Stuck on antacids for heartburn? New link found between their use and COVID-19

Stuck on antacids for heartburn? New link found between their use and COVID-19

According to a study published this summer in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, people who use omeprazole are more likely to get COVID-19. (1, 2) The long-term, twice-daily use of PPIs doubles the odds of testing positive COVID-19, even after taking into account a range of sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical variables. Omeprazole is in a class of drugs called “Proton Pump Inhibitors”, or PPIs, which reduce stomach acid output by 99%. PPIs include brands such as Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid.

Healing Benefits of A Summer Greek Salad and Recipe

Healing Benefits of A Summer Greek Salad and Recipe

Despite the challenges we humans are facing, Mother Nature continues to produce an abundance of gorgeous herbs, fresh veggies and fruits. In my mind, this is more than food: this is our medicine! And no summer veggie says “vitality” quite like tomatoes. 🍅 Their tangy, bright red flesh is loaded with key antioxidants, like lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect the retina from the UV damage that causes cataracts and macular degeneration

Gluten Free Grains

Gluten Free Grains

Now, that you’re aware of the multiple problems with gluten and its evil twin, gliadin, let me introduce you to a few gluten-free grains that are used around the world. Quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, rice, oats and corn are the grains that do NOT contain gluten. They’re generally well tolerated by gluten-sensitive individuals. Some I serve with dinner and others I find more palatable as a breakfast “porridge”.

Give Gluten A Break

Give Gluten A Break

Growing up in America, the grain we’ve most commonly eaten is wheat…wheat for bread for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a few snacks in between! Wheat has risen to the top of our “most preferred” grain list because it contains gluten, a protein that gives it that “gluey” consistency, ideal for baking bread.

Eat Your Spring (Dandelion) Greens!

Eat Your Spring (Dandelion) Greens!

If you’ve indulged in a bit too much booze or junk these past two months of quarantine, then tune into this video to learn about the amazing health benefits of greens. Today I’m sauteing dinosaur kale and dandelion greens - the king of greens! Their bitter flavor holds many benefits, especially to the liver. Meet me in the kitchen to learn more!

All About Fennel

All About Fennel

In this video, I’m talking up FENNEL, that quirky veggie that looks like a hybrid of a white onion sprouting celery stalks with feathery green fronds! You’ll get the scoop on its healing benefits (listen up, ladies) as well as a tip, trick and a recipe.

How Sugar Sabotages Immunity and Promotes Inflammation

How Sugar Sabotages Immunity and Promotes Inflammation

As we move further into the challenges of this pandemic, my heart goes out to you! Whether you’re working from home, are now unemployed or are on the frontlines battling this virus, we all need help lowering the inflammation that impairs our immune response. We’ve known for decades that the intake of simple carbs (think colas, bagels, chips) reduces phagocytosis, the process by which white blood cells engulf and destroy bacteria, just like little Pac Men!

Melatonin for Sleep and Immunity

Melatonin for Sleep and Immunity

Right now, we’re all looking for ways to strengthen our immune response and reduce our risk of contracting a severe case of COVID-19. As a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist, I’m constantly scanning the literature for you and am dedicated to sharing best practices to help you thrive in these uncertain times. One of the most basic but overlooked things you can do to upgrade your immunity is to get a good night’s sleep.

Key Health Strategies When You’re Stuck at Home

Key Health Strategies When You’re Stuck at Home

By now, you’ve joined us Californians in “sheltering in place”. We’re all working from home, spending time with our housemates and looking for ways to find peace amidst the chaos of the COVID-19 outbreak. While this situation may be nerve-wracking, it also offers an incredible opportunity to bring balance into our lives. Let’s use this time wisely to build our health, so we come out of it stronger than when we went into it.

Know Your Numbers to Grow Stronger

Know Your Numbers to Grow Stronger

One of the silver linings of the coronavirus pandemic is that it has helped people realize their immunity is tied to the overall state of their health. Those with underlying chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), liver and kidney diseases and cancer have impaired immunity and are more susceptible to infection.

Beating the Coronavirus, Naturally

Beating the Coronavirus, Naturally

As the newly identified coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, spreads rapidly around the world, it is causing a respiratory disease known as CoVID-19. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a virus like this. The common cold (rhinovirus) is a coronavirus, as was the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus in 2003 and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus in 2009.

Essential Oils for Glowing Skin

Essential Oils for Glowing Skin

I’d like to introduce you to a new skincare system from best selling author and my personal friend, Dr. Trevor Cates.  Dr. Cates has created an incredible line of skincare products made from some of the most in-demand, organic ingredients. Her website is full of skin-friendly recipes and information on how to best support our various types of skin. When you use coupon code “SALLY” at checkout, you’ll receive 20% off everything! 

Mirror, Mirror: Winter Skin Support with My Favorite Collagen-Building Recipe

Mirror, Mirror: Winter Skin Support with My Favorite Collagen-Building Recipe

One of the first things we notice about the aging process is a change in our skin, with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And while smile lines and a little crow’s feet are naturally beautiful, it’s the loss of luster along with the redness, hyperpigmentation, deep wrinkles and sagging that are most discouraging. 

Inflammation + Aging = Inflammageing

Inflammation + Aging = Inflammageing

If you could take just one step to create a healthier future full of vitality and free of chronic disease, it would be to fight inflammageing. While the term has been picked up by the beauty industry because of the clear-cut connection between inflammation and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, inflammageing is more than skin deep.

7 Steps to Clear Brain Fog and Roll Back Dementia Risk

7 Steps to Clear Brain Fog and Roll Back Dementia Risk

One of the most common concerns patients share with me is their fear of brain fog turning into Alzheimer’s disease. In our modern world, almost everyone feels a little fuzzy from time to time. Maybe we forget where we placed our keys, parked our car or what we went into that room to do. All are pretty common concerns. But what raises the red flag of dementia?

Fever: Friend or Foe? Plus 10 Tips to Fight the Flu

Fever: Friend or Foe? Plus 10 Tips to Fight the Flu

It’s December and we all dread the return of the flu season! So when those aches, chills, fever set in, it’s tempting to pop something to lower the fever so we can feel better fast. But current-thinking supports the idea that suppressing a fever due to viral or bacterial infections with meds may not always be the best approach. In fact, fever turns out to be an excellent example of our “homeostatic mechanisms” at work. It is now considered an “adaptive response”, part of our body’s natural defense mechanism to microbial invasion.

Looking for the perfect veggie dish for Thanksgiving dinner?

Looking for the perfect veggie dish for Thanksgiving dinner?

Look no further! This savory mushroom, leek and fennel tart could become your new winter favorite. It certainly is mine! Maybe it’s the deeply satisfying “umami” flavor of the mushrooms, or the way the herbs, leeks, shallots and fennel melt into the creamy cheese. Try it and decide for yourself! Luckily, this recipe is relatively easy to prep in under an hour (plus 30 minutes to bake). And showing up with this dish is sure to bring you praise from around the table. Always a good feeling!