BY Raven Caracci

The brisk air of fall blows our way. While it brings a sigh of relief from the smoldering weather, it also brings on the high chance of falling prey to getting sick. Some are more susceptible to catching a cold than others. You know, the ones who have to call out about four times during the fall season due to some minor run-ins with bacteria or viruses. If you happen to know a cold-catcher, or happen to be one, listen up.

Follow Your Seasons
Whenever in doubt, always follow what is in season. Mother Nature knows best. She made things for a reason. During fall, look for apples, pears, and elderberries to help you keep up with the season. Why? The earth naturally produces the foods best for animals and humans according to weather so when our bodies react to those seasonal changes, the earth contributes accordingly.
Apples – Loaded with Vitamins, A, B, and C; this fruit can really help keep the doctor away. Enzyme betaine can aid in digestion of other foods to make nutrients more bioavailable. Being a liver and gallbladder cleanser, it helps clear out toxins from the body that may be built up.
Pears – This is a great source of vitamin C; an antioxidant widely known for its support of immune deficiencies. Vitamin C works to benefit our health in many diverse ways, including helping in enzymatic reactions, and collagen assimilation.
Elderberries – Many German studies evaluated the correlation of the anthocyanins from elderberries and immune coordination. The results were staggering. The bioflavonoids and antioxidants from the juice of these berries make it impossible for any physical ailments to stick around for too long. Coughs and colds, flus and bacterial infections are all a thing of the past with these bad berries.

Stick To Your Roots
So, according to Fall seasonal foods, we should stick to the roots. The cold is coming down the road, so get grounded! Some really good roots to look for could be Ginger, Turnips, and Turmeric to add to your meals. For herbal supplementation, look for Astragalus, and Ashwagandha.
Turnips – This root helps supply lots of minerals. With iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc; these minerals can boost the immune response to keep your body up and running. The leaves of this root are a good source of vitamin C for assimilating collagen and supporting the immune function.
Ashwagandha Root– Although I personally take this for adrenal gland nourishment, this herb is also known for the nervous and immune system. It is a natural sedative, helping in the aid of deep sleep but can give energy as well. Known for high antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory properties, this is an excellent immune booster for the fall.
Astragalus Root – This herb is great when matched up with ginseng, but does just fine on its own. It has the ability to boost the efficiency of the immune system through two major compounds; polysaccharides and saponins. Like Echinacea, it strengthens the immune system, instead of attacking the virus or bacteria directly.

Spice It Up
Garlic – This being a staple in almost all home meals, it should be easy to keep and add into our diets during the season. These bulbs are the catalyst of growth of infection-killing cells.
Ginger Root – Becoming one of my favorites, this root keeps me going all the time. If you need a pick-me-up in the middle of the day, go find yourself an apple ginger shot at a local juice spot. Great for times of nausea, cramping, tiredness, or runny noses; take a swig of this and you will be feeling better than you did before.
Turmeric Root- Great for curry dishes, but sometimes not enough. A daily supplement of this root has anti-inflammatory benefits which can help protect the body from free radical cells. Curcumin, the active rhizome in this root, helps encode certain T-cells in the body( good free radical fighters) that prevent foreign bacteria, viruses, and fungi from affecting the body. It’s an excellent way to build up the immune system.

Quick fixes
If you already are sick, and you need to recover fast, here are a few emergency supplements to start taking immediately.
Echinacea – Echinacea is the go-to herb for the common cold, and for a good reason. It releases chemicals in the body which can reduce the inflammation in forms of cold, or flu symptoms. Unlike what people may assume, there are no studies shown that Echinacea is a preventative of a cold and therefore it is much better to take this after the onset of a cold.
Oil of Oregano – High quality oregano oil can protect the body from exposed organisms or germs during the cold and flu season. As soon as you see the signs, put a few drops of this herb in your water to keep them at bay.
Olive Leaf extract – Another one of my favorites, this herb is an anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-oxidant used for centuries to heal the immune system. First time takers may feel the effects of its strength by creating detoxification symptoms such as queasiness or headaches. Don’t be afraid, after a little while of taking this, you will start to feel amazing.
Please note the educational material presented is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Consult with your licensed health professional and/or doctor prior to starting any supplement regimen or making any changes to your prescribed medications.

