Answers to your questions on Carbonated Waters!
At Forum Health Clarkston, our goal is to heal the body from within by giving it the right environment. That’s the whole body—not just some of it. So, it becomes a problem when the environment we’re trying to heal is water deficient. “The average American still only drinks 1.8 cups a day, which is […]
No Excuses! Anyone Can Exercise—Even YOU
I exercise because I want to look good in a bathing suit. There. I said it. That’s really what drives me. When I’m down to that last mile and I just want to stop, I imagine myself sitting on my boat. What does that look like? Am I wrapped up in a towel, hunched over, […]
Skin Cancer: Symptoms and Prevention
What is Skin Cancer? The quick answer is that skin cancer is the abnormal and rapid growth of skin cells. However, there’s a lot more to it than people think. It occurs when the body does not repair the damage to the DNA inside skin cells, which allows the cells to divide and then grow uncontrollably. […]
The good news about Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Not too long ago, I walked out to my car to find my husband had parked right behind me. Growling, I stomped back into the house, ripped his keys from the counter, and stomped back out to move his truck. When I returned, slamming the door for good measure, he stared at me in shock […]
Thoughts on the Effects of Technology
Zombies, Phones and Gaming Systems I forgot. I was too tired. I didn’t hear you… I’ve heard these statements 100 times in one day. When my son doesn’t feed the dog, forgets to unload the dishwasher, or stays up too late, there are two technology culprits at play: his iPhone or […]
Growth and Nutrition: Kids, Eat Your Spinach and Be Strong to the Finish
I have wonderful memories of watching Popeye from my spot, crisscross applesauce on my grandmother’s living room floor. When Popeye wanted strength, he opened a can of spinach and tossed the leafy greens into his mouth. His muscles grew and he saved the day! In my tender inexperience, however, Popeye was just a cartoon. I […]
Loving your heart to great health!
Heart Health! We all know that our heart sustains our life, as much as the breath, but oftentimes we take its inherent beating rhythm for granted. We may choose lifestyles that negatively impact our hearts vital functioning. In so doing, we run the risk of developing significant cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, arterial plaque […]
Dementia – Symptoms and Help
Dementia – Improving Cognitive Health Dementia has been on the minds of many who have reached a certain age that requires reflection on their mental health, however, studies have shown that side effects of cognitive impairment can begin as early as age 45. As signs of mental decline begin to crop up, most treat it […]
Preparing Your Body for a Healthy Pregnancy: Is Your Body Ready?
So you want to have a baby… You and your other half have lined up all your ducks; you’ve paid off your debt and you’ve planned the perfect babymoon. Everything’s in order. You’re almost ready to start trying. Period tracker check! Ovulation Predictor Kit check! Basil Body Temperature Recorder check! OBGYN check check! All the […]
MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (MCI)
Mild Cognitive Impairment The brain is like a muscle that needs to be exercised and worked on a daily basis to avoid mental impairment. As we age it becomes increasingly difficult to keep your mind sharp as it once was when we were younger. Though it’s impossible to keep brain function at 100% as we […]
Ending Alzheimer’s
Ending Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise 30,000,000 patients in 2012 and currently the 3rd leading cause of death this disease is now recognized as a new epidemic. If this does not get your attention I don’t know what will. This used to be a disease of the 8th decade and now we […]
How to De-Stress in a Holiday Mess
How to De-Stress in a Holiday Mess Last week, I went to write down the date and my hand struggled to complete the task: December 15th? That can’t be right. Staring at the wall in front of me, I had to think. Wasn’t it just November 15th, like, yesterday? When my brain finally caught up to the […]
Did you participate in No Shave November?
