Wei Qi is a defensive energy shield that protects our bodies from external insults. It is an important concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine, a whole system of medicine that emphasizes nutrition and herbs, as well as acupuncture and meditative practices to maintain health. Wei Qi is propagated by energy from the lungs, and nourished by…
Tag: anti-inflammatory
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,…
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…
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…
How I Arrived Here
My first home was the kitchen. As an introverted child with a large capacity for self-doubt, I found solace and escape in leafing through my mother’s handmade recipe catalog, and our never used “Cooking of California” cookbook. This led to bargaining with my parents for designated alone time in the kitchen, where I could experiment…