As usual, Mom was right – you need to eat your veggies!  Especially cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale.  And here are a few reasons why. Cruciferous vegetables are a special class of veggies, in that they are rich sources of sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinolates, five of which contribute most to total […]

Beyond Red Yeast Rice Extract Elevated serum cholesterol is an established factor influencing cardiovascular health. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and triglycerides all influence cardiovascular health. Guidelines from the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program identify LDL cholesterol levels as the most important of these factors, suggesting that an optimal level of LDL […]

The debate about the safety of phytoestrogens has been going on for decades. Research and interest in natural phytoestrogens increased dramatically as a result of the Women’s Health Initiative study published in 1998 demonstrating an increased risk of breast cancer in women taking conventional hormone replacement therapy. But the question remains: are phytoestrogens safe? As […]

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), “For decades, cancer survivors have described experiencing problems with memory, attention and processing information months or even years after treatment.” Because many survivors receive chemotherapy as their treatment, this phenomenon was dubbed “chemobrain.” Julia Rowland, PhD, director of the NCI’s Office of Cancer Survivorship explains that doctors “are […]

Citrus pectin has long been used to support digestive health; however, the molecules are too large to enter circulation to have a systemic effect. That means citrus pectin is limited to GI support alone. Thanks to innovative technology, citrus pectin can now be modified to reduce the size and structure of the pectin molecules for […]

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a significant role in regulating hormones including triggering the release of the “stress hormone” cortisol. It is well-known that hypersecretion of cortisol is correlated with poor health and that there are a number of conditions directly related to HPA axis dysfunction and hypersecretion of cortisol. Creating HPA axis homeostasis to [...]

It is widely known that even though a person is sleeping, the human body is incredibly active. There are innate systems in place to help create and maintain homeostasis. There is a clear rhythmic connection between the HPA axis, the hormone cortisol, and sleep. Maintaining that rhythm between the HPA axis and cortisol production during [...]

Chances are when your patient starts to crash mid-day, their cortisol levels are doing the same thing. While cortisol often gets a bad rap as “the stress hormone,” the fact is, it plays a very important role in the body. And one of those functions is that it helps impact consistent energy levels. When the […]

In today’s fast-paced world, many patients are feeling stressed out and anxious. Some of these patients may benefit from L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea. L-theanine is a dietary supplement used to help support many key body functions including immunity, brain health and more. Perhaps the most notable application is its support of […]

The most common uses of melatonin as a dietary supplement is to support sleep and ease jet lag. Numerous studies have shown that melatonin can help synchronize the circadian rhythms to support the quantity and quality of sleep. While these applications are important, a fascinating connection between melatonin and cognition and mood is emerging in […]