The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that between 2005-2010, the average American consumed 13% of daily calories from added sugar. World Health Organization guidelines recommend that adults limit their intake of added sugars and those found in honey and fruit juices to below 5% of total calories or approximately 6 teaspoons per day….
Turmeric is a popular yellow spice used in Indian and other Asian dishes and is also used in traditional Indian medicines to treat a variety of disorders. It is the most studied herb there is and has thousands of studies to back it up. Turmeric contains active polyphenols called curcuminoids. One of these compounds, curcumin, is…
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the US, affecting up to 50 million Americans every year. Approximately 85% of people aged 12-24 experience at least minor acne. Over-the-counter commercial acne treatments does not always work and can cause further skin irritation. Prescription acne treatments often contain…
Vitamin D is often associated only with strong bones, but it plays a much wider role in maintaining one’s overall wellness. Vitamin D receptors are located in cells throughout the body including the skin, brain, heart, breast, prostate gland and cells of the immune system. According to a report published in the Archives of Internal…
If you want to limit your exposure to potentially toxic chemicals, a good place to start is with your health and beauty products. Commercial shampoos, body wash and shower gels tend to contain a long list of unfamiliar and unpronounceable ingredients that may contribute to allergies, breathing problems, skin irritation or a variety of unexplained…
For centuries green tea has been one of the most popular beverages consumed in Japan and China. Its popularity is now rising in the west. A 2014 article in the Washington Post reports that Americans are drinking 40% more green tea than they did in 2000. Much of this rise in consumption is due to…
According to the CDC allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology reports that the prevalence of allergic diseases in the industrialized world has continued to rise for more than 50 years. Roughly 8% of U.S. adults have hay fever and 8% of children…
Back pain is a very common condition. According to the NIH, about 80% percent of adults suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lifetime. It is the greatest cause of work-related disability and one of the top reasons for workplace absences. The American Chiropractic Association notes that back pain is the second…
Eczema and psoriasis are distinct skin diseases with a number of things in common. Both are related to problems with the immune system. Eczema and psoriasis result in symptoms of inflamed, red, cracking and itching skin. Both are subject to flare-ups and remission periods. The standard treatments for eczema and psoriasis are also the same,…
Fragrant plants have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years across many cultures. Methods for capturing the ‘essence’ of plants were first discovered in the Middle Ages. Essential oils are distilled or extracted from large quantities of flowers, leaves, peels, resin, bark or roots. For example, it takes about 220 pounds of lavender…
