Category: Food as Medicine

Tiny Teff: A Small but Mighty Ancient Whole Grain

Have you seen the term “ancient grain” on food packaging or touted in commercials, and wondered what makes it different than other types of grains? Modern wheat has been constantly bred and changed to adapt to growing conditions, to decrease crop cost, and to increase yield. On the other hand, ancient grains remain largely unchanged….


Eating Clean and Planning for Optimal Health

There are certain large, casual dining establishments I’m sure we’ve all been to that emphasize serving you lots and lots of food on family-sized platters. In doing so, these successful companies try to satisfy their customers’ desire for delicious value. But are we valuing the right things? Similarly, a diet that is gaining in popularity,…


Overcoming Cancer With Hope and Natural Medicine

Death by cancer is one of those ominous threats that hovers over many people. Cancer has been a leading cause of death for decades. But surviving the disease can be brutal as well. If caught early enough, the abnormal cell growth that characterizes cancer can be isolated and removed. But the disease often spreads silently…


These 5 Substances Protect Your Liver

In a world rife with toxic exposures, you must protect your liver as if your life depends on it—because it does. Here are five substances that can help keep your hardest-working organ humming. Your liver gets very few breaks and has the difficult job of regulating an array of biological processes that are critical to…


Parsley: A Nutrient-Packed Powerhouse

There are many health benefits of parsley in its fresh and dried forms, from a rich antioxidant profile to natural properties that can protect against diabetes and eye disorders. Parsley is often used as a flavoring in chopped greens, as a rich addition to salads, in sauces for juicy steaks, or as a trusty garnish…


Why You Should Eat These 5 Strange Foods

Maybe you’re already an adventurous eater. Or maybe you’re like Blue Shirt Guy at the beginning of Shawn Levy’s new movie “Free Guy” and always order the same thing when you go out to eat, thank you very much. Either way, trying foods you’ve never had before will add a little spice to your life….


The Fascinating Health Benefits of Hot Peppers

Chili peppers are berry fruits of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family. They have been a staple of Mexican cuisine for hundreds of years. The Columbian Exchange of the late-16th century—the widespread transportation of people, plants, animals, and cultural influences between the Americas, Old World, and Eastern and Western hemispheres—brought chili peppers to the world. These days,…


Antibacterial Agents From Nature

Probiotics, green tea, and honey are examples of “ancientbiotics”—natural compounds that have been used for centuries to address the overgrowth of opportunistic bacteria. These traditional medicines have also been scientifically validated as having antibacterial properties that are valued to this day. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been declared one of the top 10 global public health…


Anemia Cases Are on the Rise in the United States

How often do you think about anemia? I rarely do, personally. That’s probably because I’m a 40-year-old man and am not at particularly high risk. My wife, on the other hand, has relatively low iron and keeps an eye on her iron intake. Perhaps surprisingly, she’s not alone. New data show that a growing number…


More Reasons to Love Watermelon

The ultimate summer fruit is ripe for the picking, and it comes with a wealth of health benefits. More than just a refreshing dessert or treat for the hotter days, watermelon is a proven medicinal food. With the scientific name Citrullus lanatus, watermelon is a fruit that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. While native to…