What is the prostate? The prostate is a gland about the size of a chestnut in the male reproductive system. It surrounds part of the urethra—the tube that empties the bladder—just below the bladder and above the muscles of the lower pelvic area. It’s function? The prostate is responsible for the production of […]
UNDERSTANDING INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS (Painful Bladder Disease)
UNDERSTANDING INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS (IC) SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT Interstitial Cystitis (IC), or Painful Bladder Disease, is a bothersome condition that is not easy to remedy. It can affect both men and women, but it is much more prevalent in women. It is characterized by chronic pelvic/bladder pain or pressure, a constant, urgent need to urinate, […]
Natural Treatments for Bronchitis
What is Bronchitis? One of the most detrimental chest colds that often emerge out of a common cold or the flu, bronchitis can leave one with a nasty cough and acute pain in the chest for well over a month. Bronchitis refers to the inflammation of the bronchial tubes which are the passageways that deliver […]
Dealing with Anxiety
Dealing with Anxiety A proper diet is the main determinant of body functions. From cardiovascular health and joint health to brain function including, moods, anxiety, depression and stress management. However, stimulants such as caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates that are used for a quick energy boost, may contribute to a lasting onset of anxiety that […]
Health: It’s An Investment, NOT An Expense!
Health: An Investment, not an Expense! Our health is an investment in the future! We live to work, plan, sock our money away, and spend wisely. While it can be daunting and downright annoying, we do it all for the future: for those sweet, golden days of retirement. This sounds wonderful—it’s responsible. Through all that […]
Thyroid -Effects every body function. Keep it healthy!
The thyroid gland contributes to almost every function in the body. This butterfly shaped gland located behind the Adam’s apple, releases a hormone that is responsible for regulating the metabolism of every cell in the body. This effects brain function, cholesterol levels, body temperature, the cardiovascular system, the nervous system and more. This hormone is […]
The Relationship between Poison Ivy and Mangos!
Allergic to Poison Ivy? Watch out for Mangos! What you need to know before touching a Mango Mangos are a wonderful nutrient rich fruit however; did you know mangos belong to the same plant family as poison ivy? Yes, that is correct, and the skin of a mango can give you that same great […]
Detoxing to rid your body of accumulated sludge!
The decision to detox is a great way for your body to naturally rid itself of toxins and free radicals that accumulate over time through our diet. However, speculation surrounding detoxification have surfaced as many often question its effectiveness and safety. Its reputation suffers further with every detox fad that fills health stores with various […]
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Both Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis are known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Different from IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, where the muscles contract abnormally. IBD refers to the chronic inflammation of the large intestine. It is the result of the body producing inflammation as it mistakes […]
Adrenal Fatigue Can be Healed!
Adrenal fatigue can surface at any time in a person’s life and is more common than you think. Caused by poor lifestyle habits and the surrounding environment, adrenal fatigue can begin with subtle symptoms and oftentimes go undetected without proper treatment. As this prolongs, you might fall into the trap of accepting that fatigue, depression […]
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms and Relief
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms and Relief Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can vary from case to case. It tends to come and go with stress and certain lifestyle changes. Because there is no specific blood test to detect IBS, it must be diagnosed through the symptoms it presents. This is why tracking your symptoms […]
Turn hay fever to spring fever with Functional Medicine
Turn seasonal allergies and hay fever into spring fever with Functional Medicine For some, spring is a time for colorful blossoms and fresh cut grass. It’s a time of rebirth and beauty. For most, however, it’s a time of misery. A time when seasonal allergies with itchy, watery eyes and stuffed up noses wreak havoc […]
5 Ways Nutrition Improves Cancer Outcomes
The answer is simple, if you give the body the right environment it can heal. Nutrients can improve cancer outcome by: Inducing death in the cancer cells Reverting cancer cells back to a healthy cell Improving immune function to recognize and destroy cancer cells Helps the body to wall off or encapsulate the tumor […]
Importance of Healthy Blood Sugar Metabolism
60 million Americans have “insulin resistance” a form of unhealthy blood sugar metabolism that goes unrecognized. Achieving and maintaining proper blood sugar metabolism is essential for a lifetime of excellent health. Prolonged unhealthy blood sugar metabolism leads to inflammation and can significantly affect the health of your nerves, eyes, blood vessels, kidneys and pancreas. […]
Cooling Chronic Inflammation!
Inflammation drives dis-ease like diabetes, cardiovascular, IBS, Chron’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis and obesity. Even for my clients that just want to lose weight I always say “we must put out the fire first before we can even begin to remodel the house” Cortisol is a stress hormone and is typically an anti-inflammatory hormone, however when […]
SIGNS OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE & RELIEF!
