The following article, hot off the press, assessed the benefits of “natural” supplements for cardiovascular disease risk and found that most supplementation either had no effect or potential for increased risk for all cause mortality, except folic acid and/or B Vitamins. Although studies like this are helpful, they certainly cannot be taken verbatim as studies of this design are not…
Personalized diet plans have been a very important part of my practice for over 6 years now. Having done some personal experimentation with many different diets, including the paleo, ketogenic, vegan, GAPS, low FODMAP, and of course the Eating Alive Program, I have a lot of experience with diet strategies. Historically, I also encouraged the Healthy and Active Program, which…
Almost everything in life (specifically plants) start with a seed. Although this is not overly profound, in the present climate of our world this is one of the only ways to directly combat the effects of the carbon climate change that is affecting our earth. Ironically plants are also our primary food supply and should ideally make up at least…
Testosterone plays an essential role in the sexual health of both men and women. Although lower than optimal testosterone levels are not the only factor connected to low sex drive, testosterone along with the balance of other hormones are very important in understanding individual concerns with libido. Where women have larger amounts of estrogens to keep a spring in their…
This year has been a particularity brutal cold and flu season with currently no end in sight, but allergy season is also right around the corner with warmer weather on the horizon! Although Westcoast Integrative Health is all about functional medicine, health enhancement and treatment of chronic health conditions, sometimes we need to throw all of that out the window…
The current conventional medical model for the treatment of autoimmunity is focused on immune suppression or the use of biological agents like Humiraâ„¢. Humira is a biological drug that blocks the effects of a specific inflammatory molecule in our bodies. Immune suppressive drugs like prednisone or non-steriodal anti-inflammatory medications are also typically used along with chemical therapy treatments like methotrexate…