Healthy Talk

Learn how you can bring thousands of years of herbal medicine into your own home.Herbal medicine is the study and practice of using plants as medicine. Herbal medicine is one of the oldest practices in medicine and is used in cultures all around the world. Even as Western pharmaceutical science dominates the medical culture here in the United States, there's a revival of traditional, plant-based healing. This has renewed an interest in healers who practice in places like Peru, Morocco, Scotland, and Mexico. How is herbal medicine used to heal? Herbal medicine is used to treat a variety of conditions ranging from eczema, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), arthritis, menopause, menstrual cramps and sickness, and cancer. Author and herbalist, Holly Bellebuono, traveled the world, interviewed over 20 women and took seven years to write a book about how to incorporate herbs into your home. One of those ways is via warming arthritis oil. Turning herbs into liquid and mixing them with water, oil, witch hazel, or vinegar, actually pulls those properties out from the herb and infuses the liquid with the medicinal properties of the herb and plants you use. So, if you use a warming herb like ginger, the anti-inflammatory properties can be used to help aid with arthritis pain. What else do you need to know about herbal medicine and how you can bring this practice into your home? Holly joins Dr. Mike to share how you can bring thousands of years of herbal medicine into your home.

Author Michelle Miller shares her personal story of her (and her husband's) infertility struggles.If you've reached a point in your life where you and your partner are ready to have a child, it can be an exciting time. You may also feel nervous, because if you've never tried to conceive before, you might wonder if you and your partner are fertile. Infertility is known as the inability to get pregnant, even though you and your partner have been having frequent unprotected sex for at least six months to a year. According to Resolve, the National Infertility Association, one in eight married couples has trouble getting pregnant or sustaining pregnancy. Why does infertility happen? There are a number of reasons why you and your partner are experiencing infertility. It can be a single cause, or a combination of reasons from both you and your partner, that is preventing you to conceive. What can cause infertility in men? If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for over a year, it may be time to seek professional help. Usually, your doctor would first want to test the male's semen, because it is a less invasive procedure and can determine his sperm count. If an abnormal analysis comes back, your doctor will explore further testing. If a man is infertile, it could be from a medical condition like diabetes, unhealthy lifestyle habits like heavy alcohol use, or another medical issue. What causes infertility in women? In order for a woman to be able to conceive, she needs a healthy reproduction system. This includes healthy and normal functioning ovaries, eggs, fallopian tubes and uterus. A woman also needs to be having a normal ovulation cycle. If something in your reproductive system is off, or you're not ovulating normally, it could be contributing to your conceiving troubles. Where Have All the Storks Gone, written by Chris and Michelle Miller, a couple who has gone through it all, offers a unique "his and hers" format that gives readers a perspective as to what struggling with infertility is like for both men and women.