HORMONAL IMBALANCE – REEKING HAVOC ON THE BODIES HEALTH! Causes for hormonal imbalances include poor gut health, inflammation, high amounts of stress, genetic susceptibility, and toxicity Hormones — such as estrogen, testosterone, adrenaline and insulin — are extremely important chemical messengers that affect many aspects of your overall health. Hormones are secreted by various glands […]
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE – THERE IS HELP & HOPE!
SIMPLE STEPS TO REVERSE/DELAY AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE Autoimmune issues are on the rise and about 75% of these autoimmune conditions present themselves in women. Current science now recognizes that autoimmunity is often triggered by inflammation and various stressors in the body. When the immune system becomes overwhelmed with lifestyle and environmental triggers it becomes overloaded and […]
AT RISK FOR “Type 3 DIABETES” – aka Alzheimer’s Disease
AT RISK FOR “Type 3 DIABETES” – aka Alzheimer’s Disease? Diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Dementia are all on the rise. You cannot help but to worry about your grandparents and aging parents. Dementia is a big problem and getting bigger every day. Statistics are daunting, 10 percent of 65-year-old, 25 percent of 75-year-old, and […]
5 REASONS YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR VITAMIN D LEVEL
5 REASONS YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR VITAMIN D LEVEL Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, can be produced in the body with mild sun exposure or consumed in food or supplements. You need to know your vitamin D level the lab value range is 30 to 80; this number is just […]
Online & Over the Counter Supplement Purchasing – Healthy? Risky? Waste of Money?
Risking health? Improving health and wellness…….Purchasing supplements? What to get and are they the right product for the right symptom? Are they what they say they are? Are they safe? Are they certified by a reputable medical organization? Are they over hyped and under performing? Know the facts before purchasing supplementation OTC or online. I cannot […]
8 Mindfulness Habits to Build Health
The Best Medicine Is Free Sometimes the best medicine is free! The habits we build day to day are key to our lasting health and well-being. Here are 8 habits that you can incorporate into your daily routine or begin to be more mindful of to feel your best. Water Divide your weight in half […]
Your Thyroid – Keeping it Healthy!
4 Things That Wreak Havoc On Your Thyroid Your thyroid, one of the largest endocrine glands, greatly influences almost every cell in your body. The thyroid plays a part in nearly every metabolic process and when the thyroid isn’t working you won’t feel well! Aside from regulating your metabolism and weight by controlling the […]
COULD YOU HAVE CANDIDA OVERGROWTH?
UNDERSTANDING CANDIDA…… WHAT IS CANDIDA? Candida is a fungus that is normal and lives in most of us. However when candida becomes overgrown then it becomes an underlying issue effecting your health. Most conventional doctors do not recognize or treat Candida, unless you present with vaginal yeast infection or thrush in which they only treat […]
Easy Steps to Preventing Kidney Stones
Easy Steps to Preventing Kidney Stones Kidney stones are so painful they can be completely debilitating and end up with a costly hospitalization. Recently at Forum Health Clarkstonwe have been getting numerous calls from people with kidney stones and bladder infections. The heat of the summer increases your risk and people are more susceptible to […]
5 Detox Tips to Jump Start Your Year Round Wellness
Time to tidy up “Spring cleaning” is behind us as we merge into the summer adventures. We are all busy planning family vacations, enjoying seasonal foods and finding more ways to get outside. Even though you may have just spring cleaned your home it is important to remember that the body can also […]
5 NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES CAUSED BY CHRONIC DRINKING
Nutritional therapy is critical for successful treatment of alcoholism, or overindulging. The recovering alcoholic must receive vitamin and mineral supplementation in order to repair the cellular damage caused by drinking. Proteins, vitamins, minerals and amino acids given in the correct amounts and portions are critical for cells to generate new cells, repair injured cells […]
5 BRAIN PRESERVING TIPS TO PREVENT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
5 BRAIN PRESERVING TIPS TO PREVENT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE Alzheimer’s national awareness is upon us. This is a disease that continues to be on the rise and hit’s close to home for me. Almost every person you speak to has in some way been touched by this disease. Alzheimer’s and related dementias affect approximately 5.3 million Americans. […]
4 EASY TIPS TO LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Lifestyle changes can be as simple as starting with following these four simple steps: Water: Adding clean water into your daily regime can be one of the simplest changes to make. It is important to look at the source of water to help reduce toxic burden. A good water filter is a great lifetime investment. […]
SIX MOST COMMON CAUSES OF FIBROMYALGIA
