Participatory Games Could Help Problem Behavior in Kids
Node Smith, ND Behavioral problems at school are a concern for many parents, school administrators, as well as teachers. Often problems with outbursts, violent behavior, bullying, or lack of cooperation or participation have multifactorial causes, many of which, are not under the control of teachers or school staff members. With many dual-career families, more children […]
Melatonin Production in Preschoolers Inhibited by Bright Light
Node Smith, ND A recent study has shown that an hour of bright light inhibits melatonin production in preschoolers for up to 50 minutes after the lights are turned off.1 Melatonin is known as the principle sleep-regulating hormone and is largely responsible for the circadian rhythm of sleep in the body. It is produced by […]
Vitamin D Needs Magnesium to be Metabolized
Node Smith, ND A recent review reminds us that many vitamins and minerals work synergistically. The specific 2 of this study are Vitamin D and magnesium. The study, published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association concludes that Vitamin D can’t be metabolized without sufficient magnesium levels. The study estimates that this could mean […]
Have You Tried These 5 Steps for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Node Smith, ND Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an incredibly common gastrointestinal complaint that typically presents as gas and bloating, abdominal pain or discomfort, and stools that change between constipation and diarrhea. It can be incredibly frustrating to manage, and many treatments are not very effective. However, many cases of irritable bowel syndrome arise from […]
Elements of Building Body Confidence
Node Smith, ND Most of us struggle with body image to a certain degree. We can be really hard on ourselves. Social media, magazine covers, television and movies don’t help. We are constantly bombarded with the idea that there is a cultural standard for beauty, and happiness and health can only come from looking a […]
At-Home Male Fertility Testing Coming Soon
Node Smith, ND There is an increase in awareness that infertility is just as common in men as it is in women, with the exact same end result – no baby. If there are roughly 70 million cases of infertility a year worldwide, that means about 35 million men are shooting blanks. Several factors influence […]
Research Links Childhood Obesity to Diabetes Drug Taken During Pregnancy
Node Smith, ND A recent research study has concluded that when women take the common diabetes drug, Metformin, during pregnancy, their children have a significantly increased likelihood of being overweight or obese.1 Metformin crosses placenta and passes to the fetus There are 2 common reasons why a woman might be prescribed Metformin, one is the […]
Increasing Peer Awareness of Depression Increases Help-Seeking
Node Smith, ND A recent paper was published that discusses a new approach to facilitating community awareness of mental health. The approach concentrates on peer-to-peer education and interaction at the high school and junior high level.1 The program is called the Peer-to-Peer Depression Awareness Campaign (P2P). Peer-to-Peer Depression Awareness Campaign (P2P) High schools nationwide report […]
Meditation for Managing Attention and Emotions
Node Smith, ND A recent study adds to the increasing acceptance that the ability to silence the chaotic inner workings of the mind, through meditation, is a crucial foundation for gaining control over our emotions and attention. In the study, the description used for what meditation facilitates is great – the experience of mental silence. […]
Nutrition for Mental Health
Node Smith, ND We often don’t consider how much our diets contribute to mental health. In fact, it is common for even more holistically minded health practitioners to advocate very adamantly for diet and lifestyle changes for conditions such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, even cancer, while considering depression and anxiety as needing specific […]