Concussion playbook: Fuel up on nutrition for healing and recovery

Will Smith recently starred in Concussion, a biographical movie about a doctor who studied and raised awareness about football-related head trauma. While performing an autopsy on a retired pro football player, Dr. Bennet Omalu, played by Smith, discovered neurological deterioration similar to Alzheimer’s – red flag. He called the condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy and published a paper in a medical journal about it. But as he saw more football players receiving the diagnosis, he had to speak up.

Exercise programs for older adults: A growing trend that can help you enjoy a healthier life!

Fitness programs for older adults find themselves among the top fitness trends in the country, and for good reason! In the past, this population has really been underserved by the fitness industry. There’s no reason why everyone shouldn’t be able to enjoy the many health benefits of working out. Before beginning a workout plan, it is important for the older adult to consult a medical professional with knowledge of their medical history. Even though this advice applies to exercise enthusiasts of any age, it is a crucial first step for the older adult.

Bad food, bad brain?

When you think about your diet, you probably think about what it does to your figure. You blame those quick French fry stops after work for your love handles, or you thank that kale and quinoa salad for the way you look in your little black dress. But while it’s true that what you eat affects your appearance, there’s something else you should know. What you eat may also affect your brain!

Is vitamin D deficiency to blame for your slipping memory?

Are you still as mentally sharp as you used to be? Do you feel like you are more forgetful? Are you less decisive? If so, you may be experiencing what is called mild cognitive decline. Losing your wallet and finding it in the fridge may be funny the first time, but after a while, not so much. You rely on the people around you to remind you of something obvious. You miss appointments. Your work performance and personal relationships take a hit. You chalk it all up to stress and lament that a tropical vacation would resolve all your troubles.

Sick and tired of migraines? Test for nutritional deficiencies

A migraine isn't just any headache. A migraine is a severe type of headache with an intense throbbing, often accompanied by nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Anyone who has experienced this knows a migraine is debilitating. Sometimes medications work, and sometimes they don't – it depends on the person and the cause of the migraine. So what can a migraine-sufferer do?

3, 6, 9: What are the different omega fatty acids?

Essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) are indeed essential for your health, but they cannot be produced in the body, so you need to get them from foods or supplements. Ideally, your diet would have a healthy balance of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but the modern American diet tends to be richer in omega-6. Unless you are following a Mediterranean diet, you could probably use some more omega-3! Let’s take a look at what the different “omegas” do.

Strategies to prevent Alzheimer’s and keep your brain healthy

A patient once approached me hoping to find a new treatment for her mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. Her mom had increasing difficulty remembering what she just did or said, and communication and daily living were becoming much more difficult. It was sad to see a previously vibrant person become a shadow of themselves.

Meet silica, your health’s new BFF

When you say “silica,” most people either think of glass, sand on the beach, “Silicon Valley” or pottery. But did you know that silica, which is present in your body in greater quantities than other minerals such as iron, also plays an important role in keeping you healthy? It’s also been dubbed the “beauty mineral” for its benefits to your hair, skin and nails. Read on to find out why silica may be one of the unsung heroes of your body’s nutritional arsenal.

Smart food for a smart brain

Turns out that the old saying of “You are what you eat” is true, and especially so when it comes to your brain. It’s no secret that the foods you consume have an effect on your body, but exactly how can what you eat make you smarter?