Starting in the fall, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) creates a funk that's hard to fight. You may feel depressed or anxious, suffer fatigue, lack focus, and lose your sex drive. If you can't seem to get enough sleep (even when you get plenty of ZZZs), crave sweets and carbs—and gain weight this time of year—you may have SAD.
Often severe, this form of depression usually starts with the waning of daylight in autumn only to subside as the days lengthen again in the spring. The further away from the… Continue reading Categories
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Edge on Health Blog
Archive for October, 2009
Shine a Little Light on Depression
October 30th, 2009
Relieve SAD and Combat Cravings.
Starting in the fall, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) creates a funk that's hard to fight. You may feel depressed or anxious, suffer fatigue, lack focus, and lose your sex drive. If you can't seem to get enough sleep (even when you get plenty of ZZZs), crave sweets and carbs—and gain weight this time of year—you may have SAD.
Often severe, this form of depression usually starts with the waning of daylight in autumn only to subside as the days lengthen again in the spring. The further away from the… Continue reading
Starting in the fall, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) creates a funk that's hard to fight. You may feel depressed or anxious, suffer fatigue, lack focus, and lose your sex drive. If you can't seem to get enough sleep (even when you get plenty of ZZZs), crave sweets and carbs—and gain weight this time of year—you may have SAD.
Often severe, this form of depression usually starts with the waning of daylight in autumn only to subside as the days lengthen again in the spring. The further away from the… Continue reading Sweep Environmental Poisons Out of Your Body
October 28th, 2009
Fiber Fights Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Obesity.
Registered nurse and licensed acupuncturist Roxanne Chan reads labels, uses glass rather than plastic, and doesn't own a microwave. She also lives in our last wilderness, Alaska—a place that should still be clean.
Imagine her surprise when she recently discovered that she has high levels of at least 24 different toxic chemicals in her body. Whether found in furniture and clothing or beauty aids and water bottles, hormone-disrupting chemicals and heavy metals surround her—and all the rest of us.
Part of a new project sponsored by Physicians… Continue reading
Registered nurse and licensed acupuncturist Roxanne Chan reads labels, uses glass rather than plastic, and doesn't own a microwave. She also lives in our last wilderness, Alaska—a place that should still be clean.
Imagine her surprise when she recently discovered that she has high levels of at least 24 different toxic chemicals in her body. Whether found in furniture and clothing or beauty aids and water bottles, hormone-disrupting chemicals and heavy metals surround her—and all the rest of us.
Part of a new project sponsored by Physicians… Continue reading What Women Really Need (Besides Love)
October 26th, 2009
6 Essential Female Vitamins for All Ages and Stages.
"A doctor would rather treat ten men than one woman," goes an ancient Chinese adage. While women tend to live longer, that doesn't make their journey any easier!
To keep their shape and long-term health, females have to squeeze a lot of nutrition into fewer calories. Because they have more body fat and slower metabolic rates than the opposite sex, it's easier for women to pack on the pounds. This makes women more likely than men to be overweight—or even obese.
Because females tend to be smaller… Continue reading
"A doctor would rather treat ten men than one woman," goes an ancient Chinese adage. While women tend to live longer, that doesn't make their journey any easier!
To keep their shape and long-term health, females have to squeeze a lot of nutrition into fewer calories. Because they have more body fat and slower metabolic rates than the opposite sex, it's easier for women to pack on the pounds. This makes women more likely than men to be overweight—or even obese.
Because females tend to be smaller… Continue reading Fight the Flu – The Missing Link Nobody Talks About
October 23rd, 2009
Sleep Is Critical to Healthy Immunity.
People exposed to a respiratory virus are three times more likely to get sick if they get less than seven hours of sleep at night, a recent study finds. Trouble is most Americans only sleep about six and a half hours—one hour less a night than we slept in the '50s.
News from scientists at the University of Chicago and at NIH in Washington DC is even more sobering. We actually need nine and a half hours of sleep at night for at least seven months out of… Continue reading
People exposed to a respiratory virus are three times more likely to get sick if they get less than seven hours of sleep at night, a recent study finds. Trouble is most Americans only sleep about six and a half hours—one hour less a night than we slept in the '50s.
News from scientists at the University of Chicago and at NIH in Washington DC is even more sobering. We actually need nine and a half hours of sleep at night for at least seven months out of… Continue reading Could Your Home Be Polluted?
October 21st, 2009
Indoor Air Pollution and Radiation can Damage Your Health.
Most of us spend 90% of our time indoors. But even in the safety of our own homes, pollution — colorless, odorless, invisible—is detrimental to health.
For starters, ozone—that toxic form of air pollution that clouds our cities—may be 100 times more dangerous indoors than out, the Environmental Protection Agency says.
This kind of pollution reacts with oil found naturally on human skin, which traps toxins, only to spit them out in chemicals that can irritate skin and lungs. Over time, ozone can increase the risk… Continue reading
Most of us spend 90% of our time indoors. But even in the safety of our own homes, pollution — colorless, odorless, invisible—is detrimental to health.
For starters, ozone—that toxic form of air pollution that clouds our cities—may be 100 times more dangerous indoors than out, the Environmental Protection Agency says.
This kind of pollution reacts with oil found naturally on human skin, which traps toxins, only to spit them out in chemicals that can irritate skin and lungs. Over time, ozone can increase the risk… Continue reading Chia – The Seed that Supercharges
October 19th, 2009
Boost Weight Loss and Endurance, Fight Diabetes and Fatigue with Chia.
Remember "chi, chi, chia," that jingle for Chia Pets? Well, the seeds themselves are tiny powerhouses of nutrition.
