OCTBER 23, 2024 TUMERIC

Turmeric is a spice that can have positive effects on your health.Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to have benefits. This herb is used routinely in my practice for many reasons, but especially to decrease inflammation

. One of turmeric’s most well-known health benefits is its ability to boost brain function and memory. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which can help to improve brain function in various ways. For example, curcumin can help to increase levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that helps to promote the growth of new neurons and synaptic connections It help to boost memory and cognitive performance in people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. More studies need to be done on tumeric and memory disorders

I love tumeric for its health benefits in arthritis. In one study, people with arthritis who took turmeric supplements for eight weeks had less pain and swelling than those who did not take the supplement. Another study found that people with arthritis who applied a turmeric-based cream to their joints had less pain and stiffness than those who did not use the cream.

As cardioogist I use tumeric. Some research suggests that turmeric may help improve cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation and preventing plaque buildup in the arteries. Additionally, turmeric has improved blood flow and reduced blood pressure. Many patients are reluctant to use tumeric as they have read potential interactions with tumeric and cnventional medications I ony use it in lower doses with atients on blood thinning medications as coumadin, eliquis, xareltio and more

It is not my first herb to use for digestive symptoms I would rather se other herbs as sippery elm, aloe, The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has been shown to help improve digestion by stimulating bile production in the liver and increasing bile flow through the gallbladder. Bile is essential for the digestion of fats and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. In addition, curcumin can help to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract

Talk to your health care professional about starting tumeric

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 22, 2024 POMEGRANATE

Pomegranate contains ellagitannins, flavones and other bioactive compounds that can support health. I advocate pomegranate to many patients, especially men who want to increase their testosterone levels. I ask to consume 1 tsp of these tart seeds twice a week I am writing as these tart seeds are healthy for dogs with heart issues.

In the Fall of 2016, I went to Bid-a-wee on the east side of New York City with my daughter to adopt a rescue. I had to give up my dogs, Giovanni ( a Yorkshire) and Specer ( King Charles Cavalier) in my divorce. So I saw a rescue called Tarzan at the time. I wasn’t allowed to adopy him at first as he had a heart condition. He had a valve disorders and was on multiple medications. I convinced the agency that I as a cardiologist would adopt him and I understood the risks. After much conversation I was able to adopt Tarzan He was young so I changed his name to Chaplin. He was placed on heart herbs, a raw food det ( no grains) and was given pomegranate. I am happy to say that in April of 2024 - Chaplin was 8 years old.The dog that was supposed to die young has thrived . The vetenarians who have seen him since cannot understand.

In one study, pomegranate extract was found to improve heart health in dogs

• Vitamins and minerals in pomegranate may boost your pet's health in various ways, such as supporting wound healing, bone reformation and muscle function

• Ellagitannins are another notable bioactive compound in pomegranate. They're metabolized into urolithin A by gut flora, which has anticancer potential

• Potassium may support muscle function, as it helps with contraction and relaxation. Moreover, potassium may also help with nerve function.9 As for vitamin K, it's known to play a role in blood coagulation, which may help with blood clotting

• Vitamin C is also essential for pets, just like humans. Although dogs can synthesize vitamin C in their body, getting supplementary amounts of it from their diet can be good for their health. This vitamin helps promote proper immune function and serves as a cofactor for numerous enzymes.

So there is NO reason not to give to your pet Check with your health care professional- The Vet A

fter you've sliced the pomegranate, the next part is simply feeding the seeds, sometimes called "jewels" or arils, to your pet. Some dogs like the tart flavor and crunch of pomegranate seeds, and yours might enjoy it as well. Mix a teaspoon for every 10 pounds of your pet's bodyweight with their homemade meal.

