Holistic Health Tips from Brooklyn Chiropractor Dr. Donna Sergi

Let's face it; you're busy. Life is non-stop, and sometimes it can be hard to keep up. Keeping your mind sharp so that you can excel at the daily grind can be challenging. One way to improve your mind is with the help of nature's brain foods. Brain foods, or superfoods, are foods that have shown to improve the function of the brain. Blueberries One of the most impressive brain foods is the blueberry. Blueberries, consumed in any form, whether they are frozen, fresh or even freeze-dried can provide your brain with protection against age-related conditions. The fruit is a powerful antioxidant that protects the brain from oxidative stress and reduces the effects of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, blueberries improve the blood flow to and from the brain giving it more power to function. Pomegranate Much like the blueberry, pomegranates provide the brain with protection against free radicals. Pomegranates assist in improving blood flow to the brain, givin

The flu shot is a vaccine that you are injected with to reduce the risk of getting the flu virus. "Experts" recommend that anyone above the age of 6 months should get one every year from around September to May. They claim the flu vaccine contains dead or inactive forms of the flu virus that will ensure you do not contract, or pass, the virus to anyone else. Sounds good right? But why is the government, so determined to make it mandatory to receive the vaccine? Research shows there is no evidence the flu shot reduces transmission rates. Reports are there, yes, but not enough to document it as fact. Pharmaceutical companies earn in the billions annually from flu shot sales. The alliance for national health reported that the federal government invested $400 million of taxpayers' money in vaccine giants such as Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline to develop new vaccines in 2012 alone. JPMorgan investment bank estimated that in 2009 alone, pharmaceutical corporations made $10

Everyone loves that sweet treat, whether it is a little snack in the afternoon or the dessert you just can't resist. While a small sugary pick-me-up might seem like a "must-have" in the afternoon hours, consider what that treat is doing to your body. Often associated with weight gain, there are other factors related to indulging in sugar frequently. Toxic to Liver - Sugar has shown to have a similar toxic result on the liver to that of alcohol. The excess glucose that it causes your body to produce can be troublesome for the liver to filter. Heart Damage - Large and consistent amounts of sugar can put undue stress on your heart when it enters the bloodstream. This stress can cause the muscle function of the heart to malfunction. The damage can lead to heart attack. Brain Health - Excess sugar over long periods of time have shown to be dangerous to the way your brain retains memories. It has an adverse effect on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a chemical with

Natural Remedies for Thyroid Problems in Women The thyroid is a gland produces the hormone Thyroxine. This hormone regulates the body’s metabolism, meaning the speed at which the body produces energy from oxygen and nutrients. Since it controls a biological process affecting all body organs, it plays a critical part in how well these functions operate. The most notable ones among them are determining the rate of your heart beat and how fast your body burns calories. Approximately 20 million Americans are affected by a type of Thyroid disease. 60 percent of those affected are not aware of their condition. Furthermore, women have a higher probability of being affected by Thyroid disease than men. It is estimated that one in eight women will develop problems with their Thyroid during their lifetime. There are several causes of thyroid problems in women. Their effects include Difficulty in getting pregnant as Thyroid disease affects your menstrual cycle which in turn, affects your

While years ago you may have been faced with the choice between a red apple or a green apple, now you have all of these other factors to consider. When trying to navigate the maze of produce aisles, you see organic food labels and claims of a healthier diet that can be confusing. Is organic and natural food really better for your health? Do conventional foods lead to cancer and other diseases? All of these questions have resulted in a dilemma for consumers shopping at the market. It is important to note that the terms "natural" and "organic" are not interchangeable. While a food labeled as "natural" is free from artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, it does not indicate any specific methods or materials that were used to produce the food ingredients. The word "organic" describes how farmers grow and process their agricultural products. In the U.S., organic agriculture is required to be cultivated without the use of synthetic pesticides,

Learn How Chemical Imbalances, Digestion, Blood Sugar, Unexplained Weight Gain, Fatigue, Depression, and Menstrual Cycle Difficulties are Related to Your Hormones Chemical Imbalances For our cells and organs to know how to behave they have to receive signals. Hormones are the body's messengers that carry these chemical signals to regulate all of our body's functions. They control everything from our most basic needs like hunger, thirst, and sleep to incredibly complex systems like reproduction and digestion. They even play significant roles in our moods and emotions.  Hormones are created in the endocrine gland as well as some other glands throughout the body, and there are many different hormones with numerous different functions, which all work in conjunction with one another to keep us functioning. Imbalances in one can cause imbalances in another, and these imbalances can cause some adverse effects on the body. When one or more of our hormones are not at the right l