Rich in essential fats (EFAs), chia seed offers a healthy balance—30% omega 3s and 40% omega 6s. It's also a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, swelling in water and providing a feeling of fullness while helping to sweep toxins out of the intestinal tract for a safe detox.
Equally important, studies show that chia seed slows down how quickly the body converts carbohydrates into… Continue reading
Remember "chi, chi, chia," that jingle for Chia Pets? Well, the seeds themselves are tiny powerhouses of nutrition.
Rich in essential fats (EFAs), chia seed offers a healthy balance—30% omega 3s and 40% omega 6s. It's also a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, swelling in water and providing a feeling of fullness while helping to sweep toxins out of the intestinal tract for a safe detox.
Equally important, studies show that chia seed slows down how quickly the body converts carbohydrates into… Continue reading Pass Up the Sushi—and Worms
October 16th, 2009
Parasites Cause Liver Cancer.
Liver fluke, a dangerous parasite that infects millions of people, is a major cause of bile duct (or liver) cancer in humans. Symptoms include right-upper-quadrant abdominal pain as the liver becomes enlarged and tender.
New research at George Washington University shows that this parasite produces hormones that lead to uncontrolled cell growth—or cancer—in its human hosts. Common in undercooked fish and seafood, liver fluke eggs are also passed on by cattle and sheep.
Water from contaminated pastures can spread these parasites to aquatic plants like watercress. Other vegetables—fresh bamboo shoots and… Continue reading
Liver fluke, a dangerous parasite that infects millions of people, is a major cause of bile duct (or liver) cancer in humans. Symptoms include right-upper-quadrant abdominal pain as the liver becomes enlarged and tender.
New research at George Washington University shows that this parasite produces hormones that lead to uncontrolled cell growth—or cancer—in its human hosts. Common in undercooked fish and seafood, liver fluke eggs are also passed on by cattle and sheep.
Water from contaminated pastures can spread these parasites to aquatic plants like watercress. Other vegetables—fresh bamboo shoots and… Continue reading 7 Steps to Stall Yeast Infection
October 14th, 2009
Fatigue, Itch, Headache, and Weight Gain Signal Yeast Overgrowth.
One of the trickiest infections to identify in women, candida yeast overgrowth can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from cystitis and endometriosis to chronic fatigue and PMS. If you have recurrent vaginal or urinary infections, suffer overwhelming fatigue, headache, or feel sick all over, a systemic yeast infection may be to blame.
One in three Americans has candidiasis (chronic yeast infection). And the majority are women.
Yeast thrives in the female bladder, urethra, and vagina, which provide the perfect moist environment for overgrowth. Plus frequent… Continue reading
One of the trickiest infections to identify in women, candida yeast overgrowth can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from cystitis and endometriosis to chronic fatigue and PMS. If you have recurrent vaginal or urinary infections, suffer overwhelming fatigue, headache, or feel sick all over, a systemic yeast infection may be to blame.
One in three Americans has candidiasis (chronic yeast infection). And the majority are women.
Yeast thrives in the female bladder, urethra, and vagina, which provide the perfect moist environment for overgrowth. Plus frequent… Continue reading Heartburn Pills Raise Pneumonia Risk
October 12th, 2009
A Little Acid Actually Fights Harmful Bacteria.
On a daily basis, television bombards us with commercials about antacids and other pills that reduce acid. But those popular purple pills are overused today, research finds.
Proton pump inhibitors (or PPIs) are most commonly taken for ulcers, heartburn, and acid reflux. Trouble is we all need some stomach acid to fight bacteria.
People taking PPIs are more likely to develop pneumonia. And that's not all. Long-term use of these acid-suppressing pills increases the risk for diarrhea caused by the "superbug" Clostridum difficile.
Because sufficient stomach acid is needed… Continue reading
On a daily basis, television bombards us with commercials about antacids and other pills that reduce acid. But those popular purple pills are overused today, research finds.
Proton pump inhibitors (or PPIs) are most commonly taken for ulcers, heartburn, and acid reflux. Trouble is we all need some stomach acid to fight bacteria.
People taking PPIs are more likely to develop pneumonia. And that's not all. Long-term use of these acid-suppressing pills increases the risk for diarrhea caused by the "superbug" Clostridum difficile.
Because sufficient stomach acid is needed… Continue reading Beyond Iodine: 3 More Ways to Protect Your Thyroid
October 9th, 2009
Support Hormone Health and Help Fight Cancer.
It's a chemical world. Even before birth and throughout their development, children are exposed to neuro-, immuno-, and endocrine-toxic compounds. As adults, exposure to hormone disrupters, heavy metals like lead and mercury, and countless toxic chemicals increase the risk for cancer and thyroid disease.
New Danish research finds that heavy metal and other pollution significantly increases the risk for brain, breast, and thyroid cancer—even in nurses who may be more careful about their health than other women.
University of Albany scientists specifically target hormone disrupters (heavy metal and… Continue reading
It's a chemical world. Even before birth and throughout their development, children are exposed to neuro-, immuno-, and endocrine-toxic compounds. As adults, exposure to hormone disrupters, heavy metals like lead and mercury, and countless toxic chemicals increase the risk for cancer and thyroid disease.
New Danish research finds that heavy metal and other pollution significantly increases the risk for brain, breast, and thyroid cancer—even in nurses who may be more careful about their health than other women.
University of Albany scientists specifically target hormone disrupters (heavy metal and… Continue reading 
Visionary, health guru, diet/detox expert, author, spokesperson, role model, and natural foods icon, Ann Louise Gittleman has always been a trendsetter. 
