Why is Vitamin D Important?
Node Smith, ND It’s summertime, and the sun is out. That means that it’s also the season for our bodies to synthesize vitamin D. Vitamin D is a hormone that is produced by the skin in response to exposure to UVB sunlight. This is the only way our bodies make vitamin D, so if a […]
Can Sleep Problems Predict Future Chronic Pain Issues?
Node Smith, ND Two studies recently have underlined the role of sleep in chronic pain. One, looked at whether sleep problems can predict future chronic pain issues, and the second looked at chronic pain and anxiety associated with sleep in adolescents. The papers were presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2018). No […]
Metabolic Changes From Antipsychotic Medications in Youth
Node Smith, ND A new study reveals that short-term treatment of children with antipsychotic medications can increase body fat, and decrease insulin sensitivity, predisposing these children to the development of diabetes.1 Childhood obesity is now considered an epidemic Childhood obesity has increased by more than 300 percent from the 1970’s to now, and is considered […]
Vitamin D Associated with Lower Breast Cancer Risk
Node Smith, ND A recent study has shown that women with higher levels of serum vitamin D have significantly lower breast cancer risk.1 Vitamin D is a hormone synthesized in the skin with multiple positive health benefits Vitamin D, actually a hormone synthesized in the skin, has been associated with numerous health outcomes, from lowering […]
Probiotics Could Help Prevent Osteoporosis in Elderly Women
Node Smith, ND A recent study has shown for the first time that probiotics can have a positive effect on bone health. The research, conducted at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden has demonstrated that taking a dietary supplement with probiotics was associated with a 50 percent reduction in bone loss compared to women receiving placebo. […]
Hypnosedation as an Alternative for General Anesthesia
Node Smith, ND A research presentation at the 2018 annual Euroanaesthesia congress in Copenhagan, Denmark recently showed hypnosedation as a viable alternative to general anesthesia.1 Hypnosedation Hypnosedation is a procedure that utilizes hypnosis, with drugs to create comfort and relaxation as well as local anesthesia. The method has been seen to lower the need for […]
Social Media May be Turning Bad News Into Mass Hysteria
Node Smith, ND A very interesting research study was conducted recently out of the University of Warwick, on how news stories about terrorism, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other potential threats are distorted to the point of hysteria when passed from person to person through social media channels. Just like the old school game of […]
Herbs, Extracts, Essential Oils…Oh My! Examining the “Hormonal Effects” of Essential Oils – Highlighting Sage Oil: Part II
Dr Sarah LoBisco, ND In Part I (Examining the Hormonal Effects: Introduction Highlighting Sage), we learned that it was a big mistake to claim any action, especially “estrogenic” effects, of an essential oil based on one or two isolated compounds found in it. I reviewed why clary sage and fennel were not proven be estrogen-mimicking and […]
Using Essential Oils on Medical Devices to Stop Bacterial Infections
Node Smith, ND There is a new technique that has been developed which will allow the application of plant extracts – like tea tree oil – as a biologically active coating for medical devices. It is thought that this new coating could help prevent millions of infections by preventing biofilms from growing on medical hardware.1 […]
Study Shows Food Allergies More Likely in Autism
Node Smith, ND A recent study has shown that children experiencing symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more than twice as likely to also have a food allergy than other children.1 The research was conducted at the University of Iowa. The study furthers the body of research explaining dysfunction of the immune system as […]