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Paula Gallagher
Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutritionist on the staff at Village Green Apothecary. read more..
Margo Gladding
Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational
and professional experience. read more..
Ellen Kittredge
Ellen’s knowledge base and education has given her the tools to be an effective
nutrition and health counselor.
read more..
Naz Amini
Naz is a nutrition counselor and lifestyle educator for Village Green Apothecary. read more..
Carmen Ugas
Carmen is a therapeutic lifestyle educator for Village Green Apothecary. read more..
Debi Silber
Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
read more..
Steve Stillwater
Steve is committed to greener living and offers to easy-to-implement green living tips and ideas. read more..
Joe Ailts
Joe, Director of Medical Education at NeuroScience, Inc., provides scientific and clinical education on neuro-endo-immunology.
read more..
Other Conrtributors
Scott O’Dell >>>James Brodsky, MD >>>
Christine M. Gonzales >>>
Beth Ritchie >>>
Jim Fox >>>
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Nutritional Supplements
Support for your Immune System - Astragalus
by Paula Gallagher | September 2, 2010
Choosing the right foods and supplements to support your immune system is a good strategy for winning the battle against colds, flu, infections and other immune challenges. Over the next week I will be writing about some foods and supplements that will help keep you and your family healthy during cold and flu season.
Astragalus: This traditional Chinese medicine has hundreds of published clinical studies to support its positive effects on the immune system. It is beneficial for infections (especially respiratory), stress-related immune dysfunction, and recovery after illness or surgery; some studies have used it as cancer treatment. It can also help you resist cold and flu.
In contrast to the immune-boosting properties of some herbs, astragalus can be taken for long periods of time (several months) without showing a decrease in the response of the immune system. However, it should be avoided if you have a fever.
Astragalus is most readily available in capsules and tinctures. Tinctures are my preferred way of administration. Both Gaia Herbs and Herb Pharm make excellent quality astragalus tinctures. For more information about dosage, please contact us.
Get Healthy Hair, Naturally
by Paula Gallagher | August 30, 2010
The most commonly heard complaint and question we get from Ask the Expert, probably has to do with hair health. A healthy, shiny, full head of hair is a sign of inner health, and therefore good nutrition should be a priority. If certain nutrients are missing from your diet, the result could be hair loss. Natural remedies may also be able to help improve and restore hair’s youthful appearance.
Fenugreek: This herb has a unique blend of chemical constituents which can contribute to healthy-looking hair and a nourished scalp. Fenugreek has proteins needed for hair strength.
Biotin: Biotin is an important coenzyme that is involved in a number of processes in the body. It is a member of the B-vitamin family and an essential nutrient in human nutrition. Biotin has been widely used for nutritional support of healthy skin, hair and nails; deficiencies have been linked to brittle nails and hair loss. All of the B vitamins work together and are (more…)
New Warning About Heartburn Medications
by Margo Gladding | August 25, 2010
Heartburn is one of the most common GI problems in America. It is a condition where stomach acid is regurgitated up into the esophagus giving rise to symptoms such as chest discomfort, wheezing, asthma, hiccups, and hoarseness. Acid reflux can cause damage to the lining of the esophagus and should be taken seriously.
Heartburn medications are widely available, both by prescription and over-the-counter. They work by blocking stomach acid from being produced. As a result, they disrupt the body’s ability to absorb calcium, along with other important minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. High doses of these medications or duration of use longer than 1 year have been associated with an increased risk of fractures to the hip, wrist and spine. This concern has led to a recent FDA announcement that popular heartburn medications such as Prevacid, Prilosec, and Nexium will now come with a warning linking them to an increased risk for fractures. The FDA has also advised that the over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors (Prevacid, Prilosec, and Zegerid) should only be taken for a maximum of 14 days. (more…)
Morning Cortisol Levels Clue to Chronic Fatigue
by Paula Gallagher | August 24, 2010
According to a study by researchers at Centers for Disease Control (CDC), women who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) start their day with unusually low levels of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. The study used saliva samples taken as soon as the women awoke, 30 minutes later and an hour later, when cortisol levels typically reach their highest level of the day. The study showed that women who suffer from CFS have a low “fight or flight” response.
One theory for this is that accumulated stress over these women’s lifetimes has had a negative effect on their stress response. This study offers clues into what causes CFS, how to diagnose and treat it, and why women are four times more likely than men to have it. They did not find a similar relationship among men.
Strengthening your adrenals is important in helping regulate cortisol levels.
Here are some tips to help support your adrenals: (more…)
Travel Essentials this Summer
by Paula Gallagher | August 17, 2010
Traveling should be relaxing and enjoyable. Unfortunately, it can also be hard on your body. Recycled air on flights exposes you to cold and flu germs and jet lag can make you lose valuable days of vacation time. And, eating foods that you are not used to can also cause digestive distress. Being prepared before you travel can make the difference between a miserable trip and a memorable one.
Here are some supplements that will make your life a little better while you travel. (more…)