Are Your Supplements Worth the Price You Paid? Not all supplements are created equally. There are generally three FDA grades of nutritional supplements based on the quality of the ingredients they contain. FEED GRADE: These are produced for veterinary use. FOOD GRADE: These are typically sold in health food stores, retail pharmacies and grocery stores. You cannot rely on these to be quality controlled through testing for absorption, dissolution, purity or potency. Additionally, these supplements do not always have the same concentrations of active ingredients as pharmaceutical grade. Food Grade supplements can have up to 30% impurities, fillers and binders. These can be bleached or radiated to kill any contaminants. Up to 88 different chemicals can be added to these supplements and none of them have to be included on the label. Food Grade supplements are often processed with high heat which is not good for oily supplements. PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE: These are the highes
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Muscle cramps can occur in any muscle- legs, feet, arms, hands, back- and can occur day or night. Muscle cramps become more common as we age and are not typically a sign of something harmful; however, if they are persistent, you should be evaluated by your physician. Common causes of muscle cramps: 1. Dehydration. First, ensure you are drinking enough water throughout the day. If you choose to drink only coffee, tea, soda, juices and alcohol, you can cause your muscles to cramp. You must remain hydrated and include water throughout the day to avoid muscle cramps. 2. Medication side effects . Medications such as diuretics, Lasix (furosemide) is the most common, can cause muscle cramps. Some people experience cramps with statins, such as Lipitor (atorvastatin) or Zocor (simvastatin), or the heart medication Procardia (nifedipine). If cramps begin just after starting a new medication, you should discuss the possibility of side effects with your doctor. 3. Muscle Fatigue. Heav
Did you know that in the state of Texas there is a Bill (HB2102), also known as Henda's Law, that requires mammography centers to notify all women with dense breast tissue that the accuracy of their mammograms is less than that of women with lower breast density and that they may benefit from “supplemental screening” in addition to their annual mammogram? Since the Bill was passed in 2011, several other states have adopted similar legislation. Last week, Governor Abbott signed House Bill 1036 that makes 3D mammography a covered benefit for the women of Texas as part of their wellness exam. Dense breast tissue is a relatively common condition and can be associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Dense breast tissue can also obscure the Radiologist's view of the breast and mask very early signs of breast cancer. Therefore, women who have dense breasts may benefit from supplemental imaging, such a tomosynthesis (3D mammography), breast ultrasound or b
With the uncertainty in the health care market, concerns over the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), physician burnout, frustration with insurance reimbursement, and the rising cost of doing the business of medicine, Americans are driven to consider other alternatives to access health care. Innovative free market solutions such as Direct Primary Care (DPC) is quickly becoming a mutually agreeable alternative for both those who access health care and the Direct Primary Care doctors providing their care. In the 1940s, post-war America saw the implementation of third-party insurance companies and Americans began to see a sharp rise in employer-based insurance coverage. Prior to this, Americans paid cash for virtually all of their health care. Gradually, the third-party payment systems in both private health insurance and government programs have become increasingly complex and costly, less transparent, and more economically inefficient. In the environment of these increasing com
A plant-based diet can be an excellent way to reduce your risk of heart disease and many cancers. The vegan diet has been proven to reduce the plaque within the coronary arteries in those who have already developed heart disease. Avoiding animal sources of protein also an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint and to be kinder to animals. Regardless of your personal philosophy, a plant-based diet is a healthy option. Some choose to avoid all animal sources of food & clothing [vegan] or food only [vegetarian], while others rely on eggs and dairy products for additional protein and convenience [lacto-ovo vegetarians], some include seafood as a source of protein [pescatarian] and others choose to eat the occasional animal proteins when alternatives are unavailable, on special holidays or weekends [flexitarian]. Many people have implemented Meatless Mondays into their households as a way to reduce their intake of animal proteins. Whatever you decide, avoiding even some ani
1. What are common causes of UTIs? Intercourse, post-menopausal vaginal atrophy, kidney stones, sexually transmitted diseases, proximity to anus/GI tract for the most common bacterial cause, E. coli (wiping back to front, thongs, incontinence) 2. Are some people more prone to UTIs than others? If so, what are some risk factors? Sexually active women are more prone to UTIs, as are post-menopausal women due to vaginal tissue atrophy. Pregnant women are more prone to UTIs. Women with diabetes and other immune compromised states, vesicourethral reflux (condition that causes reflux of urine from the bladder into the ureter, then into the kidney), Multiple Sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and other neurological syndromes that cause bladder dysfunction, kidney stones or other blockages in the urinary tract can also be causes of UTIs. 3. What steps can you take to help prevent a UTI from occurring in the first place? Urinate and clean the genital area before and afte