For centuries, gout has been associated with overindulgence in food and alcohol that only the rich could afford. Now, with rising rates of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, this very painful disease is becoming a common man’s disease. The 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that 6.1 million men…
According to the National Kidney Foundation, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are responsible for nearly 10 million doctor visits each year. For anatomical reasons, they are much more prevalent in women than men. Approximately 1 in 5 women will have a UTI in her lifetime. UTIs are often recurrent and nearly 20% of women who experience…
Modern hectic lifestyles often leave people feeling worn-out and drained. Fast food, sedentary lifestyles, poor sleep quality and chronic stress all contribute to day-time exhaustion. Trying to balance work, family responsibilities and relationships can lead to mental, emotional and physical fatigue. When you’re feeling sluggish and unenergetic, routine tasks become daunting and you may lack…
Everyone experiences forgetfulness at times and episodes of absent-mindedness tend to become more common as we get older. Occasional memory lapses can be frustrating, but in most cases, they are part of the normal aging process and not an early warning sign of dementia. Younger people can also experience difficulties with retaining or recalling information…
High blood cholesterol is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A report from the American Heart Association estimates that 16% of American adults have high total cholesterol. The Interheart Study of heart disease in 52 countries reports that people with abnormal cholesterol levels have three times the risk of heart attack compared to those…
Leaky gut syndrome is a controversial subject. Naturopaths and functional medicine practitioners tend to view leaky gut as a disorder in its own right, which, if untreated, can play a role in the development of a wide range of diseases. More conventional physicians tend to see increased intestinal permeability as a symptom, rather than a…
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), male and female pattern hair loss affects an estimated 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States. More than 50% percent of men over age 50 have some degree of hair loss. For women, hair loss is most likely after the menopause. Although hair…
According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), approximately half the US adult population has diabetes or prediabetes. The estimated prevalence of type 2 diabetes among U.S. adults is 12-14% and the prevalence of prediabetes is 37-38%. The same data indicates that around 35% of those who have type 2 diabetes…
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin required for growth and repair of tissues, wound healing and maintenance of gums, bones and teeth. It is also a powerful antioxidant which helps to prevent cell damage caused by unstable oxygen molecules known as free radicals. Oxidative damage contributes to a variety of diseases including cancer,…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 50–70 million US adults have chronic sleep and wakefulness disorders. People experiencing insufficient sleep are at higher risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. Sleeping pills such as benzodiazepines are not recommended as a long-term solution because they can cause a number…