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 21, 2024 RED PLANTS

Most of Connecticut is firmly established in hardiness zone 6 when it comes to plants. Recently while reading I came across growing red fruit plants in the garden. There were so many I did not know about. The strawberry tree, Lingonnberry, Bunchberry are just a few. tried to grow The Red Chokeberry ( Aronia arbutfolia in the garden. It has white to pink flowers in the spring. The bright red pear shaped berries appear in the Fall. This fruit is edible The pectin rich fruit is great for jams and jellies

This is very important. No matter how delicious the fruits of these bushes/trees look you MUST RESIST in tasting them Some red berries are toxic Before harvesting the fruit , you must identify the plant and confirm the berries are nontoxic ad safe to eat

Other berries that grow hardy in zone 6 are Chinese evergreen dogwood, Silverbuffaloberry, Bearberry cotonesaver and Redlake currant. There is the Amrican Holly. I have two in the front of my house The iconic red berries appear from September to December and always complement the spine shaped leaves. I keep them short as bushes but American Holly ( also known as Christmas Holly) can grow up to 60 feet tall.

I plant these for the many birds as they snack on the fruit. These are good pollinators for my bees also when flowers bloom/ Some of the birds that snack are cedar waxwings, bluebirds, yellow warblers, and even woodpeckers.

Untiil tomorrow…

OCTOBER 17, 2024 COCONUT OIL

There are many uses for coconut oil Some are for your skin and some for your health Rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, coconut oil offers myriad health benefits.

For the skin, women have the uses for their skin One it acts ike a moisturizer. Second it is great to remove makeup In addition to its cleansing properties, coconut oil acts as a gentle and nourishing skincare product. Unlike other harsh makeup removers, it does not strip the skin of its natural oils.

I love using beeswax and shea butter with a hint of lavender as a body deodorant. Yet cocounut oil can also be a substitute There are many herbal books on how to make your own deodorant. The antimicrobial properties of coconut oil make it a potential candidate for a natural deodorant. The lauric acid present in coconut oil can kill bacteria, fungi, and yeasts—all of which can contribute to body odor.

The next use is regarding your teeth and gums. My colleague, Sandra Senzon I would check ut her website www.reversegumdiseasenaturally.com Oil pulling with coconut oil is an age-old practice known to contribute to oral health and teeth whitening. This practice involves swishing coconut oil in the mouth for about 15-20 minutes. The fatty acids in the oil attract and bind with the lipid-based cell membranes of bacteria in the mouth, effectively pulling them out and leading to whiter teeth and healthier gums. Sandra only uses natural products

Then there is the health benefits. There is much discussion about the use of cocunut oil.

It has potential health benefits when incorporated into the diet. Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which can boost the body’s metabolism and may contribute to heart health. The oil’s unique combination of fatty acids can have profound positive effects on health, including fat loss, better brain function, and various other benefits

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 16, 2024 CHOLESTEROL

We are obsessed with cholesterol Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is essential for cardiovascular health. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death worldwide. Diet plays a crucial role in managing cholesterol levels. We can acgheve better cholesterol levels through dietary changes and exercise. You always do NOT have to take cholesterol medications. There are many heart healthy foods.

One food is Avocados.. Noy everyone likes the taste of avocados. Avocados are renowned for their heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats aid in lowering LDL cholesterol while maintaining levels of HDL cholesterol. Additionally, avocados are rich in potassium, a nutrient that helps in regulating blood pressure. I was eating too many per week and it started to cause arthritis. It is because too many avocados are not great for Blood Type O. Several studies indicate that consuming avocados regularly can lead to significant reductions in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

I love this next food- Oatmeal. I usually cook McMann’s Old Fashioned Oatmea; on the weekend. This was I have it for the next four days I particularly like this in the Fall and Winter Oatmeal is a powerhouse of soluble fiber, which plays a key role in cholesterol management. Soluble fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream, thereby lowering LDL levels. Oats also contain beta-glucan which is a tye of fiber that lowers cholesterol.

