Alternativemedicine's directories

• "A New Year's Message & Gift For You" - I wanted to take this New Year's opportunity to say, "Thanks" to you. Thanks for reading these posts and the Balance Point email newsletter. I know that there are lots of sources of health information out there and I feel privileged that you've chosen to read mine. Thanks for letting me share my ideas with you about how to live a longer, healthier, happier life. Thanks for sharing your insights and struggles for better health. I'm grateful to know that the information you find here is in some way helpful in your... Read full post here
• "Brain Goo" Blocks Memory & Thinking - The word "Lipofuscin" looks funny, but its effects in the body are no laughing matter. Lipofuscin is strongly implicated in Alzheimer's Disease, memory loss and impaired learning ability. It is commonly known as age pigment and is responsible for age spots (aka "liver spots") on the skin. Besides the skin, it also accumulates in organs and nerve cells. Although this sticky, caramel-like substance affects more than one part of the body, today I'd like to focus on its effects on the brain. Before we get to that, it... Read full post here
• "Chemical Soup" - We don't live in the world our grandparents and great grandparents lived in. In modern life we have access to ideas, foods and experiences our ancestors never dreamed of. We have available many more things that improve our lives, making living easier and more productive. At the same time, when it comes to previously unknown chemicals, modern living exposes us to a huge collection of food colorings, flavorings and preservatives every day. And let's not forget the large number of other previously unknown chemicals in our environment. It's like we're surrounded by a strange,... Read full post here
• "Mineral Madness" - In an effort to support heart health, the World Health Organization (WHO) is promoting the idea of adding calcium and magnesium to water supplies everywhere. The WHO report, co-authored by 31 international experts and published in 2009, was looking at the consequences of water processing and it's effects of removing minerals from natural water sources. Unfortunately, they seem to be leaning towards what you could call the "Wonder Bread" solution - take out all the nutrients and than add back in a few and call it "fortified." Anyone... Read full post here
• "It's Magic" - When new patients surprise me with their response to treatment it is mostly very positive. But occasionally it can be very disappointing. I'll tell you about a recent example of this second situation in a moment. As you might imagine, positive responses vary, depending on what approach we take. For example, it's very common for a patient to come in with chronic pain, such as back pain or joint pain, and leave the office with dramatic improvement after their first acupuncture treatment. Or, they might start their Metabolic Typing program and... Read full post here
• "Physician Heal Thyself" - You've probably heard the biblical phrase that is the title of this article. Today I'd like to tell you a very personal story of applying this old proverb. The proverb refers to the fact that many doctors have skills in the healing arts, but when it comes to healing themselves, they're pretty much in the same boat as everyone else. A deeper understanding of this idea is that each of us is our own best physician. Usually all we are lacking is the right way to interpret and correct the symptoms our body... Read full post here
• 10 Natural Ways To Detoxify Your Body - One of the biggest drains on energy, mental clarity and quality of life is accumulated toxins in our bodies. These toxins come from many places, both inside and out. From the environment around us we get exposed to herbicides, pesticides, pollution, and household chemicals. And on the inside, our bodies need to regularly eliminate the toxic byproducts of metabolism. We have outstanding internal mechanisms to accomplish detoxification, including through our skin, intestines, lungs, liver and kidneys. Unfortunately, in modern life the body's detoxification pathways are often overloaded. Over time they become... Read full post here
• 3 Simple Vitamins To Protect Your Heart - If you've read some of the past issues of Balance Point, you know that cholesterol is not the primary problem when it comes to heart health. In fact the most recent research points to inflammation as a much more likely culprit. And it's not only a factor in heart disease, but also in diabetes, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. This makes reducing inflammation and the causes of inflammation crucial for your longevity and quality of life. This is actually a very rich field to explore, however today I want to focus on one of... Read full post here
• 3 Simple Ways To Live A Longer, Happier Life - If your 40th birthday is only a memory, you may be experiencing more of the unwanted effects of aging. Many of my patients tell me about symptoms they describe as "getting older." These can include fatigue and pain (joint pain or general body aches), poor sleep, lower libido, decreased ability to focus mentally or recall things and even crankiness or depression. No wonder some people talk about old age with a sense of dread! Of course the only alternative to getting older is death, so it makes sense to pay attention to... Read full post here
• 3 Ways To Slow Aging Without Spending A Dime - It's ironic that just when we reach the stage in life where we can enjoy the wisdom gathered from our experiences, we're faced with the challenges and limitations presented by aging. Fortunately, there are things you can do to slow the aging process down so you can enjoy the rewards experience brings. One of the most effective is to reduce stress. Here are three very effective stress-reduction techniques that you can do on your own: 1. Meditate Recent studies show that simple meditation for 15 minutes a day can have a... Read full post here
• 30 Years of Pain Erased In Two Days - I received an amazing story this past week from one of my patients. Karen came to my office in October of last year. She was hoping to get acupuncture for pain relief. But based on her health history and symptom pattern, I recommended a different approach. Her response to that approach was excellent, so much so that recently she wrote an article for a local newsletter in her winter home overseas. She is an excellent writer and was kind enough to let me share her article with you in Balance Point. ... Read full post here
• 8 Early Warning Health Symptoms - Every day you're getting feedback about your health directly from your body, but most people don't know how to interpret these signals. These signals are symptoms we ignore or try to manage with over the counter medications so we can just get through the day. But in reality if you learn how to pay attention, your body is letting you know that things are out of balance. Below is a diagram showing the most common signals your body sends. The symptoms are easy to remember. Here's a... Read full post here
• A Big Fat Lie - For years we've all been lied to. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it was necessarily an intentional lie. But at the very least it was information presented as fact, while only offering part of the truth. And sadly, only offering part of the truth isn't any better than an outright lie when it comes to our health. The lie I'm referring to is the statement that saturated fats are bad for you. When I tell people this is a lie, they often look at me as though I'd lost... Read full post here
• A Surprising Discovery About Rosacea - Rosacea is a skin condition that includes reddening of face and sometimes breaking out. Western medicine considers it a harmless cosmetic condition, but those who have it often feel otherwise. They will go to some lengths to get rid of it and at the very least cover it up. Rosacea shows up mostly in fair-skinned people with Northern European ancestry. Dermatologists typically advise these people to avoid heat and sunlight, since these can aggravate the flushing red appearance of the condition. As a result, most people with this condition us a fair... Read full post here
• A Tale of Two Oils - It usually pays to dig deeper when getting your health information from the mainstream media One example of this is the popular view of two very different oils - canola oil and coconut oil. Most people think that canola oil is good for them and they should avoid coconut oil. As it turns out, both views are the result of marketing hype - the exact opposite is true. As usual, the details are important. For example, coconut oil is only healthy when you use the extra-virgin, cold-pressed and unadulterated form of... Read full post here
• Acai Berry, Wishful Thinking and Your Health - One of the reasons you receive a wide variety of up-to-date health information in the Balance Point newsletter is that I subscribe to a lot of other natural health newsletters. Because of this I see many claims and promises about the latest (and usually "greatest") miracle food, wonder supplement or long-lost herbal remedy. Over time I've learned how to see through the hype of marketing smoke and mirrors. And believe me there's a lot of it. A perfect example of this is the Acai berry. If you believed everything you read about ... Read full post here
• Acid And Alkaline Foods: The Real Facts - A patient recently told me that she was eating lots of "alkaline" foods. When I asked her why, she said, "Everyone knows that cancer and other diseases happen when your body is too acid." Perhaps you have also heard this. If so, you might be surprised to know that this is one of the biggest myths circulating in natural health circles. It's reached the status of an urban legend. Let's look at the real facts about acid and alkaline foods to clear this issue up once and... Read full post here
• Acupuncture & Muscle Pain - Acupuncture is best known in the Western world for its use in relieving pain. One type of pain that responds very well to acupuncture is muscle pain. This is the kind of pain that happens from over-use, lack of use, or repetitive motion (for example on the job). In other words, it's good for just about every type of muscle pain. Here are a couple of examples... I have a patient who is relatively young, very fit and athletic. He works... Read full post here
• Acupuncture Supports Healthy Aging - Most people think of acupuncture for pain relief, and it is great for this. Less well known is that it is also very effective for reducing negative effects of aging. This is particularly true when used preventively or in the early to mid-stages of signs of aging. Here is a list of some of the major signs of aging and the effect acupuncture has on them: Loss of Energy and Increased Fatigue As we age, energy levels can drop. This is true even if we eat well, exercise... Read full post here