Over the past decade or so, both smoothies and juicing have become increasingly popular among both everyday people and fitness gurus alike due to their nutritious content, creativity, and fast nutrient absorption. However, what most people do not know is that, though both drinks offer a convenient, satisfying way to get your full day's worth of fruits, veggies, and more, they are not created equal. In fact, the following comparisons will help you understand the health benefits between the two. Both Juicing and Smoothies Make It Easier to Consume More Fruits and Veggies Both juicing and smoothies offer a convenient way to increase your fruit and vegetable intake, which is good for you. The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables alone are enough to ward off many illnesses. In fact, studies show that consuming five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily can decrease the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease as well as reduce the possibility of stroke by approximate

Ideally, your body should be able to digest almost any food you put in your mouth. However, recent changes in the way food is processed and prepared, as well as lifestyle changes, mean our bodies are not able to efficiently handle everything we eat. Some foods, such as fatty meats, are best to avoid if you want to maintain proper digestive health. The good thing, however, is that there are plenty of foods that can ease digestion. The first step to fixing your digestive health is to take a good look at your diet and alter it as necessary. For the best digestive health, your diet should include both healthy fats and foods that are high in fiber, while avoiding processed and fried foods. It is critical to incorporate leafy green vegetables and fruits every day to help maintain your regularity. Eating three meals each day that are well-balanced, not skipping meals, and avoiding eating too much at one time all contribute to healthy digestion and superior gastrointestinal health. It is a

Hormones are the chemical messengers that tell the cells and organs what they should be doing. When imbalances occur, parts of your body fail to function correctly or optimally. Everyone has different hormones constantly moving through his or her bodies at different levels. Hormone levels naturally shift throughout a person's life, but irregular shifting can cause a wide variety of issues and problems that can range from mild to severe. When no other cause of your symptoms or ailments can be determined, it can be your hormones at work. Depending upon the hormone or hormones involved, you can experience anything from sleep problems to chronic acne to anxiety. Many people are surprised to discover that their symptoms are the result of their hormones. Hormone imbalances can affect both men and women. Sleep Problems Progesterone and estrogen levels can both play a role in your sleep, and they react in different ways. If you have trouble falling asleep or do not feel rested after sle

All allergic reactions are immune system disorders. The symptoms can vary in harshness between individuals and also depend upon the allergen. Many allergies result in symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes.Pollen, dust, and cat and dog hair often cause these types of symptoms. All of these allergens are airborne particles. These types of allergies are much different from food-related allergies , although both are immune system reactions. When you have an allergy and you are exposed to the allergen, your immune system overreacts to the stimuli. Allergens are all harmless substances, but your body mistakes them for dangerous substances. Your immune system reacts by producing antibodies and continues to react to the substances each time you are exposed. Allergies can develop at any time. You may become allergic to something you were not previously allergic to, and your allergies may change in severity over time, as well, as your body responds differently to

Part of being healthy is protecting your heart health, which in addition to regular exercise, can be achieved simply by incorporating a few select foods into your regular diet. In fact, the following 16 foods contain naturally occurring nutrients that have been shown to improve heart health. Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in cold-water fish such as wild salmon, tuna, anchovies, sardines, flaxseeds, chia seeds, almonds, and walnuts are beneficial for increasing blood flow, which is good for the heart. Also, Omega-3s also help lower triglycerides, a type of fat that contributes to heart disease. Nut Grass-fed Meat and Dairy Products - have a more balanced omega 3 ratio to omega 6 due to eating grass rather than genetically modified corn, also high in natural Vitamin A and D. Pastured Chicken Eggs - yes, eggs are good for the heart, especially chickens that are eating their natural diet of earthworms, grass, and insects rather than genetically modified cor

Holistic Healthcare holds many key benefits over traditional medical treatments. One of these is its inherent ability to treat so many health ailments without encouragement or exaggeration of side effects and complications. When it comes to particularly advanced health conditions, being able to affect condition positively without inducing additional problems is especially vital. Holistic means to treat the body as a whole. I would like to specifically address traditional, big pharma-based cholesterol medications. This group of drugs is administered to millions of people each year. Certainly, one cannot say that successful cholesterol maintenance via his route has not been achieved. One reason for this drug group's market successes is that of successful outcomes. However, another reason for such market success is due to lack of awareness in the alternative, holistic treatment methods. Big-pharma cholesterol drugs do indeed help with many cases of cholesterol management. In many c