29 million people in the United States have diabetes, and nearly 180,000 people are living with kidney failure as a result of diabetes.Nephropathy is another word used to describe kidney disease or damage. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases, every year more than 100,000 people in the U.S. experience kidney failure. The most common cause of kidney failure is diabetes, which accounts for 44 percent of new cases. Diabetic nephropathy is a term used to describe damage to your kidneys caused by diabetes. Usually, diabetic nephropathy takes years to develop; but once is does, it can cause serious damage to your health. In fact, in the most severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure. So, how does diabetes cause kidney disease? Throughout every meal, the food you consume digests and separates into proteins, fats, carbohydrates and sugars for your body to absorb and use for energy. If you've consumed too much sugar, or are diabetic (where your body either produces too much or too little insulin, a hormone that is produced in your pancreas that allows sugar to enter your cells to be used later for energy), high levels of blood sugar force your kidneys to filter out too much blood. Over time, your kidneys become damaged and run the risk of failing. What are the risk factors of diabetic nephropathy? Certain things make you more likely to develop diabetic nephropathy, If you also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or if you smoke, your risk of developing diabetic nephropathy is a lot higher. What are ways you can help protect your kidneys? Usually, if you have been noticing some kidney issues due to your diabetes, doctors will prescribe Angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors that will help relax your blood vessels. What are some supplements you can be taking to help protect your kidneys? A group of supplements that are natural anti-glycation agents are B vitamins; specifically B6 (especially pyridoxamine), B12, Vitamin E, and folic acid. What else do you need to know about diabetes and kidney disease? Dr. Mike discusses the correlation between diabetes and kidney disease, as well as how to protect your kidneys from the ravages of high sugar levels.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans. Listen in because what you come to know helps ensure healthy choices you can actually live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know: Is adrenal fatigue real? Yes, adrenal fatigue is very real. Adrenal fatigue happens when your adrenal glands (located on top of your kidneys) don't function properly. Your adrenal glands produce essential hormones in your body that you cannot live without, like sex hormones, as well as cortisol, which is the main stress hormone. The obvious major symptom is constant fatigue, but you may also experience trouble thinking clearly or finishing all your tasks, mood instability, and trouble getting out of bed. Adrenal fatigue is most commonly associated with chronic or prolonged stress. In certain cases, someone may be producing too much cortisol, or not enough. However, after you've talked with your doctor and been tested, you can receive additional adrenal support. Dr. Mike likes to give his patients Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which can help take some of the pressure off your adrenal glands from having to make DHEA and allow them to go into a restoration phase. There are also herbal remedies like ashwagandha, American ginseng, and rhodiola. Can people with autoimmune disease take immune supplements? An autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system attacks healthy cells within your body by mistake. There are over 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, and doctors are still unsure why people suffer. They do know, however, that autoimmune diseases run in families. Taking immune supplements is one way you can help boost your immune system to fight off sickness. So, to answer the question... if you do have an autoimmune disease, you can use immune supplements; but you have to be very careful. Most of the immune supplements that are used activate the wrong cells in your body. You have two basic types of cells in your immune system, some that activate (respond to a pathogen) and other cells that calm everything down. If you have an autoimmune disorder, your active cells become highly overactive and the suppressing cells are underactive. Typically, the immune supplements boost the already overactive cells, when you actually want to boost the suppressing cells. The good news is there are supplements that you can use such as reishi, green tea, and mushroom extracts. Does lap-band surgery cure diabetes? Recently, there was an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine that claimed that this surgery does in fact have the ability to cure diabetes. However, this study was a little misleading. Why? Well, not only did everyone in the study have the lap-band procedure to lose weight, but they also underwent some lifestyle changes. This can make it a little hard to say if the surgery itself actually cured diabetes or not. If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him so he can help give you support and helpful advice.

Despite past reports, a study fails to show an increased risk of heart disease in women taking calcium supplements.Recent reports struck fear into the hearts of women (literally) when it was purported that calcium supplements raised a woman's risk of heart disease. However, a review of data from the Nurses' Health Study involving over 74,000 women showed no increased risk of heart disease in women taking over one (1) gram of calcium supplements daily. This study showed that women who took calcium had higher levels of physical activity, smoked less, and had lower trans-fat compared with those who did not take calcium supplements. Calcium supplements, with a healthy lifestyle, are safe and effective for preserving bone and cardiovascular health. Join Dr. Mike to learn more about this recent research and why it is important for you to supplement with calcium.

If you’re pregnant, think twice before taking acetaminophen as it could increase the risk of ADHD.It’s estimated that between 5-10% of school children suffer from ADHD. This disorder affects more boys than girls and is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive actions. In a recent study, researchers actually found a link between acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol®) use during pregnancy and ADHD disorders in children. This is surprising and concerning, especially since doctors recommend it for pain during pregnancy. In this segment, Dr. Mike discusses the research and why you might want to think twice about taking acetaminophen, especially while pregnant.

