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4 Tips to Avoid Blood Pressure Meds

High blood pressure is subtle. You can’t see it. You can’t feel it. You can’t hear it. It can quietly damage the body for years before symptoms start showing.  And the harm it can do to your health is incredible. Heart attack, stroke, dementia, kidney damage and even sexual dysfunction. But what really causes high […]

What To Eat (And NOT) When Your Stomach Is Upset

Nobody likes the feeling of an upset stomach. The nausea, vomiting, cramping and diarrhea are miserable. And uggh! The thought of putting food into an already upset stomach sounds like a horrible idea. Just the smell of certain foods can make you feel queasy all over again. Still, there are some foods and beverages that […]

What Does it Mean When Your Knees Snap, Crackle and Pop?

Are knees that pop, creak, crunch or make grinding noises something you should be concerned about? Well, the occasional crack or pop probably isn’t anything to worry about. In most cases, that’s just gasses being released from the joint. But if one or both of your knees regularly makes rubbing, creaking and grinding sounds, it […]

Eggs: Organic, Cage-Free or Pasture-Raised?

Up until a few years ago, most folks considered eggs off-limits. If they ate them at all, they separated out the whites, and threw the most nutritious part – the yolk – into the garbage disposal. Well, now that eggs are off the hook when it comes to cholesterol and heart disease, you may be […]

Better than Butter, Margarine and Traditional Vegetable Oils

I use extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in the majority of my meals. Not only does it have great flavor, it’s absolutely THE BEST choice for my health. Unlike margarine, butter and other saturated fats, EVOO has medicinal properties that can reduce your risk of health issues and early death. I’m talking about things like […]

Where Do Skin Conditions Like Psoriasis and Eczema Start?

Have you ever noticed that certain skin problems run in some families? Mom, Dad and the kids all seem to have the same sort of problems. Perhaps it’s life-long issues with psoriasis. Or maybe it’s eczema. There is a reason for this. In particular, family members who grow up in the same household often follow […]

Weird Signs Your Arteries May be Clogged

My father, brothers, and uncles all suffered from heart attacks. They also all had one strange physical sign – creased earlobes! Believe it or not, this is a warning sign that your arteries may be at increased risk for clogging. And there are well over 50 studies to prove it. (Look for a crease that […]

6 Day Organic Diet Lowers Glyphosate by 70%

Not long ago, four American families took part in a very revealing experiment. The families were from Atlanta, Baltimore, Minneapolis and Oakland, and each included two or three children. For the first five days, the families ate their regular diets, which consisted of non-organic foods. These are the types of food that the average American […]

5 Healthy Beverages that Aren’t Water

I’ve noticed an odd thing over the years. When it comes to choosing something to drink besides water, a lot of folks have no idea what constitutes a healthy beverage. For example, I’ve noticed that most of the “healthy” choices made by my patients include milk, juice and diet soda.

The Sweet Smell of Better Brain Function

Last month I mentioned an interesting thing about music… how certain songs can transport you back in time to a specific moment that evokes a cherished memory. Have you ever noticed that the same thing happens with certain scents and odors? It might be a whiff of perfume that suddenly brings an image of your […]

Should You Drink for Your Health?

My patients often ask me which type of alcohol is the “healthiest.” And they’re always disappointed in my answer. There is no “healthy” alcohol. “But doc,” they say. “Red wine protects your heart” … “Moderate drinking helps you live longer” …

Hope for Everyone Over the Age of 70

I love hearing about older people who have defied the myth of old age. One of my favorites is Ernestine Shepherd. When she was in her late 50’s, she looked and acted like we seem to think people approaching their 60’s should. She was overweight, had no interest in exercise, and had never worked out […]

What Can a Multivitamin Do for You?

You often hear that vitamins and other supplements are a waste of money… that following a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables provides all the essential vitamins and minerals you need. This is a nice concept in theory, but the fact is, only one out of every 10 adults eat the recommended daily servings […]

5 Ways to Get this Rogue Anti-Nutrient Out of Your Diet

Back in 1988 a strange thing happened. A hospital launched a “Healthy Eating Day.” But shortly after enjoying the healthy lunch offered by the hospital, one of the surgical record-keepers fell ill. And before the end of the day, 10 more people who ate in the cafeteria experienced nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. What was happening? […]

Age Healthier with Plant-Based Protein

Plant-based proteins include nuts, beans and seeds.

When most people think of protein sources, their first thoughts generally run toward poultry, beef and other meat sources. Next on the list are things like eggs, milk and cheese; again from animal sources. Plant-based protein sources, like nuts or beans are never high on the list. For most folks, they aren’t even on the […]

Fun in the Bedroom is Good for Your Heart!

The topics my patients ask me about run the gamut. But the one that always surprises me the most is when patients ask if it’s still okay to have sex. This question mostly comes from men who think they’re “too old” for bedroom activity or have a heart condition. (That doesn’t mean that a fair […]

10 Instances When You Need Water the Most

When you get thirsty, there are so many choices that are tastier than water. Soda, sweetened juices, or even a beer might sound good. And sure, all of these beverages do offer some hydration. But you have to consider all of the crap found in them. Things like sugar, corn syrup, sodium, artificial sweeteners and […]

Every Day Foods that Give You Focus and Energy

Do you run out of steam before the day ends, or maybe even before it starts? If there isn’t an underlying health condition involved, there are a lot of different reasons this could happen. You might not be sleeping as well as you should. Maybe you’re not getting enough exercise. Stress can do it to […]

Frailty and Forgetfulness Are NOT Normal Outcomes of Aging

Some people think it’s “normal” to grow weak, lose weight and start moving at a snail’s pace as we grow older. That it’s “normal” to lose your mental faculties and succumb to dementia. If it’s so normal, then why are there so many active, healthy and engaged senior citizens out there? Take Norman Lear, for […]

Hoping to Avoid Knee Replacement? Try This.

Here’s a whopper of a statistic: Out of around 14 million US adults who have knee arthritis, it’s estimated that more than half of them will eventually require knee replacement surgery. Now, going through knee replacement surgery isn’t a walk in the park (no pun intended). After surgery, you literally have to learn to walk […]

The Amazing Effect Music has on Dementia

Have you ever noticed that certain songs can transport you back in time? Back to a specific moment that evokes a cherished memory? Or that you can hear a song on the radio that you haven’t listened to for 10 or 15 years and suddenly remember every word, note and nuance of it? Some music […]

20 Minutes to a Better Night’s Sleep

Sleep is one of those things a lot of people don’t get enough of. In our younger years, it just didn’t seem that important. We were too gung-ho to get as much done in a single day as we could. Who cared about sleep? But as we age, the decision to sleep or not isn’t […]

The Medicinal Benefits of Herbal Teas

I don’t think people realize that herbal teas aren’t really tea, per say. Green and black teas all come from the same Camellia sinensis plant. The difference between them comes from green tea being steamed after the leaves are harvested. This prevents oxidation and increases levels of health boosting EGCG (Epigallocatechin). Herbal teas, on the […]

Popular Weight Loss Drugs Linked to Pancreatitis

Have you ever noticed that all drug commercials are basically same? The words might change. But in the end, all of them portray happy people and happy families. TV ads for GLP-1 agonists are some of the worst. These are those drugs you see advertised on TV to support weight loss and help manage blood […]

When Your Feet Feel Like They are On Fire

People don’t comprehend the absolute unremitting pain of peripheral neuropathy. It begins with tingling in the feet, then moves on to a feeling of “pins and needles” or burning sensations like your feet are on fire. It can even feel as if you’re walking on clouds – like your feet aren’t touching the floor – […]

Your Best Defense Against Catching a Viral Infection

On December 14, 2023 the CDC announced that Flu and Covid cases had not yet reached their peaks this season. And sure enough, virus activity was on the rise during the last week of December. So we can expect to see this trend continue into January, maybe even February. Your best defense against these types […]

Would You Like a Side of Glyphosate with That?

