General Health Blogs

Although there's a lot that medical science does not know about Parkinson's diease, the good news is that there are safe, natural ways to slow its progression.

Microcurrent therapy and HBOT are used regularly at my clinic to treat all types of chronic pain, wounds, and injuries with incredible results.

Medical tourism—traveling for medical treatment—is a rapidly growing phenomenon. Here is what you should consider when deciding if medical tourism is right for you.

If joint and/or muscle pain is interfering with your quality of life, I suggest you give dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) a try.

Sterols (also called phytosterols) are natural fatty substances found in all plants. Plant sterols have unique health benefits. Here are a few of them.

Aloe vera is one of the world's most popular botanical therapies. More than 200 biologically active compounds have been identified in the aloe plant, and it has dozens of therapeutic uses.

Fibromyalgia is a mystery to many doctors. But I have successfully treated many fibromyalgia sufferers using this natural, three-pronged approach.

Eliminating fructose, including high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), from your diet can have many positive effects on your health. Here's why.

Hypothyroidism can have widespread adverse effects on your health. Learn the 7 most common symptoms of this often undiagnosed condition.

Have you started 2013 with a resolution to get fit? Get some tips on how to maintain your fitness resolve all year long.

Don’t bring a hangover or stomach upset into the New Year. After the last verse of Auld Lang Syne is sung, try these all-natural remedies.

Feeling run down? It could be more than post-holiday fatigue. Low thyroid function or B12 deficiency could be to blame. Check for these energy-zapping conditions.

Here’s a healthy holiday tidbit: The candy canes you hang on your Christmas tree may also cure your holiday indigestion. Discover the health benefits of your favorite holiday treats.

Looking for a great gift idea this holiday season? I suggest giving dark chocolate. This treat provides several benefits that are good for both your body and soul.

There’s bad bacteria and there’s good bacteria. Known as probiotics, beneficial bacteria can account for boosting immunity and beating depression. Uncover more good news about good bacteria.

What drink aids in weight loss, improves memory and boosts immunity? Green tea. Find out what else this healthy, antioxidant-rich beverage can do.

Do you have a habit of ditching your New Year's resolutions on January 2? Make your resolutions stick this year. Write a commitment contract.

As you think about what you are grateful for this Thanksgiving, you'll be improving your health at the same time. Find out why a helping of gratitude is just what the doctor ordered.

'Tis the season for holiday stress. Don't succumb. Try six simple solutions to ease the stress that comes with this time of year and remember the reason for the season.

There's krill oil and there's fish oil. One has a few more benefits for your heart, joints and brain than the other. Find out which one.

The pollutants in your home are often more dangerous than the billowing smokestacks outside, increasing the risk of numerous health issues. Combat their effects with a few simple strategies.

Still haven't outgrown your acne? Your diet may be to blame. Research shows that certain foods cause the skin to secrete more oil. Find out how to adjust your diet to cure your problem skin.

Vitamin K helps reduce the signs of osteoporosis and even the arterial calcification that can lead to cardiovascular death. Are you getting enough of the right kind? Find out the best way to get the vitamin K you need.
 

If you are a migraine sufferer, a little prevention can go a long way. Support your diet with these migraine-fighting supplements and knock out frequent acute headaches.
 

Some health problems are just plain embarrassing. But that doesn't mean that you should ignore them. Try these simple, natural cures to relieve hemorrhoids, cold sores, bad breath and dandruff.

Do you have annoying chronic cough? Do you know what's causing it? Check this list of causes from respiratory disorders to medications you may be taking.
 

As you may have also heard on a recent episode of The Dr. Oz show, pterostilbene is a compound found in blueberries that provides significant anti-aging benefits.

No matter what a new study suggests, statin drugs aren't safe. Don't be fooled into putting more money into drug maker's pockets. Instead, try one of the far safer natural solutions for high cholesterol.
 

Recent headlines say organic isn't better. But Dr. Whitaker knows better. Go beyond the headlines and find out the best ways to keep organic foods in your diet.
 

Make sure your kids are getting the right nutrients as the head back to school. Find out which vitamins and minerals make them even smarter.
 

Blueberries protect your vision, keep your memory sharp and, now, help prevent falls, according to a new study. Resveratrol may be the key. Learn more about the blueberry's latest super health-protecting feat.
 

During this economic downturn, Americans are under more stress. B-complex vitamins can help. Find out how they work to relieve anxiety, improve mood and boost your overall health.
 

It should come as no surprise that Olympic fever spurs increased sales of sports drinks and other performance enhancers. Take a look at our list of the most popular ones with the most punch.
 

Could your soap cause diabetes? New research links phthalates found in personal care products like soap and lotion to higher instances of diabetes, particularly in women. Find out how to avoid this risk.

