Lycopene, a naturally occurring member of the carotenoid family of compounds, is responsible for the red color of tomatoes, guava, rosehip, watermelon, and pink grapefruit. Carotenoids in general are noted for their antioxidative ability, but none are as effective as lycopene. Numerous scientific studies—ranging from large-scale epidemiological surveys to well-controlled human clinical trials—have demonstrated the […]
During the normal metabolic activity of our bodies, a process called oxidant stress occurs. Oxidant stress is the name given to the cellular process that results in the formation of reactive byproducts. These byproducts are types of oxygen that can take one of three forms – molecular oxygen, superoxide, and peroxide. These oxidants, or free […]
When most people think about monitoring their heart health, they think about their cholesterol levels. And yes, it is true that cholesterol can to a point reflect the state of your cardiovascular system, it is an oversimplification to think it is the only factor. Recent research in the past 5-10 years clearly points to some […]
What is Ostivone? Ostivone is the commercial name of the naturally occurring bioflavonoid ipriflavone. This compound, which is found in low concentrations in leguminous plants such as alfalfa, is manufactured synthetically to be identical to the natural product. The subject of over sixty scientific studies, including sixteen randomized, placebo-controlled human trials, ipriflavone has been proven […]
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has been shown experimentally to be a universally soluble and powerful antioxidant, as well as a “rejuvenator” of other antioxidants. This means that the compound is able to mop up damaging free radicals in its own right and improve the efficiency of other antioxidants that are part of the body’s defense […]
Alpha-lipoic acid – Also known as thioctic acid, is a chemical that plays an important roll in the energy producing processes of the body and is a powerful antioxidant. Popular antioxidants such as Alpha-lipoic acid are known for their ability to neutralize high levels of free radicals and how well it interacts with other antioxidants. […]
Antioxidants are naturally created nutrients that help maintain the health of cells and support the immune system in fighting infection. Antioxidants are commonly found in fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Certain compounds known as carotenoids also contain concentrations of antioxidants. Oxidant Stress During the normal process of cellular […]
Coenzyme Q10 was originally discovered in 1958 by Professor Fred L. Crane. Soon after its discovery, CoQ10 was being investigated for its beneficial effects on the heart. As this new molecule was further investigated scientists realized it played a crucial role in running the energy powerhouse of every cell. How CoQ10 works: In each cell […]
Naturopathic medicine tries to find answers to the underlying causes of disease, not just focus on the symptoms. Yes, symptoms are important to address, but more important is asking why that symptom is there in the first place. Let’s look at an example. Say for instance, Mr. X goes to a doctor because he suffers […]
Men, here is some news that you probably weren’t aware of. While only 1 in 10,000 men under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, that number goes up to 1 in 38 for ages 40-59. Prostate health is very important in this day and age. With prostate cancer on the rise […]
Physical Benefits & Growth Hormone: We have known for years the importance of exercise for keeping our bodies healthy and strong. Aerobic exercise keeps our heart healthy while weight training supports our skeletal system by strengthening muscles, tendons and bones. Both types also serve as important calorie burning activities which help to maintain optimal weight. […]
Colostrum is the milk produced by lactating mammals (including humans) in the first 24 to 72 hours of a newborn’s life. As a food, it is low in fat, high in carbohydrates and protein, and is readily digestible. However, the principal benefit to the newborn is colostrum’s remarkably high antibody content, which is designed to […]
As I discussed in part 1 of this series the process of type II diabetes is significantly influenced by the amount of body fat a person has, particularly fat around the abdominal area. Lifestyle modification in the way of diet and exercise are crucial factors for addressing type II diabetes. They must be present to […]
As of 2005 the CDC estimates that 20.8 million Americans suffer from Diabetes. Type 2 diabetes which accounts for 90-95% of all diagnosed cases, is associated with excessive body fat and obesity. Genetics also play an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes, but the most influential and powerful factor is lifestyle. Regular […]
Essential fatty acids are named as such because they are not produced by our body but are essential to our health and therefore must be consumed in our diet. There are two main types of essential fatty acids (also known as Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids or PUFA for short). They are the omega 3 and omega […]
Hormone imbalances are rampant, specifically among women in our society. Not only are many women transitioning into menopause, but many women suffer from symptoms such as painful menses, irregular menses, mood swings, PMS, breast tenderness, uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts. These are all signs of unbalanced hormones in females, particularly of estrogen and progesterone. Another […]
Information and statistics regarding the healthy benefits of consuming fish have been around for ages. Within the last 40-50 years these beneficial properties prompted the use of fish oil supplementation in the form of oils and capsules. As modern research starts to catch up with this age old elixir we are starting to learn how […]
5-HTP is the amino acid used by the body to make serotonin. It is mainly derived from food in the form of tryptophan which is then converted to 5-HTP and then to serotonin (see diagram below). Tryptophan -> 5-HTP -> Serotonin. Serotonin is a very important chemical messenger in our bodies and is correlated with symptoms related to mood, […]
Three weight loss secrets doctors won’t tell you! Every year, Americans spend billions of dollars on weight loss programs. For some, it is in the interest of looking better and for others it is focused on health benefits. Regardless, most people struggle with weight loss and typically either fail, or lose weight only to gain […]
Quercetin is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid found in many plants, and is particularly concentrated in apples, red onions, and tea. It has been scientifically proven to have powerful health benefits due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory properties. The latter two properties combine to make quercetin an excellent supplement for treatment of the symptoms […]