Are you still sold on the idea that whole wheat breads, cereals and pastas are your best sources of fiber and the answer to good health? I’m not. And I’ll bet your reaction this statement is the same as many of my patients. “What the heck, Doc,” they say. “Our ancestors ate grains all the […]

One of the Most Overlooked Causes of Low Energy

When I was in medical school, my classmates and I were all taught about Addison’s disease. That’s when the adrenal glands literally fail. We also learned about Cushing’s, a disease that occurs when you have too much cortisol and other hormones. But the idea of adrenal fatigue itself was never a topic. And to this […]

The Safest Water on Earth

To be honest, the safest water on the planet is probably found high in the Himalayan mountains — where glaciers are slowly melting away. This water is crisp, clean, and untainted by any human chemicals. But any natural water source that flows downhill will pick up toxins along the way.

Feed Your Eyes for Life-Long Vision

Losing your eyesight is no joke. It’s the fastest way to lose independence as you age… you’ll lose your driver’s license… have trouble getting around… things that were once easy will become a struggle. And one of the most devastating eye conditions today is age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. It’s the leading cause of blindness […]

Jet Lag? Eat a Hearty Breakfast to Reset Your Time Zone.

Well, it’s that time of year again. People are packing their bags and getting ready to hop on a flight to visit family and friends for the Christmas holiday.  According to a survey conducted by The Vacationeer, a travel website, approximately 50% of U.S. adults are expected to travel for the holiday this year. So, […]

Is It Cognitive Decline or Just Forgetfulness?

In many cases, small lapses in memory don’t mean a lot.  After all, most of us have experienced occasional memory blips throughout our lives. From the youngest to the oldest of adults, we’ve all lost a remote control, missed a scheduled appointment or two, and forgotten to return any number of phone calls. And who […]

Holiday Secret: Mistletoe Kills Cancer Cells

Now that the holidays are in full swing, I’ll bet you’ll find yourself under a sprig of mistletoe a time or two over the next couple of weeks. You might even get a few pecks on the cheek. But mistletoe isn’t just for kissing. It also shows great hope as a powerful weapon in the […]

The Startling Truth About Heartburn Meds

If you suffer from heartburn, acid reflux or other digestive complaints, it is incredibly easy to take an antacid drug in the hopes of gaining some relief. But if you start relying on these medications to consistently ease your symptoms, you could be making one of the biggest mistakes of your life. In recent years, […]

Secrets to a Happy and Healthy Retirement

I’m past the traditional age of retirement. But I don’t see myself stopping work anytime soon. I just enjoy talking with people about functional medicine too much. I love seeing my patients. And I take a great deal of pleasure attending training and educational opportunities – especially when I’m invited as a keynote speaker. Plus, […]

Are Hidden Gut Problems Making Your Arthritis and Joint Pain Worse?

I recently had a patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). She had joint pain and swelling in the fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles; everywhere! When she came to see me, we did a comprehensive digestive stool analysis. This is a stool test that looks at a lot of things. This includes markers of digestion, […]

Sure-Fire Ways to Reclaim Your Manhood

Just a few days ago I informed you about the way low estrogen is a major cause of sexual health issues in postmenopausal women. Today, I would like to talk about estrogen from a male perspective. As we men age, two hormonal changes of great consequence happen; testosterone levels decline and estrogen levels go up. […]

MUST SHARE! Women’s Sexual Health Issues are Just as Important as Men’s

When it comes to sexual health, we men are prone to experience problems with erectile dysfunction. Still, it seems to me that aging women have it a lot worse. First, they have to suffer through the hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause. This goes on for an average of about seven years, but […]

Holiday Drinking: Let’s Keep it Safe!

The holiday season is here, and over the next several weeks you’ll be invited to any number of gatherings. Chances are good that alcohol will be flowing pretty freely at these events. So even if you don’t normally indulge, you’ll probably find yourself with a drink in your hand on more than one occasion. The […]

Could This Be the Leading Cause of Obesity in the US?

Back in the 1960’s, obesity wasn’t much of a concern. It wasn’t even really an issue. After all, only a small portion of U.S. adults – about 13 out of every hundred – were dealing with extreme weight issues. Today it’s an entirely different story. Around 43 out of every hundred adults are obese. Add […]

Is High Blood Pressure Messing with Your Brain?

You already know that uncontrolled high blood pressure is bad for your heart. It creates microscopic tears in the walls of your arteries. These tears eventually turn into rough scar tissue where sticky fats, plaques and cholesterol tend to accumulate. This, in turn, leads to blockages, narrowing of the arteries and arterial stiffness. Once this […]

Drop Pounds, Build Muscle, Boost Energy and Stimulate Anti-Aging Genes

Dieters often cringe at the mention of calorie restriction. And there is a reason why. Most of them have already gone through the torture of nearly starving themselves for a few days, weeks or longer. They even got excited when they lost a few pounds. Then, one of two things happened.

4 Causes of Elbow Pain (And what to do about it!)

When people come into my office with unexplained aches, pains or numbness in one elbow or another, they often describe their condition as “tennis elbow.” And in many cases, they’ve looked this term up on the internet to set their own treatment schedule, only to find that it’s not working. The reason is pretty simple. […]

Why A Good Night’s Sleep Is Critical During Flu Season

Allowing your immune system to get rundown during flu season is like issuing an invitation for the flu to take up residence in your body. Now, there are many reasons your immune function may be working sluggishly. Spending all your time indoors and a lack of physical activity are both linked with lowered immune function. […]

Nobody Thinks This Will Ever Happen to Them… Then it Hits Like a Ton of Bricks

In the October 16, 2023 issue of Advanced Natural Wellness you learned the warning signs of a heart attack or impending cardiac arrest. But how do you tell these apart from a stroke? Well, there are a lot of misconceptions about strokes. Many people believe they are very similar to a cardiac event. While both […]

Discover the Power of Functional Medicine

My new patients are often surprised when I don’t approach their health concerns in the way they expect. For instance, I once had a 50-year-old woman visit my office with awful joint pain. She was morbidly obese with pain in her fingers, knuckles, wrists, shoulders, knees and hips. A bone scan ordered by her conventional […]

Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs Differ Between Men and Women

Pretty much everyone knows that if an artery gets clogged it can trigger a heart attack. What many people may not realize is that heart attack symptoms often differ between men and women. Sure, classic symptoms such as chest pain are common in both sexes. But women are much more likely to have less common […]

A Spicy Way to Tame Your Salt Cravings

Salt intake is quite a dilemma these days. On one hand, your body needs sodium to transmit nerve impulses, help your muscle’s function and maintain fluid balance. But when you get too much of it, it accumulates in the bloodstream where it attracts water. When this happens it increases blood pressure, which can damage your […]

How to Bridge the Nutritional Gaps in Your Diet

So many in the medical community have dismissed the use of supplements as a tool for better health. Their logic is about as simple as it gets: If you eat a healthy diet, you’ll get all of the nutrition you need. Well, a June 2023 study out of Oregon State University says just the opposite. […]

Men: Is the “Urge to Go” Destroying Your Bedroom Fun?

