What are the causes of hypothyroidism? Is it the thyroid gland itself, another endocrine gland, estrogen dominance or illness? Is low thyroid the problem or the symptom? This is THE key question in a functional wellness practice. Is an issue a symptom of another problem? Or is it the actual key problem that needs to be addressed. Exploring this changes the supplements I would suggest or the type of tests I run. Pros and Cons of Thyroid ... Keep Reading >
Vitamins and Minerals
Preventative Support for Virus and Flu
Preventative support for virus and flu is different from what to do if you get sick. The better your health the better your recovery. Don't take Echinacea or other immune boosters when you are well. It can cause problems. Save it for when/if you get sick. People with chronic respiratory issues, especially older people in less than optimal health or on immune-suppressant drugs are more at risk for illness. And those with a weakened immune ... Keep Reading >
The Vital Blood Test for Post-Menopausal Women
This blood test for post-menopausal women may be unfamiliar to you. Your doctor may have never have ordered it or probably ignored it. Vital Blood Test for Post-Menopausal Women Ferritin measures the amount of iron stored in the body outside of the red blood cells. Women with no menstrual cycles can accumulate iron in joints, veins, the heart, pancreas and liver. This can cause joint pain, diabetes, hypertension, strokes, hypothyroidism, hair ... Keep Reading >
Keep Calcium Out of Your Arteries! The Vitamin K2 Heart Disease Link
The Vitamin K2 heart disease link is intriguing. Just as the calcium in hard water can clog pipes and ruin your dishwasher and sprinklers, calcium can be incorrectly deposited in the lining of our arteries. If we don't have enough Vitamin K2 to place the calcium properly in bones and teeth, it can land in places you don't want it. Calcium in the arteries is part of Atherosclerosis - hardening of the arteries. When arteries become narrow, ... Keep Reading >
5 Differences Between Fish Oil and Cod Liver Oil
I'm often asked about differences between fish oil and cod liver oil. Which is best? Both have anti-inflammatory EPA-DHA, but there's more to know before buying. Eating oily fish such as wild salmon and sardines twice a week is important but it makes sense to supplement a small amount of Omega 3's as well. So, Fish Oil or Cod Liver Oil? One thing is true for both. Quality counts! The brand, the processing method and ... Keep Reading >
5 Ways Vitamin D Can Save Your Life
Vitamin D can save your life? Yes! It really can.... The Primal Diet - Modern Health podcast link above has more info than this article alone. Vitamin D is THE vitamin superstar, affecting so much more than bones and teeth. The brain, immune system, hormones, cancer prevention and gene expression all rely to some extent on Vitamin D. You may be surprised at my list below of 5 life-saving areas requiring optimal D3 ... Keep Reading >
Paleo Calcium Deficiency – Am I Getting Enough?
Getting enough calcium on Paleo may not be a sure thing. It doesn't add up for me and others also struggle with paleo calcium deficiency. Even with lots of leafy greens and canned salmon... What are the best sources of calcium on a Paleo Diet? Should I be taking a supplement? There's a list of calcium food sources for you below. We'll get there in a minute. But first... Calcium alone is not the answer You need a lot ... Keep Reading >
Are Premium Supplement Brands Worth the Price?
I'm frequently asked if the premium supplement brands I carry are really worth the price and why these brands don't look familiar. Most of us are wary of brands such as Centrum, but beyond that, we're generally reliant on advertising and product display. Doctors don't usually know the differences between formulas any more than grocery clerks do. Premium supplement brands rarely sell through retailers. They're meant to ... Keep Reading >
Fermented Foods; Kraut, Kimchi, Kefir and Kvass: PODCAST
Dive into the recipes and science of easy fermented foods at home in this podcast featuring Lisa Herndon of Lisa's Counter Culture. Full of probiotics and flavor, fermented foods and beverages are the historical way to get our benficial bacteria and many vitamins. Lisa and I discuss using Pickl-It jars for better outcomes and food safety too. These jars provide a greater level of confidence in the saftey of your culture and are easy ... Keep Reading >
My Most Popular Supplements and How To Select Them: PODCAST
People frequently ask about the most popular supplements in my clinic. I've been a health practitioner since the 1980's, and a patient since the 1970's, so I've worked with hundreds of supplements and companies. In this podcast I'll review some of the most helpful supplements in my practice at the Diet & Health Center in San Antonio, Texas. Listen to what you might need, what you might not need, and how to judge supplement ... Keep Reading >
Why Real Salt Is So Important
One of the diet rules we all "know" is that salt is bad for us. So why is real salt so important? Can it be a key to health recovery? Salt was one of the earliest trade items and helped establish trade routes and villages all over the world. It was often used as money. Salt was traditionally used to preserve food. It's value was in allowing meats and vegetables to be salted and stored for later consumption, a huge ... Keep Reading >