Today is Fibromyalgia awareness day in honor of this day my heart goes out to all of those people that suffer everyday with this debilitating disease. I once suffered from Fibromyalgia myself and have since fully recovered. According to the Mayo Clinic fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, […]
The Emotional Connection to Healing Your Body
One of my favorite books is by Deb Shapiro Your Body Speaks Your Mind. As a Functional Medicine RN we focus on treating the whole person looking at mind, body and spirit as we are all energy and it is all connected. Stress and emotions are related to many health issues. Finding the emotional […]
LET’S TALK LEPTIN…
What is Leptin? Leptin is a master hormone that was discovered in 1994 (Wikipedia, 2015) and is a key regulator in appetite regulation, including the awareness of hunger and the feeling of fullness, known as satiety. Leptin regulates the body’s ability to burn fats for energy and the metabolism of the thyroid, and it assists […]
Detoxification: The health risks and benefits
The air we breathe, the water we drink or swim in, the chemicals we use on our hair or body, the medications we take, and the foods we eat are just some of the elements surrounding us in the modern world that are potential sources of toxicity. It’s no longer, “Are we toxic?” The question […]
Functional Medicine: A revolutionary approach to health & wellness
The traditional medical model of doctor diagnosis for a set of presenting symptoms has long been accepted in society. However, these symptoms are generally the result of underlying imbalance in the body’s self-regulating mechanisms and natural healing capability. Looking only at symptoms is the crux of why so many are on multiple medications, called polypharmacy, […]
Not a milk drinker? Here are the top alternative sources of Calcium
Milk is not for everyone. For some, lactose intolerance causes major gastrointestinal discomfort, including gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea or constipation. This is because the body lacks production of the enzyme, lactase, which breaks down milk sugars, called lactose. Other individuals may simply have an aversion to the taste of milk. The biggest question they […]
Holiday Cheer! How to keep your caloric “budget” in balance
A balanced diet is essential for proper functioning of the entire body. We get calories from everything we eat: from coffee to lattes, shrimp to steak, fruits and vegetables, and everything in between. A calorie, simply put, is the amount of energy that food will produce in the human body. What’s most important, however, is […]
Making the choice for healthy dietary fats
Our bodies need healthy fats. Cell walls are made of a double layer of fat, the brain is composed of 65-70% fat, and fats provide protective padding to the joints. Healthy fats and oils in the diet promote an increased feeling of fullness, called satiety, because they burn slowly as a fuel source. Fats […]
A common ”D”efficiency: Vitamin D and your health
Vitamin D is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies. Low levels can be linked to “cancer development, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic muscle pain, bone loss, and autoimmune diseases” (Hyman, 2014). Because vitamin D is responsible for regulating and controlling our genetic code, along with helping calcium and phosphorous absorb […]
Nutritional variety: the key to great health
It’s important to eat balanced meals with a lot of variety every day. The body recognizes foods and the nutrients contained within to optimize healthy body functions. As different foods are eaten, the efficiency of the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism, or the speed with which foods are converted to usable energy sources, is heightened. […]
Back to school lunches: Is your child’s making the grade?
School lunches are an important part of the day; the best digestion occurs in the afternoon when the body is wide awake and the energy centers are at a peak. What goes into the lunch box of any child (or adult, for that matter) is important in maintaining optimal energy levels and meeting the […]
Under chronic stress? Learn what it does to the body and how to end the cycle
Stress in today’s fast-paced society is at record highs. Nearly 80% of the general population is presenting with symptoms of adrenal fatigue, a complex of vague symptoms that negatively impact the blood sugar-metabolism-stress regulators in the body (Axe, 2014). While some stress is good and helps us to stay safe when danger is present, […]
Fuel Correctly for Optimal Sports Performance
During exercise and sports activities, it’s imperative to fuel the body with the proper nutrition to not only enhance performance, but also to prevent muscle wasting from not eating enough calories, especially calories from the right food sources. Within 60 to 90 minutes of intense physical activity, if the body does not receive at least […]
Cooking up carcinogens: How to minimize your risk when grilling
Grilling outdoors for many is the highlight of the spring and summer months. The smell of the smoky embers, while tantalizing, can forewarn of possible carcinogenic food changes during the grilling process. Knowing what these changes are doing to the food and how to lessen your exposure […]
Could you be addicted to your food?