The next food source is also a type of fiber. These are white beans White beans are a fantastic source of fiber, which is essential for lowering cholesterol. The fiber in white beans helps bind cholesterol in the digestive system, preventing its absorption into the bloodstream. Additionally, white beans are a good source of protein

So you see you can lower your cholesterol naturally with foods. You can also add to this some heart healthy supplements to lower your cholesterol. These could be globe artichoke, omega 3 fatty acids, policosinol and much more

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 15, 2024 MAQUI BERRY

What are Maqui berries ? It is not a common berry that individuals discuss. Maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) is an exotic, dark-purple fruit that grows wild in South America. Maqui berry is characterized by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maqui berry extracts on human skin fibroblasts (NHSFs) exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVB). The photoprotective properties of the extracts were investigated via the determination of the total polyphenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity

Due to its high antioxidant potential it is considered a superfruit “ It has potential health benefits, including reduced inflammation, blood sugar control and heart health All antioxidant reduce your risk f chronic diseases “ Maqui berries are reportedly packed with up to three times more antioxidants than blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries

All berries contain anthocyanins Maqui berry is rich in anthocyanins, potent antioxidants that have been linked to a healthier heart. .

The Nurses Health Study in 93,600 young and middle-aged women found that diets highest in anthocyanins were associated with a 32% reduced risk of heart attacks, compared to those lowest in these antioxidants

R recently read a report in Life Extenson magazine about using the maqui berry for treatment of dry eye syndrome. I usually rescribe gluthathione ( another powerful antioxidant) for dry eyes. The best remedy I use for dry eye syndrome is low dose naltrexne ( LDN) 1.0 mg to 4.5 mg. A recent pilot study found that this berry takn orally provided a 72 % improvement in dry eye syndrome It also increased tear production by 89 This was encouraging as most medical doctors do ot how to treat dry eye syndrome In the article i Life Extension magazine it was a small study of 13 patients getting 30 mg or 60 mg of extract daily for 2 months. I couldn’t find other pilot studies. Life Extension is known for always keeping the public informed on such good data

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 14, 2024 WATRCRESS

Do you eat watercress? Have you ever heard of watercress Watercress or yellowcress is a species of aquatic flowering plant in the cabbage family, Brassicaceae. It is one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by humans

It does contain Vitamin B6, B12, A, C , D E and K Snce it is in the cruciferous family it contains phenels. It is the highest in phenol content when compared to other cruciferous vegetables. It has been used traditionally in cultures to treat blood sugar issues, bronchitis and high cholesterol I have never used it for high cholesterol A with many other cruciferous vegetables it has anti oxidant and anti microbial properties.

Watercress does contain compounds called glucosinolates. These active glucosinolates have been touted as anti cancer compounds. It has been researched against various cancers as breast, colon and prostate. Watercress is used for helping the liver that has sustained injury from radiation and heavy metal toxicity

You can add watercress to your salads. It does taste will with mesculin and endive salads

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 10, 2024 FOOD FOR THE THYROID

For years I have been talking about keeping your thyroid healthy . The thyroid gland needs the support of foods rich in zinc, selenium, copper, Vtiamin B12 and iodine Incorporating specific foods into the diet can provide essential nutrients to support and enhance thyroid function.

Nuts are a great source of selenium for the thyroid . There are two nuts you should consume—Brazil nuts and Waknuts. Walnuts are a powerhouse of essential nutrients, particularly selenium, that are integral for optimal thyroid function. Selenium acts as a catalyst in the production of thyroid hormones and helps protect the thyroid gland from oxidative stres. If you have an autoimmune thyroiditis, called Hashimo9to’s thyroiditis - I suggest cinsuning one brazil nut per day ( and discontinue any gluten from your dietary lifestyle )

The second foods you need to consume are seaweed and fish Both are rich in iodine. Seaweed, a natural source of iodine, is crucial for the production of thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency is a common issue, especially in areas where the natural iodine content in food is low. Seaweed offers a rich, natural source of this essential element, supporting the thyroid in hormone production and regulation.

The last food that everyone should consume are blueberries and other berries Berries are celebrated for their antioxidant-rich content, making them a preferred choice for combating oxidative stress and supporting thyroid health. Varieties such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries abound with vitamins and antioxidants that aid in protecting the thyroid gland

So you need to change your dietary lifdestyle to support your thyroid

Until tomorrow….