INTEGRATIVE HEALTH BLOG
Hopefully, the information you find here can help you to make informed decisions about you and your family’s health. Enjoy! You can subscribe to the “RSS Feed” for this blog and you’ll receive instant notification whenever a new article is published.
By Danielle Dellorto, Senior Medical Producer
(CNN) — If you’re eating non-organic celery today, you may be ingesting 67 pesticides with it, according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group.
Fixing gene connected to immune system cured ‘hair-pulling’ disorder in mice, study found
By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, May 27 (HealthDay News) — In the first scientific illustration of exactly how some psychiatric illnesses might be linked to an immune system gone awry, researchers report they cured mice of an obsessive-compulsive condition known as “hair-pulling disorder” by tweaking the rodents’ immune systems.
Immunity, NeuroImmunology | 1 Comment Performed properly, it helps build strength and flexibility, aids relaxation, experts say SUNDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) By Alan Mozes Yoga is safe for pregnant women, as long as they approach the activity with reasonable caution and moderation, experts say. “Women who are expecting can benefit greatly from exercise, especially yoga — they just need to be aware of their limitations,” orthopaedic surgeon and mom-to-be Dr. Rachel Rohde said in a news release issued by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
The Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents
by Christine L. Carter, Ph.D.
Studies have long shown that parents tend to be unhappier than their childless counterparts: seven percent unhappier, on average. Scientifically speaking, we have a pretty good understanding of the things that predict happiness. Motherhood is not one of them; this Mother’s Day I’d like to end the misery.
By Amanda Gardner: HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) — The massive oil slick menacing the Gulf of Mexico and now some barrier islands off the coast of Louisiana could prove devastating to the environment while posing risks to public health, experts say.
In the study, people who washed their hands after making a tough choice seemed less worried about it.
Soaping up your hands may do more than just get rid of germs. It may scrub away the inner turmoil you feel right after being forced to make a choice between two appealing options.
That’s according to a new study on the psychological effects of hand washing in the journal Science. The study builds on past research into a phenomenon known as “the Macbeth effect.”
Daily Exposures Cause Far More Cancers Than Once Thought, a Presidential Panel SaysMay 6, 2010—
Environmental carcinogens are responsible for a far greater number of cancers than previously believed — a fact that suggests eradicating these environmental threats should be a priority for President Obama — according to the report of a presidential advisory panel.
Cancer, Environment, Research | Post a Comment 
Experts Urge Preventive Steps For Those At Risk Of Developing High Blood Pressure, Diabetes- - Randy Dotinga
MONDAY, May 3 (HealthDay News) — People who are at high risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure but don’t have symptoms yet may still be at higher risk for heart disease, a new study reports.
A new study shows stress hormones make it easier for malignant tumors to grow and spread
By Katie Moisse
A little stress can do us good—it pushes us to compete and innovate. But chronic stress can increase the risk of diseases such as depression, heart disease and even cancer. Studies have shown that stress might promote cancer indirectly by weakening the immune system’s anti-tumor defense or by encouraging new tumor-feeding blood vessels to form. But a new study published April 12 in
The Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that stress hormones, such as adrenaline, can directly support tumor growth and spread.
By Peter Eisler, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Beef containing harmful pesticides, veterinary antibiotics and heavy metals is being sold to the public because federal agencies have failed to set limits for the contaminants or adequately test for them, a federal audit finds.
A program set up to test beef for chemical residues “is not accomplishing its mission of monitoring the food supply for … dangerous substances, which has resulted in meat with these substances being distributed in commerce,” says the audit by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 11:55AM | Share Article Email Article Print Article 
Researchers are beginning to understand the ways in which being overweight or obese contributes to a downward spiral of inflammation that can trigger heart disease, diabetes and other ailments.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Monday, April 5, 2010 at 11:32AM | Share Article Email Article Print Article 
(PhysOrg.com) — High fructose corn syrup, which is linked to obesity, may also be harmful to the liver, according to Duke University Medical Center research.
