Lavender, an herb beloved for it’s pleasing fragrance, is also proving to be an effective remedy for both anxiety and depression. Taken orally, it can be as effective as low-dose benzodiazepines for attenuating anxiety.
With the recent shortages of drugs to treat ADHD, and changes in insurance coverage of these treatments, many families of children with this complex condition are searching for non-pharmaceutical alternatives. Homeopathy may not be top-of-mind for most primary care doctors, but it is worth considering.
Several publications in the last few years have supported a relatively new view that a compromised gastrointestinal mucosa plays a major role in CFS. Restoring GI health by eliminating trigger foods, probiotic therapy, stress reduction, and supportive nutrients like L-glutamine, zinc, and digestive enzymes can bring about marked improvements in CFS symptoms.
Diet and nutritional status affect sleep health in many ways, and a host of nutraceutical and botanical supplements can be helpful alternatives to pharmaceutical sleep aids. In this excerpt from his Nutritional Medicine textook, Dr. Alan Gaby looks at a range of options including B vitamins, L-tryptophan, magnesium and others.
Sleep disorders are more varied and complex than simply the inability to fall asleep. They require more than a quickly jotted prescription for sedatives, which can often worsen the problem. To effectively resolve sleep problems, requires an understanding of sleep architecture & the role of deep sleep in regulating metabolism. Glysom, a new amino-acid based product, can help restore healthy sleep cycling.
There’s increasing scientific evidence as well as clinical experience indicating a connection between depression–which affects roughly 120 million people worldwide–and gluten sensitivity. Chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, triggered by reactions to gluten, can result in neurobehavioral symptoms which often resolve when people go gluten-free.
An emerging body of research called Earthing is shedding light on the ways in which the electrical charge on the surface of the Earth can regulate human physiology. The discoveries have significant implications for prevention and treatment of many common chronic diseases.
Military veterans are at much higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea than the general population, yet the disorder often goes undiagnosed because many vets do not fit the stereotypical profile of the “classic” apnea patient: an overweight middle-aged male who snores. Pharyngometry, a new, inexpensive & non-invasive tool can improve diagnosis.
A high-profile international study of the impact of cell phones on childhood brain tumor risk is sending the signal that there is no “exposure-response relationship. However, some environmental health experts contend that significant safety concerns are hidden within the data.
CEFALO, a multi-center European project, is the first study to look specifically at the impact of self-reported mobile phone use on risk of childhood brain tumors. While it seemed to dispel the notion that EM radiation from cellphones can cause brain tumors, critics contend that the conclusions are not so clear cut. Writers from the Environmental Health Trust challenge CEFALO’s findings; a spokesman from the study team responds.
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