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About the author; Raven Caracci has been involved in the health industry promoting the use of alternative, organic and holistic health for years. She has advised hundreds of people on the use of herbal remedies as alternatives to conventional medicine. Her goal and passion is to help others live a healthier and more natural lifestyle.

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The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in Martin County Florida, the Palm Beaches and the Treasure Coast. “Healthy Martin, working together for health choices for you, your family and friends”.

By Dr. Timothy Kennedy
Hormone replacement therapy or HRT? The intervention itself was brought to media attention and made infamous by professional sports players who abused the system. All of the negative press and notoriety has given HRT an almost taboo reputation. The fact of the matter is however, that HRT was around long before it’s abuse by athletes. Estrogen replacement was discovered in 1938 but it wasn’t until the 1960’s that the industry itself picked up steam. The basis for the foundation of HRT, in most cases is aging. As we age, the production of our critical hormones, estrogen in women and testosterone in men and human growth hormone (GH/hGH) in both, wanes to levels that are mere fractions of what they once were. The goal of HRT is to restore these youthful hormone levels under the premise that they will make the patient feel, once again, young; or at the very least better than they had been feeling. Benefits include increased: focus, drive, strength, stamina, libido and bone density. Side effects however include increased risk of: stroke, cancer, gynecomastia, hair loss, headaches and risk of blood clots.

All in all, for those who truly need it, HRT is a marvel of modern medicine. The ability to adjust hormone levels well beyond our normal limits defined by age or disease borders the lines of “playing God”.

With the strength of what HRT can do for patients, one is forced to wonder: what’s different about anti-aging? If you’re restoring hormone levels to youthful levels, aren’t you basically reversing the aging process? The short answer is…kind of.

In 2009 the nobel prize was awarded to scientists who discovered telomeres and telomerase. Telomeres are on the tips of every single chromosome, in every single cell, throughout our bodies. As we grow and age, cells have to divide and replicate. With every single replication our telomeres shorten. Think of them as the tips on the end of your shoelaces, without them, your laces/DNA would fray and fall apart and the cell would die. No cells, no tissue, no organs, no body…no life.

The hope and potential is in telomerase. Telomerase is naturally “expressed” or produced in your body, in small amounts. Telomerase makes your body lengthen it’s telomeres, this in turn leads to healthier cells which can duplicate longer and…keep you alive and healthier, longer.

Cell duplication is like photo-copying. Imagine how your DNA might look after being photo-copied for 40, 50 or 60 years? The image isn’t pretty and without clear instruction/DNA, cells aren’t able to perform the way they are supposed to resulting in disease and aging. Telomerase activation focuses on lengthening telomeres which fortify DNA and keep us going for much longer.

When it comes to HRT or anti-aging my answer is, both. If you want the complete package, both are necessary. I recommend my patients start with 6 months to a year of anti-aging protocols and then, if their issues haven’t been cleared up by the rejuvenated cellular function, at that point HRT is the next step. Without that order and only taking HRT, you are basically taking a 1957 (insert your birth year) sports car and without making any repairs to it, throwing in a supercharger. Often times it is simply far too much for the body to handle and will lead to further problems down the road.

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About the author; Timothy Kennedy, DC, A4M is a licensed Chiropractic Physician with a special interest in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. As a graduate of UBCC, one of the most medically conservative and scientifically based chiropractic colleges in the world, Dr. Kennedy’s personal mission is to improve the health and longevity of as many patients as possible through natural and scientifically proven methods. Dr. Kennedy is a Treasure Coast resident.
Dr. Kennedy is available by phone 561-342-1577, online or in his downtown Stuart office; to discuss your personal health questions or assist in your plan for longevity. Initial consultations are free when you mention this article or ad on HealthyMartin.com or in Your Health, Wellness & Fitness Magazine.