If you want to end obesity, banning super sized sodas isn't the answer. Find out why water and being aware of sugar's side effects could be the best defense against obesity.
 

Did you know that you can help prevent breast cancer with a few simple lifestyle choices like a better diet and more exercise? Here are four specific steps that you can take today.
 

Pepper can add lots of flavor to your food. But did you know that it has the power to heal, too? You may want to sprinkle more on when you learn more about this antioxidant powerhouse.

Summer just isn't summer without a bite of juicy watermelon. Turns out that nothing could be better for your heart, eyes, and overall health. Uncover all the wonders of watermelon.
 

If you're a parent with concerns about childhood vaccination and links to autism, then you'll be even more concerned about new vaccine legislation in California. Here's what you need to know.

Make your new year's resolution this summer instead of waiting until January. Resolve to improve your health while you have some downtime with this summertime to-do list.
 

Is a vaccine against the effects of nicotine what you need to quit smoking? Probably not. Try these tried and true tactics to beat your smoking habit instead.
 

Should you take vitamin D for cancer and fractures? A new report says, "No," but Dr. Whitaker says that advice is not only misguided but dangerous. Find out why vitamin D is vital to your health.
 

When it comes to treating alcoholism, the medical community has got it all wrong. Go beyond group counseling to find out how missing nutrients could be causing your alcohol addiction, then try an all-natural approach to overcoming alcoholism.
 

Even if you have a mammogram every year, you could still be at risk of breast cancer because of screening inaccuracies. Find out the 7 things your doctor should be suggesting for breast cancer prevention.

It's healthy to get a little sun. It's your best source of vitamin D, also known as the "sunshine vitamin." But too much definitely has a down side. Find out how to get the best of the sun without the harmful side effects.

Most of us can't wait for summer travel, but getting to your destination can take a toll on your health. Get some tips on how to survive the trip.

Memorial Day is about much more than family picnics and a trip to the neighborhood pool. Let's pledge to thank and applaud our soldiers and veterans this Memorial Day and every day.

Keeping hydrated during the summer months is important and drinking plenty of water is a must. But if you are bored with H2O, try these beverages that quench your thirst and benefit your health, too.

Get Dr. Whitaker's healthy survival tips before the dog days of summer.

A new study compared the salt content of 2,124 foods in six major food chains. What they found is that American and Candian fast foods is considerably higher in salt than food sold abroad.

Here are some interesting food facts to keep in mind for promoting good health.

Look no further than these statistics for evidence that conventional medicine does more harm than good. Take control of your health today.

The produce aisle of the supermarket is filled with health-boosting vegetables, most of which are rich in fiber, protective antioxidants, and vitamins. Here are four easy, healthy ways to add more vegetables to your diet.

As we age, our bodies don’t rid toxins from our bodies as efficiently as they used to. Accumulated toxins can cause fatigue, aches and pains, difficulty concentrating, and more. Here's how you can support your body's natural systems for eliminating toxins.

Packaged products are cheap to make and sell—and the companies that make them don’t care what they’re doing to your waistline or your health. Here are 10 better snacks to keep on hand that will improve your health.

Drug companies would like you to believe that the only cure for whatever ails you requires a trip to the pharmacy. But the fact is, our kitchens are filled with a plethora of treatments for a variety of common health problems.

The FDA Advisory Panel just recommended approval of a new diet drug called Qnexa. It contains phentermine, one of the same ingredients used in Fen-Phen—the diet drug pulled from the market after it was found to damage the heart valve. Folks, this new move makes no sense. 

Over 4,500 studies have documented the remarkable benefits of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in the oils of the fatty fish that inhabit the cold waters of Alaska, Norway, and other areas.

You’ve probably heard (or even experienced) that stress can lower your immunity. That's why you need to be taking adaptogens as part of your normal health regimen.

Doctors and pharmaceutical companies would like you to believe that shelling out your hard-earned cash for their services and solutions is the best way to stay healthy. But when it comes right down to it, it’s the little changes you make in your daily life that have the real power to keep you healthy.

From insect bites to dandruff, these home remedies are guaranteed to stop irksome health complaints in their tracks.

Many of the products out there are nothing more than a chemical soup, filled with ingredients that can damage your skin and your health. What the beauty industry won’t tell you is that there are natural ways to keep your skin healthy, and youthful-looking.

Falls are the leading cause of brain trauma and the number one cause of fractures among older people—upwards of 500,000 per year. Here are five steps to help prevent this from happening to you.

Study after study shows that people with pets have fewer minor health problems, require fewer visits to the doctor and less medication, and have fewer risk factors for cardiovascular problems.

