Nutrition & Lifestyle

Challenged by MS, the “Spice-Trekkers” Discover Their Own Culinary Medicine

By Ellen Kanner, Contributing Writer

Philippe and  Ethné de Vienne an explorer by nature. He and his wife Ethné travel the world, sourcing organic spices and herbs where they’re grown. That’s their job as the owners of the Montreal-based spice company, Épices de Cru. But five years ago, when Philippe was suddenly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, their search took a very different turn–one that led to important discoveries about how to use foods and spices to alter the course of serious autoimmune diseases.

With Sioux Chef, Native Americans Rediscover Indigenous Foodways

By Ana Maria Puente, Contributing Writer

With a restaurant and catering company called Sioux Chef, an Oglala Lakota chef named Sean Sherman is helping Native American communities–and many other non-Natives–to discover the original indigenous foods of North America. Many native foods–things like cattail shoots, prairie turnips, choke cherries, prickly pears, rabbit and bison–are extremely healthy.

SAMe Equals Rx Drugs in Treatment of Depression

By Janet Gulland, Contributing Writer

A recent literature review of S-Adenosyl-methionine (SAMe) is shedding new light on this unique compound in the treatment of depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. In some studies, SAMe was equivalent in efficacy to Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.

To Reverse Alzheimer’s, Seek its Triggers: An Interview with Dale Bredesen, MD

By Erik Goldman, Editor

Alzheimer’s disease is largely preventable, and often reversible. Those are bold statements, especially from a conventionally-trained neurologist. But Dale Bredesen, MD, is used to challenging orthodox views. In this in-depth interview article, Dr. Bredesen shares his perspective–drawn from more than 30 years’ clinical and research experience–on how to avert the “long goodbye” of dementia.

Prenatal Multivitamins May Reduce Autism Risk

By Jessica Waller, Contributing Writer

It’s long been known that maternal diet can influence pregnancy outcomes, and the effects of nutritional supplementation during pregnancy can have far-reaching benefits. A recent population-based observational study by an international team of American, Swedish and British researchers suggests that prenatal vitamin use (with and without folic acid) reduces risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.

FDA Mandates Major Overhaul of Supplement Labels

By Kristen Schepker, Assistant Editor

For the first time in over two decades, the Food and Drug Administration is mandating changes to the way foods and dietary supplements are labeled. The new regulations call for significant revision of numerous long-used health and nutrition standards, and will affect healthcare practitioners, patients, and industry players alike.

How Honest Are Gluten Free Food Claims?

By Beth Donnelly, Contributing Writer

With so many food manufacturers, restaurant chains, and even personal care companies jumping on the GF bandwagon, we need to ask ourselves an important question: Can we trust that GF products are truly “Gluten Free”? In most cases, the answer is “Yes,” according to a study by the Food and Drug Administration.