Glyphosate is the most commonly sprayed herbicide used on crops today. Glyphosate is otherwise known as Roundup-you may be familiar with it as a product for lawn care. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified glyphosate as “non-toxic under the acute toxicity classification system.” Unfortunately, this statement does not address the bigger problem with glyphosate,…
Beans and the Microbiome: What to know about Prebiotics
Prebiotics are an important part of an anti-inflammatory diet, because they support the microbiome, a complex collection of bacteria, virus, and fungi that inhabit your skin and digestive tract. The majority of the human microbiome resides in the large intestine, and is made up of more than a thousand different species. These bacteria are responsible for…
Healthy Oils, and How to Cook with Them
Dietary fat can get a bad rap, but knowing how to consume the right fats is vital for your health. Plant-based oils can provide essential fatty acids, allow your body to absorb vitamins and minerals, and are a nutritious source of energy for your cells. To reap these benefits, choose oils that are rich in…
The Dirty Dozen, and the Clean Fifteen: What you Need to Know
Dirty dozen The Environmental working group publishes an annual shopper’s guide of produce with a catchy name, the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15. Each year the EWG analyzes data from the USDA to determine which fruits and vegetables in the US have the most and least pesticide contamination. Fruits and vegetables with delicate exteriors…
What to Eat if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis: Fish is on the Menu
By Dr. Jill Weintraub When I design recipes for people with rheumatoid arthritis, I start with the research. Then I synthesize the medical evidence through a “what to add, and what to remove from your diet” paradigm. High up on the “what to add” list are fish. The oils in fatty fish like salmon, sardines,…
What’s the Big Deal about Fish Oil?
Why is fish oil so important and what’s the deal about omega 3 fatty acids? In a nutshell, they have super anti-inflammatory powers and can reduce pain and swelling, prevent blood from clotting and can reduce harmful fats. There are two major classes of polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. The…
How to Support your Microbiome
If you have ever felt alone in this world, please be assured that you are not! Millions of beneficial organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, have been with you all along, mostly populating your large intestine. If this is not reassuring, (and it should be-because they can do a lot of good for you) please…
Turmeric-A Rheumatologist’s Perspective
As an integrative rheumatologist, I am often asked about how to use Turmeric. Turmeric, an ancient relative of ginger, contains curcumin, which has both potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. I frequently prescribe curcumin supplements, often combined with other botanicals, for my patients with degenerative and inflammatory arthritis. However, I also encourage my patients to use…
Turmeric-A Dermatologist’s Perspective
Turmeric is the spice commonly used in Indian cuisine that gives curry its yellow color. Curcumin, one of the active compounds of turmeric, has anti inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream but absorption can be greatly enhanced by adding black pepper which contains a substance, piperine, that increases curcumin…
The Road to Diagnosis
I diagnosed myself with celiac disease at age 40 and let out a victorious yell. I finally had an answer to my decades long mystery illness that had left multiple doctors baffled. And I had a path to healing that began with diet. My journey began in elementary school where I consistently was the shortest…