Why are Super Foods so Super?
In recent years, media pundits around the world have proclaimed the extraordinary value of so-called super foods. Blueberries, broccoli, and especially kale have been described as possessing remarkable, almost magical, properties. What is it about these foods that make them so good for you? From a basic perspective, adding fresh fruits and vegetables of all […]
What Is the Right Diet For Me?
It seems as if every few months there’s a new diet whose rules and requirements we must follow if we’re going to reach the goal of good health. The “paleo” diet provides a great example of this phenomenon. We’re exhorted by paleo proponents to eat lots of fats and animal protein. Carbohydrate consumption should be […]
The Stress of Life
“The Stress of Life” is a perennial bestseller by Hans Selye, written in 1956. Selye almost single-handedly introduced the notion of stress into the worldwide consciousness. By doing so, Selye changed the way we think about ourselves, our values, and how we conduct our lives. As Selye observed, stress is a double-edged sword. Many types […]
Is 60 the new 40?
“60 is the New 40” is more than a marketing slogan. The phrase is also a metaphor for optimism, as well as a metaphor for good health. How can 60 really be the new 40? First, there are the demographics. Forty years ago, when today’s 40-year-olds were just being born, 40 was a fairly substantial […]
The Problem of Radiating Pain
Many people experience radiating pain as a component of neck pain or low back pain. A person with neck pain might have pain that radiates down her arm, possibly into the hand.1 A person with low back pain might have accompanying leg pain, possibly traveling into the foot. Such arm/hand pain or leg/foot pain can represent […]
Breathing
Life is defined by breath: you take your first breath when you are born and your last breath the moment you die. The breath builds and repairs the structure of the physical body, and it maintains a balance between building material and the waste matter that cannot otherwise be removed. When your physical body has been […]
Think Positive Thoughts
Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Some studies show that personality traits like optimism and pessimism can affect many areas of your health and well-being. The positive thinking that typically comes with optimism is a key part of effective stress management. And effective stress management is associated with many […]
Fats and Oils
Fats and oils are essential to optimal health. They are important building blocks for the cells of your body, as well as for key hormones. Just as with all foods, you must consume high-quality fats and oils for your body to effectively use them. The number one fats that you want to avoid are the trans-fatty acids. Margarine […]
Organic Foods
First it must be stated that “Organic” as it is used to market and label food is a definition that is controlled and certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There are standards and allowances that are associated with the definition, and as such, some foods are not totally pure from an “organic” standpoint, but meet […]
Sleep
We all know that sleep is important, and when we do not get good rest or enough sleep we feel the negative effects. We drag the next day, are not as productive as we would like to be and our mood can be less than desirable. During sleep, not only do we get re-energized but also […]