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...

The summer season: a time to be outdoors enjoying the blue skies, sunshine, and fresh air. As the warm air arrives and the rain disappears, most of us increase our outdoor activity. However, the combination of warm temperatures, low humidity, and lack of rain also leads to an elevated risk of wildfires and decreased air quality. What does this mean, and what do we need to do? Outdoor air is contaminated with a host of pollutants from combustion (vehicular, industrial, stationary and natural sources), evaporation, and spraying, along with particulates that are picked up and carried by the winds. The...

By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) There is nothing like a beautiful sun-filled day outside. However, too much sun exposure and too little sun exposure both may have significant consequences. Like most things in life, balance is key. The challenge is to maximize the benefits of the sun and at the same time protect the body from damage. The skin uses sunlight to help manufacture vitamin D, which is important for normal bone formation. Sun exposure also plays an important role in reducing blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, and improving mood by releasing endorphins. Sunlight can also be hard on...

For many people, Memorial Day weekend signifies the start of summer. The sun has several positive effects on our overall health, but like many things, sunshine should be enjoyed in moderation. As we spend more time enjoying the warmer weather and longer days outdoors, the risk for ultraviolet (UV) damage to the skin increases. Much of the damage to our skin caused by sun exposure can be prevented. Here are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself from harmful UV radiation: Spend time in the shade Cover your body with protective clothing Cover exposed skin in sunscreen...

The air feels warmer and the sun is shining brighter. As many people have noticed, the skin feels different than it did in winter, feeling itching, tight, or extra dry or oily. Winter is governed by the doshas Kapha and Vata. Cold, dry, rough, heavy, dense, slow, and cloudy qualities have followed us for months. Ama, or toxins, accumulated during winter start to move with the increased Vata energies of mobile, subtle, clear of spring. Without proper detoxing, these qualities can stay in the skin, despite the growing pitta qualities outside. With the renewed feeling that spring brings, we all...

Notice the shifting of weather, the fluctuations between cold and hot, the days getting longer. Spring is breaking through! As this week is officially spring, we are reminded of new life and the budding of dormant beings. Men and women attempt to clear out the clutter of winter and the sluggishness the cold creates. The body feels heavy and slow but as spring melts away the fatigue of winter, many couples think about growing their own families during the season of growth. This month, we focus on fertility for the couple. Spring is a tridoshic time of the year. Vata...