As the harvest moon approaches, the season of fall is in full swing. The air is brisk, and the hours of daylight are noticeably diminishing. Often, we begin spending more time indoors, enjoying the warmth and comforts of home. We tend to exercise less and eat a bit more, usually, craving foods that make us feel good, temporarily; foods that contain increased amounts of sugar and fat. With Halloween right around the corner, it is important to avoid overindulging in sugary treats in order to maintain balance in mind and body. Similar to the autumn air, the qualities of vata...

By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) For many of us, fall is a time of transition. The leaves begin to change colors. Children head back to school. And as the weather changes, so do our daily rhythms and routines. In the Northern hemisphere, as we transition from the summer season into autumn, we enter into the season of Vata. Vata is represented by the elements of air and ether (space). Much like the autumn air, the qualities of Vata are cold, light, dry, subtle, windy, mobile, sharp, flowing, hard, rough, and clear. A balanced Vata constitution feels happy, enthusiastic, joyful,...

Today, more than 30 million Americans have type two diabetes1 and blood sugar dysregulation is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States2. As a result, much research has gone into any and all ways to mitigate the severity and progression caused by unhealthy sugar metabolism. Dietary approaches, herbal and nutritional supplements such as Gymnema, and a host of pharmaceutical drugs all play their role in helping manage blood sugar and stem the growing epidemic of diseases caused by sugar dysregulation. Ultimately, the results of sugar dysregulation impact all aspects of health, in particular, our cardiovascular, nervous, and...

Perhaps one of the more sidestepped topics when it comes to doctor’s visits is a discussion of sexual health. Beyond STI risk assessment, it is not a topic that is broached, even if a doctor reports feeling comfortable asking about it. For instance, in a study of 416 physicians across 4 specialties respondents reported they were comfortable with talking about sexual history, but 76% of physicians reported only asking if they felt it was relevant to a chief complaint.1 Meanwhile, patients report wishing their doctor would inquire more deeply or seriously about their sexual history as part of routine care.2...

Amla fruit, also known as Indian Gooseberry and scientifically named Phyllanthus emblica (formerly Emblica officinalis) is a plant of extraordinary importance in the Indian culture and plays a pivotal role in health and longevity. The reverence this tree commands is indicated both by the mythology surrounding the tree, as well as the multitude of scientific inquiries that have been launched into this super food. In mythology it is said that during a quarrel amongst the Gods, a fluid called Amrita, which has been translated as both “heavenly nectar” and “the elixir of life”, spilled upon the earth, whereupon the Amla...

by Dr. Brian Keenan In Ayurvedic medicine, there are 5 elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Ether (or the space between things) that interact and combine to form the 3 dosha: vata, pitta, and kapha. These dosha go on to be the functional and corporeal interactions of life, nature, and by extension, human health. Moreover, beyond governing all aspects of life, the dosha are also responsible for the variety and uniqueness of life. This is said to be because these three dosha combine and interact in various ratios and at various levels in each living being. Simply put, this explains...

Whether for business or for pleasure, traveling has become a ubiquitous experience for the vast majority of individuals. However, when we travel, not everyone may be keenly aware that along with things like their luggage and travel documents, each individual carries their delicate microbiome with them into new environments. It should go without saying that traveling constitutes several challenges to both the microbiome and its associated host. Exposure to pathogens through respiratory droplets, water, and food is commonplace. Moreover, as is often the case, stress, dehydration, sleeplessness, and physical strain can all be common features of the travel experience. This...

As the conversation around men's health becomes more prevalent in the mainstream, so has the tidal wave of advertisements for supplemental testosterone. While some men may have a clinical need for supplemental testosterone, many men have been overprescribed the hormone, which can have negative impacts on their cardiovascular health. Fortunately, there are a plethora of things that can be done naturally to optimize testosterone and improve your overall wellness. ​ QUICK TIPS FOR TESTOSTERONE SUPPORT AUDIT YOUR LIFESTYLE Exercise and strength-train frequently, eat a whole foods diet rich in fiber, avoid processed and fried foods as much as possible, minimize...