• Acupuncture: How It Works - The most common question I get about acupuncture is, "How does it work?" When I hear this question most of the time I say that nobody knows exactly. Of course by 'exactly' I mean an explanation couched in modern scientific terms. On the other hand, those of us who practice acupuncture typically have dozens of ways we understand it based on experience. In fact, there are so many different ways to explain it that I couldn't possibly share them all here. Instead, I'd like to offer you my... Read full post here
• Anti-Aging Aminos - Amino acids are the building blocks of life. Every cell in your body uses them. They are a major part of every structure in your body. And they support many body functions as well. Amino acids are the basis for all proteins. You normally get them from eating protein in your diet. In fact, we need to eat certain amino acids regularly just to live. These are called essential amino acids. But what do they have to do with slowing the effects of aging? As it turns out, plenty. ... Read full post here
• Are There Natural Treatments for ADHD? - Q: My grandson has been diagnosed with ADHD. Even the Ritalin they give him doesn't seem to help. And his diet is terrible, but nobody can seem to keep him from eating junk food when he isn't being directly supervised. How can we help him? A: I'm not surprised by the ineffectiveness of the Ritalin. Of the 2 basic types of Attention Deficit, the Hyperactive type (ADHD) is the least responsive to stimulant drugs such as Ritalin. In addition, in no case does the Ritalin address the underlying lack of appropriate brain nutrients. In... Read full post here
• Are You At Risk For An Autoimmune Disease? - While your body is designed to defend against a host of environmental invaders, it cannot completely withstand the adverse effects of poor diet, chronic stress and toxic build-up. These common factors can contribute to a group of serious health epidemics including autoimmune (AI) disease, which is rising to the top of the list. Autoimmune diseases include more than 100 unique types such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Celiac disease and many others, which are all characterized by inflammatory immune responses that cause the body to turn against its own systems and attack organs and tissues. Are... Read full post here
• Are You Ready for a Revolution in Healthcare? - In many ways our current healthcare system is on life-support. If you doubt it, consider that Senator Tom Daschle, when being interviewed for the position as Secretary of Health and Human Services this past January used the term "broken" to describe it. Unfortunately he was less clear about what he intended to do about it if he had been appointed. Also consider the newly created White House Office of Health Reform. Recognition that something needs to be done goes all the way to the top of government. As well-meaning as these efforts are, the... Read full post here
• Arthritis Remedies in Your Kitchen - All types of joint pain, whether it's osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout, share one symptom, namely inflammation. Inflammation causes pain, swelling and sometimes joint deformity. In the Western herbal tradition, you'll find any number of anti-inflammatory herbs. These include black cohosh, feverfew, yucca and wild yam. Also, vitamins like vitamin A, the B complex, vitamin C, and vitamin E are often helpful along with minerals such as zinc, calcium and magnesium, copper salicylate, and selenium. Other supplements like evening primrose and fish oils, along with glucosamine, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), also help reduce... Read full post here
• Astaxanthin: A Powerful Health-giving Substance Found In Salmon - Now there's even more reason to eat wild salmon. In addition to salmon's high levels of brain-boosting and inflammation-fighting essential fatty acids (EFAs), it also contains a substance called astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is the substance that gives salmon its red color, but it also has an abundance of health giving properties. Here is a list of the ways astaxanthin supports the body: Functions as a powerful antioxidant, decreasing free radical damage to tissues, cells and even DNA - it's 6,000 times more effective at protecting ... Read full post here
• At High Risk For Heart Disease? - ********** Note from Dr. Bruce: This post is by guest author, John Jarmul of Kaneka Nutrients ********** After medication, diet and lifestyle changes are firmly in place, consider taking supplements known for their heart-protective qualities. 1. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack, heart rhythm problems, and sudden death. This is because of their anti-inflammatory agents. Doctors recommend 1-4 grams daily, taken with food. 2. Derived from plant-based foods, plant sterols and stanols can lower your LDL numbers by... Read full post here
• Baby Boomers' Top 10 Reasons Exercise Rocks! - By Guest Author, Dietrich Dejean Baby Boomers are far more active than their parents were. They have new goals, want to chase the grand kids, fit into clothes from 20 years ago and find ways to feel and look younger. And they are recognizing strength training and aerobics as major factors in the battle to feel better and enjoy life more. Here are the top 10 benefits Boomers receive from exercise: More Energy - With age, vigor and vitality diminish. Exercise reverses this trend and helps restore lost... Read full post here
• Bitter Melon & Brown Fat - In spite of how it sounds, the title of this article isn't referring to a new, exotic recipe. What it does refer to is the fact that we have 2 kinds of fat in our bodies - white fat (which is actually yellow) and brown fat. White fat is what we normally think of when we think of fat. It's just fat. Brown fat, on the other hand, has some noteworthy properties that support healthy metabolism and even weight loss. One of the ways brown fat is different than white fat is that it ... Read full post here
• Black Box Medicine - Is it possible to know too much? Lately I'm thinking maybe it is. The sheer volume of information available today is overwhelming. If you're anything like I am, you are looking for ways to cut through the hype, the fluff and the irrelevant to find nuggets of valuable content. Although true in many areas of interest, I can't think of an area where it is truer than healthcare. It seems like each day we get additional confusing and sometimes contradictory ideas about how to get and stay healthy. There is so much information available it's mind-boggling. Take... Read full post here
• Can Acupuncture Relieve Fibromyalgia? - A recent study done by the Mayo Clinic shows acupuncture lowers symptoms of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia shows up as chronic, widespread pain over many parts of the body. There are often other symptoms like fatigue, stiff joints and poor sleep. The Mayo Clinic study looked at 50 fibromyalgia patients. They did a random control test to see if acupuncture made sypmtoms better. Those patients who got acupuncture made much better progress compared to those who didn't. In my clinic, time after time acupuncture is helpful in clearing fibromyalgia symptoms. We will often... Read full post here
• Can Exercise Alone Make You Healthy? - We've all been exposed to the idea that exercise is a crucial factor for being healthy, and it is. But is it the only factor when it comes to being healthy? For seven years, from 1978 to 1985, I was the co-administrator for a martial arts school in Los Angeles. I also taught several classes at the school. That experience was an amazing opportunity to see the effects of choices people made regarding their health. When it came to exercising, one student who stands out in my mind. Jim was as dedicated a... Read full post here
• Chinese Herbal Medicine "Secret Weapon" Search Tool - I've got a secret weapon I use when creating herbal formulas and today I'm going to share it with you. But first a bit of background. The most highly systematized and useful approach to using herbal medicine comes from the ancient Chinese doctors. For almost 40 years I've been gathering information about all kinds of herbs, but in all that time I've never found a better overall system for using them effectively. Last year I decided to put the entire database online. I figured that way I... Read full post here
• Cholesterol: Are You a Type A or Type B? - Almost every blood test your doctor runs includes a lipid panel. That panel includes the "good" versus "bad" cholesterol ratio. The ratio tells them if bad cholesterol (LDL) is too high. The reason is that high LDL is linked to heart disease. The cause of high LDL, they say, is saturated fat in the diet. But not all MDs and researchers agree. In fact, numerous studies demonstrate that people who eat higher amounts of saturated fat do not have a higher risk of heart disease! In... Read full post here
• Chronic Pain - The Food Connection - In 1996 I was a different person. Each morning it took 20 minutes before I could walk with merely tolerable amounts of pain. Those first 20 minutes were filled with extreme pain in my feet, knees and hips. This was ironic given that the mainstay of my acupuncture practice at the time was pain relief. Of course I'd used acupuncture for pain relief on myself, but in my state of health at the time it never gave more than temporary improvement. I also spent 3 years searching for the right combination of herbs and supplements that would... Read full post here
• Chronic Pain: Why The "Cure" Is Often Worse Than The Disease - Ironically what many people do to relieve the symptoms of pain actually creates worse problems. You won't learn about this on the labels of over-the-counter medications. But if you're really good at reading fine print, you might notice something about this in the fact sheet that comes with prescription pain meds.  Since these medications are so commonly used, knowing all of their effects becomes important. To help you understand how these drugs affect you, here are the pros and cons of taking pain medications: Pros The argument in... Read full post here
• Cooking Oils: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - For years cooking oils have been at the center of controversy. Some of that controversy stems from the 1960s and 1970s. That's when the whole "fat is bad" idea began spreading. All of a sudden the centuries old practice of cooking with oil came into question. At the same time, "new & improved" oils came on the scene. Margarine, polyunsaturated oil & low fat cooking were on everyone's mind. It is true that some oils are bad for you. But not all of them are bad. Today we will go over the most common... Read full post here