By now, most have heard of the horrors of processed food. The nutrient-depleted remnants of what was once a healthy food source wreak havoc on the body. Our cells need an abundance of fresh, colorful foods in order to maintain healthy balance; this doesn’t mean something that will live on a shelf covered in preservatives […]
5 Tips to Detox Heavy Metals
Toxins – Where do they come from? Chronic disease begins with a gene-environment mismatch; our environment has changed so much that we are now dealing with many chemicals in our food chain, over consumption of sugar, rising rates of obesity, fast food and processed food and we now have an alarming rate of increasing air […]
Could you be gluten intolerant?
Discover 10 most common symptoms of Gluten Intolerance Gluten-free seems to be the buzz word of late, but it’s with good reason. Gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut and oats is generally foreign to the gut lining, creating an inflammatory process by chipping away at the walls […]
Beating Cancer with Nutrition
It’s rare today to find a person whose life has not been affected by cancer. We all know someone, somewhere, who has battled the disease. If a diagnosis hits close to home, it’s important to learn the most basic nutritional knowledge to help support the body’s immune system and not give the cancer cells fuel […]
Are Eggs Health Friendly? The Facts Revealed
For years, myths of health rumors revolving around eggs causing high cholesterol and increased risk for cardiovascular events circulated in the mainstream media. Many stopped eating eggs altogether and poultry farmers took a hit. What was once a key component of the American diet was suddenly taboo. In recent years, however, extensive research is finding […]
For The Love of Fiber
Fiber plays a vital role in our body’s internal health and well-being. Helping solids to pass easily through the digestive tract, fiber also pulls toxins out of the intestines during the process of elimination. In addition, its bulkiness absorbs cholesterol molecules which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. And while we’re talking about […]
Fats: Good, Bad & the Ugly
Not every fat is created equal and not every fat needs be feared. Understanding the difference between healthy fat sources and those that cause disease states (including high cholesterol, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, cataracts and even Alzheimer’s, among a host of other physical ailments), is the key to finding which fats to incorporate into your […]
Do You Suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome? (IBS)
If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) you are not alone. This was once a relatively rare disorder. IBS now affects about 30 percent of the US population. IBS is the most common reason for a referral to a gastroenterologist. IBS is a malfunction in the digestive track causing bowel movements to be unpredictable and […]
Foods to Help You Fight Depression
Who would have guessed that what you eat could affect your mood? Eat these foods to ward off feelings of melancholy, especially during the coming winter months. Fish Fish are a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA. Omega-3s have a positive effect on the brain, providing it with healthy fat that […]
The Importance of Healthy Dietary Fats
Just like a car needs to have regular oil and filter changes to run smoothly and efficiently, your body also needs regular healthy dietary fats and oils to keep it lubricated and running without aches, pains, or creaks. Healthy fats and oils give your system a recharge, and are a wonderful boost to your nervous […]
Natural treatment options for ADD/ADHD
For many years, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been on the rise. Although there are many hypotheses and research studies being conducted as to why it occurs and the best treatment options, schools of thought can agree on one thing: the brain of a person with ADD/ADHD just doesn’t […]
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Diet
Chronic fatigue syndrome is nothing new. Symptoms associated with it have been noted since the 1800s, and outbreaks of the disease recorded sporadically throughout the last century. Nevertheless, the medical community remains confused about what actually causes the disease. One thing that’s becoming more clear, however, is the important role that diet can play in […]
How does metabolic syndrome affect high blood pressure?
Metabolic Syndrome refers to a collection of hazards that increases your risk for heart failure and other major medical issues, specifically, high blood pressure. These risks are normal functioning factors that increase your chance of developing a disease like diabetes. Metabolic risk factors can stack, and the more you have, the higher your risk. This […]
A New Year, Another Broken Resolution
It’s mid way though January and many of us are already slowly breaking your gym routines and diet plans (unintentional, of course) and starting off the new year with broken resolutions. According to time.com the number one most broken New Year’s Resolution is ‘Lose Weight and Get Fit’ with ‘Eat Healthier and Diet’ at number […]