Heavy metals are a loosely defined group of elements that are naturally occurring in the Earth’s crust that have a density of greater than or equal to 5 grams per cubic centimeter. They bioaccumulate in vegetable sources, as well as in air and water, and can have deleterious effects on human health when consumed in large quantities, or through consistent prolonged exposure. However, it should be noted that minimal, daily exposure is inevitable due to the fact that these heavy metals naturally occur in water, fruits, and vegetables. Even though the body is equipped to deal with certain amounts of...

It has been understood for thousands of years that what we put in our bodies ultimately defines our health. In the present, this can not be more clear given the sheer amount of both healthy, and unhealthy, food that is available today. Moreover, with obesity rates in the United States growing as steadily as the population’s waistlines, it seems critical that we take a look back towards the cultural sensibilities surrounding the diets that have sustained us prior to the advent of an industrialized food system. In Ayurveda, the diet was said to be the beginning and end of all...

Regardless of your age, gender, or general health, it is important to take a proactive approach to health. Many men avoid the doctor until they become sick, injure themselves, or are faced with a serious health problem. However, it is important for men to have regular visits with their doctor to promote good health and to prevent and/or manage health issues early. Although several health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, affect both men and women, there are a few health conditions that are specific to men. Low Testosterone Testosterone is a hormone required for male development and is...

In the West, yoga is seen predominantly as a series of postures that are used to enhance health and are often coupled with meditation and breathwork. However, this accounts for only 3 of the 8 principles of yoga. Even considering this form of yoga to be an incomplete yoga practice, the research into yoga’s myriad of health benefits remains robust, even in comparison with other exercise research. For instance, a meta-analysis in 2010[1] was conducted looking specifically at the comparative benefits of yoga as opposed to conventional aerobic exercise for the same duration. What researchers found that while of course...

As long as there has been civilization, and some might even say even before it, humans utilized the panacea known as honey. Sweet, nutritive, and medicinal, this complex substance represents the pinnacle of symbiosis. From the plant’s propagation cycle to the bee’s livelihood, to medicine for animals and humans, honey connects the world. Moreover, it is one of the few common threads in virtually every early civilization. As far back as 8,000 years ago in Spain we have found paintings of warriors attempting to gather honey. In a post-Mesolithic rock painting in Rajat Prapat in Central India presents honey collection...

Of the three doshas described in Ayurvedic medicine, Pitta is the one that is associated with water and fire. The interplay of these elements creates a transformative property and is associated with processes such as digestion and detoxification. When Pitta is too hot, the Ayurvedic practitioner will look to cooling herbs to bring the body back into balance. Traditionally, Pitta imbalance is generally characterized by night sweats, irritated skin, and anger. Western trained providers tend to think about systems involved in the presentation of an illness, such as the nervous or endocrine system, as do providers trained in Eastern disciplines...

Aging has been associated with a wide range of conditions such as cancer, ischemic heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and others. One of the major factors that accelerate aging and cause degeneration of various systems is the shortening of telomeres. Telomeres are DNA molecules found at the ends of chromosomes that serve as protective end caps to guard our genetic data. Telomeres (imagine the plastic caps on the ends of shoelaces) keep the chromosome material from deteriorating and/or fusing with other chromosomes. More importantly, telomerase, an enzyme that can repair and maintain the telomere length through replication,...

By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) Food is essential for life. Yet, many individuals develop an unwholesome relationship with food to the extent that it negatively affects their health. In the United States, it is estimated that up to 30 million people suffer from an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. Worldwide, the figure increases to nearly 70 million sufferers. Generally speaking, anorexia is depriving the body of food, bulimia is eating a large amount of food and then purging it, and binge-eating involves the excessive intake of food at one sitting without purging...