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The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in the Treasure Coast areas of Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County and the Palm Beaches of Florida.

Approximately 795,000 strokes take place every year in the U.S., according to senior vascular surgeon at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospitals in New York, N.Y., Donna Mendes, M.D. As a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery, Mendes’ has firsthand knowledge of strokes and vascular health.

Improving your health and reducing your risk of a stroke are as simple as changing your lifestyle, particularly your diet. Avoiding a stroke means avoiding potential impairment and possible death. For instance, simply switching to a Mediterranean diet lowers your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is the “bad” cholesterol that’s more likely to cause fatty deposits to build up in the arteries.

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The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in the Treasure Coast areas of Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County and the Palm Beaches of Florida.

BY; NewsUSA
Got a headache? You’re not alone.
Headaches are responsible for more than 18 million doctor’s office visits annually in the U.S., and are the most common reason for reaching for over-the-counter medication. Likewise troubling is their toll on the economy: $25 billion in lost productivity, based on the estimated 156 million work days lost each year by sufferers sometimes too debilitated to even make it out of bed.

All of which helps explain why a study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics is causing such a stir among health experts — and prompting patients interested in drug-free alternatives to consider heading for their nearest chiropractor.

The study came down squarely in favor of chiropractic for two key types of sufferers. “Evidence suggests,” it concluded, “that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic headaches.” The latter refers to headaches originating from faulty cervical and other spinal biomechanics often precipitated by awkward motion or positioning, and can be accompanied by neck, shoulder or arm pain.

What’s more, even patients with episodic or chronic tension type headaches were found to be “helped” by doctors of chiropractic, who go through a minimum of four years of post-college chiropractic education and clinical training.

One man who knows that chiropractors can do even more to help relieve such conditions — providing nutritional advice, posture coaching and exercises — is Gerard Clum, DC, an avid supporter of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, who said in response to the study: “Chiropractic care helps relieve the stress on your nervous system. And it’s fast becoming a go-to choice for providing a non-pharmacological approach to effectively manage headaches.”
For more information, visit www.yes2chiropractic.org.

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The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in the Treasure Coast areas of Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County and the Palm Beaches of Florida.

BY NewsUSA

It’s easy to take our feet for granted, but consider this: there are 26 bones and 33 joints in the human foot, and those small bones must take us where we need to go every day. By the time Americans reach the age of 50, they’ve logged 75,000 miles on their feet — that’s three times around the planet. Common foot problems from years of wear and tear on your feet — aging, weight gain and wearing shoes that don’t fit — can cause foot problems such as corns and calluses, bunions, hammer toes, plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis of the feet and gout. Sometimes foot problems are the first signs of serious health conditions such as diabetes or circulatory disorders.

Feet must last a lifetime, so it’s important to practice good foot care. Wear comfortable shoes that fit wellOne of the best things you can do to protect your feet is wear comfortable shoes that have good arch support and fit well. As you age, your shoe size may change, so make sure you have the right size. The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day. Ditch those flat sandals or “flip-flops”. During warm weather, many people tend to wear flat sandals or flip-flops. Podiatrists warn against wearing them because they can damage your feet.”Flip-flops should not be used on a daily basis as they offer very little support and leave the feet unprotected,” said Dr. Silvia Arroyo, a podiatric surgeon at the Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center in Southern California. “Being a flat-soled shoe, they offer no support to the natural arch of the foot and can result in not only foot pain, but knee, back and hip pain as well.”Dr. Arroyo added that flip-flops are often associated with falls, ankle injuries and broken bones from tripping. “Individuals with certain medical conditions — especially those with diabetes — should not use them. Any blister or cut can turn into an infection and may be hazardous to your health,” said Dr. Arroyo. Sandal use is only recommended when going to the pool or the beach, or while taking a shower in a public place. Wearing flat sandals or shoes is not recommended for long walks. For more information about foot care, visit share.kp.org/footcare. For questions or advice about a specific condition, talk to your physician.