• Cordyceps Sinensis: Miracle Mushroom from the Orient - One of the most unusual of the Chinese traditional herbal medicines is a fungus called Cordyceps sinensis. What's so unusual about it? Aside from it's potent healing properties, which we'll get to in a moment, it is also one of the most curious natural substances used in healing. It's found in nature as a parasitic fungus growing on the bodies of caterpillars in the mountains of Tibet above 14,000 feet. That's pretty unusual. It's such a powerful substance, and so rare, that Tibetan mushroom hunters can earn up to $900 an ounce... Read full post here
• Decrease Your Odds Of Dying By 72 Percent - We all have a sense of what's good - and not so good - for our health, but now there's research that gives us a solid idea of exactly how much these things affect us. The study I'm referring to was done in the United Kingdom over the course of 20 years. Researchers tracked 4,886 adults, paying particular attention to four specific habits known to affect health. They scored people by how many of these 4 habits they had. The more habits, the higher the score. Over the 20 years of the study, there was a direct relationship to how... Read full post here
• Diet Soda Makes You Fat - There's something about the taste of sweetness that calls to us as human beings. Is it because sweet tasting foods and drinks are often 'comfort foods?' Or perhaps it's because we learned as children to equate candy with being rewarded. Or maybe we see sweets as a form of celebration like at holiday meals. Whatever the reason, we're seem drawn to the sweet stuff. Although our ancestors 100 years ago also ate sugar, their annual average consumption was around 5 pounds each. Then, as refined sugar became more available, so our average... Read full post here
• Diet, Hormones and Weight Control - Hormones are a crucial link between what you eat and your weight. These are not necessarily the hormones you hear about all the time. Sure, cortisol (the stress hormone) affects weight. And insulin resistance is a well-known cause of weight gain. But there are three other hormones that have as least as much effect. And you don't often hear about these. The three weight-related hormones are: Ghrelin Leptin PYY Let's go over each of them. Ghrelin ("GRAY-lin") ... Read full post here
• DNA Smackdown - In 2008 a group of researchers in Australia made a surprising discovery about the effects of food on DNA. I'm sure you're familiar with the fact that DNA is the molecule in every cell of the body that controls how well our bodies function to stay strong and healthy. That's what makes this discovery so startling... and so potentially dangerous. More importantly, it also gives us the opportunity to make a simple change that will drastically reduce the likelihood of getting serious diseases... Read full post here
• Do You Know Which Foods Are Healthy? - With only few exceptions, people who come into my office tell me that they are eating a healthy diet. And they really believe it's true. They've usually done some reading, searched the internet or at the very least paid attention to the government recommendations about eating. My first thought when I hear someone say this is, "How do you know you're eating healthy for you?" The reason I think this is that every person has their own unique dietary needs. One size doesn't fit all. This got me thinking about other... Read full post here
• Down The Cholesterol Rabbit Hole - Okay, I'm back. Where did I go, you might ask? This past week I took an amazing journey into the dark recesses of statistical mathematics. Okay, it wasn't really dark, but it was a bit scary... The statistics I explored were the numbers associated with cholesterol studies. These numbers came from multiple sources, people far more accomplished than I at the art of reading and interpreting statistical data. I knew from reading many articles by experts in the field that cholesterol was... Read full post here
• Early Warning Health Signals - I'm continually learning things from my patients. For example, the other day I was reviewing Metabolic Typing® results with someone. I was encouraging her to notice how she felt after eating a meal with a specific ratio of fats, proteins and carbs. Every time I would mention it, she'd say, "I don't know how to do that." I finally said, "Think about it this way - an hour or two after you eat, pay attention to your energy level, how satisfied you feel from the meal... Read full post here
• Effective Healing - When I was growing up during the 1950s & 1960s, I learned that whatever the doctor said must be correct. I no longer think that's true. It probably sounds funny for a doctor to be saying that. Even so, I stand by it. The reason is that the human body is extremely complex and each individual uniquely different. This fact means that a 'one size fits all' approach to health is destined to fail. At the very least such a standardized approach will miss things and won't be effective for a... Read full post here
• Fight Fatigue & Increase Energy, Part 2 - Last time we covered some of the major supplements to help you increase reduce fatigue and increase energy. If you missed that issue you can view it online here. Today we'll look at some additional energy-related supplements. More Energy-related Antioxidants: NADH is an activated form of niacin (B3). It supports your body's process of extracting energy in the Krebs cycle to create ATP. In the first part of this article (last time), you learned that ATP is the energy 'currency' in your cells. It also helps support healthy levels... Read full post here
• Fight Fatigue & Increase Energy, Part 3 - Previously you learned about some basic and not-so-basic supplements you can consider to help reduce fatigue and increase energy. In this, our final installment of supplements to increase energy, we'll look at some herbal medicines that can help. Part of the value of these substances is their long history of safe and effective use. But before we address these, you should also know about herbs to avoid when you want extra energy. Avoid These Herbs for Energy The most well-known energy-related herb in the West is Ephedra, also known as Ma Huang in Chinese... Read full post here
• Fish Oil and Intelligence - Fish oil is one of the two supplements that I recommend to most of my patients. There are many reasons for this, but today I’ll mention the benefits of fish oil for your brain. Learning In a very small but remarkable study children were given fish oil supplements. The children took tests before they started taking the fish oil and again at the end of three months. During the study, researchers found that the children’s reading age increased by a year, their handwriting became more legible and accurate,... Read full post here
• Fish Oil By Prescription? - If you've read much about natural supplements, you know that fish oil has many health benefits. The benefits of fish oil include: Reducing Inflammation Extending Lifespan Increasing Cardiac Health Supporting a Healthy Immune System Improving Metabolism Decreasing Pain Increasing Memory & Learning Supporting Healthy Breathing Increasing Sexual Health Improving Skin Health In fact, fish oils are so beneficial, pharmaceutical companies want to get in on the action. Of course, the... Read full post here
• Food Science Made Simple (and Funny!) - Tom Naughton is one smart guy. And he's funny, too. You may know of him from his movie, "Fat Head." In that movie he debunked the whole 'fat is bad for you' myth. It is a great movie I highly recommend. You can learn more about Tom and his movie on his web site: http://www.fathead-movie.com/. Today, I want to share with you a presentation Tom did called, "Science for Smart People." He gave this speech on a low-carb cruise recently. It is about 40 minutes long, but you'll get the idea if you even... Read full post here
• Food Shows Promise to Prevent Breast Cancer - Most people think of watercress as a garnish for some food dish - a sort of decorative afterthought. Now researchers at the University of Southampton have discovered that it may have the ability to suppress breast cancer cell development by 'turning off' a signal in the body and thereby starving the growing tumor of essential blood and oxygen. That's a pretty big deal since right now 1 in 9 women in the western world experiences breast cancer at some time in their life. If it proves out, we'll have a substance that can prevent breast cancer in... Read full post here
• Freedom From Disease... One Bite At A Time - Food is the most powerful medicine you will ever take. When you think about it, this is an obvious statement. But in modern times most of us take our food for granted. After all, we have an abundance of choices that our ancestors never had. But an abundance of choices hasn't led us to better health. In fact, we're less healthy as a whole than generations past. I've put together a short, 4-part video presentation explaining why that is. And more importantly, this presentation gives you concrete suggestions about how to... Read full post here
• Get Stress Out - I presume that like most people, you have a lot going on in your life. And, like most people, you probably experience times where you have just a little bit more going on than you can comfortably handle. Sound familiar? If so, you may want to think about how you can get a handle on your stress level before it begins creating problems. Water Wearing Down Stone Most people seem to negate or ignore the daily effects of stress. This no doubt helps us get through our day when we have a... Read full post here
• GMO Foods For Everybody, Like It Or Not... - If you've read previous posts about GMO (Genetically Modified) foods, you know that they are experimental and have no human testing to confirm their safety. In fact, research strongly suggests that there are serious problems with eating them. You can view some very detailed information on this topic in these two posts: Save Your Life By Avoiding These "Frankenfoods" Genetically Modified Foods: The Latest Findings Now it comes out that the U.S. delegation to the European Codex Alimentarius committee is opposing a United Nations rule... Read full post here
• Heart Surgeon Admits Huge Mistake! Part 2 - By Guest Blogger, Dwight Lundell, MD Take a moment to visualize rubbing a stiff brush repeatedly over soft skin until it becomes quite red and nearly bleeding. Let's say you kept this up several times a day, every day for five years. If you could tolerate this painful brushing, you would have a bleeding, swollen infected area that became worse with each repeated injury. This is a good way to visualize the inflammatory process that could be going on in your body right now. Regardless of where the inflammatory process occurs, externally or internally,... Read full post here