When men think of prostate problems, they immediately think of urinary difficulties. After all, that’s what we all hear about… dribbling over the toilet in the middle of the night. Road trips postponed and ball games cut short because of the “urge to go.” But there’s another side of the story that is equally disturbing:

Lesser-Known Causes of High Blood Pressure

Everybody knows that a high sodium intake, excess weight and lack of physical activity are all bad for their blood pressure, right? It’s because we talk about these key contributors to hypertension all of the time. But what about the ones that we seldom hear about? For example, did you know that when you are […]

Music: Exercise Motivator or Relaxation Tool?

In the September 25, 2023 issue of Advanced Natural Wellness, I mentioned how much I love to put on some music and bop around the house while I’m doing chores. I do the same thing when I’m ready for some more purposeful physical activity. For example, I love listening to the Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams” when […]

A NEAT Way to Get More Active

Sometimes it seems like the older we get, the lazier we become. Instead of taking the stairs we are happy to ride the elevator – even if it’s going to take us longer. It’s easier to go through a drive-up window than get out of the car and walk indoors; or to drive the quarter […]

Supercharge Your Veggies!

Everybody needs to get nutrient rich vegetables in their diets. It doesn’t matter which dietary lifestyle you’re operating on. Whether it’s omnivorous, carnivorous, vegetarian or vegan, you still need to have your vegetables. So why not eat the ones that have the most nutritional value?   You see, some plant-based foods are more nutritionally dense […]

Warning: Low-Dose Aspirin Linked to Anemia

Everyone wants to protect their heart health, and taking low-dose aspirin sounds like an inexpensive way to do that. After all, what harm could come from taking an over-the-counter pill that was originally formulated for children? Well, the fact is that low-dose aspirin is so dangerous that, if a company attempted to bring it to […]

When Old Feet Get Cranky

Your feet are your body’s foundation. And they’re awesome. Believe it or not, each foot accounts for about 1.5% or less of your bodyweight. Yet they carry the entire weight of your body around for an entire lifetime. More than that, really. Because when you walk, the pressure on your heels and the front of […]

What Works to Ease Knee Pain, and What Doesn’t

If you suffer from knee osteoarthritis, there are a lot of common treatments that don’t work well, and an equally long list of alternative treatments that do. So today I’m going to make things extremely easy for you. First, we will take a look at what doesn’t work to ease knee pain. Then, I’ll clearly […]

Processed Meat, Rice and Refined Carbs Driving Up Type 2 Diabetes Rates

Type 2 diabetes is a real epidemic these days, and it comes with all sorts of health problems. It puts you at two to four times the chance of heart disease or a stroke. It affects your brain function, damages your nerves and causes kidney problems. The one thing many people don’t realize is that […]

Every-Day Mistakes that Sabotage Your Brain

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are top concerns for my aging patients. Many of them lost one or both of their parents to the disease. Some have lost a grandparent or two to it. If you’ve experienced this type of loss, you might feel like you have a target on your back… that you’re next in […]

Little Known Heart Threats You May Not Know About

I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables to support my heart health. In fact, one of my favorite kinds of green smoothies is filled to the brim with fruits and vegetables. I start with some honey and nut milk followed by a generous bunch of dark-leafy green vegetables like spinach or romaine. Then, I’ll […]

Today’s Most Important (and Least Understood!) Supplement

Everyone “gets” the idea of taking a multi-vitamin, minerals and many other supplements to help offset nutritional deficits. But what about CoQ10? CoQ10 is one of those nutrients everyone over the age of 40 needs more of. It’s also one that’s least understood by most folks. It’s not a vitamin. It’s not a mineral. So […]

3 Common Health Threats that Come with Age

It seems like every new decade comes with its own set of health issues. When I turned 30, I got out of bed and my ankles cracked. When I turned 40, my knees cracked. And when I turned 50, my back cracked… By the time I turned 60, I just hid under my covers and […]

Is too much Nighttime Light Ruining Your Health?

One thing that drives me absolutely crazy is ambient light in my bedroom when I’m trying to sleep. I leave my phone in my office, cover up all of those blue, green and red lights from power strips and other equipment, and use black out shades on my windows. Otherwise, I can’t sleep at all. […]

Super Juice for Your Heart, Brain and Joints

I once had an 87-year-old patient who gave me his recipe for a drink he called “Blood.” Now, before you get too grossed out, let me explain… Yes, his bright red juice looked a lot like blood. But this name was appropriate for another reason. The superstar of his drink was beetroot juice – an […]

Gum Disease and Your Health, What’s the Connection?

I’ve been using a water pic for about the past three months. And on my most recent dental cleaning, the hygienist at my dentist’s office was amazed. I had no plaque! They wondered what I had been doing, and I explained that I had added the water pic to my daily dental routine. It acts […]

How To Beat the Extreme Summer Heat

All across the U.S. – from California to Louisiana and South Florida – record high temperatures are being broken. Not only that, but power grids are being stretched to their limits trying to keep millions of air-conditioners running. So the first order of business is to try and stay as cool as possible. If you’re […]

Is Age-Related Testosterone Loss Affecting Your Life?

By the time we men hit our 30s, our testosterone levels naturally start declining. But over the past several decades, testosterone levels in the U.S. have been dropping more quickly than they did 30 years ago.  Since the late 1980’s, average levels of testosterone in men dropped by one percent each year. So a 65-year-old […]

Too Much of This Makes You Look Old

We’ve always lived with blue light from the sun. Now we’re getting it from our electronic screens too. So we’re exposed to a lot more blue light than we used be. And it’s crazy how much time people are spending on their phones these days! Depending on which poll you read, people are averaging anywhere […]

Most People With Kidney Problems Don’t Even Know It!

People have so many health concerns as they age. They worry about their hearts, memory, eyesight, weight and so much more. But when is the last time you wondered how your kidneys were doing? You really want to keep these 5 inch long bean shaped filters of your blood as happy as they can be. […]

How We Evolved to Stay Active in Old Age

We’ve been raised with the idea that, when we reach a certain age, we should retire. Just slow down and live the good life. I think this is a problem. We’re already less active than we should be, simply due to the fact that while we know we need to be active, advances in  everything […]

Shut Down the Genes that Cause Disease

“Should I have my DNA tested to see what diseases I’m at risk for?” This is a question I hear more and more often these days. And I understand the appeal. It’s human nature to want to know as much about ourselves as possible. DNA testing is a great way to get some of those […]

What Is Uric Acid and Why Is It Important?

