Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. MS affects 2.5 million people worldwide and around 400,000 people in the United States. What are the symptoms of MS and how is it diagnosed? MS symptoms affect each person differently. They can include weakness, numbness, cognitive changes and blurred vision. Currently there…
Gallstone surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries there is today. Estimates show that more than 750,000 surgeries to remove gallstones are performed every year and, in North America, around 10 percent to 15 percent of the adult population has gallstones (more woman than men). Surprisingly, many people suffering from gallstones who choose to…
Let's talk about the top foods to avoid that are highest in estrogen. High-estrogen foods to avoid could be quietyly destroying your hormone balance. A lot of foods with too much estrogen can lead to health issues like hypothyroidism, immune dysfunction, male infertility, chronic fatigue and even certain cancers. (1, 2) Estrogen dominance is a bodily…
Across America, food "scraps" are often trimmings, skins and seeds tossed in the garbage. But as I started investigating these "waste products," I quickly found many of these actually serve as edible food parts with robust nutrition. In fact, many ancient cultures, including Chinese medicine and Native American remedies, tapped the healthy compounds in some of…
Every year in the United States 210,000 people are admitted to hospitals with acute pancreatitis and 56,000 people are hospitalized each year due to chronic pancreatitis. This is a serious condition that can result in death if not treated properly and promptly. (1, 2) The symptoms of pancreatitis depend on whether it is an acute…
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates that 615,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with Meniere's disease, and nearly 50,000 new cases are being diagnosed each year. While the medical community doesn’t know why we are seeing an increase in cases, research continues to look for a cure.…
While knowledge about the benefits associated with probiotics has exploded over the past decade, many people are still unsure about how prebiotics and postbiotics work. Probiotics are the "good" (or "friendly") bacteria that colonize the digestive system and support many functions of the immune system. Prebiotics essentially feed probiotics, helping them survive and reproduce through the…
Did you know that 55 percent to 60 percent of your body weight is water? Water flows throughout your body from one area to another. It is present inside and outside of your cells and it keeps your tissues moist. Your bones, joints, spinal cord and brain need water, too. (1) But sometimes too much…
Using hand sanitizers like they're going out of style (unfortunately, they're not) and popping antibiotics at the very first sign of an illness. Yes, without knowing it, many people practice antibacterial overkill. Although the dangers of antibiotics are becoming more known today, many people remain confused or misinformed about when and when not to take prescription…
Is coconut oil healthy? You may feel more confused than ever on the subject, thanks to the American Heart Association's (AHA) June 2017 report on saturated fats. The advisory report from the AHA looks at dietary fats and cardiovascular disease. But the association's stark warning on coconut oil is what really came as a shock to…