• Hidden Hormone Hazards - Modern living exposes us to a wider range of health dangers than ever before. Some of the sneakiest of these modern health hazards affect our hormones. This is a big deal since hormones play a major role in health and quality of life. When they're healthy and balanced, we feel great. But feeling great is difficult when hormones are disrupted. As it turns out, some very common chemicals found in foods, personal care products, common medications and even food packaging pose real, but hidden threats to hormone health. ... Read full post here
• High Fructose Corn Syrup Is About As Healthy As Heroin - A while back the High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) manufacturers flooded the airways with their "It's natural" commercials. If you haven't seen them, there are several versions that all use the same theme. Two people are talking. One of them refuses to take a popsicle or dessert from the other, saying something like, "I wouldn't eat that. You know what they say about high fructose corn syrup." The person who is handing them the HFCS-laden dessert says, "You mean that it’s made from corn, contains no artificial ingredients, and like sugar it’s fine in... Read full post here
• How to Get the Best Medical Care Possible - These days, doctors are busier than ever. The result of this is a kind of medical overwhelm. People experience long waits for appointments, limited one-on-one time, and less personal attention. This may explain why many people are not happy with the quality of health care they receive. But you do not have to accept less than stellar medical care. Here's how to get the most from your health care visits. 1. Do Research The internet is a great place to get information about almost... Read full post here
• How to Make Sure You're Getting Enough Calcium - Here are the steps you can take to optimize your calcium intake: Consume plenty of dark green leafy vegetables, especially those on your Metabolic Typing® 'best' list. Avoid processed foods, especially any form of concentrated sugar or refined grains. Avoid caffeine - it can leach minerals out of your bones. Avoid carbonated drinks and any form of calcium carbonate (Tums, Oscal, Coral Calcium, etc.) Fine-tune your digestion - listen to your body's responses to foods and also consider increasing your stomach acidity by taking HCL supplements. Metabolic... Read full post here
• Inflammation & Oxidation - Disease Double Whammy - Chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes are leading causes of death in modern life. A huge amount of time and money is thrown at these diseases. Even so, modern medicine has not come up with successful treatments. At best, they are able to manage some of the symptoms. Less well known by most people is the fact that all of these problems have two things in common. They share the traits of inflammation and oxidation. One way to think of these two traits is to... Read full post here
• Is Resveratrol Rocket Fuel For Your Aging Brain? - The latest research on the anti-aging supplement, resveratrol, is in - and it's looking pretty good. If you haven't heard about this powerful plant extract, you should know that research shows resveratrol has potent effects that slow down the aging process. In addition, it is a powerful antioxidant, it fights cancer, diabetes and inflammation, and it supports the immune system. You can read more about this supplement in the article, "Is Resveratrol the Next 'Miracle Nutrient?'" and also here, in the article "Turning Back Aging...". New research published Mar 31, 2010 in the American... Read full post here
• Is The Paleo Diet For You? - Should you eat like a caveman? One of the more recent food plans making the media circuit is called the Paleo Diet. It's based on the idea that foods available in the Paleolithic Era are better for us, even today. The concept is that human beings evolved to eat the foods naturally available before the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. What this means in practical terms is that foods such as meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, tree nuts, vegetables, roots, fruit, berries, mushrooms, etc. are acceptable foods to... Read full post here
• Lies, Damn Lies and Drug Statistics - How can you tell the effectiveness of a drug? In 1988 epidemiologists came up with a way to determine how effective a drug really is. It's called "Number Needed to Treat" (NNT). Simply put, NNT is how many patients would need to take a drug before one of them received the benefit the drug offers. If the NNT is 4, then 4 people would need to take the drug in order for one of them to get the benefit. So if a drug were perfectly effective, then the NNT would be 1. It would... Read full post here
• Losing Muscle After Age 50! - Resistance training has been a staple of my training programs for the last two decades. There are many reasons for this. Research and scientific evidence suggests benefits from some type of resistance training 2-3 times a week for healthy adults. This is why I love to create proper resistance training programs for boomers. Why is this important? Loss of lean muscle causes premature aging, lower metabolic rate, poor blood circulation, and other health issues. Lack of resistance training is also associated with an higher risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis, weak... Read full post here
• Making Your Way Through the Nutritional Jungle - It's a jungle out there. No, I'm not talking about the "mean streets" or climbing the corporate ladder. I'm talking about the jungle of making food choices. There are so many diets and food plans around that it is easy to be confused. Go into any book store (or look online) and you can find hundreds, if not thousands of dietary plans. Each of those plans has helped someone. This is why the author published a book. But plans can be very different from one to the... Read full post here
• Medical Myths - There are some funny ideas floating around about health. You can call these ideas, "medical myths." The odd thing is how many people believe these. They take what someone says as fact without question. Readers of Balance Point do not typically have this problem. Still, these myths are so common, it is a good idea to review a few of the worst. That makes you better armed against them. Here are the worst of these medical myths. Myth: Drugs Make You Healthy. Fact: Most people want an... Read full post here
• Metabolic Typing Videos - Free Access! - Here is the first of the free videos showing what Metabolic Typing does. Just hit the play arrow to watch the video: This is the first video in the series. There are 5 videos in Part 1. They cover: The Foundation of Health Fire Up Your Metabolism & Melt Away Your Symptoms! Why Metabolic Typing Works The Path to Success The Metabolic Typing Test Walkthrough If you would like free access to all 5 of these videos, it is easy. Just put... Read full post here
• Migraines and How to Relieve Them - You often hear about migraines being just a serious form of headache. But sometimes they don't even show up as a headache at all! People can have 'migraines' in other parts of their bodies besides the head. The reason is that migraines affect the entire nervous system. And the condition is not only present when the pain is there. It still lurks below the surface at other times as well. Sadly, no one has a clear-cut 100% effective way to fix the problem. Some work for a while, but may not work all the time. In my practice I've had good success with acupuncture, diet changes and... Read full post here
• Migraines Respond to a Natural Approach - There are few pains more debilitating than migraine headaches. Now there is new evidence that natural approaches can effectively reduce, and in some cases eliminate them. Here are a few of the most recent findings: Hormones: Melatonin: People prone to Migraines frequently have low levels of Melatonin secretion from their Pineal Gland and supplemental Melatonin may help to prevent Migraines in such people. Progesterone: Estrogen dominance in some women can cause migraines. In such cases, progesterone, which counteracts estrogen dominance may alleviate migraines. Vitamins: B6, B12 & Folic... Read full post here
• Multiple Benefits From Green Tea - It turns out that green tea, enjoyed by millions worldwide every day, is more than just a pleasant warm drink. Researchers uncover new benefits practically every week. And they're finding that it isn't even necessary to drink the tea to gain these advantages. Taking green tea extract can be just as effective. A quick review of research illustrates the numerous health-giving properties of green tea. These include: Slowing the aging process Improving memory & learning Fighting Alzheimer's Disease Reducing anxiety Supporting heart health Preventing oxidative damage to... Read full post here
• My Favorite Quote About GMO Foods - GMO (Genetically Modified) foods are everywhere. This trend is particularly strong in the United States and is growing every year. The main company driving this is the agricultural giant Monsanto. There is abundant evidence suggesting these foods, also called "Franken-foods," are not only un-natural, but unhealthy in the extreme. And even though there haven't been tests run to determine the long-term affect of humans eating them, they've been unleashed on the population anyway. It's like we're all guinea pigs in a mass social experiment. To see more on this subject, click here to search... Read full post here
• Natural Allergy Relief - Having allergies to pollen and other environmental allergens is a miserable experience. This year I've seen more patients than usual with this problem. Their eyes & throat itches, their nose runs and they're tired. Like most health issues, dealing with allergies effectively means not only addressing the symptoms, it also means correcting the underlying imbalances behind the symptoms. To accomplish that deeper healing requires a good understanding of the factors that can create systemic imbalances. And since everyone will have their own unique combination... Read full post here

• Natural Anti-inflammatory Foods - Diabetes, cancer, heart disease... each of these deadly problems involves chronic inflammation. Before looking at the foods that fight it, it is good to know what it is in the first place. Why do we get inflammation? What good is it? There are five qualities of inflammation. They are pain, swelling, redness, heat and loss of function. These are your body's response to injury or trauma. For instance, if you get a cut, the area around the cut becomes swollen, painful, warm and red. It is also often hard to use. Your body protects... Read full post here