You probably know your cholesterol and triglyceride levels by heart. It’s just as likely you can recite your blood sugar and blood pressure numbers when asked.      But do you have any idea what your uric acid level is? Probably not. In fact, there’s a good chance you don’t even know what uric acid is. That’s […]

Sunglasses: Not Just For Style

Every time I get into my car, I always reach for my little glove compartment right away. I stash my regular glasses and slip on my sunglasses. Then, I’m ready to roll. Even if it’s a cloudy day, these sunglasses stay on until the sun disappears below the horizon. Just like applying sunscreen, wearing your […]

The Health Halo: How Marketing Claims Mislead You

In these days of health consciousness, food and beverage manufacturers will go to great lengths to convince you that their products will make your life healthier. You see it every time you go to the store. Marketers place starbursts on their products claiming they are sugar free, low fat, reduced sodium, cholesterol free, gluten free […]

Is Metal Toxicity Behind Your Mystery Illness?

A few years ago, my 35-year-old neighbor collapsed in his driveway taking the trash out. He was immediately rushed to the hospital where the medical staff performed a full work-up on him. One diagnostic test after another was carried out. Finally they gave him the good news… There was nothing wrong with him. He could […]

Muscle: It’s More than Strength and Movement

There’s no doubt about it. As we humans grow older, we tend to lose muscle strength. The medical term for it is sarcopenia. It’s sort of like osteoporosis of the muscles. Whereas osteoporosis is a condition where the skeleton loses bone mass and quality, sarcopenia is a disorder that results in the loss of muscle […]

What do earlobes and arteries have in common

My father, brothers, and uncles all suffered from heart attacks. They also all had one strange physical sign – creased earlobes! Believe it or not, this is a warning sign that your arteries may be at increased risk for clogging – and there are well over 50 studies to prove it. (Look for a crease […]

The “Oh So Sweet” Side of Honey

Did you know that when 3,000-year-old honey was discovered in King Tut’s tomb in 1922, the honey was still good? Honey is one of those rare foods that never spoil. This has to do with a combination of an acidic PH and low water content that creates an environment that kills off pretty much any […]

The Best Seafood to Reduce Mercury Exposure

Every now and then I run across a patient who won’t eat fish. It’s not because they don’t like it. It’s because they’ve read one too many scary stories about mercury poisoning. I get it. And I agree that all heavy metals, not just mercury, are a problem in today’s society. However, this may be […]

Two Food Sensitivities that Contribute to IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome isn’t considered a disease. Yet it is the gastrointestinal complaint most frequently diagnosed by medical professionals. But most physicians don’t know what to do about it. There isn’t a pill you can take to cure it. In the meantime, the gas, bloating, pain and bowel issues associated with IBS can be excruciating, […]

This Isn’t Your Ancestors’ Food

Overeating is built into our genes. It comes from the days when our ancestors experienced long periods of famine. Once food became available again, they didn’t just take five bites of it and say “Oh, I’m full. I’ll save the rest for leftovers tomorrow.” No way! They kept on eating… as much as they could […]

To Nap or Not to Nap?

A few years after I entered medical school my life was turned upside down. I went from being a nine-to-five clinical pharmacist to becoming an acutely sleep deprived medical student in a heartbeat. It wasn’t easy. I clearly remember hitting my third year of med school. That’s when those long, punishing hours of clinical rotations […]

Does Cranberry Juice Really Help with UTIs?

If you get a urinary tract infection (UTI), the first piece of advice you’ll get from just about everybody you know is to drink cranberry juice. But does cranberry juice really help with UTIs? Or is it just an old wives’ tale? Before I answer that question, it’s important to understand UTIs. In a nutshell, […]

Are Avocados Part of the Mediterranean Diet?

Of all the diets out there, the Mediterranean style of eating is the one I think is the most beneficial to your health. This way of eating is loaded with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables of all colors of the rainbow. Plus, the nuts, olive oil and fish consumed in this type of diet are all […]

What Poor Sleep Habits Mean for Your Lung Health

Many people think of asthma as something that develops at a young age. But it can actually emerge at any age. People can even develop asthma symptoms for the first time when they are in their 60s, 70s and 80s. Interestingly, new research published in the open access journal BMJ Open Respiratory Research shows people […]

Forgotten Minerals for Your Heart, Brain and More

In the world of health supplements, minerals are boring. They aren’t new and exciting anti-aging discoveries that everyone wants to get their hands on. Instead, they’ve been forgotten. Unless it’s calcium for bones, nobody really thinks about them anymore. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t vital to your good health.

Make Grilled Meat Healthy Again

With the arrival of summer next month, grilling season will be ramping up in many parts of the country. (Down here in South Florida, it never ends!) I’ve enjoyed grilled steaks, ribs and chicken. They are even better when eaten outdoors surrounded by friends, family and neighbors. But they come with a problem.

6 Surprisingly Tasty Fermented Foods

I drink kombucha every night. It’s a fizzy, tangy, and sometimes sweet drink. And it’s delicious. But one of my favorite things about kombucha is that it’s filled with gut-friendly pre and probiotics that keep my gut microbiome ticking along at full speed, as well as digestive enzymes to support my own digestion. It’s one […]

Psychobiotics and Your Mental Health

The two most common mental health disorders in the U.S. are depression and anxiety. Millions of people experience the persistent feelings of sadness, apprehension and dread that come with these mental health issues. While genetics may influence mental health, it’s lifestyle choices that matter the most – your diet, physical activity levels, sleep habits and […]

Change Your Life with these Spicy Foods

There is a misconception about hot and spicy foods. Some people think they’re dangerous – that they’ll actually burn the linings of the esophagus and stomach. For years it was believed foods like hot peppers and curry were the culprits behind ulcers. A lot of folks still hold to this line of thinking. I run […]

Incredible and Edible Medicinal Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a staple in my kitchen. I toss them in my omelets and frittatas, put them in soups, stews and stir fries, add them to salads and veggie wraps, and use them as a topping on meats and fish. As it turns out, I’m the “odd man out.” The average American only eats about […]

What is Your Favorite Fruit’s Super Power?

Fresh organic blueberries are, by far, one of my favorite snacks. And it’s interesting because, as small as these berries are, you wouldn’t think they would pack much of a punch. But I’m getting a plethora of health benefits every time I pop one in my mouth. Blueberries are jam-packed with a potent class of […]

The Italian Food Secret

My first trip to Italy was a real eye opener. And I want to tell you all about it. But first, I have a question for you. What is your favorite Italian food? Is it pasta smothered in tomato sauce, meatballs, sausage and cheese? How about chicken parmesan? Do you love it?