More than just a health fad, kale has earned its healthy reputation for several reasons. Now there's scientific proof of kale’s health benefits.These days, it’s tough to find full agreement about what’s healthy and what’s not. Fortunately, most of us can agree on at least one thing: kale is good for you. More than just a health fad, kale has earned its healthy reputation for several reasons. In this segment, Dr. Mike will dig into some of the most compelling health benefits that kale has to offer. His goal? To inspire you to start including it in your diet regularly. 6 Healthy Reasons to Eat Kale 1. It's a cruciferous vegetable, which means it has cancer-fighting properties (including caancers of the breast, colon, prostate and lung). 2. It enhances your body's detox process. 3. Kale can help lower cholesterol. 4. It's one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. 5. Kale is great for your eyes. 6. It is a tremendous source of calcium, and the calcium is highly absorbable into your body.

The concept that intelligence is entirely inherited and fixed is no longer valid.There's a long-running myth that your brain slows and deteriorates as you age and that you can do little to stop it. And, there's also this thought that the intelligence and "smarts" that you're born with cannot be changed. That's simply not true. The concept that intelligence is entirely inherited and fixed is no longer valid. New scientific evidence demonstrates that the brain is highly plastic and cognitive ability can be increased at any stage of life. Whether in the workplace or the classroom, the ultimate competitive edge is an improved mind. Dr. David Bardsley has a seven-step action plan which you can immediately implement to improve comprehension, memory, and make faster, better decisions whether in business or school. He joins Dr. Mike to explain how this plan works and how you can start incorporating it into your daily life.

Recent research confirms that compounds found in marijuana calm excited brain cells, preventing seizures.In an effort to treat their children’s intractable seizures, many families have made the move to Colorado where medical marijuana is legal. This may seem almost insane to some, but it‘s the only option left for many children whose seizures don’t respond to traditional treatments. Many doctors are reluctant to prescribe marijuana to their patients, especially if they’re children. Which begs us to ask the question... can this stuff really help? In this segment, Dr. Mike cuts through the confusion when it comes to marijuana and seizures.

Can you control your asthma with the right nutrients?Have you ever experienced that gasping feeling like you're not getting enough air, coupled with a tight feeling in your chest? You might be having symptoms of asthma. Asthma occurs when you have inflammation in your air passages that results in the narrowing of the airways that transport oxygen from your nose and mouth to your lungs. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing and tightness in the chest. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the current number of adults suffering from asthma is 18.7 million. By using asthma medications, you are subjecting yourself to their side effects. However, this doesn't mean you should be throwing away your inhalers or medications. Rather, you might want to take a look into more natural approaches. Is there a natural way to help relieve your asthma symptoms? One nutrient to be adding into your diet is magnesium. Magnesium is involved with over 350 biochemical reactions in your body and plays a crucial role in every cell in your body; specifically your gastrointestinal system and the lining of your airway spaces. What are some other natural remedies to help with your asthma? Dr. Mike discusses what asthma is, some natural remedies and why these natural remedies benefit your overall health. Natural remedies for asthma relief: Magnesium Butterbur herb Quercetin Raw onions Lemon juice Ginger

Green bananas are not only filled with nutrients but also have amazing healing powers.Usually when you're grocery shopping and looking for bananas, you typically pick bananas that are yellow, since they are ready to eat immediately. But do you know the amazing benefits green bananas have for your health? Even though the green color is usually a sign it's not ripe, the banana still can be eaten. Green bananas are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals and contain starch, which can help control your blood sugar, lower your cholesterol and help manage your weight. What is the difference between eating a yellow banana versus a green banana? Like mentioned above, green bananas have resistant starch that cannot be broken down by enzymes from your digestive tract. Yellow, ripe bananas have great benefits as well but contain more sugar. What are some other hidden benefits of eating green bananas? Author, Suzan Damas, joins Dr. Mike to discuss why you should be eating green bananas, the benefits of green bananas and ways to prepare them.

