Previous Features - 2002
12/26/02 - 10 Healthy Resolutions to Make
Thinking about making some healthy changes for the new year? Here are some basic lifestyle tune-up strategies to consider!
12/15/02 - What are complementary proteins?
Protein is a major component of enzymes, hormones, body tissues, the immune system, and virtually every cell and fluid in the body. Find out why people consuming vegetable-based diets need complementary proteins.
11/29/02 - What is the Food Combining Diet?
The food combining diet is based on the theory that different food groups are digested optimally when eaten in certain combinations. Find out more!
11/15/02 - Raw fruits and Vegetables: Can you overdo it?
Advocates of the raw foods diet believe that raw plant foods provide the body with enzymes necessary for optimal digestion. However, eating too many raw fruits and vegetables can cause an imbalance in the body.
11/09/02 - Dietary Habits and Secondhand Smoke
Exposure to secondhand smoke appears to increase the risk of heart disease and lung cancer. However, a recent study found other health risks associated with secondhand smoke.
10/26/02 - Parkinson's Disease: New Coenzyme 10 Research
Parkinson's Disease is a chronic, progressive disease that affects about 500,000 people in the United States. The first placebo-controlled multi-center clinical trial of the compound coenzyme Q10 suggest that it can slow disease progression in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease.
10/19/02 - Osteoporosis and Bone Health
Osteoporosis is a condition of decreased bone density. It affects one in six women and one in eight men over the age of fifty and is most common among post-menopausal women. Rishma Walji, B.Sc., N.D. discusses the risk factors of osteoporosis, preventative measures, and current research.
10/15/02 - Menopause
Many women are interested in strategies to cope with uncomfortable symptoms and fears that may accompany menopause. Naturopathic doctor Rishma Walji discusses natural approaches to menopause and addresses the research.
10/04/02 - Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic doctors are commonly referred to as general practitioners of the complementary and alternative health care world. They are trained in the modalities of herbal medicine, acupuncture, clinical nutrition, dietary supplements, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, bodywork, and lifestyle counseling.
09/20/02 - Asthma: Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects at least 24 million people in the United States. Symptoms of asthma include episodes of wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and increased mucus production.
09/13/02 - What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is a holistic treatment based on the theory that there are "reflex" areas on the foot and hand that correspond to every area of the body. This article provides useful information about reflexology.
09/06/02 - Ear Candling
Ear candling is a practice that is believed to remove ear wax. Many people find it a satisfying procedure, especially when they see the dark waxy mass left in the stub of the candle which they are told is ear wax (also called cerumen) and debris. However, there is no evidence that ear candling is effective, and it may pose serious risks of burns and ear injury.
08/23/02 - Health Practices of Geriatrics Specialists
In a recent U.S. survey, physicians certified with additional qualifications in geriatric medicine were sent questionnaires asking about their own personal health. Of the 2,611 questionnaires that were mailed out, 1,524 completed questionnaires were returned. Here are the results of the survey!
08/16/02 - Healthy Diet Key to Longevity
A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, beans, low-fat dairy, and whole grains is the foundation of longevity, a new study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology suggests.
08/05/02 - Coffee Substitutes
People who are trying to reduce their coffee intake have many options. Green tea with roasted rice, called genmaicha, contains a fraction of the caffeine and has a rich, roasted flavor. In addition, herbs, grains, fruit, and nuts can be roasted and brewed just like coffee.
07/25/02 - Herbal Teas
Herbal teas offer a variety of tastes and healing properties. Find out about some of the most popular herbal teas.
07/19/02 - Do Herbal Insect Repellents Measure Up?
In recent years, citronella and other plant-based insect repellents have become a popular alternative among people reluctant to use chemical repellents. But are they effective? A study in the New England Journal of Medicine compared different synthetic chemical and herbal repellents.
07/13/02 - Breast Cancer and Menopause: Some Foods and Herbs Unsafe
Women with existing or previous breast cancer or who are taking the anti-estrogenic drug tamoxifen often experience early menopause due to the effects of cancer treatment. In a recent survey, were 7.4 times more likely to use alternative therapies for menopausal symptoms compared to a control group. Find out why certain foods and herbs may be potentially harmful.
07/12/02 - Survey: What Alternative Therapies Do Women Use for Menopause?
Two surveys asked women about their use of alternative therapies during menopause. Interested in finding out what the most popular herbs, supplements, and therapies are? Read on!
07/11/02 - Food Sources of Vitamin E
A recent study found that food sources of vitamin E had a protective role in preventing death from stroke, whereas the supplemental form had no protective effect. Find out what foods are good sources of vitamin E.
07/10/02 - Hormone Replacement Therapy: What Are the Alternatives?
Millions of women who use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the relief of menopausal symptoms have been left confused and upset by the results from a new study that found hormones increased the risk of heart disease by 29 per cent, stroke by 41 per cent, and breast cancer by 26 per cent. But are there any good alternatives to HRT?
06/28/02 - Green Tea: Brewing a Perfect Cup
A
perfect cup of green tea means different things to different people. Many tea
connoisseurs believe that the best-tasting green tea is brewed for under one
minute with hot, but not boiling, water. Scientists think differently. There
have been a number of studies examining the different methods of
preparing tea to get the most benefit.
06/21/02 - Best Fruit and Vegetable Choices for Antioxidants
When it comes to antioxidant content, all foods are not created equal. A recent study analyzed the total antioxidant content of various foods. Find out what the best fruit and vegetable choices are!
06/14/02 - What Does Your Doctor Think About Alternative Medicine?
A survey of 276 Colorado physicians was published in the May 2002 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. Physicians were asked about their attitudes toward alternative medicine and their pattern of recommendation and personal use. Here are the interesting findings!
06/12/02 - Top 5 Green Teas
Green tea is an indispensable part of life in Asia. Not only is it refreshing and comforting, but it is full of health-promoting antioxidants. Here are my choices for the top 5 picks.
06/07/02 - Clearer Sinuses: 4 Easy Steps
Sinus congestion affects over 15% of the population. Learn 4 easy steps to clearer sinuses, including detailed instructions on how to do a sinus wash.
06/07/02 - How to Do a Sinus Irrigation
Sinus irrigation, also known as a sinus wash or lavage, is a simple procedure that can help to increase drainage of the sinuses. For people with seasonal allergies, sinus irrigation can help to remove pollens from the nose. It has been recommended by physicians for decades, and its use dates further back in traditional Eastern practices.
05/27/02 - Herbal Breast Enlargement - Does it Work? Is it Safe?
The Internet ads for herbal breast enlargement products promise a non-surgical, "natural" way to increase breast size and firmness, citing health experts and scientific research. Sound too good to be true? Find out!
05/14/02 - Top Picks: Herbs for Osteoarthritis
In addition to diet, lifestyle, physical therapy and nutritional supplements, herbs can be used to manage the uncomfortable pain of osteoarthritis. Here are some of the most popular and proven remedies.
04/19/02 - Detox Diet - Updated
Low energy, foggy thinking, headache, bad breath and indigestion are signs that the body's detox system may not be optimal. Take a quiz to see if you need to detox and learn about the two week plan that includes diet, supplements and hydrotherapy! Updated version of the popular Detox Diet Plan.
03/10/02 - Herbal Treatment for Seasonal Allergies
A recent study published in the January 19 2002 issue of the British Medical Journal was a randomized controlled trial comparing the herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) to the antihistamine cetrizine in patients with seasonal allergies.
01/29/02 - Health Benefits of Yoga Mantras and Prayer
Yoga mantras and rosary prayer may be good for the heart, a new study published in the British Medical Journal reports.