If you've ever tried to quit smoking, swear off sugar, or kick caffeine, you know the symptoms of withdrawal. Here are seven secret weapons to ease those headaches, fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety.

As the ball drops in Times Square this New Year’s Eve and we toast to 2012, you can ensure an even brighter new year with one simple secret—think like an optimist.

Few New Year's resolutions can have such a dramatic impact on your health as quitting smoking. Here are a few of the many beneficial changes that happen when you give up the habit.

Nothing enriches life more than supportive human relationships, and nothing impoverishes it more than their absence. At the end of the story, we celebrate—and possibly weep, as well—at Scrooge's redemption.

Each year, thousands of people die in US hospitals because of medical errors. Your best defense is to educate yourself in advance of a hospital stay. Here are three things you need to know.

Keep these facts in mind as you entertain this holiday season.

While we’re still a few weeks away from the start of the New Year, here’s a tip you can keep in mind to make this year’s resolutions more successful: Frame your resolutions in the positive.

As the FDA itself stated, Intermezzo is a federally controlled substance that can lead to abuse or dependence. But meanwhile they want to “protect you” from safe, effective, healthy supplements like resveratrol and ubiquinol.

You already know your chronological age—even if you'd rather not admit to it. But do you know your biological or functional age?

"Holiday feasting" is as human as wearing shoes. But so are heart attacks, strokes, obesity, and the terrible discomfort of engorgement. Here are seven tips for keeping your waistline and health intact, without sacrificing your holiday cheer.

The key to making your supplements easier to swallow is to fool that reflex. Here’s how.

I’ve been practicing medicine for nearly 30 years now, and I’ve seen lots of screening and diagnostic tests come and go. Many of the currently prescribed tests are overused and unreliable, and some are downright harmful. However, there are four tests I believe strongly in, and highly recommend you get.

A new study presented at The American Institute for Cancer Research annual conference showed that nearly 50,000 new cases of breast cancer per year, and over 40,000 cases of colon cancer, are caused by inactivity.

New research shows that drinking more than three cups of coffee per day can lower your risk of basal cell carcinoma, one of the most common forms of skin cancer.

Halloween—and the entire sugar-filled, high-fat holiday season—doesn’t have to expand your waistline or spike your blood sugar. In fact, here are five holiday indulgences you can enjoy, guilt-free.

Researchers have found that mice fed a daily diet including the human equivalent of two ounces of walnuts a day had a 50 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer.

If you’re one of the nearly 39 million Americans afflicted with seasonal allergies, fall can bring more suffering than splendor. Despite what you hear on TV ads for allergy medications, there are effective natural steps you can take to address your allergies this fall.

As reported in The New York Times, due to concerns over “the slowing pace of new drugs coming out of the pharmaceutical industry…officials have decided to start a billion-dollar government drug development center to help create medicines.” Let’s get some facts on the table, including the six things Big Pharma doesn’t want you to know.

If the cooler weather has you craving “comfort foods,” you’re not alone. Plus, it’s not your fault—survival is driving your cravings.

A number of studies suggest that overworked and distracted pharmacists—coupled with confusing, sound-alike and look-alike drugs—are at least partially to blame.

My best advice to treat or prevent hemorrhoids is to strengthen the small blood vessels and reduce pressure on the area.

While we can’t control the stock market, we can limit the impact stress and anxiety have on our health and well-being. Following these steps can help you relax, unwind, and feel better than you have in years.

If you have hearing loss, you’re not alone. Hearing loss affects one in three Americans over the age of 65 and half of those over age 85.

If pharmaceutical giant Merck has its way, Gardasil, their human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (the “cervical cancer vaccine”), would be yet another mandated immunization.

Excess fat, particularly saturated fats and trans fats can wreak havoc on your body. A diet high in these fats not only causes weight gain, but also decreases insulin sensitivity which can lead to diabetes and a host of other health problems. 

Over the years, I've put in a lot of miles by plane, train, and automobile. Here are some "insider tips" that will make your travels easier.

The more weight and inches women lose, the more relief they get. If hot flashes are a problem for you, try shedding a few pounds. 

Avoid sugar (sucrose) and artificial sweeteners and use natural alternatives such as stevia and xylitol instead.

If coffee were harmful, then every morning emergency rooms around the world would be choked with people suffering the ill effects of our favorite breakfast beverage. Hre are five healthy reasons to drink coffee.

Some health sites feature what appear to be real bloggers extolling how well a particular drug worked for them. What they don’t disclose is that these aren’t real people at all—but paid actors the drug companies hired to rave about their products.

If you want to rest better at night, avoid these surefire ways to bring on insomnia.

Here are 10 secrets that make healthy eating, easy.

