OLD FRIENDS AND CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

In recent years, chronic inflammatory problems, such as allergies and asthma, have been increasing in developed parts of the world. There are two working hypotheses that contribute to this phenomenon, one of which is the “hygiene hypothesis” that Nesse and Williams outlined in 1994. The hygiene hypothesis says that reduced family size and improved cleanliness […]

What is Cupping?

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage. The 2016 Olympic games in Rio quickly […]

Tame Your Anxiety in 5 Minutes

We live in a fast-paced world where we are constantly bombarded with various stressors. Stress is often associated with anxiety, depressed mood, irritability and fatigue. Leaving our stressors behind to live on a tropical beach sounds amazing but is probably not feasible. Here are a few exercises you can try the next time you’re feeling […]

Fish Oil as a Treatment for Depression

The British Journal of Psychiatry released an article in April titled “Efficacy of Omega-3 Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Depression.”  The study sought to evaluate the efficacy of fish oil in the treatment of major depressive disorder. The researchers found that individuals who supplemented with EPA-predominant omega-3 formulations had clinical benefits.Adequate intakes […]

Am I Getting Enough Vitamin D? The Importance of Vitamin D in Our Seattle Environment

With Spring and Summer right around the corner, it’s important to address Vitamin D. Having adequate levels of Vitamin D is critical to ensure prevention of many serious diseases. Vitamin D’s use has been vastly under-emphasized by the medical community until recently. The RDA (recommended Daily Allowance) levels of Vitamin D are currently 600 IU […]

The Dangers of Farm Raised Fish and Aquaculture

Aquaculture fish farm production is growing at a faster rate than any other animal agriculture. Farmed fish now account for approximately 50% of the fish eaten in the U.S.. While fish farming is intended to mediate supply and demand concerns, it has placed a further strain on our world’s oceans and contributed to unsustainable fishing […]

All About Food Sensitivity Testing

How are food sensitivities different from food allergies? When you think of someone having an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts or shellfish, this is a food allergy. An anaphylactic response is an IgE mediated immune reaction. When an individual has an allergic reaction to peanuts their body produces IgE antibodies against the food protein. These IgE […]

SHOP FRESH AND LOCAL IN SEATTLE

Wellness on the Weekends: Shop Fresh and Local   Farmer’s markets are a simple, enjoyable way to integrate wellness into your week. There’s no downside to shopping at a farmer’s market over a grocery store. Structured as a physical retail space, farmer’s markets feature foods sold directly by farmers to consumers, providing a fresh, local […]

5 Ergonomic Tips for the Office

Don’t position your office chair too high – While it’s important to ensure that your office chair is high enough to effectively work at your desk, most people tend to sit too high off of the ground. A seat height between 16-21 inches off of the ground is a good rule of thumb. With your feet […]

PRESCRIPTION DRUG OVERDOSE NUMBERS REACH ALL-TIME HIGH

Opiate related drug addiction and dependency continues to rise and poses a significant threat to our citizens and to our healthcare system. Too often these pain killers are routinely prescribed to address chronic pain which precipitates the inevitable drug dependency that follows. Prescribing doctors and pharmacists will verbally reiterate to take the medication only as […]