Category Archives: General Health

Calm Down With Kava

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Wellness

I often hear from people, both professionally and personally, who want to know if there is anything they can do to soothe their stress levels. It’s a question I am hearing more and more over the past year. I’m not surprised. After all, we live in very uncertain times. Far too many of us are worried about money or health problems. Some of us are dealing with life-changing events—the loss of a job, a house or a loved one. Others find that just keeping up with everyday life leaves them feeling anxious and stressed. If you are one of these folks, kava may give you temporary relief. Continue reading

Benefits of Aerobic Exercise

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Wellness

A brisk walk may not exactly lead you to the fountain of youth—but a new research review suggests that it’s a good start. According to a report in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, vigorous walking for about an hour a day, five days a week, can boost your oxygen intake by as much as 25 percent within just three months. That’s enough to turn back the clock on 12 years of the natural decline you experience as you age. For seniors, it could also add a dozen years of functional independence. Continue reading

What Your Gums Say About Your Health

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Wellness

For years now, modern medicine has known about the strong influence that gum disease can have on the rest of your body. And yet, I’d venture to guess that many people still don’t realize how vital healthy teeth and gums really are. That’s why one recent study grabbed my attention. It pointed out that ignoring the health of your mouth could be far more serious than you ever imagined. Continue reading

Acid Trip

By David Blyweiss, M.D.

Is your body burning to tell you something? If you suffer from frequent heartburn, it may be. In functional medicine, practitioners consider the health of your digestive system to be as crucial as the health of your brain. In fact, many chronic conditions start with poor digestion, sending out clues in the form of indigestion and heartburn. Ignoring these signs over time can lead to a more severe condition, such as acid reflux. Continue reading

Pills that Kill

By David Blyweiss, M.D.

As an M.D., I’ve been thoroughly trained to believe that drugs—both prescription and over-the-counter—are the best option for patients. After all, they can treat everything from an infection to heart disease to depression. And they often do so quickly, which means that both doctors and their patients are happy. But there’s just one problem. These miracles of modern medicine aren’t necessarily safe. Continue reading

Banish the Burn

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Wellness

My mother-in-law has suffered from severe heartburn for years. And, along with popping hundreds of antacids and watching what she ate, she has seen at least a dozen doctors. Because most of them assumed the problem was too much acid, they would whip out their prescription pads, ready to write a script for a proton-pump inhibitor. Others had suggested surgery to move pieces and parts of the digestive system to prevent the painful acid reflux. Continue reading