• Natural Arthritis Relief Supplements - A couple of posts back we went over causes of joint pain and talked about natural ways to correct it. If you missed that article, you'll find it by clicking here. Today let's go over the most effective natural supplements to address the inflammatory damage already done and to speed the process of healing. We'll also talk about specific treatments that can help. Supplements for Joint Pain The Hyperhealth Pro Natural Medicine Database lists 64 separate natural remedies to address joint pain. We don't have the space to address all of these... Read full post here
• Natural Defense Against The Flu - You've no doubt seen the recent media activity drumming up public awareness about the "pandemic" swine flu authorities anticipate this winter. There's talk about high death rates, people at risk and in some circles near panic about possible draconian measures by the government to use this outbreak as an excuse for martial law. In addition, there are very real concerns about how quickly the new vaccines are being rushed through the approval process without adequate testing. In contrast to all the media noise about this, there is strong evidence that the... Read full post here
• Natural Supplements for Supporting a Healthy Brain - Nothing is quite as scary as the idea of losing your mental abilities. If you've ever seen a friend or loved one with Alzheimers Disease you know what I mean. The loss of memory, the ability to recognize people and think clearly is devastating. And with the Baby Boomer generation rapidly approaching retirement age, this concern is particularly relevant. This is why more and more research is taking place these days to discover the causes, and more importantly effective treatments for preventing age-related mental decline. Fortunately for those of... Read full post here
• New Research on Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain - In spite of thousands of years of practical results, nobody can say for sure exactly how acupuncture works. Ongoing research seeks to uncover more information about what conditions acupuncture helps as well as the mechanism by which it helps the body heal. Both were goals of the recent SPINE (Stimulating Points to Investigate Needling Efficacy) trials conducted by researchers from the Group Health Center for Health Studies. The SPINE study compared 3 different ways of treating low back pain with acupuncture as well as conventional medical treatment alone. The three methods included... Read full post here
• Obesity: Two More Reasons Being Overweight Harms Your Health - Most people understand that extra weight is a health problem. Usually heart problems or diabetes are the reason we think this. But new research points out other issues with obesity that make it more important than ever to watch our weight. The first study, done Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, gathered data for six years about the size of malignant cancer tumors related to the weight of the patient. This is important since the larger the tumor, the more aggressive the cancer. The standard of measurement used in the study was the Body Mass... Read full post here
• One More Reason White Sugar is Bad For You - This reason might explain why many people get sick around the holidays... A study in the Journal of Natural Medicine found that one teaspoon of refined sugar paralyzes fifty percent of the body's white blood cells for five hours. Why is this important? White blood cells are an important component of your immune system. They help to defend your body against infectious disease and foreign materials. So, as you're contemplating the next bite of dessert, eating just one more piece of candy or having a soda instead of... Read full post here
• Osteoarthritis Pain: Effective Natural Treatments - Joint pain increases as we get older. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint pain in the world. Just in the U.S. it affects an estimated 42.7 million adults in the U.S. and over 20% of populations worldwide. The name of this disease comes from osteo (bone) and arth (joint) and itis (inflammation). It happens when the cartilage between bones breaks down or wears away. Since cartilage normally reduces friction and cushions shock, when it's not there the result is pain and limited range of motion. In traditional Chinese medicine,... Read full post here
• Overcoming Migraine Headaches - One of the toughest health challenges faced by some people are migraine headaches. Neither traditional or alternative medicine has figured out a way to relieve migraines with 100% reliable results. Partly this is because there are several types of migraines. In addition, each person has their own unique set of circumstances that contribute to the problem. From a traditional medical point of view there are three main causes of migraines: Spasms in cerebral blood vessels - dangerous because of their association with the possibility of having a stroke. These... Read full post here
• Overcoming Sugar Cravings - Okay, so we all know that sugar is bad for us. But does that stop us from eating it? Usually the answer is a resounding "no!" I won't review here all of the ways sugar damages our health and impairs our quality of life. There are plenty of resources online, including dozens of references on the Reno Alternative Medicine website. (Go to the search page by clicking here.) Instead I'd like to offer some practical suggestions for ways to break the cycle of craving sweets. Reasons We Crave Sugar According to Western medical research, we crave sugar... Read full post here
• Phosphatidylserine - Long Name, Big Benefits - Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a little-known lipid that affects many aspects of health. The brain makes PS. You can also get it in pill form. Here are just some of the good things it offers: Helps prevent hypertension. Helps stop atherosclerosis. Boosts cell membrane health (such as myelin sheaths). Improves athletic performance. Helps age-related memory loss. Increases focus and improves learning. Lowers levels of stress hormone. In other words, PS helps heart and brain while increasing physical... Read full post here
• Preventing Age Related Mental Decline - Nothing is sadder than to see someone you care about going downhill mentally. I remember visiting my 95-year-old grandmother after she had experienced this decline. Half the time when I came in I'd have to introduce myself and she still wouldn't know who I was. It was heartbreaking to see this wonderful woman in such a state. Whether you call it Alzheimer's Disease or senile dementia, you never appreciate remembering people and events as... Read full post here
• Qigong and Your Health - If you haven't heard the term qigong before, it may seem odd. It is a Chinese word that is actually made of 2 words, one meaning vitality and the other meaning cultivation. In other words, it simply means, "cultivate vitality." The practice of qigong (pronounced "chee gung") evolved from extensive personal research by thousands of dedicated people. Over the years many styles of qigong emerged, many seemingly very different from one another. The one thing they all have in common... Read full post here
• Reversing Aging with a Simple Amino Acid - A main cause of aging is oxidation in the cells of your body. You might think of oxidation like rusting from the inside out. This process contributes to wrinkled skin, decreased energy, and loss of mental clarity. At the same time it causes more serious problems such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, cataracts, etc. The name for this health-damaging process is "oxidative stress" and the damage it causes happens when your immune system becomes overwhelmed by free radicals. Some of these free radicals come from diet, while others come from exposure to environmental pollution, cigarette... Read full post here
• Reversing Memory Loss - You may never have heard of the herb, Acori graminei, but it's definitely worth noticing. In Chinese herbal medicine, Acori is called shi chang pu and is in the category "Open Orifices." This is a category of herbs that help clear the mind and open the senses. It's one of my favorite herbs for this. Now, the ancient uses for this herb have been confirmed and expanded upon by modern researchers. This research was reported in the Oxford Journals Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal (eCAM). It explored Acori's effect on learning and memory in... Read full post here
• Risking Our Lives for Big Pharma Profits - By Guest Author, Melanie Segala (Note from Dr. Eichelberger: In February I had the pleasure of sharing with you a two-part article by heart surgeon, Dr. Dwight Lundell. He talked about the real cause of heart disease. If you missed that two-part article you can see it here: part 1 and part 2. Today I'm pleased to present a recent interview done by Melanie Segala of Total Health Breakthroughs where she dove deeper into this important topic with Dr. Lundell.) Melanie: Dr. Lundell, you had a very impressive and successful medical career as a cardiac... Read full post here
• Root & Branch - When you have pain or other health problems, or you don't have all the energy you used to, the first thing you want to do is get rid of the symptoms. And that's a good thing... but it's not the only thing you want to think about. Here's why: In Chinese Medicine, there is a concept called "Root & Branch" referring to the cause (root) of an illness and the symptoms (branch) of it. Root & Branch is an excellent metaphor describing what's going on when we experience any sort of illness. ... Read full post here
• Safely and Naturally Banish Toxic Heavy Metals from Your Body - There are dozens of heavy metals that are common in our environment and diet, including mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and others. Significant exposure can cause acute or chronic toxicity and can lead to numerous serious health problems such as cognitive and central nervous dysfunction, energy deficiency, and damage to vital organs. Over time, exposure can result in systemic, muscular and neurological degenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis among others. Heavy metal exposure can suppress immune function and damage DNA, paving the road for potential cancer development and other serious conditions over the long... Read full post here
• Saffron - A Spice With Many Health Benefits - Saffron is the exotic Asian spice used in Mexican, Spanish, Mediterranean and Indian cooking. What many people don't know, however, is that it is also a potent medicinal herb as well. In Chinese medicine it's been used for centuries and recent studies have reinforced its health benefits. And as you might expect with a powerful herbal medicine, there are also people who shouldn't take saffron medicinally, and probably should avoid it even in cooking. In Chinese medicine saffron goes by the name of hong hua. The literal translation is "red flower." It comes... Read full post here
