Have you ever heard of the term adaptogen? An adaptogen is an herb which helps the body adapt to stress in a more balanced way. These herbs have been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years. But it is only recently, however, that scientists have begun to study these potent plants.

Many plant-based food experts claim that fresh fruit juices contain too much sugar and are therefore unhealthy. One of the latest of these anti-fruit-juicing messages comes from the book, The Whole Foods Diet by John Mackey, the CEO and founder of Whole Foods Market. What are the facts?

I never realized how important fresh and clean water was to my life before I, as a young man, spent time in poor and dry parts of India, where fresh water was not always easy to come by. Especially not clean water. One day, in the sweltering heat of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, I sank to my knees of exhaustion due to dehydration. Water is indeed essential for keeping us energized and alive.

Are you confused about all the hoopla about whether an alkaline diet is good for you or not? Have you started to think that drinking lots of water and juice to become alkaline is just another diet hype? Then you are not alone.
Just Google the concepts, or go on youtube, and you will hear from various experts claiming to tell the truth. Vegan and raw food proponents will tell you that alkaline food is important, because an acidic body is an unhealthy and toxic body. While experts who adhere to the paleo or the ketogenic diets, which are high in animal protein, will claim that the need for alkaline food is just a myth. So who is telling the truth?

If your body is acidic due to poor digestion caused by a diet of too much refined flours, processed foods, sugar (including honey and agave), dairy and meat, combined with stress, your immune system can eventually break down and your digestive tract can become imbalanced and inflamed.

We are living longer today than ever before, but we are also dying longer. Half of Americans age 65 orolder have one or more chronic diseases costing society more than a trillion dollars a year in medicalcare.

The body’s digestive system has two main functions: to bring nutrients in and toxins out. When we digest food and liquids, the nutrients in the food and liquids is absorbed into the blood stream to be utilized by the cells in the body for fuel. What is not used by the blood to keep our cells, muscles, nerves and bones energized and healthy is excreted through the urine, the skin and the stool in the form of toxins.

Spring has finally sprung! The flowers are out, the rain is pouring down, and when the sun peaks through the clouds, it is warming and bright. Since spring is generally wet and damp, which, in Ayurveda (the yogic system of health) is characteristic of Kapha season, it is common for people to cough and sneeze. In fact, the English word “cough” comes for the Sanskrit word “kapha”.