Turmeric: The Spice of Life

Turmeric, the bold yellow-orange spice that adds color to your curry, has been a staple of Indian cuisine for millennia. Long used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, we are now confirming in the laboratory the many health benefits of this member of the ginger family.

Turmeric and one of its components curcumin have anti-inflammatory properties and help relieve the joint pain of arthritis. It packs a wallop of anti-oxidants and helps scavenge the free radicals that lead to oxidative stress and inflammation. And it can help preserve memory and cognitive function. Epidemiologists propose that the reason people in India aged 70-79 […]

By |March 5th, 2013|Supplement Focus|0 Comments
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Increasing Fiber

Fiber is the portion of plants that we cannot digest or absorb in our gastrointestinal tracts.  Most fiber stays within the intestine where it modulates digestion of other foods and affects the consistency of stool. There are two types of fiber, each of which is thought to have its own benefits: soluble fiber consists of a group of substances that is made of carbohydrates and dissolves in water. Examples of foods that contain soluble fiber include fruits, oats, barley, and legumes (peas and beans). Insoluble fiber comes from plant cells walls and does not dissolve in water. Examples of […]

By |January 24th, 2013|Supplement Focus|0 Comments
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Perque Bone Guard Forté 20

by Jeanne Shiffman, MD, DABFM, NCMP

Our bones are alive and changing; they are constantly being broken down and reformed.  Bone is made up of a crystalline mineral compound embedded within a living protein matrix.  Imagine a strong honeycomb that will flex but not buckle or break; that is how our bones must function.  We need to nourish our bones so that we have both a flexible matrix and a strong and rigid crystalline compound.  If you have been told you have osteoporosis or osteopenia or you are at risk for having bone fractures, then you may want to take a […]

By |June 11th, 2012|Featured Health Issues, Supplement Focus|0 Comments
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Lavender—A Pretty Scent and Good Medicine

by Jeanne Shiffman, MD, DABFM, NCMP and Rosemarie D. Rose, MD, DABFM

When people think of lavender, they usually think of its lovely smell, which is widely used in soaps, creams, and cosmetics. Extracts from this beautiful purple flower are even used as a flavoring for foods and beverages.

But it is lavender’s impact on mood and cognition that has garnered the most attention. There is mounting evidence that the essential oil does have positive psychological effects. When used in tea, it curbs restlessness, and has been used for centuries as a healing herb. Europeans have long used pillows stuffed with lavender […]

By |May 17th, 2012|Featured Health Issues|0 Comments
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Berries: Yes, they’re Berry good for you

by Jennifer Lee, DO, MPH

With the summer berry season right around the corner, it’s time to talk about what makes them a great part of our diet. Berries, aside from being delicious, are a rich source of antioxidants that can protect against cancer; and just one serving a day (1 cup of berries) gives you more than enough antioxidants for the day. They are also high in fiber, vitamin C, and are, in my opinion, one of the most versatile fruits. You can eat them plain, put them in cobblers/pies (maybe not the best for you), crisps (not as […]

By |May 17th, 2012|Featured Health Issues|0 Comments
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