Vicky Newman I’ve been thinking about gratitude lately, and the connection between gratitude, appreciation, a caring community, and healthy aging. Some of these reflections were prompted by a beautiful and thought-provoking video that uplifts my spirits every time I view it. This …
We are celebrating Earth Day this week and I’ve been thinking a lot about earth-friendly eating. Our food choices really do matter — to our own personal health, to the health of others (see “Tale of a North American Tomato”), …
A healthy gut (digestive system) is critically important for optimal functioning – healthy guts = healthy people. The digestive system plays a central role in our immune system, affects our metabolism, makes vitamins, and communicates with every other cell in …
Food sustainability was included for the first time ever in the recently released Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report. This report is updated every 5 years, and it provides the scientific basis for the next version of the Dietary Guidelines for …
Need a good excuse to enjoy some good-quality dark chocolate and/or a glass of your favorite red wine? And maybe especially in February, when we celebrate Valentine’s Day and heart health! Well, here’s at least one good reason – both …
I was inspired this past weekend by Tieraona Low Dog, MD, speaking about her life journey and her latest book, “Life is Your Best Medicine.” A leader in the integrative health movement, she has had a multi-faceted journey—high school dropout …
Reducing sugar intake may be more important for preventing and controlling high blood pressure than restricting sodium, according to a recently published article. Authors DiNicolantonio & Lucan point out that average reductions in blood pressure achieved by salt restriction tend …
It’s raining in San Diego … an unusual and very welcome event … one of those days when a steaming hot bowl of homemade soup sounds just right. Checking my fridge for ingredients, I found some baked winter squash (that …
As we move into the busy holiday season, it’s good to remember the important role that nutrition plays in supporting the health of our neurological system — helping us to better manage stress and to guard against anxiety and depression. …
Thyroid disorders are more common as we age, especially hypothyroidism (low thyroid). Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, and sensitivity to temperature changes. Our bodies require iodine to make thyroid hormones and 70-80% of the iodine …