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The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in the Treasure Coast areas of Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County and the Palm Beaches of Florida.

BY Lee McCaskill,

Vinegar – Studies have shown that having two tablespoons of vinegar before a meal or in a salad dressing can reduce the spike in blood concentrations of insulin and glucose after the meal. Also, consider other ways to use vinegar in recipes, such as a zesty marinade for chicken or pork. If you don’t care for the taste, we have a supplement in the clinic called Trim N Shape with vinegar powder in it that helps reduce the appearance of cellulite that does the same thing. Amazingly, our clients lose up to 50% more inches while on it and clients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome report their symptoms usually completely clear up while on this vinegar-based product!

Pumpkin Seeds are a healthy treat high in iron and unsaturated fats, the kind that are good for your heart. As with any snack, the key is portion control. Two tablespoons is less than five grams of carbohydrates. You can mix them with our protein chips and baked okra for a mix similar to chex mix.

Edamame – Unless you frequent sushi restaurants, you may not know about edamame (ed-a-ma’-me), another super food for people with type 2 diabetes. Edamame are green soybeans, and they are growing in popularity — so much so that they’re now sold frozen in supermarkets. Just microwave them for 1-2 minutes and serve. They provide many healthy benefits for your diet: they’re an excellent source of protein, minerals (including potassium, magnesium, and calcium), and omega-3 fatty acids.

Broccoli – An easy way to get two potent carcinogen-blockers that change estrogens into less damaging forms and increase the activity of cancer-fighting enzymes is to eat more cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower. If you don’t like them raw, try steaming and putting sweetener or cheese on them, or putting them in casseroles with meat. Aim for three servings per week.

Cinnamon has been shown to be effective in improving fasting blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. Cinnamon is great on cereals or apples or hot drinks as well as in rubs for meats. Try it in meat loaf with a little grated apple for the best meatloaf ever! Take a concentrated capsule twice a day for a 23-30% reduction in triglycerides and a reduction of 10-24% in LDL cholesterol. In our clinics, we put our clients with high cholesterol on both our cinnamon and flaxseed oil capsules and the reduction is remarkable!

Blueberries are a powerhouse among fruits, rich antioxidants, and are valued for their cancer and heart disease fighting properties. They are also shown to help improve memory, balance, and coordination. Eating three servings of different berries each week are now proven to give you a 75% less chance of having a heart attack! Try them in smoothies or over granola at least a couple of times per week. An easy smoothie is a ½ cup soy milk (or skim milk), ¼ packet gelatin (any flavor), handful of frozen fruit. The gelatin thickens the smoothie. Add protein if you wish.

Beets are high in lipoic acid, one of the many antioxidants that are believed to help prevent your cells from damage caused by aging. Some studies show that lipoic acid is also helpful in healing nerve damage that causes pain and numbness in the hands and feet of people with diabetes. Other research suggests that beets may help lower your blood cholesterol. Roast beets in the oven the way you would a sweet potato and serve as a side dish or add to a healthy salad. Another idea is to add a can of sliced beets to a can of crushed pineapple for a side dish. Beets look festive on the plate and is a must maintenance dish for dieters.

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About the author, Lee McCaskill is the owner of Before and After Weight Loss Clinics in Saint Lucie and Indian River Counties, and the nationwide diet program, Belly Buster Diet, Inc. In addition to being a Master Certified Weight Loss and Wellness Coach, Lee is a microbiologist and herbologist who formulates many of the companies’ unique products, including Tropical Spa Body Wraps. Lee encourages you to contact her for information or with your questions at (772) 429-1110 or (772) 562-3601, or visit web site: www.bestdietsource.com and fill out your health profile for a free metabolic assessment.

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The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in the Treasure Coast areas of Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County and the Palm Beaches of Florida.