Say goodbye to cravings, bloating, and possible thyroid problems.
Yeast is definitely nobody's BFF. But it can be with us for life—which is why I was so happy to finally read an article about yeast overgrowth on the front page of the Lifestyle section in the Spokesman Review. Yeast is finally getting the respect it deserves. And it’s about time because I believe nearly 50 million of us suffer from that subclinical fungus among us.
Yeast plays a very insidious role in weight gain—and can contribute to nearly 30 pounds of flab in some cases. Why? It's because yeast is… Continue reading Categories
Archives
Edge on Health Blog
Posts Tagged ‘antibiotics’
Break the Yeast Cycle
March 22nd, 2011Say goodbye to cravings, bloating, and possible thyroid problems.
Yeast is definitely nobody's BFF. But it can be with us for life—which is why I was so happy to finally read an article about yeast overgrowth on the front page of the Lifestyle section in the Spokesman Review. Yeast is finally getting the respect it deserves. And it’s about time because I believe nearly 50 million of us suffer from that subclinical fungus among us.
Yeast plays a very insidious role in weight gain—and can contribute to nearly 30 pounds of flab in some cases. Why? It's because yeast is… Continue reading Save Face With Natural Treatments to Heal Acne
September 13th, 2010
Restore glowing skin—without gut pain caused by acne drugs.
New research reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology links drugs commonly prescribed to help control acne to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While dermatologist David Margolis, MD, calls these bowel disorders "a rare outcome," earlier studies have shown that Accutane (or isotretinoin) can also cause IBD in some people with severe acne.
That's not the only problem: Accutane carries the risk of severe birth defects. This drug has been found to damage intestinal mucosa, leading to bloody diarrhea and colitis, while aggravating Crohn's disease… Continue reading Count Down to Fall Detox
September 7th, 2010
Autumn is the ideal time to support lung health.
After Labor Day, we head back indoors for work and/or school. Fall signals the beginning of upper respiratory infections—colds, flu, and sinusitis.
The American Journal of Medicine estimates there are close to 24 million cases of acute bacterial sinusitis in any given year in the United States. New research at Harvard Medical School finds Staphylococcus aureus the most common bacteria involved in sinusitis—and one quarter are methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections, dangerous "superbugs."
Antibiotic overuse—the cause of MRSA and other superbugs—is now pandemic, spread by… Continue reading Got an Embarrassing Itch?
August 9th, 2010
Don't let summer heat give pathogens a "growth spurt."
Hot, muggy weather does more than simply make you sweat. Fungi and yeasts—found throughout the body, especially in warm, moist areas—love summer heat. A wet bathing suit or footwear that doesn't breath is just asking for trouble this time of year.
Jock and vaginal itch, diaper rash or any red rash with scalloped edges in skin folds, thrush (thick, white patches on the palate, tongue, or anywhere in the mouth), and underarm rash are just some ways the 20-plus species of Candida can wreak… Continue reading More Common Than Flu: A Deadly New Super Bug
May 10th, 2010
As antibiotic resistance grows, C. difficile is becoming more virulent.
A gram-positive bacteria, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is the leading cause of diarrhea in hospitals, daycare centers, and nursing facilities—moving aggressively into the larger community much the way MRSA infections have. And many experts consider this new super bug even more deadly.
Between 1993 and 2001 C. difficile infections increased 74%. By 2005, the incidence had doubled!
Responsible today for 30% of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and 70% of antibiotic-associated colitis, C. difficile is more than simply unpleasant—it has increased mortality as well as healthcare costs in… Continue reading Worse than Flu: Lyme Disease Is a Possible Pandemic
April 9th, 2010
As potentially disabling as a heart attack, tick bites are preventable.
A bacterial infection caused by tiny tick bites, Lyme disease is increasingly common in the northern hemisphere. And a mild winter in some parts of the country can explain documented cases even in January and February.
Children and young adults are most at risk for Lyme disease. While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes 3 infectious strains from the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, some experts believe there may be as many as 300. And you don't need to develop the "signature" bull's eye… Continue reading Can Disinfectants Create Superbugs?
January 22nd, 2010
Drug-resistant bacteria are becoming all too common.
Whether hand sanitizers or industrial strength cleaners, disinfectants are increasingly the first line of defense against bacterial infection. Ironically, this weapon may also be helping to strengthen our microbial enemies—superbugs that resist commonly used disinfectants and antibiotic drugs.
Recent research shows that disinfecting wipes—used to protect against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus)—can actually spread this prevalent superbug. Originally a hospital-based infection, MRSA has increased seven-fold in the larger community, striking gyms and locker rooms as well as outpatient medical facilities.
Scarier still, scientists now suspect that disinfectants can "train"… Continue reading Ready for an Oil Change? Omega-9s Are Hot
January 11th, 2010
Surprise: Olive oil and nuts contribute to both weight loss and wellness.
For decades, scientists have linked the Mediterranean diet with cardiovascular health and longevity. But only recently have they recognized that one staple of this regional diet—olive oil—may be as beneficial as fruits and veggies or omega-3-rich fish and seafood. And not just because it's a healthier alternative to saturated fats or dangerous trans fats!
Olives, their oil (if carefully pressed), certain nuts and seeds (plus their oils), and avocados are sources of the hottest "good" fat—omega-9—or oleic acid. The specific kind of… 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 Spice Up Your Holiday Cooking
November 23rd, 2009
Healing Herbs Kill Bacteria and Viruses.
Everyone wants a great tasting Thanksgiving feast. Isn't it nice to know that seasoning with herbs and spices can also kill the bacteria, fungi, and viruses that cause food poisoning?
Better yet, some—like cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, and turmeric—offer well-documented benefits for autoimmune disease, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lung and neurological problems.
Researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor find that curcumin in the spice turmeric, which gives curry its bright yellow color, prevents the growth of breast cancer stem cells in the lab. Just be sure to add… Continue reading
Everyone wants a great tasting Thanksgiving feast. Isn't it nice to know that seasoning with herbs and spices can also kill the bacteria, fungi, and viruses that cause food poisoning?
Better yet, some—like cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, and turmeric—offer well-documented benefits for autoimmune disease, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lung and neurological problems.
Researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor find that curcumin in the spice turmeric, which gives curry its bright yellow color, prevents the growth of breast cancer stem cells in the lab. Just be sure to add… Continue reading 
Visionary, health guru, diet/detox expert, author, spokesperson, role model, and natural foods icon, Ann Louise Gittleman has always been a trendsetter. 
