Probiotics & You

Our bodies house trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the microbiome. Our digestive tracts are home to a huge population of these microorganisms, known as the gut microbiota. And in the microbiota of the human gut, bacteria play a starring role.

We’ve all experienced it—a sudden sharp pain that jolts us awake at night, stops us in our tracks when we’re exercising, or seems to just come out of the blue as we go about our business. Call it what you will—a spasm, cramp, charley horse. They all hurt, and they are all essentially the same thing—a strong, sudden and involuntary muscle contraction that causes severe pain.

If you find yourself saying, “I need to relax more” or, even worse, friends and family are telling you, “You need to relax more”, but it never seems to happen, then this document is for you. Because figuring out how to fit relaxation in and/or actually relaxing can be, well, kind of stressful sometimes.

Getting nutritional experts to agree on just about anything these days is difficult, but you would be hard-pressed to find a nutritionist who doesn’t agree that we need to eat more veggies. In fact eating more vegetables might be the single most important thing you can do for your health.

Cooking vegetables and fruits may increase their nutritional benefits

I've always been taught that the nutritionally correct method is to undercook vegetables: “Cooking destroys nutrients, so less cooked vegetables equals healthier vegetables. Raw is even better.” But this common wisdom may not be true.

Umckaloabo is the Zulu name for the native geranium root used by tribal healers for hundreds of years to remedy colds and respiratory infections. Because Umckaloabo is quite a mouthful, Nature’s Way -the company that has introduced this product into U.S. markets - decided to shorten it to "Umcka".

A practical guide for staying well on the road and in the air

You rush to the airport, wait in multiple lines and finally squeeze into your seat. A short while later you realize you’re thirsty and hungry. You might get a tiny cup of water and have the option of paying for some junk food. Tough luck, right? And maybe not the best way to start your vacation.

Doctors may be more receptive to talking about alternative therapies than patients often think. The following suggestions may be used as a guideline to help you prepare to discuss your health with your doctor. Keep in mind, your doctor is there to help and guide you, but ultimately you have responsibility for your own health.

The unmistakable smell of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, mingled together in just the right combination. The sound of grandmother’s humming as a spoon gently clanks against the bowl. The feeling of warmth that wafts over my face as I open the oven to check on a batch of gingerbread. Little fingers covered with batter, tested while no one is looking.

Food allergies and sensitivities and special diets can make cooking tricky, especially when it comes to replacing off-limit ingredients with safe ones. Below you’ll find several suggestions for how to modify your favorite recipes with allergen-free alternatives that actually taste great.

Stress is the body’s mental, emotional, and physiological response to any situation that is new, threatening, frightening, or exciting. Stress should not be avoided entirely. A certain amount of stress is necessary for optimum health, performance, and well-being. However, your mind and body work most efficiently and effectively when you are relaxed.