The liver is primarily responsible for breaking down food, toxins, and chemicals in our bodies. It produces bile to breakdown fatty foods, insulin to transport sugar to muscles, detoxifies chemicals like alcohol and metabolizes drugs. In fact, majority of prescription medications rely on the liver for drug metabolism and detoxification. What can you do to maintain and support liver function? First, you should know which risk factors can potentially damage your liver. The most common risk factors for liver injury include:

If you are over 65 years old, it is not surprising to discover that your body is not what it used to be. Fifty percent of U.S. adults over the age of 65 will have osteoarthritis (OA). OA is the most common form of arthritis. OA occurs as the result of cartilage deterioration in joints such as the hands, knees, hip and spine. Cartilage is the smooth rubbery material between two joints that allow the joints to move freely by cushioning them. If there is less cartilage and joints continue to move (as they should), they will grind against each other and cause pain, swelling (i.e. tenderness), and joint stiffness. Symptoms include joint pain during and after movement, joint tenderness, joint stiffness (especially in the morning), loss of flexibility, and a grinding sensation when you move an affected joint (i.e. friction).

Macular degeneration (MD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults 65 and over. MD is a degenerative disease of the cells in the macula. The macula is the central portion of the retina responsible for helping you see objects straight-ahead. Can you imagine what that is like to be afflicted by this disease? The photo on the left is seen through normal vision; the photo on the right is what a person with advanced macular degeneration sees.

In the past, the main supplement that has been used for treating liver problems is Milk Thistle. Milk Thistle is a European thistle that is commonly used in herbal medicine. The plant can grow to 2 meters high and was carried to North America by its early settlers. It contains an active ingredient known as Silymarin – a group of flavonoids which are beneficial in repairing the liver cells. Silymarin is also contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties...

How do you deal with stress? Being under too much stress or dealing with stress for long periods of time can be unhealthy. Some stress is normal, but overtime too much can directly impact your quality of life. We've all experienced different levels of stress at different times in our lives’. Whether it’s at work, school, or home certain instances can attribute to varying degrees of stress-related issues. Unfortunately most of us are unable to live a “stress-free” life, so we are forced to develop coping mechanisms to deal with life’s challenges in a positive and healthy way.

Most of us do not think or worry about our liver. Sure, we know it’s an internal organ that helps with something in our body. The adage, “out of sight, out of mind” rings true for our 2^nd largest organ. The liver is a manufacturer, storage facility, distributor of nutrients, and filtering system for the body. It stores and releases glycogen, protein, vitamins and minerals. How is that important? Think about the last time you were so hungry that you wanted to pass out..

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common diagnosis among men over 50 years old. As men age, the likelihood of getting BPH increases.

BPH is the enlargement of the prostate gland, fueled by hormonal changes of advanced age. The prostate gland becomes so enlarged that it presses up against the urethra, causing urinary symptoms. Symptoms of BPH include difficulty in starting urination, having a weak urine stream, having intermittency in their urine stream, urinating at night during sleep, urinating frequently, and having sudden urges to urinate.

Dating back to the Old Testament, hangovers have been alcohols "ugly wing-man" since its creation. We're going to discuss just how hangovers impact the body, and the lengths some people will go to for their hangover cure.

When it comes to the vast world of nutritional supplements we believe that careful thought, pure ingredients, dedicated research, and expert formulation create superior products. From the early writings of Greek physician Hippocrates (468-377 B.C.), to the latest findings from the world’s top research universities, the use of herbal and other natural products to support issues within the body is well-documented...

Swollenness is usually caused by an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen. Medications, alcohol, recreational drugs, kidney or liver failure and malnutrition can also lead to the hormonal imbalance. What can you do? You can be like Blake and flaunt them at the American Country Music award show… or tell them to “moob over”!

What exactly is a "healthy weight"? For starters, a healthy weight is weight at which you can feel good about yourself, and have enough energy for all of the activities in your life. A healthy weight is also one that reduces the risk for certain weight-related health problems. Often times we find ourselves struggling to maintain a healthy weight due to our fast-paced lifestyle and poor dietary choices. Does this sound familiar? If it does, don’t worry, millions of people wrestle with these issues every day. Individuals who find success and are able to maintain a healthy weight, typically do so by creating a plan, and sticking to it. Here are a few tips to remember when creating a weight management program that can improve your chances for success.

CoQ10 is short for coenzyme Q10, a fat-soluble compound. It has several important functions; it acts as an anti-oxidant, helps make ATP or cellular energy, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the worsening of heart failure. Your body naturally produces CoQ10 but certain drugs can inhibit this activity, namely the statins. Cholesterol-lowering medications or statins (e.g. atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin) are the most prescribed medications to lower cholesterol levels, ultimately to prevent heart attacks and strokes. If your CoQ10 production is reduced, how does that affect you? Read on to find out how.

Over 40 years ago, scientists uncovered the most potent anti-oxidant and this time, it wasn’t found in a vegetable garden. Instead the miracle was discovered below sea level. Astaxanthin, a carotenoid found in salmon, shrimp, and trout, has an anti-oxidant strength that is 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C. Astaxanthin has been linked to better skin, improved vision, lower risk of heart disease, and improved immune system. Is it too good to be true or truly good?

It’s 1 a.m. and you’re frustrated. All you want to do is lay your head down on the soft pillow, lie on your comfy bed, and let your dreams take you away from your stressful reality. Strangely, none of that happens. You have been in bed for 2 hours and your eyes won’t stay closed. Then it’s 2 a.m. and you’re conflicted; if you take your sedative now, you know you’ll be groggy in the morning. Now it’s 3 a.m. and you’re still awake and wishing that you did take that drug. Sound familiar? It should. Insomnia is the most common sleeping disorder affecting up to 30% of the U.S. population. Preventing insomnia using natural remedies are preferred over narcotic drugs which can cause morning sleepiness, require a prescription, and are costly. In fact, a drug company recently launched their newest narcotic sedative with a ridiculous price tag of $10 per pill!