed beverage. It…
