Dr. Joaquin Farias, a leading specialist in treating dystonia, has been helping people with this debilitating movement disorder to recover control over their brains, bodies and lives for more than 20 years. As a featured speaker at the 2018 international conference on Movement: Brain, Body and Cognition, held July 27-29 at Harvard University School of Medicine, he gave an enlightening talk that … [Read more...]
Sunshine is pouring through the windows of my office. That, coupled with temperatures above freezing, call me to head outdoors. I’ll be slipping on my sneakers to get away from the computer screen soon and taking full benefit of that extra hour of daylight. Here are 10 reasons why you should lace up your shoes to walk today too. 1. It’s National Walking Day. For the ninth year, the American Heart … [Read more...]
After one of the most brutal winters in northeast United States, we’re finally seeing the light of spring at the end of the tunnel. With a February that was the coldest month on record in Connecticut, we pushed through roughly six weeks of snowstorms and bitter freezing temperatures. Not surprisingly, people I knew in the area were felled by flu and colds left and right—including myself. Loath to … [Read more...]
Anyone who has lived with the crippling fatigue, un-refreshing sleep and cognitive problems (affecting memory and concentration) of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) can confirm it is a very real, debilitating physical illness. Unfortunately, for many years, not everyone else has agreed. Long dismissed in the medical community as a psychological condition—or simply as a prolonged state of … [Read more...]
The recent measles outbreak in the United States has spread widespread concern and controversy over vaccinations and social responsibility to protect the community from public health risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 102 cases of measles were reported in 14 states during the month of January, mostly in people who were unvaccinated for the disease. More than half of cases, … [Read more...]
There are few things more soothing to a throat ravaged by the harsh coughing of a first fall cold than a cup of soup or broth. Fewer still things are as tailored for fighting the cold and flu better than a nutrient-rich cup of soup made with rejuvenating bone marrow, reduced cartilage to help normalize the immune system and mineral-rich bones. That’s why I’m excited to share with you the … [Read more...]
In autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system misfires by erroneously attacking healthy cells as if they were foreign agents, or antigens. Normally the immune system defends the body against antigens—like viruses, bacteria and toxins—that can cause damage to the body after invading it. In autoimmune diseases, benign and healthy parts of the body also become … [Read more...]
Living in northeastern United States, summertime means warmer weather, less clothing and more time spent outdoors. Unfortunately, all the time spent walking, hiking and biking in the woodsy areas coincides with an increased presence of ticks. As a result, the months of June and July see the largest numbers of confirmed cases of Lyme disease by far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and … [Read more...]
Ever go the grocery store and get completely overwhelmed by all of the food labels? Labels can claim all kinds of things about a food or food product—such as, it’s gluten-free, sugar-free, low fat or organic—yet a quick glance at the nutrition info reveals ingredients you’ve never even heard of before. How can smart consumers stay on top of the buzzwords for food purchases that are nutritious, … [Read more...]
In the wee hours of Sunday, March 9, it will be time to change the clocks once again. At 2 a.m. most of the states in the country spring ahead. While the morning birds—which I have miraculously become after a lifetime of being a night owl—lose an hour of light in the morning, we can all enjoy the extra hour of daylight in the evening. More sunlight boosts serotonin, our “happiness hormone,” which … [Read more...]