(Introducing Probiotic Ultra!) Our “guts” (intestines) are loaded with over 100 trillion bacteria. In fact, 90% of the living cells in your body are bacteria in your gut! The question is obvious... Is your intestinal bacteria friend or foe? The answer... it depends! [featured-image single_newwindow="false"] Some types of bacteria are mandatory for good health. Others can ... Continue
Optimum Health Articles
Vitamin Quality: It Matters When Your Health is at Stake
Vitamins and other supplements are common around the world for a good reason. Humans are not very good at consuming the recommended vitamins and minerals. We need help! For example: 75% of women are magnesium deficient, with risk of fatigue, insomnia, weight gain. 85% of those with obesity are vitamin D deficient, with risk of fatigue, weight gain, depression. 90% of ... Continue
Low Energy: Fixing the Power Drain
Energy... ever want or need more? Are you more tired than you should be? Do you run out of energy before the day is over? Has your metabolism “slowed down” in recent years, making weight loss even more difficult? Do activities seem to require “too much effort” even though they were fun and easy in earlier years? If your goal is to have more energy, especially from burning ... Continue
What to eat? Wisdom vs Pleasure
Ever hear two voices battling in your mind, fighting over what you’ll eat? A wise and caring angel in one ear telling you how healthy and fit you’ll be if you eat this or that. And a convincing little deceptive demon in the other ear whispering, “Don’t worry, be happy! Eat that burger and fries, the chocolate cake, AND the ice cream. You can diet tomorrow!” ... Continue
Successful Weight Loss: Medical Support Matters!
I love seeing people take charge of their health and weight destiny... successfully! (In one of our studies, 73 patients lost an average of 47.1 lbs in just 9 months! I love that!!!) But weight loss is not “easy”. The fact is, significant weight loss and maintenance is one of the most difficult of human undertakings. You see, we have things like stress, dangerous foods, ... Continue
Simple Steps to Battle the “Blues”
I hate feeling depressed! After all, feeling depressed will ruin a perfectly good day! I’ve learned to make “mood management” one of my personal priorities and I’m determined to prevent unnecessary depression (or even “feeling blue”) and its nasty consequences! Why let a bad mood hinder my life, my relationships, my productivity, and my service to others? ... Continue
Meal Replacements: 3 Reasons
What we put in to our body impacts the health of our body. We know that, right? And yet the eating behavior of many Americans would make one believe this fact is still in question! The reality is that typical eating behaviors are not “logical” or “reasonable” when health consequences are considered... ... Continue
Sleep…. A Key to Weight Loss, Energy, and Health
Sleep... what a waste of time.... or is it? Psalms says it this way, “It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” In the midst of our busy lives and “productivity” we seem to have forgotten the ancient wisdom of getting adequate rest. Modern research tells us that the psalmist was right! Sleep is a ... Continue
Vitamin D and Mood
Would you like to improve your mood, have more energy, avoid anxiety, and lower your cravings for carbohydrates? Vitamin D (the “sunshine vitamin”) may be just what you need! In fact, vitamin D is one of the most researched vitamins for enhancing mood and avoiding common forms of depression. As a physician who routinely checks vitamin D blood levels, I made an interesting ... Continue
Fish Oil, Omega-3’s, and Research: Why I Eat Fish AND Take My Omega-3’s
Omega-3 oils (EPA and DHA), found in wild ocean fish and fish oil supplements are among the most researched and recommended nutritional supplements of all time. Let’s be reminded why... ... Continue
Vitamins and Research: Why I Take Supplements
A patient told me recently that her personal physician had questioned her about taking vitamin supplements. “Why are you taking those vitamins anyway?” Then, with a condescending tone, stated, “I don’t think you need them! I want you to stop taking them!” Really? My patient was caught off guard. Doesn’t everyone know that vitamins are not only good for us, they are essential ... Continue
10 Rewards for Losing “Unwanted” Weight
Unwanted weight gain is a real bother. Gaining just 15 lbs is enough to increase one’s risk of ugly things like cancer and heart disease. A few extra pounds can also impact our appearance, our self-confidence, our energy level, and even whether or not our clothes fit. Truly, no one wants to be overweight. It can be painful, frustrating, and downright depressing! For weight ... Continue
The Human Mind…What a Terrible Thing to Waste
Protecting Our Brains as We Age Alzheimer’s Dementia is the sixth leading cause of death, and one of the most feared of diseases. As the average age increases, Alzheimer’s dementia and other forms of memory loss are becoming more common and more of a concern. Now more than ever, American’s brains tend to malfunction before we are finished with them. ... Continue
Healthy Habits: What you do habitually determines your health eventually…
One of four diseases will likely kill each of us reading this. I call these diseases the “Deadly 4”. They take the lives of most Americans, yet these diseases are mostly PREVENTABLE! The “Deadly 4” Diseases are: Heart Disease Cancer Brain Disease: Stroke and Alzheimer’s Diabetes Type 2 ... Continue
Fitness Time: Transforming Health & Metabolism in just 9 minutes a day
You and I have something in common. We want great bodies that are fit, trim, and healthy! And, we are willing to invest time and energy to make it happen. Being fit gives us the ability to perform fun activities and pursue many adventures. In fact, every day becomes more enjoyable if we are fit. Daily activities, like house chores, shopping, climbing stairs, grocery ... Continue
Chromium GTF – A True Mineral Miracle!
What if there was a simple, inexpensive mineral supplement that would work for weight loss, lower appetite, lower body fat, and lower blood sugars? What if you also knew that Americans have a 90% chance of being deficient on this essential mineral, especially if you are overweight? Would you be interested? I suspect you would. Please read on... ... Continue
Appetite Control: The Secret Key to Permanent Weight Loss
Appetite: A desire (longing, craving) for food or drink. Having motivation to consume a food or drink that contains calories. Americans, as a rule, are in bondage to their persistent appetites for “problem foods”. In fact, the typical American appetite is more foe than friend. Just look around to see the evidence. Americans love to eat! And the food industry capitalizes on ... Continue
Sleep…. A Key to Weight Loss, Energy, and Health
Sleep... what a waste of time.... or is it? Psalms says it this way, “It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” In the midst of our busy lives and “productivity” we seem to have forgotten the ancient wisdom of getting adequate rest. Modern research tells us that the psalmist was right! Sleep is a ... Continue
Prostate Health: 10 Strategies To Lower Your Risk (or the risk of those you love!)
Prostate problems are one of the most common and bothersome medical problems of men as they age. In fact, current trends are that most men will develop BOTH an enlarged prostate AND cancer of the prostate if they live long enough. The older we become, the greater the risk. Applying research-based strategies to protect the prostate as we age is possible and an ounce of ... Continue
Coffee: 5 Hidden Benefits on Mental and Physical Health
I always look forward to my morning cup of coffee. Warm, comforting, and energizing, all in one! And now it tastes even better, knowing the health benefits. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in America, with over 150,000,000 daily consumers. But it has not arrived at its current level of popularity without some controversy along the way. Is coffee good for us or ... Continue