The Blue Zones are the five areas in the world that have exceptional longevity. But not only longevity. These are extraordinary places where people thrive not only in terms of health, but also with a sense of purpose and belonging. The term Blue Zone first appeared in 2005 in a National Geographic article, and the…
Tag: autoimmune wellness
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…
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…