Even with all of the ups and downs we’ve experienced as a country, let’s remember that we enjoy tremendous freedoms. July 4^th is our opportunity to appreciate the USA, the freedom for which it stands, and the courage of our forefathers to fight for independence.

There’s quite a bit of advice on my blog that can make your holiday celebration safer, healthier, and more enjoyable. On every post that would help to make your weekend celebration more enjoyable there’s a letter at the bottom.  Find all 10 letters, unscramble them to make a holiday-related word, and then post your answer in the comments.

Nobody likes change. It’s painful. That’s why so few people succeed at weight loss, smoking cessation, or anything else that requires altering behavior. I’ve found that the only way to guarantee success is this: Make the pain of not following through greater than the pain of changing.

If barbecues are a summertime ritual for your family, consider this: Your meals may increase your risk of cancer.On Wednesday, I’ll be sharing an easy, delicious recipe you can try on the grill—so check back then!

Millions suffer with debilitating migraines. This has created a multi-billion dollar industry, filled with remedies. Yet, these so-called solutions are nothing more than bandages for the symptoms, and do nothing to get to the bottom of why migraines occur in the first place.

Water is required for the distribution of nutrients, electrolytes, hormones, and other chemical messengers throughout the body, as well as the removal of waste products. It is also an important structural component of skin, cartilage, and other tissues.

Today is Friday, which means that millions of people will be celebrating the start of the weekend with a drink at Happy Hour. While wine has cornered the market in recent years, beer is making a comeback. But what you may not realize is that beer is a boon for a multitude of health conditions.

If you’re like most people, you take about 1,000 to 3,000 steps per day—walking to and from the car, strolling outside, and moving around the house. But if you bump this number up to 10,000 by adding some brisk walks to your routine, your health will benefit enormously!

If you’re tempted to use one of the chemical-laden bug sprays, think twice. Many contain DEET, which may keep mosquitoes away but its safety is questionable, especially for young children and older individuals. Instead, here’s what I recommend for repelling those pesky mosquitoes, naturally.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of adults over age 20 who are obese and the percentage of adults who are merely overweight (not obese) are now equal at 34 percent each! Not only is that obesity statistic frightening, if you do the math it means that healthy weight Americans are now the minority, at just 32 percent.

May is here, and in most areas of the country spring flowers are in full bloom. Many of my neighbors are outside tending their gardens, which as you can imagine is great exercise. But did you know that there are very specific health benefits you can get from gardening, especially as you age?

We all talk about being stressed, but did you know that April is actually Stress Awareness Month? I’m not sure if anyone planned it this way, but it’s also National Humor Month, which is definitely appropriate—since humor is the perfect antidote for stress.

Water supports your weight so your joints don’t take the pounding they receive when you exercise on land, making it ideal for people with arthritis or musculoskeletal injuries. In addition, you can swim or exercise in water regardless of your age or physical condition.

When it comes to supporting healthy blood sugar levels, the first thing you need to become aware of is how quickly your body breaks down certain foods into glucose. Here's how to do that.

It’s time to make that weight loss resolution a reality. In addition to taking part in my Diabesity Challenge, you should start—and stick with—an exercise regimen. Here are a few tips to help get you going.

Blood tests aren’t the only way to determine if you have hypothyroidism. You can check your thyroid function yourself by measuring your basal body temperature. 

The meat from organically raised cattle—especially those that are exclusively grass-fed—is much leaner than that of feedlot cattle, and it has less saturated fat and more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Low thyroid function affects about one in eight women from 35 to 65 years of age, and one in five women over 65. If you have unexplained weight gain or fatigue, you may want to have your doctor run a few tests.

On average, Americans only consume three servings of fruits and vegetables each day. And that’s a crying shame. Study after study reveals that people who regularly eat five-plus servings of nature’s bounty enjoy several health benefits. 

More than 15 years ago, James B. of Wisconsin weighed 327 pounds. He drank too much, was completely inactive, developed diabetes, and had to take medication to control it. Then he started reading Health & Healingand decided to make some changes in his life.

Going out to eat can be a real treat. You don’t have to cook, you can opt for dishes you wouldn’t normally make at home, and it’s nice to get out every now and again. But if you’re not careful, you may be getting a whole lot more than you bargained for.

The best give of all is the gift of great health and, as it turns out, it’s one you can give yourself.

To protect your cells from the free-radical damage caused by exercise, take a daily antioxidant-rich multivitamin.

Strength training can provide many of the same benefits as aerobic exercise, including improved cholesterol levels and enhanced cardiovascular fitness. 

Foods with a high glycemic index enter the bloodstream quickly, prompting a rapid rise in blood sugar followed by an equally dramatic drop a few hours later. Fueling your body with these quick-burning carbohydrates can leave you feeling tired, hungry, and irritable.