Author Archive
‘Feel-good’ food may be addictive, though direct evidence has not been found
March 28th, 2013 | 
Author: The Washington Post (DC) - by Consumers Union of United States
Monday, January 21, 2013
For some people, getting hooked on super-tasty food – sugary soda and ice cream, salty french fries and pizza – might be partly responsible for their craving, binge eating and weight gain. High levels of sugar, fat and salt, and various flavors and food additives might actually hijack the pathways of the brain in ways that are similar to opiates and other drugs.
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Immune-Boosting Foods May Add to Flu Defense
Health Day (consumer.healthday.com) – by Mary Elizabeth Dallas
Friday, January 18, 2013
As U.S. health officials recommend flu shots and frequent hand washing for protection during this season’s influenza outbreak, dietitians point to another significant defense weapon: healthy foods. Immune-boosting foods can improve your ability to ward off the flu and other health problems, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Even a small nutritional deficiency can affect the body’s ability to stay healthy, said Heather Mangieri, a registered dietitian and academy spokesperson.
Fighting the flu: A naturopath’s top five recommendations
Chatelaine (chatelaine.com) - by Robyn Shanks
Thursday, January 17, 2013
With Toronto health officials estimating that cases of the flu have more than tripled this year, there’s been a lot of talk around the Chatelaine office (as colleagues continue to call in sick!) around prevention (please stay home!), treatment and whether there’s really a better cure for influenza. In a bit of a flu panic, we called our resident naturopath Dr. Natasha Turner for her best advice on dealing with colds and flu – here are her recommendations.
BPA Replacement Also Alters Hormones
Scientific American - by Brian Bienkowski
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Just like the controversial compound it’s designed to replace, a chemical used in cash register receipts and other consumer products messes with hormones, according to research published today.
The study by University of Texas scientists is the first to link low concentrations of bisphenol S (BPS) – a bisphenol A (BPA) alternative – to disruption of estrogen, spurring concern that it might harm human health.
Some migraines tied to women’s heart risk: study
NY Daily News
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Women who suffer from migraines accompanied by visual disturbances such as flashes of light may be at increased risk of heart attacks and blood clots, researchers said Tuesday. The study involved 27,860 women, of whom 1,435 had migraine with aura, as such disturbances are called. Over the course of the 15-year study, there were 1,030 cases of heart attack, stroke or death from a cardiovascular ailment, said the report from the American Academy of Neurology.
The Appetite Workout
The New York Times - by Gretchen Reynolds
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Every January, many people start working out, hoping to lose weight. But as studies attest, exercise often produces little or no weight loss – and even weight gain – and resolutions are soon abandoned. But new science suggests that if you stick with the right kind of exercise, you may change how your body interacts with food. It’s more than a matter of burning calories; exercise also affects hormones.
Response to Institute of Medicine Vaccine Study
By Dr. Bob Sears
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The IOM released a report today regarding the safety of the American vaccination schedule. Their conclusion? No new methods of safety research need to be undertaken. The current safety surveillance systems that we have in place are adequate, although they could be improved upon. Undertaking a large study comparing vaccinated to unvaccinated children is neither ethical nor necessary. The vaccine schedule is safe as it is.
A few years ago we all got excited when the Centers for Disease Control announced they were looking into doing more extensive vaccine safety research. Essentially, they were going to research whether or not they should and could do such research. The CDC assigned this task to the Institute of Medicine, a panel of medical experts from various medical and research backgrounds, and this report is the product
Food Allergies, Bullying Often Linked, Study Finds
The Huffington Post - by Catherine Pearson
(Monday, December 24, 2012
When children have food allergies, their parents have to constantly watch out for allergens and be prepared for a possible reaction.
Another concern, and one that is often overlooked, is bullying. A new study, published online in the journal Pediatrics on Monday, found that more than 30 percent of children have been harassed by their classmates because of their allergies, and that parents are only aware of it about half of the time.
Lincoln and His Team of Homeopaths
The Huffington Post – by Dana Ullman
Sunday, December 23, 2012
There is a wide body of evidence that Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) maintained a special interest in and appreciation for homeopathic medicine. It is therefore not surprising that many of Lincoln’s advisers were users of and advocates for homeopathy.
Before Lincoln was elected president, in 1854 he was retained as a lawyer to prepare a state legislative proposal to charter a homeopathic medical college in Chicago.[15] Chicago was the home of the American Medical Association, which had been founded in 1847 in part to stop the growth of homeopathy, and therefore, Lincoln’s job was no simple effort.
Mistletoe Could Help Fight Colon Cancer, Study Finds
The Huffington Post
Friday, December 21, 2012
Mistletoe may have a use beyond facilitating holiday romance — it could also play a role in the fight against cancer.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide found that mistletoe extract is effective in killing colon cancer cells in a lab setting, and seemed to have an even more potent effect on the cells compared with chemotherapy (all while not being as harsh on healthy cells as the chemotherapy).