The latest news on concussions may help you recover faster

Whether you are a concerned parent or family member of a football player, someone who has had a concussion or just someone who wants to be more informed, this blog will help you know more than most about concussions and how symptoms can be addressed.

It's pumpkin season! With all its nutrients, here's why you should make it a staple year round

You carve them. You paint them. But how often do you eat them? Yes, we’re talking about fall’s favorite gourd, the pumpkin! Though they certainly make bright and festive decorations, their health benefits are even better.

Is testosterone replacement therapy a health risk or benefit?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently warned that testosterone replacement therapy may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. However, this recommendation was based on outcomes from short-term testosterone treatment. So, a recent study published in The Lancet journal posed the question: What would happen if someone underwent testosterone therapy for a longer period of time?

Why genetic testing may be the future for better pain relief

A man was in an auto accident that left his right leg shattered. Over the next 4+ years, he faced relentless leg and back pain. Despite taking strong pain killers and increasing the dosages, his pain was still bad enough to rate it a 10 on a 10-point scale. It got to the point where the dosage could only be increased so much, and trying various other medications proved futile. That’s when doctors suggested genetic testing. What they found changed everything.

Over-prescribing opioids: Where does this problem stem from?

We’ve recently reported on the tremendous overuse of prescription painkiller drugs in this country. Almost everyone knows someone on Vicodin, Percocet, or Norco. Some patients have trouble getting off the drugs, and part of the problem is over-prescribing. So, where is this over-prescribing coming from?

Be proactive! Do your research before using male herbal supplements

You may have heard about the recent case of a famous athlete who was found unconscious after taking excessive amounts of sex-enhancing herbal supplements. Even though we may never know the whole story, we know there are inherent risks with excess use of stimulants, even if they are “herbal.” There are also risks of possible drug interactions, supplements being laced with undeclared sexual enhancers like Viagra- and Cialis-like substances, and possible contamination with unhealthy ingredients.

Be proactive: Know which nutrients are depleted by your prescription drug

Nutrients – you can’t function without them! Critical nutrients – such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, carbs and water – are essential for metabolism, energy and repair. They are the fuel that keeps your body functioning. As these nutrients are used up by the body’s metabolic activities, they need to be replaced – or you may end up with problems. But did you know that common medications may deplete the body of vital nutrients? It is very important that you be proactive and make sure you understand which nutrients are being depleted by the medications you take.

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?

Ladies, testosterone isn't just a male hormone!

What comes to mind when you think about testosterone? Images of beefy men in the gym? Aggression? A strong sex drive? While testosterone is considered one of the most important male hormones, you should also be aware of how it affects women’s health too!

T troubles? Test testosterone

Testosterone is big business. Testosterone prescription drugs raked in over 2.4 billion dollars in revenue in the U.S. in 2013, and sales are projected to reach 3.8 billion by 2018. Where there is hype, there are also many people giving it a try without necessarily knowing all the facts. Testosterone, often referred to simply as “T,” can do a lot of good, especially for middle-aged males with declining hormone levels. However, they may be out of place, or frankly illegal, for those who are just trying to get an edge, such taking high doses of T to enhance your sports performance.

What you can learn about ‘love hormones’ from a prairie vole

Are humans like prairie voles? Yes, according to scientists at Florida State University. Prairie voles share with humans a pair bond, or “a stable relationship between a breeding pair of animals that share common territory and parental duties.” These animals go “steady” only six hours after mating. Even without sex, they pair up after 24 hours of living together! They protect each other from strangers, and avoid mating with amorous new prairie voles. What’s more, they are together for life.

Go pink! Breast cancer gene test may save lives

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in the United States. It will affect one in eight women in their lifetime. About 5-10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary. But the good news is that tests can determine whether a woman has inherited the mutated genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which cause breast cancer.