The Unintended Consequences of “Safe” Sugar Substitutes

I’ve always been vocal about the many ways the makers of artificial sweeteners have tried to pull the wool over our eyes. They are all bad for you, but some of the worst are Truvia and Splenda Naturals Stevia Sweetener. It started when Truvia was launched about 15 years ago. The company latched onto a […]

Make Your Veggies More Nutritious with this Simple Trick

There’s an interesting thing that happens when you mix certain plant-based foods together. In many cases, the nutritional power behind one or more of the foods gets super-charged. For example, when you mix vitamin-C rich foods with those that contain plant-based (non-heme) iron, the vitamin C breaks the iron down so your body can absorb […]

Constipation, Laxatives and Your Gut Microbiome

In 2019, American adults spent over 1.5 billion dollars on over-the-counter laxatives! Clearly, we are a nation of people with pooping problems. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a high demand for laxatives and stool softeners in our society. But constipation doesn’t happen for no reason. There is always an underlying cause, whether it is diet, […]

What Your Urine Says About Your Health

How often do you think about your urine? Most certainly when you HAVE TO PEE RIGHT NOW… and there are ten people ahead of you in the bathroom line. When that happens, pee is the ONLY thing you can think about. Urine is likely on your mind it if it hurts when you take a […]

The Secret Ingredient for Improved Physical Performance

Now that you’re lucky enough to be getting older, you might discover that when you go for a walk or take a ride on your bike, your body doesn’t respond the same way it did when you were younger. Maybe your muscles become more easily fatigued. You might lose your breath more quickly. Perhaps your […]

The Not So Sweet Side of Added Sugars

Not all sugars are the same. We have natural sugars, those that are found in fruits and vegetables. Then we have added sugars. These are the ones added to processed foods like juices, soft drinks, pastries, breakfast cereals and other packaged foods. Added sugars make up for most of our daily sugar intake, and they […]

Easy Tricks to Improve Your Memory

Sitting down to dinner with a good book on my table stand after a long day of work is one of the highlights of my day. And on days when I don’t work, it’s a joy to be able to read anytime that I feel like. Needless to say, I’m an avid reader; especially fiction. […]

Weird Stroke Triggers You Might Not Know About

My heart always goes out to stroke patients. One minute they’re perfectly fine. The next thing they know they are waking up in the hospital in complete confusion. Then the recovery process starts… rediscovering language skills and re-training your body to cooperate with simple movements. It’s a very scary experience that nobody wants to go […]

The Diet That Causes Chronic Pain

All pain starts with inflammation. And low levels of chronic inflammation plague Americans. You can blame it all on the way we eat. You see, a typical Western diet is high in fat. But it’s the wrong kind of dietary fat. Let me explain… On one hand you have your omega-6 fatty acids. On the […]

Will Your Lifestyle Lead to a Stroke?

Up to 80 percent of all strokes can be prevented with basic lifestyle changes. In sheer numbers, this means four out of every five strokes could be averted. Five of the best things you can do to protect against a stroke are to be a non-smoker, eat a healthy diet, participate in regular physical activity, […]

Can Your Nose Predict Alzheimer’s and Frailty?

Our sense of smell is something we use constantly. It can be a first line of defense when it comes to alerting you to spoiled foods, dangerous chemicals or a fire. It detects scents that may soothe you, others that might evoke memories. And, of course, your nose picks up the odor of cooking foods […]

What is Your Tongue Trying to Tell You?

Did you know that physicians have been using the tongue to help diagnose patients’ health for thousands of years? It’s basically an inspection of the shape, size, color, texture and coating of the tongue, and it can help reveal the state of your health. It is a unique feature of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which describes […]

What Happens When Your Body Clock is a Mess?

When you think about your “body clock,” it’s likely that the only thing you associate it with is your sleep schedule. But what if I told you that your “clock” is running in every cell of your body, every single day minute of the day? It’s true. In fact, three scientists who contributed to this […]

Less Than 10 Minutes of Brisk Activity can Help Your Brain

Our bodies were made for movement, yet many of us get far too little physical activity.  That’s unfortunate, because staying active as you age is one of the best things you can do to avoid dementia. It also helps reduce blood pressure, boost lung function, lower blood sugar and shed excess body fat. In fact, […]

The Most Potent Solution for High Blood Pressure

You can’t see or feel high blood pressure, but it’s a very real threat to the health of your heart, brain and other organs. That’s why we call it “the silent killer.” When your blood pressure is high, the force of the blood creates microscopic tears and scarring in the inner walls of your blood […]

Decrease Arthritis Pain by as much as 89%

There is an interesting thing about people living on the New Zealand coast. They have a lower incidence of arthritis than those who live inland. You might think it’s because they breathe fresh, sea air every day. Or perhaps it has something to do with swimming in all of the natural salts and minerals in […]

Dietary Fat: Friend or Foe?

Some people avoid fatty foods altogether. Other people can’t seem to stop eating them. And both of these scenarios are a problem. First of all, your body needs healthy fats. You can’t absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K if you don’t eat any fatty foods. These nutrients are absolutely essential for brain […]

Odd-Impact Walking Powers up Your Bones, Muscles

Growing old gracefully is something everyone strives for. But sometimes life catches up with you faster than you realize. The next thing you know, you’re looking older and feeling weaker than you would like. Your muscles and bones aren’t as strong as they used to be. Your gait speed drops to that of a snail […]

Just Five Minutes Can Offset the Risks of Sitting Too Much

When people spend hours at a time sitting still, they are just asking for trouble. I even tell people that “sitting is the new smoking,” because the health effects are similar. Like smoking, prolonged periods of sitting increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer and death. Both smoking and sitting also contribute to the […]

Walking in Nature Reduces Need for Some Medications

I love being outdoors in areas that have a lot of trees and plants. I instantly feel better. It clears my mind and sharpens my focus. It energizes me and soothes me all at the same time. Nature has a tendency to do that for most people, and the benefits can be remarkable. Researchers in […]

This Supplement May Reduce Skin Cancer Risk

We’ve been told over and over again that sunlight is our enemy; that if we want to prevent skin cancer, we should avoid it altogether. On the other hand, we know that not getting enough sun exposure actually increases the chance of developing almost all types of cancer; including melanoma, which is the most serious […]

Garlic Breath: A Sign of Good Health?

I love pretty much anything with garlic in it… garlic stuffed olives, roasted garlic hummus, wild caught shrimp in an EVOO garlic sauce. It can even make foods I’m not very fond of taste good. Spicing up my foods with garlic doesn’t just make them delicious. It makes them extremely healthy. Plus, I like the […]

2 Spices That Help Manage Blood Sugar

Did you know that the older you are, the more likely you are to have type 2 diabetes? It’s true. Nearly 30% of adults 65 and older are diabetic. And about another 50% have prediabetes. This means about eight out of every 10 seniors have blood sugar problems. Even worse, many older adults with these […]

Foods that should NEVER be in Your Pantry

We all have routines to clean and unclutter our homes. We sort out our closets and drop unused clothing at donation centers. Old storage containers and utensils in our kitchen cupboards and drawers are discarded. Tired rugs, sheets and curtains are replaced. Unwanted foods in the refrigerator are placed in the trash bin on garbage […]

Change Your Diet to Add Years to Your Life

Every year we see more and more evidence that the “Western” style of eating speeds up the aging process and leads to premature death. And sadly, this is how a large portion of the U.S. population eats. Our society seems to be addicted to commercial red meats, lunchmeat and hot dogs, refined grains, sugars and […]

3 Food Mistakes that Make You Feel Hungry all of the Time

Here in the U.S., we have an abundance of food at our fingertips. Yet many folks can’t seem to get rid of that underlying “gnawing hunger” in their gut. They just feel the need to eat all of the time. One of the biggest problems may be that we’re eating a lot of the wrong […]

The Okinawan Secret of Hara Hachi Bu

When I was growing up, my parents made me eat everything on my plate. My mom would always say, “there are starving children in China.” Then, I would be forced to sit at the table until every scrap on my plate was gone. Growing up in a family where this rule was enforced can lead […]

#1 Beverage with Zero Calories

When you get thirsty, there are so many choices that are tastier than water. Soda, sweetened juices, or even a beer might sound good. And sure, all of these beverages do offer some hydration. But you have to consider all of the crap found in them. Things like sugar, corn syrup, sodium, artificial sweeteners and […]

6 Ways to Support Your Aging Brain

The brain is an amazing thing. For our entire lives, it constantly sends electrical signals and messages that form trillions of neural pathways in the brain. But imagine that those pathways are just like the streets and highways that connect cities and states. Streets along older routes become damaged and may or may not be […]

Eat Nuts for Memory and Cognition

I like nuts. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients that fuel your body and protect against disease. Nuts are especially good for your gut microbiome. That’s because they contain prebiotic compounds that support the growth of healthy gut bacteria. And what’s good for your gut is good for your entire body. Nuts […]

Is Your Gut the Key to Weight Loss?

