Get the most out of your doctor’s visit

Time and money – these are the two things that seem to hold people back from going to the doctor, unless something serious comes up. Perhaps it’s a busy schedule, or ever-rising health care deductibles and costs, as salaries lag behind. More and more, it becomes a luxury to spend time with a health care professional to actually discuss preventive measures for your health.

Signs you may have leaky gut syndrome!

There is not a lot of credible information available about leaky gut syndrome. It is an odd description of a condition that seems to suggest that you might have holes in your intestines that cause it to leak. So let’s keep it simple and understand the theory behind what is referred to as a leaky gut.

A natural option for joint pain relief

One in five adults in the U.S. report having doctor-diagnosed arthritis. It’s a common problem. The pain can be anywhere from mild to severe, but either way, it’s unpleasant. So it makes sense that someone would try different medications to find some relief. But then those medications may end up causing other issues such as gastrointestinal damage. Shouldn’t there be a way to get some joint relief without the unwanted side effects? You do have options. One of them may be Kaprex, by Metagenics.

Excessive estrogen? Might be time to ‘detox’

When it comes to estrogen, there are some misconceptions floating around out there. Many people think estrogen is strictly for women. But men need estrogen too. Estrogen is an important hormone for sexual and bone health -- in females and males. So does this mean we should all load up on estrogen? Certainly not. Though the hormone estrogen serves important functions, having too much stored in the body can lead to some seriously negative health consequences. This has prompted some people to seek out an “estrogen detox.”

New Year’s resolution for weight loss – What actually works?

Most people know that there is an obesity epidemic in the U.S. Although excessive food intake and lack of activity remain the main culprits, there are many reasons why people become overweight. Some of them include more sugar being added to foods, environmental toxins, excessive antibiotic use, diet drinks, hormone-treated cattle, increase in stress levels and lack of sleep. The problem is only getting worse.

What sources can you trust for health information?

There is a seemingly bottomless well of health information online, both good and bad. You can Google your health concern of choice and find pages and pages of articles, ranging from researched to ridiculous.

Are all protein powders created equal?

Protein powders have become the go-to meal replacement option. According to Euromonitor International, 2013 sales of protein powders were at least $7 billion for sports nutrition powders as well as weight management protein shakes. Conditioned by years of meat-industry proclamations of protein being good for building muscle, yet stymied by the dangers of animal fat in the diet, consumers are turning to powders to get the protein they feel they need. But, potential dangers lurk in certain protein powder supplements.

Yoga for heart health

Developed in India 3,000 years ago, yoga is a mind and body practice with historical origins in ancient Indian philosophy. Yoga helps create strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body. While there are more than 100 different types of yoga, typically sessions are comprised of breathing exercises, meditation and holding various postures (sometimes called asanas or poses) that stretch and flex various muscle groups. While holding a yoga pose, you focus inward. You try to become more mindful of your body, as well as to focus and quiet the mind.

Statin drugs may increase your risk for cataracts

Cataract surgery is so common that it almost seems like a normal part of aging. Cloudy lenses in the eye are surgically removed, and new ones are popped in like contacts. Voila, Grandma is seeing 20/20 again. But cataract surgery can have complications, and there may an uncomfortable period of vaguely cloudy vision before eye doctors consider cataracts “bad enough” to operate. So are there ways to prevent this eye surgery?

Probiotics for oral health!

Oral hygiene is not just an issue of beauty and having a great smile. In fact, your oral health affects many areas of your health. For example, according to Mayo Clinic, some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke may be linked to inflammation and infections caused by oral bacteria. Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight, and gum disease seems to be more prevalent and severe in people with diabetes.

New Year’s resolution 2015: Fill in the gaps in your workout routine!

New Year’s advertising for gym memberships is as predictable as after-Christmas sales. This is the time of year when we are all at our most virtuous. But workouts should be complete to achieve the dazzling results you want. For example, running won’t strengthen your arms and powerlifting won’t make you flexible.

Try natural solutions to help kids with ADHD focus

Getting kids to pay attention has never been easy, but now, it’s a worldwide obsession. In the last few decades, diagnoses of childhood ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) have skyrocketed, along with sales of potent, expensive drugs to treat the disorder. Almost everyone knows a family affected by ADHD.