• Save Your Life By Avoiding These "Frankenfoods" - There are monsters among us. They're much harder to spot than old-time cinematic monsters such as Godzilla or Frankenstein, but they are much, much more deadly. By learning to identify and avoid them you'll be taking big steps towards saving your heath and your life. There are so many of these "Frankenfoods" these days that it can be challenging keeping up with the new ones. To help you identify them more easily, here is a short list of the worst offenders: Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) ... Read full post here
• Schisandra - An Herb With A Funny Name, But Huge Benefits - Schisandra berries (wu wei zi) have a long history of use in Chinese medicine. Categorized as an astringent, their use goes far beyond just stopping diarrhea. Here is a list of both ancient and modern uses for this unique herb: protection against brain damage - improves mental clarity, concentration, and coordination. It also reduces forgetfulness. antioxidant protection - helps the body create the universal anti-oxidant, glutathione. This substance helps stop and prevent free-radical damage in every cell in the body. It also supports the immune system. protection against liver... Read full post here
• Still Eating Fast Foods? - This may change your mind... I could write a whole series of articles on this one, including the cancer-causing chemical, acrylamide, that all french fries and potato chips contain. For now, just take a look at the following list of 'extra' ingredients you get in a fast food hamburger. In addition to meat from 1,000 different cows, you get a hearty blend of... 1,1,1-trichloroethane 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene BHC, alpha chloroform chlorotoluene, o- chlorpyrifos DDE, p,p* DDT, p,p* dichlorobenzene, p- dieldrin... Read full post here
• Stop those flu bugs before they take hold... - You probably already know that washing your hands frequently during flu season is an outstanding idea. Often the flu virus gets transmitted by contact. But there are other useful things to know that may help you avoid the flu, even if everyone around you is getting it. Selenium is an essential trace element and a powerful antioxidant. It also helps the immune system recognize viruses and block them from entering the cells. Take 400 to 500 micrograms (mcg) a day in divided doses (about 150 mcg each dose) during the peak of flu... Read full post here
• Stopping Brain Killers - Aging brings wisdom and understanding, but at the same time come dangers to brain health. These dangers include leaky brain cells, brain chemistry imbalances, oxidative damage and the formation of sticky goo (called lipofuscin) inside nerve cells. Fortunately, you don't have to succumb to the negative aspects of aging. One way to keep your brain alive and healthy is to take specific supplements that support active brain health. Recently the Journal of Neurochemistry published a study showing that two supplements go a long way towards supporting and protecting the brain against ... Read full post here
• Stopping Pain: The Only Two Things That Count - "Turn down that noise!" Imagine listening to a screeching, static-filled, annoying radio station all day every day. The experience of chronic pain is exactly like this. The difference is that you can't always turn the 'noise' down. When we're in pain, the first thing we normally think of is how to turn it off, or at least turn it down. That's natural since pain is a signal from your body to take action. But what most people do is settle for periods of intermittent relief. They... Read full post here
• Tai Chi Ruler: Ancient Qigong with Modern Results - Tai Chi Ruler is perhaps the most effective set of Qigong movements ever created for overall health and well being. Why? There is simply nothing better for increasing energy, improving mental focus and supporting physical, emotional and mental balance. The movements of Tai Chi Ruler do all of these things when practiced regularly. If you're not familiar with Qigong, (formerly spelled "Chi Kung"), you should know that it is an extensive collection of movements using gentle, relaxed motion combined with breathing and stretching. On the outside it looks surprisingly simple,... Read full post here
• Teflon Canary In The Cookware Coal Mine - From the very early days of mining people knew dangerous gasses were sometimes released from digging. In fact, these old-time miners developed a trick to detect if fumes were present, even if they couldn't smell them. They'd carry cages with canaries in them down into the mines each day. The reason? Canaries would keel over long before any human could detect the presence of toxic fumes. These canaries saved many human lives with their early warnings. Even though modern mining methods detect gasses using sensitive... Read full post here
• The 3 Most Important Considerations When Choosing Your Foods - Make no mistake about it, food is the most powerful medicine you'll ever take. Why? No matter what other medicine you take (prescriptions, herbs, vitamins, etc.), your food has a greater impact. A plate full of food wins over a handful of pills every time because there's so much more of it. So choosing your food shouldn't be just a casual matter. But it also doesn't have to be difficult. By paying a bit of attention to just three qualities of the foods you eat, you'll automatically start feeling better. 1) Eat Whole Food: This means... Read full post here
• The Cheapest Flu Preventative Around - Unless you live in a cave on a deserted island, you've heard lots of reports about this year's flu season. And many of these reports trigger strong emotions in people. Whether it's fear over the potential severity of the virus or anger over the possibility of forced vaccination, emotions run high around this issue. But rather than spend any time and energy arguing for one point of view or another, I think it makes more sense to do everything we can to get ourselves as strong and healthy as possible. By doing so... Read full post here
• The Consequences of Food Irradiation - Food irradiation is supposed to help us be safer because it kills pathological organisms, or at least that's what the proponents of the technology would have us believe. But a recent experiment on pregnant cats fed irradiated foods casts serious doubt on those claims. An article published by iHealthBulletin News highlighted research done at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. These researchers wanted to understand the neurological effects seen in pregnant cats fed irradiated foods. Those effects include movement disorders, vision loss and paralysis. The good news for the cats was that once... Read full post here
• The Deadly Trans-Fat Deception - There is increasinly more evidence that some fats are not only healthy, but extremely good for people. We'll address that in another post soon, but today I'd like too look at the other side of the fat issue, namely how some fats can kill you and how you can avoid them. It may be more difficult to avoid these than you think. The Background If you've paid attention to the news over the past couple of years, you've seen many reports of foods containing trans-fats. These processed and unnatural fats wreak havoc with your health. They... Read full post here
• The Fastest Growing Disease in the World - When most people hear about a world epidemic they think of some sort of infectious disease such as AIDS or Hepatitis C. That's why it's a bit surprising to discover that the fastest growing 'epidemic' in the world isn't infectious at all. See if you can guess what it is from these facts: In the past 20 years the worldwide number of people with this disease has risen 767%. It not only affects huge numbers of people in modern cultures, it also affects many people in... Read full post here
• The Good and Not-So-Good Aspects of Vitamin D - But the problem may not be lack of foods, but lack of sunshine. One of the benefits of getting enough sun is that it triggers your body to make vitamin D. Here are some of the lesser-known results of low vitamin D levels: Poor memory related to aging. Blood sugar problems, including type II diabetes and Syndrome X. Breast, prostate and several other types of cancer. Chronic pain. Depression, worse in the winter (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Weak bones. How Did We Get To... Read full post here
• The Hidden Dangers of Stress - From time to time I have a patient who tells me that their symptoms are "only stress." Although I don't always say so out loud, I often wonder what they'd say if a truck hit them. Would they say, "It was only a truck that hit me?" Of course this is a silly way to bring up the point that stress has a profound effect on our health. The difference between being hit by a truck and being hit by chronic stress is that you notice the truck right away. By... Read full post here
• The Hidden Epidemic - There is an epidemic going on in the world, one that isn't generally talked about as an epidemic. When we think of epidemics, we often include the most common chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. But not only does this 'hidden' epidemic affect more people than these three diseases, it affect almost twice as many as all three combined! The name of this epidemic? Chronic pain. Here's a diagram showing the relative frequency of chronic pain compared to the three major causes of death: ... Read full post here
• The Hormone That Keeps You From Losing Weight - There's a hormone you've probably never heard of that has a powerful impact on your weight. Actually there are three weight-influencing hormones, and they each have different effects. Having a balanced level in the body of each is ideal. The weight-related hormones you want to keep in check are cortisol and insulin. Cortisol is the stress-related survival hormone. Although extremely important if you need to escape immediate physical danger, when it's elevated over time it tends to drain your body's reserves of energy, and eventually damages overall health. At the same time chronically... Read full post here
• The Missing Factor in Many Health Problems - In the past 100 years we've seen many changes in the food we eat, particularly how it is grown and processed. Some of these have been very positive and helpful - better refrigeration, quicker transportation time to market, wider variety, etc.Other changes in food production and preparation have created serious health problems. Many of these problems are now showing up in diminished health in a wide spectrum of the population, both young and old. One very clear example of this is the change in how our beef is raised. At the turn of the 20th century almost all cattle was... Read full post here