There are many things that influence your ability to lose weight, and you know what most of them are. Getting plenty of physical activity. Avoiding fattening processed foods and sugars. Eating your fruits and veggies. These changes take time and effort, but they pay off in the long run. But there’s another factor I’ll bet […]

Do Cold and Cough Medications Work?

If you catch a cold this winter, you’ll probably find yourself standing in the cold-and-flu aisle at your local drugstore trying to figure out what to take. Do you need a decongestant, antihistamine, cough suppressant, or something else? The thing is, nothing you take will actually cure a cold or shorten its duration. And, according […]

The Surprising Effect of Antioxidants on Your Health

As an Advanced Natural Wellness reader, you know that chronic inflammation is the driving force behind aging and age-related disease. It’s an underlying contributor to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, non-alcoholic fatty liver, kidney disease, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s disease, premature aging and so much more! Unlike acute inflammation – the kind of inflammation […]

How Much Do Genetics Matter?

When it comes to health, people place a lot of emphasis on their family history. They think “Oh, geez. Dad and grandpa both died so young that I probably don’t have much time left.” Well I have some great news for you. It turns out that genetics don’t play nearly as big a role in […]

Common Arthritis Treatments May Make It Worse

The use of corticosteroid injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis has been controversial for a long time. And there is a good reason for that. While these injections may help relieve pain for a short while, they can actually worsen your arthritis. They damage bone and cartilage, cause rapid joint destruction, lead to stress fractures […]

What You Should Know About Smoothies

I love fresh fruits and vegetables. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are good for my health… and yours. Eating fresh, plant-based foods is one of the easiest ways to prevent cancer. These foods protect against high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and mental decline. They preserve your vision, prevent diabetes, keep you […]

The Fake Foods that are Destroying Your Health

Grocery store shelves are loaded with row after row of canned, boxed, bagged and other packaged foods that are so over-processed that I hesitate to even call them food. They fall into the category of “ultra-processed foods.” In addition to salt, sugar and fat, they contain a vast amount of artificial ingredients that would never […]

How a Lack of Sleep Wrecks Your Health

As we get older our sleep patterns change. It just seems harder to get as much sleep as we used to. And it could be caused by any number of reasons. One reason is that older adults sometimes produce less melatonin than they used to. This is the hormone that promotes sleep. So if you’re […]

Low Thyroid is Frequently Misdiagnosed

Hypothyroidism is one of those misunderstood conditions that is often either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. That’s because the symptoms are so wide-ranging that it can be difficult to pinpoint. Among other things, it can cause fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, irritability, depression, forgetfulness, weight gain, hair loss and dry skin. In women, many of these symptoms are […]

The Dark Side of Antibiotics

Some patients insist that they need an antibiotic for their cold or flu – even though antibiotics are 100% ineffective against viral infections. Still, there are plenty of doctors who will pull out the prescription pad and satisfy their request. This type of inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics remains widespread. And it can be seen in […]

Why You Get Sick When You Fly, and How to Avoid It

If you flew anywhere last summer, you know how crazy things got. There were record-setting flight delays and cancellations. Many people were stuck in travel hell for days on end. Things have settled down quite a bit since then. Still, high travel demand, limited flight availability and winter weather could result in chaotic cancellations and […]

Japanese Secret to Better Blood Pressure

People over in Japan often eat a traditional cucumber salad called sunomono. This dish is really easy to make. It’s simply sliced cucumbers in rice vinegar seasoned with a little soy sauce and sugar, and topped with sesame seeds. Other items, like seafood, seaweed or tomatoes, can be added as desired. But there is something […]

Lonely, Isolated and Sedentary: A Recipe for Dementia

As we age, we often find ourselves less socially active than we were when we were younger. Family and friends who have been bedrocks in our lives have passed away. Our adult children are busy with their own lives. Connections with our remaining friends dwindle. It’s depressing to think about. And it can leave us […]

Is This How You’ll Lose Your Driver’s License?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness One thing I notice when it comes to health concerns is that most people don’t pay nearly enough attention to their eyesight. This is a mistake. Your eyesight is your key to independence. Once it starts to go, all sorts of things happen.

What You Should Know About Colonoscopies

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness A New England Journal of Medicine article recently received a lot of press, with headlines suggesting that perhaps colonoscopies aren’t that useful after all. But that’s misleading, because most of the news reports failed to focus on the most significant part of the article. As journalists like to […]

How Arterial Plaques Can Turn Deadly

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness One of the biggest health threats here in the U.S. is the build-up of plaque in the arteries. It’s known as atherosclerosis, and it’s the underlying cause of about 50% of all deaths in westernized countries. As plaque builds up in the walls of blood vessels, it causes […]

Fresh Produce vs. Frozen: Which is Better?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness With the arrival of winter weather, fresh fruits and vegetables are going to be shipped from further and further away. In fact, according to the Fruit Growers Supply Company, the average fruit or vegetable you purchase at a local US grocery store travels at least 1,500 miles over […]

Probiotics are Just One Piece of the Puzzle

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness There is a lot of confusion about prebiotics and probiotics. And then there is another type “biotic” altogether, called postbiotics, that most people don’t even know about. What are they? Where do they come from? How are they different from one another? Let’s start with the basics.