Regenerative medicine is the process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells and organs to restore normal function.Nanotechnology focuses on the impact of nano-scalar metals in regenerative medicine. Nano-metals are a novel technique used to detoxify the body's burden of both heavy metals and other environmental toxins in order for body tissues to regenerate. Regenerative medicine is the process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues and organs to restore or establish normal function. Your body has the ability to rebuild and repair tissues, but as you get older, the ability to do so becomes challenging. However, there are other factors that contribute to the regeneration effect. For example, the environment you live in and the food you decide to eat makes a huge difference. Also, how does the lack of minerals in your diet have an impact on your cells' ability to regenerate in a healthy way? Dr. John Aplsey, author of The Regeneration Effect, shares the latest cellular technologies that help with detoxifying the body and helping the body to rapidly regenerate at the cellular and sub-cellular levels.

Be aware of these oral warning signs and the serious diseases they may indicate.According to research, oral cancer is one of the only cancers in the U.S. where numbers are increasing and not decreasing. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, close to 43,250 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. Oral cancer includes cancer of your mouth, tongue, cheeks, soft palate and sinuses. Oral cancer appears as a growth or sore that does not go away. Recent studies show almost 40 percent of diagnosed cases are for those who are under the age of 45 and non-smokers. What are some warning signs of oral cancer? The first sign is any mouth ulcer or sore that doesn't heal over two weeks. We are all prone to sores or ulcers in mouth from trauma such biting your tongue or cheek, something you ate was too hot or from a virus. These sores, however, will go away within a few days. What are some other warning signs and symptoms that you should keep an eye on? Dr. Mike discusses the major warning signs in the mouth that could be indicating a more serious condition. Warning signs: Ulcers or sores in your mouth Hoarseness in your voice Swallowing issues Lumps on your neck Weight loss Tongue asymmetry

A recent study in Spain found that eating nuts three or more times a day decreased your risk of cancer.You might remember the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." But have you heard that by eating nuts you will be keeping the doctor away and adding years to your life? A longitudinal study conducted by the Universitat Rovira I Virgili in Spain gathered more than 7,000 people over the age of 50 to test the nut-longevity connection. The researchers found that those in the study who ate nuts more than three times a week had reduced their risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease compared to those in the study who did not eat any nuts. In general, nuts have many powerful health benefits (that is, nuts that are raw and dry roasted, not smothered in salt). Nuts are a great source of unsaturated fatty acids, which can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. Nuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein. Instead of grabbing something out of the vending machine at work or reaching for those potato chips in your pantry, try eating a handful of mixed nuts. It may take a little will power, especially when that 2:00 p.m. lethargy is making you crave something sweet. However, your future self will thank you for it. What are some ways you can implement nuts into your diet? Dr. Mike shares information on the study, as well as ways you can implement nuts into your eating routine.

Moving on from a loved one's passing can be a struggle. What are some empowering rituals to free you from your painful past?Suicide is a huge, underrated problem that women, men and teenagers face. According to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most recent year to collect data on suicide was in 2010. That year alone, 38,364 suicide deaths were reported. After her life was derailed when her husband committed suicide, Dianna Bonny began a passionate mission to help people recover and heal when left behind by such a tragic choice. Dianna's blog offers reflections and resources for parent suicide support, advice on how to heal after trauma and self-care solutions such as yoga, meditation, honest conversations and compassionate self-inquiry. However, you may lose loved ones in other ways beside suicide. Grieving after a loved one has passed can take a toll on your mental and physical well being. What are some empowering rituals to help you move on from your painful past? In Dianna's case, she was in mourning of her husband, and the process of finding peace was an ongoing battle. The first ritual Dianna did was burn her wedding dress. This may seem odd and even more painful that the loss of your spouse. However, to Dianna, it was a constant reminder of her past that brought up painful memories of her husband's passing. Another important ritual is to openly talk about how you're feeling. You may be in shock, angry and upset... but those emotions will not just disappear if you don't talk about it. What are some other rituals to help move on from the loss of a loved one? Dianna joins Dr. Mike to discuss the ways she used empowered rituals to help her move on from her past, as well as why it's so important for you to find peace within your heart and mind.