“We found that increased consumption of high fructose corn syrup was associated with scarring in the liver, or fibrosis, among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD),” said Manal Abdelmalek, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology at Duke University Medical Center.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Friday, March 19, 2010 at 02:19PM | Share Article Email Article Print Article 
Scientists have shown for the first time why a feeling of control helps us reduce pain. The research, carried out at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at UCL, London, has implications for how patients with persistent pain can cope with what is often a debilitating condition.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 11:29AM | Share Article Email Article Print Article 
By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY
On one side: Leading nutrition experts who believe that these sweeteners, including those used in soft drinks, tea, coffee and countless other foods and beverages, add empty calories to people’s diets and promote weight gain. And they say emerging scientific research indicates that consuming too much of these sweeteners may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 08:59AM | Share Article Email Article Print Article 
Children exposed in the womb to chemicals in cosmetics and fragrances are more likely to develop behavioral problems commonly found in children with attention deficit disorders, according to a study of New York City school-age children published Thursday.
Scientists at Mount Sinai School of Medicine reported that mothers who had high levels of phthalates during their pregnancies were more likely to have children with poorer scores in the areas of attention, aggression and conduct.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 11:37AM | Share Article Email Article Print Article ADHD, Phthalates, Toxicity | Post a Comment 
“How healthy bacteria can protect us from illness in the home.”
In the 1800’s butter was made from cream using a device called a butter churn. This simple wooden device would churn cream until it hardened into butter. Being made of wood, these devices were extremely porous and this allowed for the growth of bacteria, lots and lots of bacteria. They were rarely washed and literally covered with bacteria.
Seeing how filthy these things were, would send a modern-day germophobe scrambling for the Purell and the Lysol. But people were not dying from eating the butter from these horrifically dirty devices. Why?
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 08:28AM | Share Article Email Article Print Article 
Colorectal cancer is the second most common form of cancer in the western world. About 150,000 Americans will be told they have colon cancer this year and 50,000 will die. Your chance of developing colon cancer, sometime in your life, is about 1 in 15. Blacks are particularly affected by colorectal cancer, as well as other cancers, with both a higher incidence and mortality from colon cancer than non-blacks. We believe this is due to a widespread vitamin D deficiency within the black community.
Many factors contribute to causing colon cancer (it is multifactorial) but diet is probably the most important factor. Certain diets promote colon cancer, such as diets high in fat and red meat. Other diets help prevent colon cancer, especially diets high in fiber, calcium, fruits, and vegetables…
Scientists first discovered the possible importance of vitamin D in preventing colon cancer more than 20 years ago. Let’s review some selected studies from the scientific literature to see what clues exist about the role vitamin D may play in preventing, and treating, colon cancer.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 05:52PM | Share Article Email Article Print Article Cancer, Colon, Prevention, Vitamin D3 | Post a Comment 
Distracted? Angry? Envious? There’s growing evidence that attention, emotion regulation—even love—are skills that can be trained through the practice of meditation. Perhaps it’s time for you to become a high-performance user of your own brain.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Monday, January 25, 2010 at 08:05AM | Share Article Email Article Print Article 
As if there weren’t already enough reasons to curse fickle weather: a new study confirms it can trigger headaches. For the 32 millions Americans who suffer from migraines, this may not come as a surprise.
Weather-related headaches are a common complaint, and several smaller studies have hinted that variables like temperature and barometric pressure may play a role in causing painful outbreaks.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Friday, January 22, 2010 at 08:00AM | Share Article Email Article Print Article Headaches, Migraines | Post a Comment 
Children who live in homes with vinyl floors, which can emit chemicals called phthalates, are more likely to have autism, according to research by Swedish and U.S. scientists published Monday.
The study of Swedish children is among the first to find an apparent connection between an environmental chemical and autism.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 04:03PM | Share Article Email Article Print Article Autism, Phthalates, Toxicity | Post a Comment