Warm and Cozy Winter Beverages

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness I always start my morning with a cup of tea or coffee. Both of these caffeinated beverages are high in antioxidants. They help me start my day with focus and energy. They’re great for my cardiovascular system and my liver. They lower my risk of heart disease, stroke, […]

Two Blood Thinners at Once Are Worse Than One

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Millions of people take blood thinners to prevent blood clots that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. But combining blood thinners with aspirin can be risky business. Taken on their own, blood thinners can cause excessive bleeding from even the simplest injury, like a paper cut […]

Artificial Sweeteners: A Spoonful of Poison

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Maybe you’re trying to lose weight or need to take better control of your blood sugar. So you’ve decided to do yourself a favor and substitute sugar with artificial sweeteners. I understand the appeal. The marketers for these fake sugars make it sound like they are the cure-all […]

Too Much Sodium, Too Little Potassium

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness We often hear about the negative health consequences of too much sodium in our diets.  It raises blood pressure, contributes to plaque formation in the arteries and raises your risk of heart attack or stroke. It is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, can trigger kidney stones, […]

Can Aluminum Pans Cause Alzheimer’s?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness The debate over the link between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease has been raging for over 50 years. Study after study shows that aluminum is a neurotoxicant. It generates an inflammatory response in the brain. It promotes the accumulation and misfolding of beta amyloid and tau proteins. And it […]

Can a Serving of Mushrooms a Day Keep the Doctor Away?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Mushrooms are a staple in my kitchen. I toss them in my omelets and frittatas, put them in soups, stews and stir fries, add them to salads and veggie wraps, use them as a topping on meats and fish. But I’m in the minority here. As it turns […]

Nutrients You Aren’t Getting from Your Food

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness How many times have you heard that vitamins are a waste of money and you’re just making expensive urine, throwing money down the drain if you purchase them? But the fact is, vitamins are needed to fill in nutritional gaps that, if not addressed, could lead to some […]

Breathe Your Way to a Good Night’s Sleep

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness I recently had an older patient who told me she couldn’t sleep at night. Every time she closes her eyes, all she does is worry about her children. They’re not doing well, and it is the only thing she can think about. This is very common among our […]

Easy Way to Avoid Knee Pain

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Your knees are important to you. You use them every time you sit, stand, walk, lift or jump. But when they become inflamed and irritated, it can become debilitating and interfere with even the simplest of daily activities. Around one in every two adults will develop symptoms of […]

Natural Ways to Avoid the Flu

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Flu season is here, and if early data out of Australia is any indication, we might be in for a bad one. Over there, winter starts in June and ends in August, so we generally use their data to predict how the flu season will play out in […]

The Scary Side of OTC Medications

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness People seem to think that over-the-counter medications (OTCs) are safe. After all, why would they be sitting there for anyone to buy if they weren’t? Well, you have to remember that OTC meds are still drugs. And there is no such thing as a completely safe drug. Take […]

Does Gout Put You at Risk for Stroke or Heart Attack?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Even though gout is quite common, it’s one of the most misunderstood forms of inflammatory arthritis. Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the body, a condition called hyperuricemia (pronounced hyper-yur-i-see-me-ya). This causes solid uric acid crystals to form in joints that results in excruciating […]

Why You Should Eat Fatty Foods for Breakfast

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Ask someone what their breakfast consists of and you’ll get a wide array of answers. Some people skip it altogether. Others take the easy route. Coffee with a muffin, bagel or toast. Maybe cereal, a pastry, waffle or breakfast bar. Then there are the traditional breakfast eaters who […]

Hidden Food Ingredients that Harm Your Heart

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness These days just about everyone knows a salty diet is bad for the heart. But did you know that sugar is also linked to heart disease? In fact, there was one 15-year study that found people who ate more added sugar were more than twice as likely to […]

Can Stretching Reduce Cognitive Decline?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness It’s estimated that just over 40% of Alzheimer’s and dementia cases in America are caused by 12 modifiable risk factors: physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, excess alcohol consumption, depression, traumatic brain injury, hearing loss, fewer years of education, social isolation, and air pollution. That’s a […]

Walk for Your Health

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness I remember when my relatives, with all of my great aunts and great uncles, would get together for a big holiday dinner. Not long after we finished eating, they would all get up and go outside to take a walk. You don’t see much of this anymore. That’s […]

Why You Probably Aren’t Eating Enough Protein

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness We are not eating enough protein in our later years. That’s a fact. To top it off, as we age, our bodies have a harder time synthesizing protein. So even if you think you’re getting plenty of it in your diet, it won’t have the same affect it […]

The Healthiest Potatoes on Earth

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness People love their potatoes! The average American eats about 135 pounds of potatoes a year. That’s the equivalent of approximately one potato each day. Russet potatoes – sometimes called Idaho potatoes – are the most well-known type of potatoes in the United States. We bake them, mash them, […]

My #1 Cocktail for Stress and Inflammation

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Back when I was in medical school decades ago, I was taught to treat the patient, not the symptoms…that if you really listened to them tell their story, it would tell you what their medical problem was. This is a message I took to heart. And as medicine […]

Common Viruses Could Trigger Alzheimer’s

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness When talking about Alzheimer’s, we often refer to amyloid plaques and tau tangles. The common belief is that these are the underlying cause of the disease – and that if you get rid of them, you’ll be cured. But it turns out these proteins may actually be a […]

Not All Back Pain is the Same

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Back pain is the most common form of pain in the U.S. In 2019, 39.0% of people experienced some sort of back pain. And unfortunately, it hits almost everyone – around four out of every five people – at some point in their lives. The good news is […]

It’s Okay if You Only Workout on Weekends

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness It’s amazing how confusing the concept of exercise can be. Ask five different fitness experts what you should be doing, and you’ll get five different answers. “You should workout every day…” “It’s okay if you only workout on the weekends…”

Is “Hangry” a Real Thing?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness A lot of people get in a bad mood when they’re hungry. They can throw a temper tantrum and lash out at the simplest little thing. These days there is a name for it. We call it being “hangry.” But is it really just a mental state? A […]

Is Low T in Your Future?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Something we are seeing a lot these days are patients who say their grandsons – who are in their 20’s and 30’s – are looking to begin testosterone replacement therapy. That should never happen, because it will affect a young man’s testicular size and future fertility. The thing […]

Is Manopause a Real Thing?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Even though there are dozens of trials and dozens more ready to be done, the idea that men go through male menopause – or “manopause” – isn’t totally accepted in the medical community. It’s not even accepted by a lot of men. Does that make it any less […]

Everything You Never Knew About Vitamin D

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness When you eat citrus fruits, cantaloupe or broccoli, you are boosting your vitamin C levels.  Nuts, seeds, avocados and spinach are going to increase your vitamin E intake. And you will get plenty of vitamin A from your leafy greens, along with your orange, yellow and red vegetables. […]

Nootropics: Food for Your Brain

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Not very long ago, scientists believed that when we lost communication between brain cells, those connections and memories were lost forever. But there is one nutrient that can actually increase the communication between your brain cells. The nutrient I’m talking about is phosphatidylserine (PS). It is an all-natural […]

Are Avocados a Super Food?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness On July 27th you learned all about blueberries, one of my favorite foods. Another favorite of mine is avocados. And while avocados have never “officially” been part of the Mediterranean diet, I think they fit perfectly with the Mediterranean style of eating. They are rich and creamy with […]

Nuts to You!