• The Most Powerful Medicine You Will Ever Take - The most powerful medicine you'll ever take isn't a drug, an herb, a vitamin, a mineral or an amino acid. All of these can have powerful effects on the body, but they aren't the most powerful influence. The most powerful medicine is food. I can almost hear some people saying, "Food? How can that be more powerful than drugs?" Let me tell you what I mean. In your body there are 50,000 biochemical processes happening every day. These happen at multiple levels—in cells, tissues and... Read full post here
• The Problem with Antioxidants - If you've paid attention to health news over the past few years, you know that eliminating free radicals is crucial to help your body fight off the damaging effects of aging. Free radicals are byproducts of metabolism that wreak havoc with your body's ability to create energy. And, one of the most common ways to fight them is with antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect the trillions of little energy generators in our cells, called mitochondria. Without antioxidants, Mitochondria become less efficient at turning food and oxygen into energy... Read full post here
• The Real Skinny On Fats - Fats can make you thin. I know that this goes contrary to nearly everything you've been told, but it's true. Here's why... One of the problems with getting older is that our metabolism slows down. As a result it's easier than ever to gain weight. At the same time, aging decreases muscle mass. Of course, weight or resistance training can help reduce this loss. Fortunately both of these situations can be improved when you eat the right dietary fats. It turns out that there is a... Read full post here
• The Simplest Health Tip Ever - If you're looking for the 'newest and greatest' health discovery, you may want to skip this article. Instead, I'd like to offer you what may be the simplest health tip ever. This tip is based on centuries of practical knowledge and experience. And, as always, I encourage you to check it out for yourself to see how it applies in your unique situation. This tip can best be summarized in a quote from Tai Chi Grandmaster, T. T. Liang. He said, "You might as well drink... Read full post here
• The Truth About Saturated Fats - Should you avoid all saturated fats? An article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Authors J. Bruce German and Cora J. Dillard looked at this question. They reviewed 30 years of research to find the answers. They looked at how recommendations to reduce or eliminate saturated fats have affected health. They also looked at the effect of increasing carbs in the diet. They found that this advice creates bad health. In fact, research done since the original 1980 recommendation shows that such a change in diet creates a dangerous lipid profile and supports high cholesterol! The... Read full post here
• The Two Ways of Looking at Food - There are two big schools of though when it comes to nutrition. The first school says that as long as we get enough calories it does not matter where they come from. They think that the calories in a fast food meal are equal to those in an organic, home cooked meal. Let's call this the "Food Is Food" school. Those who follow this idea see no difference between the fast food and a home cooked meal. Their attitude is that food is food. The other school... Read full post here
• Tilapia: Fish on Fire - We have heard for years that fish is good for us. And in many ways that's true. But there is one fish that is not so good. That fish is tilapia. You may have seen it in your local store. Often it is advertised as a healthy protein source. But there are three reasons to think about looking elsewhere for your fish choices. Before we go into those, here are some basic facts about tilapia. It originally came from freshwater ponds in Africa. It is good for... Read full post here
• To Sleep Perchance to Dream - Causes of Sleeping Disorders and What You Can Do About Them One of the most common complaints I see these days is difficulty sleeping. This may not be the main reason someone comes to my office, but very often it accompanies the presenting problem. The most common sleep disturbance pattern is someone who is able to go to sleep relatively easily, but who wakes up in the middle of the night. Any number of things can cause or contribute to this issue. Below are the... Read full post here
• Treating Depression: A Vital Step in Cancer Recovery - Note from Dr. Bruce: Dr. Isaac Eliaz is a well-known holistic M.D. who's work I've followed for many years. I'm delighted that he has been kind enough to offer his insights on the Balance Point Blog! With all of the stresses of today’s modern world, depression is unfortunately becoming a common household word for many people in this country and abroad. During the cold winter months, many also struggle with seasonal depression or “winter blues,” known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Depression can be caused by any number of factors, such as chronic stress, inactivity, hormone or neurotransmitter imbalances,... Read full post here
• Turmeric Helps Prevent Cancer - In the March 2, 2009 issue of Balance Point, you learned why the herbal spice turmeric (also known in Chinese Medicine as Tuber Curcumae, or "yu jin") is the herb I would choose if I could only take one herbal supplement. Now, additional research shows that turmeric has the power to reduce certain breast, stomach, colon & prostate cancers. Since cancer is the number 2 cause of death in the U.S. (right behind heart disease), this is outstanding news. How does Turmeric accomplish this powerful feat? Research is ongoing, but it... Read full post here
• Two Kinds Of Health Knowledge - "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." - Buddha Modern life brings us lots of advantages, but one very large disadvantage. The disadvantage I'm referring to is that we are awash in secondary knowledge that keeps us from being able to be certain about many things. Let me explain. The original kind of knowledge, what Nietzsche called "primary knowledge," is the knowledge we gain from our... Read full post here
• Using Ginger Root for Pain Relief - Ginger root is more than just a tasty cooking herb, it is also excellent for pain relief. You may already know about some of the ways ginger root helps in healing. For example, used fresh it is an excellent choice for relieving nausea. You will also see it in formulas for helping with indigestion, cough and early stage cold symptoms. But one of the best uses for ginger root is in relieving pain. Its uses for pain relief cover many different kinds of pain. Here are some of the... Read full post here
• Vitamin C and Cancer... What's the Truth? - You might have seen the recent headlines announcing that Vitamin C was dangerous for cancer patients. These articles were based on research done at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and published in the journal, Cancer Research in October 2008. That research indicated that Vitamin C interfered with the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs given to cancer patients. This finding flies in the face of decades of experience showing that Vitamin C actually helps cancer patients fight the disease. Why the apparently sudden difference in these studies? Medical Researcher Uncovers the Truth... Read full post here
• Vitamin D Overdose Symptoms - For years we've been told too much sun was dangerous. And too much can be. Unfortunately, the over-emphasis on the dangers of excessive sun have caused a swing in the opposite direction. Excessive use of sun blockers, people always wearing long sleeves and a hat, as well as staying indoors more are all common responses. As a result, more and more people are testing deficient in Vitamin D. This is a shame since the right amount of sun exposure is the absolute best way to get Vitamin D in the body. But because... Read full post here
• Walk Away from Alzheimer's - When you exercise your body, you are also exercising your mind. In the February 25, 2006 issue of Science News they reported that exercise causes nerve cells to multiply, strengthens connections between neurons and protects the brain from damage. Many studies show that exercise increases a brain factor called BDNF. This factor creates more and better connections between neurons, which in turn leads to increased capacity for learning. In fact, some physicians see exercise in the same way they see prescriptions - they view it like a drug that needs to be prescribed. And... Read full post here
• Water, Water Everywhere, And Not A Drop To Drink... - I originally thought I'd use this issue to share breaking news about the shocking discovery recently that dozens of cities in the U.S. have traces of pharmaceutical drugs in their drinking water. As the week went on, however, this news was everywhere, from the print and broadcast news to late night comedy routines. I can't imagine you haven't heard about it already.Just in case, here's the short version: There are so many prescription drugs passing through people's bodies and into the sewer systems, that septic processing plants can't clear all of it. This has gone on long enough that these... Read full post here
• What Are Complimentary Therapies? - Complimentary therapies have been used for thousands of years. They have been used to treat illnesses since as far back as 10,000BC. They can often be used to treat problems which do not have an effective treatment option in traditional medicine. Complimentary therapies focus on all aspects of the patient and not just on the symptoms of their illness. These therapies aim to encourage a greater feeling of wellness and help the patient to feel better in every way. What are the options? There are many types of complimentary therapy to... Read full post here
• What are Neurotransmitters and Why Should You Care? - If you read health news, you have probably seen the word, 'neurotransmitter' used when talking about various types of health problems. But what do you know about these powerful substances? This article will give you some understanding of what they are, what they do and why they are important in your overall quality of life.What They Are, How They WorkNeurotransmitters are brain chemicals that your body makes from amino acids (protein building blocks) vitamins and enzyme co-factors. This process happens at the end points of nerves (nerve terminals).Neurotransmitters carry information from the end of one nerve to the beginning of... Read full post here
