The sunshine vitamin also promotes healthy weight loss.
Over 16 million adults and 7 million kids in this country have asthma, an inflammatory disease that constricts airways in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Allergies, air pollution, and respiratory infections are only a few common asthma triggers.
Now, new research at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston links low levels of vitamin D with asthma. And a study presented at a recent meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology shows that almost half of asthmatic children are low in the… Continue reading Categories
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Fight Asthma With Vitamin D
March 17th, 2010The sunshine vitamin also promotes healthy weight loss.
Over 16 million adults and 7 million kids in this country have asthma, an inflammatory disease that constricts airways in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Allergies, air pollution, and respiratory infections are only a few common asthma triggers.
Now, new research at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston links low levels of vitamin D with asthma. And a study presented at a recent meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology shows that almost half of asthmatic children are low in the… Continue reading When Chest Pain Really Is Heartburn, Not a Heart Attack
February 5th, 2010
Reflux disease is serious, but you'll be surprised how easy relief can be.
The most expensive digestive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) inflicts with burning pain just under the breastbone on about 40% of American adults. Consumers spend over $1 billion on antacids and other heartburn medicines, which often make this problem even worse.
Normally, digestion moves food down from the mouth to the rest of the GI tract. But eating too much too fast and consuming certain foods and drink—alcohol, chocolate, coffee, mints, pepper, and too many refined foods (especially fatty and sugary… Continue reading Red in the Face? Rosacea Is No Healthy Blush.
January 8th, 2010
Low stomach acid has been linked to this increasingly prevalent skin problem.
Afflicting at least 14 million Americans, rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes redness and pimples on the chin, cheeks, forehead, and particularly the nose. No healthy blush, this redness is truly embarrassing—and it can hurt, much the way burning, stinging, and sunburned skin does.
If bumps and pimples aren't enough, rosacea can lead to tiny, red veins that look like spider webs on the face. And this condition sometimes spreads to the eyes, making them feel dry, gritty, and irritated… Continue reading Health Secrets Your Blood Reveals
November 2nd, 2009
Lower Triglycerides, Weight, and Diabetes Risk.
You may be able to quote your cholesterol level—even if you don't remember your social security number. But what do you know about another critical blood fat—triglycerides?
If you're drawing a blank, that's too bad, since high triglyceride levels are as dangerous as—maybe even riskier than—high cholesterol. For example, women with high triglycerides—even if their cholesterol levels are normal—have higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
High triglyceride levels are commonly linked to metabolic syndrome (or prediabetes) and Type 2 diabetes, not to mention inflammation of the pancreas. High levels… Continue reading
You may be able to quote your cholesterol level—even if you don't remember your social security number. But what do you know about another critical blood fat—triglycerides?
If you're drawing a blank, that's too bad, since high triglyceride levels are as dangerous as—maybe even riskier than—high cholesterol. For example, women with high triglycerides—even if their cholesterol levels are normal—have higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
High triglyceride levels are commonly linked to metabolic syndrome (or prediabetes) and Type 2 diabetes, not to mention inflammation of the pancreas. High levels… Continue reading Cholesterol-Lowering Alternatives and Heart Health Indicators
September 28th, 2009
Alternatives to Toxic Heart Meds are Increasingly Popular.
At least 30 percent of Americans have LDL ("bad" cholesterol) levels that are considered too high. But despite the popularity of statin drugs within the medical community, people don't always stick with these medications.
Only about half of those prescribed a cholesterol-lowering drug still take it after six months. After a year, only about 30 to 40 percent continue drug therapy.
"There's been a lot of negative press about statins lately," cardiologist Christopher Cannon, MD, at Brigham and Women's Hospital recently told the Boston Globe. The Canadian… Continue reading
At least 30 percent of Americans have LDL ("bad" cholesterol) levels that are considered too high. But despite the popularity of statin drugs within the medical community, people don't always stick with these medications.
Only about half of those prescribed a cholesterol-lowering drug still take it after six months. After a year, only about 30 to 40 percent continue drug therapy.
"There's been a lot of negative press about statins lately," cardiologist Christopher Cannon, MD, at Brigham and Women's Hospital recently told the Boston Globe. The Canadian… Continue reading Shake the Salt and Save Your Heart
September 24th, 2009
New Study Shows How.
Americans consume almost twice as much salt as the maximum daily recommendation calls for. High levels of sodium chloride in salt contribute to high blood pressure—and complications like heart and kidney disease.
Now a new study from the nonprofit RAND Corporation shows that cutting salt intake to 2,300 mg a day can lead to 11 million fewer cases of high blood pressure annually. That could save as much as $18 billion in health care costs each year!
Cutting back even more on salt—say to 1,500 mg a day—would save $26… Continue reading
Americans consume almost twice as much salt as the maximum daily recommendation calls for. High levels of sodium chloride in salt contribute to high blood pressure—and complications like heart and kidney disease.
Now a new study from the nonprofit RAND Corporation shows that cutting salt intake to 2,300 mg a day can lead to 11 million fewer cases of high blood pressure annually. That could save as much as $18 billion in health care costs each year!
Cutting back even more on salt—say to 1,500 mg a day—would save $26… Continue reading 6 Spoonfuls of Sugar?
August 28th, 2009
Cut Sweets to Protect Your Heart.
This week, the American Heart Association (AHA) finally weighed in on sugar in its scientific statement, "a worldwide pandemic of obesity and cardiovascular disease have heightened concerns about the adverse effects of excessive consumption of sugars."
While teens (14 to 18 year olds) had the highest sugar intake at more than 34 teaspoons a day, we're not just talking about kids here. The national average is more than 22 teaspoons a day!
Over the past 30 years, the average American has added between 150 to 300 more calories to their daily diet, much… Continue reading
This week, the American Heart Association (AHA) finally weighed in on sugar in its scientific statement, "a worldwide pandemic of obesity and cardiovascular disease have heightened concerns about the adverse effects of excessive consumption of sugars."
While teens (14 to 18 year olds) had the highest sugar intake at more than 34 teaspoons a day, we're not just talking about kids here. The national average is more than 22 teaspoons a day!
Over the past 30 years, the average American has added between 150 to 300 more calories to their daily diet, much… Continue reading Acid/Alkaline?
July 27th, 2009
The other day I received a call from my client Monte. (I have changed his name to protect his privacy, of course.) He had developed kidney stones - seemingly out of the blue. He was very concerned about this - passing a kidney stone can be very painful, worse than childbirth, I'm told - and needed my help.
Here's what I discovered, after chatting with him and reflecting on his condition.
Number 1. Monte had been drinking special "alkaline" water for the past several months because he had become convinced that all disease develops due to overly acidic pH. This is the… Continue reading
Love Your Heart – And Keep It Healthy
February 2nd, 2009
The month of February means American Heart Month.
Many years ago, I asked one of my favorite cardiologists (a most wonderful man who epitomizes the perfect combination of a classically trained M.D. and an "enlightened" holistic doc) to spell out the most important nutrients most essential for overall heart protection and that provide the metabolic boost the old ticker needs on a daily basis.
Dr. Sinatra didn't hesitate when he revealed his "Awesome Foursome" nutrients and dosage information, suggestions that I would like to pass on to all of you with elderly parents, relatives, and other-assorted loved ones :)
The first is CoQ10… Continue reading
Visionary, health guru, diet/detox expert, author, spokesperson, role model, and natural foods icon, Ann Louise Gittleman has always been a trendsetter. 