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Some of the simplest foods are the ones that are best for you. In the past few weeks I’ve shared a few of my favorites with you. You learned all about the health benefits of blueberries and avocados. Now let’s take a look at the wonderful world of […]

A Handful of These Berries Can Do All That?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Fresh organic blueberries are, by far, one of my favorite snacks. The taste alone is enough to have me hooked on these tiny berries. I might even eat them if they were bad for me. But they aren’t! As small as blueberries are, you wouldn’t think they would […]

The Toxic Side of Antibiotics

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness In the July 25th issue of Advanced Natural Wellness you learned how antibiotics are contributing to inflammatory bowel disease in older adults. Today I would like to share more information on a specific class of antibiotics: fluoroquinolones. These drugs come with a long list of disabling side effects. […]

Why is IBD Increasing in Older Adults?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness The discovery of antibiotics is one of the greatest medical breakthroughs in history. Prior to Dr. Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin, even a seemingly minor cut to the skin could be deadly. The amazing thing about it is that his discovery was completely accidental. And at the time, […]

Take This Supplement Daily to Protect Your Heart

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Up until 50 years ago, we didn’t know much of anything about omega-3 fatty acids. The big breakthrough didn’t come until 1971. That’s when researchers compared the eating patterns of Eskimos and Danish people up in Greenland. What they learned is that the Eskimos had much lower rates […]

Can this Hot Spice Treat Shingles Pain?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness If you had chickenpox as a kid, you still have the virus in your body. It never really goes away after a chickenpox attack. Instead it sets up housekeeping in your nerves, where it can lie dormant for years. But when you get older it can be reactivated […]

A Heat Wave Can Worsen These Health Conditions

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness It’s not just hot, it’s sweltering! And while it can be extremely uncomfortable, especially if you need to be outdoors or don’t have air conditioning, I have much larger concerns. The kind of scorching weather we’ve been experiencing recently can have a terrible effect on your health. Especially […]

Common Drugs Linked to ED

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness There are a lot of reasons men experience erectile dysfunction. At the top of the list are vascular problems. If you don’t have a healthy blood flow, you’re not going to be able to get and maintain an erection. This connection is so well established that I often […]

Cosmetics and Cookware Tied to Diabetes and Fatty Liver

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Over 100 years ago, William Howard Taft was the heaviest President to ever hold office in the U.S. Weighing in at more than 340 pounds he was what we call morbidly obese. At 275 pounds, Grover Cleveland was the second-heaviest President. But it’s interesting to note that neither […]

How to Power Up Your Brain Cells

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Not very long ago, scientists believed that when we lost communication between brain cells, those connections were lost forever. But there is one nutrient that can actually increase the communication between your brain cells. The nutrient I’m talking about is phosphatidylserine (PS). It is an all-natural substance that […]

How to Eat for a Heat Wave

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Baby, it’s hot outside! It looks like another temperature-breaking summer is here. And if it’s anything like last year, it’s time to find ways to stay cool and beat the heat. In addition to staying as cool as possible, one of the most important things you can do […]

Another Coffee Myth Debunked

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Like a lot of other people, I usually have a cup of coffee or green tea in the morning to get my day started. Both of these caffeinated beverages are high in antioxidants. They boost my energy levels and brain function. They’re great for my liver and lower […]

This “One-Two Punch” May Predict Dementia

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Decreased walking speed often occurs as we age. And as a physician, I often use gait speed to get a handle on the general health, physical mobility and frailty of some of my older patients. Slow gait speed can also be a sign that mild cognitive impairment or […]

Eggs Are Back on the Menu

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness After getting a bad rap for the last 40 years or so, eggs are finally back on the menu! Years and years of scientific research has concluded that there is no link between egg consumption and high cholesterol. Even the US Dietary Guidelines recommend eating eggs as a […]

What is Toe Jam, and when is it a Problem?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness One of the most neglected parts of the human body is the feet. Most people – especially men, but women can be just as guilty – hide their feet inside a pair of shoes all day when they are out of the house, then tuck them into slippers […]

The Ancient Medicinal Spice that Adds Life

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Ancient medicine had so many things right! Long before we had antibiotics, antacids, pain relievers and a drug for every ailment, plants were our number one form of medicine. They were used to treat anything and everything. Only recently are we rediscovering the healing power of herbs, spices […]

Sweat Those Toxins Out of Your Body

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness The Scandinavian people have been sweating their way to great health for centuries. It’s a hallmark of their culture, especially in Finland. These guys have somewhere around 3.2 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million Finns.  So that’s one sauna available for nearly every two people in […]

How to Sleep When Pain Won’t Let You

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness If you’re not getting enough sleep every night it might be by choice, or it might be involuntary. But either way, you probably don’t think of it as a health concern. That’s a mistake. And it’s not just because a poor night’s sleep leaves you with brain fog […]

Is Fiber All It’s Cracked Up to Be?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness When I was growing up, the only time people talked about fiber was when they were constipated. But most of them never actually tried to eat more of it. Instead, they would just take some castor oil, prune juice or ex-lax until the next time they experienced bowel […]

This One Thing Treats up to 26 Chronic Health Conditions

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness In the May 27th issue of Advanced Natural Medicine, you learned about the negative side effects of blood pressure lowering medications. All prescription drugs have their issues. Not a single one of them is 100% safe. And most of them don’t actually cure disease. The minute you stop […]

How High Blood Pressure Affects Your Kidneys

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Here’s a number that will knock your socks off. About half of all U.S. adults – 116 million of us – have high blood pressure. Good grief! That’s one out of every two people! It’s no wonder blood pressure meds are taken by so many people. These medications […]

High Blood Sugar Could be Harming Your Muscles

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Two of the main reasons people avoid sugary foods is to minimize weight gain and maintain healthy blood glucose levels. What most people don’t realize is that sugar isn’t the only type of food that interferes with your weight and blood sugar. Let’s say you gave up donuts. […]

Easy way to improve bone health

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness As we age, we reach the point where old bone breaks down faster than it’s being replaced. The result is osteoporosis… weak, brittle bones that break and fracture easily. And it’s not just women who are affected. Around one in three men over the age of 50 already […]

These Foods are a Breast Cancer Survivor’s Best Friends

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness The biggest fear for women who have survived breast cancer is that it will come back. This is a threat that survivors of all types of cancer face every day. Sadly, there is no silver bullet to prevent recurrence. However there are things you can do in your […]

What if You Didn’t have an Age?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness When people reach a certain age, they often think it’s too late to make changes IN their lives that will make a noticeable difference. It’s like they think they have a “best before date” stamped on their foreheads. But what if you didn’t have an age… didn’t know […]

The Best Kind of Music to Improve Dementia

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Isn’t it odd how you can hear a song from a single moment in your life, and immediately be transported back into the memory of that place and time? We remember clearly who we were with… what we were doing… how we were feeling. We remember clearly who […]

Why You Get Dizzy When You Stand Up

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Do you ever have that weird thing happen where you stand up and get dizzy? A lot of people think it’s because they stood up too fast. But it’s really more a function of your blood flow. When you sit for a while, gravity causes blood to pool […]

Are Raw Food Diets All They’re Cracked Up to Be?

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness I know people who have tried to go on a raw food diet. And I realize how appealing the concept is. It sounds so “clean” to get living food enzymes and nutrients from raw food. And it is! Raw fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds are loaded with digestive […]

Top Foods to Starve Cancer Cells

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Foods that fuel the growth of cancer cells …and foods that starve them Plus! 3 more ways to beat the Big C These days we hear a lot about the “fight against cancer.” I agree that we should do everything we can to fight this deadly disease. But […]

How to Stop Dreading Your Colonoscopy

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness Best-kept natural medicine secrets to cleanse your colon How to make the most of your colonoscopy experience An often-overlooked consideration There are few tests that make patients roll their eyes and groan as much as the mention of the dreaded colonoscopy. We’ve all heard the horror stories.