• What Will Genetic Research Tell Us About Human Health? - (And will it help us be healthier...?) These days genetic researchers regularly uncover parts of the DNA code that show the likelihood of someone coming down with specific diseases. The goal of this research is eliminating health problems at their root and creating a better life for people. Because DNA is the design blueprint for every structure in the body, they hope to understand how to avoid problems and optimize the relevant processes taking place deep in each cell of the body. The questions they hope to answer include: What disease... Read full post here
• What's In A Name? - Shakespeare famously observed in a line from his play, Romeo and Juliet, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." It's a very poetic way of saying that what something is matters more than what someone calls it. But the reverse is also true. If someone handed you a plate full of rotten, stinking eggs, and told you they were health food, you'd laugh in their face. We all trust the evidence of our senses when it comes to something this obvious. But... Read full post here
• What's the Real Deal with Cholesterol? - By Guest Author, Justin Smith If cholesterol causes heart disease, why do most people who have a heart attack have an average cholesterol level and not high cholesterol? Cholesterol-lowering has become an obsession. We are told that our cholesterol level should be below 200 mg/dl, but the reality is that a healthy cholesterol level can be anything between 105 and 345. So most people who have been told they have high cholesterol, in fact, just have a normal cholesterol level. Further more, cholesterol in itself does not... Read full post here
• When Smelling Good Stinks... - Many commonly used household products contain hazardous chemicals. And many of these chemicals are added to mask the smell of the other ingredients. This information came to light in a University of Washington study that analyzed a variety of popular laundry products and air fresheners. The final analysis uncovered the fact that these products released dozens of toxic chemicals into the air. In fact, every product they tested (six in all) emitted at least one toxic or hazardous chemical according to federal federal regulations even though none of them were included in the ingredient... Read full post here
• Where Are You On The "Sensitive Person" Scale? - Years ago, like many people, I thought that we are all basically the same inside. I no longer think that's true. On the outside we each have different finger prints and with the exception of identical twins, none of us look exactly like anyone else. But we are also just as unique on the inside. In my practice I see this in a very real way with my patients. For example, when doing acupuncture some people respond better to a stronger stimulation of acupuncture points. Others only need a very light, barely noticeable... Read full post here
• Where Are You on the Wellness Meter? - There's a huge difference between feeling perfectly healthy and having a total health breakdown. In the first state, a person feels physically strong, emotionally balanced and mentally clear. In the extremes of the the second situation, a person's body shuts down, leading to death. Symptoms, such as physical aches and pains, poor digestion, lack of energy, etc. signal us that something is wrong. They motivate us to take action. But as you can see from the following diagram, these symptoms only show up after deeper functional imbalances become serious enough to trigger them. ... Read full post here
• Where Do You Find Reliable Holistic Health Information? - If you're like me, you want to gather and understand the latest and most accurate information when it comes to your health, particularly ways to get and stay healthy naturally. And although my goal in writing this email newsletter is to provide you with readable, and more importantly, understandable information on the latest trends, there's no way I can cover everything. There's just too much information available. That means that sometimes you have health concerns you want to explore that might not have been covered in these pages. That's why... Read full post here
• Which Gets Better Care, Your Car or Your Body? - In conversations with several patients recently, I've been struck by the some of the similarities between our automobiles and our bodies. An example of this is one recent patient who came in for acupuncture. As we talked about her symptoms, it was very clear that her food choices were having a strong influence on how she was feeling. I did my best to explain that no amount of acupuncture would compensate for eating the wrong foods, but this was a hard thing for her to hear. She really wanted the acupuncture to fix the problem. ... Read full post here
• Who Controls Your Health? - When growing up, I thought doctors were infallible. Maybe you did too. It wasn't that they were perfect. But they seemed to know what to do about health problems. And they were so sure about what to prescribe. It gave you a feeling of confidence. Ah... the good old days. Of course today many doctors are still sure of their advice. And most of them seem confident. But as you likely know, they are not infallible. They make mistakes. And even when they give you something for your problem, it might... Read full post here
• Why Are 1/3 of Americans Using Alternative Medicine? - Over 37% of Americans now use some form of alternative medicine. This number comes from a 2006 survey done by Thompson Medstat, a company that provides statistical services to the healthcare industry. The most common reason people seek alternative care is to improve general wellness according to the report. They use herbal supplements, massage, chiropractic, mind/body therapies, acupuncture and naturopathy. Interestingly, the most common use of alternative therapies happens in families with over $100,000 annual income. Most of these people also have post-graduate college degrees. One thing the... Read full post here
• Why Are 1/3 of Americans Using Alternative Medicine? - Over 37% of Americans now use some form of alternative medicine. This number comes from a 2006 survey done by Thompson Medstat, a company that provides statistical services to the healthcare industry. The most common reason people seek alternative care is to improve general wellness according to the report. They use herbal supplements, massage, chiropractic, mind/body therapies, acupuncture and naturopathy. Interestingly, the most common use of alternative therapies happens in families with over $100,000 annual income. Most of these people also have post-graduate college degrees. One thing the... Read full post here
• Why Joint Pain Is A Serious Health Signal - Most people with chronic joint pain miss the real significance of their symptoms. That's because the significance of joint pain goes far beyond its obvious symptoms of discomfort. Regardless of whether the pain is worse with movement or after periods of inactivity or both, the underlying message your body is sending is that there's inflammation present. Now before you dismiss the obvious connection between chronic inflammation and joint pain, consider that even though symptoms show up in the joints, the inflammation is affecting the entire body. ... Read full post here
• Why Natural Treatments are Better for Arthritis and Joint Pain - With age, we experience more joint pain. Joints weaken, bones become brittle and natural lubricating fluids inside the body dry up. Among the many possible causes for joint pain, arthritis is the most common. There are over 100 different forms, but osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis occur most frequently. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the fluid inside the joints. It shows up as swelling, bone wearing down and eventually deformed joints. The symptoms include swelling and pain as well as red, puffy hands and feet. Firm bumps under the... Read full post here
• Why The 'Magic Pill' Never Works - When it comes to health, we all want to find the "magic pill." You know the one... take it in the evening, go to sleep and wake up with all of your ailments, diseases, aches and pains vanished forever. Wouldn't that be great? Heck, we don't even care whether this magic pill is an herb, a vitamin supplement or even a pharmaceutical drug. We just want the instant results. Every day I get email promotions with this sort of promise. Here's a brief sample of... Read full post here
• Why You Shouldn't Take Vitamins - Foods we eat these days have substantially less nutrition that they had 100 years ago. They're grown in mineral-depleted soils and transported long distances before we eventually eat them. The nutrients, natural enzyme levels and freshness of our food suffers as a result. This is true even of organic foods and much more so of conventionally grown foods. That's why supplementing with vitamins and minerals seems like it should be a good idea. And generally speaking, it is a good idea. But there are important considerations to take into account. In fact, in... Read full post here
• Yet Another Reason To Avoid Sugar - I ran across a shocking statistic this week about sugar. It turns out that 95% of all sugar beets are genetically modified. And because 50 percent of sugar comes from sugar beets, that means that almost 50% of sugar comes from genetically modified sources1. So in addition to the well-known problems with eating refined sugar and products made with it, we have this additional problem. Every time someone eats sugar they're playing a kind of nutritional roulette, gambling on whether or not the sugar is from a genetically... Read full post here
• Your "Other" Brain - Most people are surprised to learn that the brain tucked away inside their skull isn't their only brain. We all know about the brain in our heads. It's where we learn new things, process complex thoughts, store memories and perform thousands of unconscious self-balancing activities each day. This brain is crucial for adaptation and survival. But there's another brain that's equally important for survival. And this other brain works hand-in-hand with the brain in our head to keep us alive. The name of this brain is the enteric nervous system, or... Read full post here
• Your Health - Little Things Add Up In A Big Way - You sometimes don't see how little things affect your health. This cumulative effect of small changes is true for many other areas of life as well. I got a clear reminder of this recently. My wife pays the household bills. She is really good at taking care of details and handling this kind of chore. When a bill comes in, she always looks it over. And if there is anything odd, she hunts down the reason. When last month's water bill came in, she noticed a major difference. The payment amount... Read full post here