Holistic Health Tips from Brooklyn Chiropractor Dr. Donna Sergi

Under-eye bags and circles are common, especially as we age. They can make you look tired or sad even when you're not, and they definitely add years to the appearance. Bags under the eyes are an annoyance for many. They can also be difficult to get rid of or to camouflage. If you're dealing with dark circles under your eyes, keep reading to learn about their cause and how to get rid of them. "Under-Eye Bags" -  What Are They? Over time, the supportive tissues beneath and around the eyes begin to weaken. Even the muscles that support the eyelids can become weak. Fat supporting the eyelids then shifts position, coming to rest in the lower eyelid area. It is this deposit of fat that we classify as under-eye bags. Adding even more puffiness is fluid that can accumulate between the eyes. Symptoms of this bothersome issue include loose skin, swelling and the appearance of dark circles beneath the eyes. This is a natural occurrence and usually nothing to be concerned about...

GMO foods, short for "genetically modified organisms," are foods containing living organisms that have been through an artificial manipulation process in a lab to alter their genetic material with genetic engineering. This process creates combinations of animal, plant, viral, and bacterial genes that are unstable and do not traditionally happen in nature. These genetically modified organisms are created with the ability to survive, despite the use of chemicals such as herbicides and insecticides. While GMO foods do not offer farmers increased yield or drought tolerance, and do not offer the consumer increased nutrition, there is evidence supporting the fact that GMOs not only lead to health problems, but to environmental damage as well. Controversy surrounds GMOs in the food industry, as a high percent of the population believes that non-GMO foods should be labeled as such, but food companies do not necessarily want to provide that information to consumers. While many food...

Food labels are meant to provide the consumer with all of the information about the product, including nutrition, ingredients, and possible allergens. However, food labels have some wiggle room when it comes to providing the whole truth. The more you know about what is and is not included on food labels, the easier it will be to make educated decisions when it comes to what you eat. Reading a Food Label A food label usually lists ingredients and information required by law on the back of products, while putting the brand name and marketing information on the front. Typically, there are buzzwords included in the marketing information, such as gluten-free, natural, organic, or low fat. These are written to hook the growing number of consumers who are health conscious. Are Food Labels Trustworthy? Although it may seem that government officials require food labels to be completely honest, food manufacturers actually only have three primary goals: Sell the product in high quantities Pr...

A person's allergies change several times over the course of their life. This is caused by natural shifts and modifications in the body's internal chemistry. Most mainstream allergy treatments only serve to alleviate the allergy symptoms and not treat the actual allergy. It is possible to determine the source of your allergies, including environmental allergies , to change your body chemistry. This is a natural and safe way to get relief from your symptoms instead of turning to many of today's traditional pharmaceutical remedies. Experiencing allergy symptoms is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong. Just treating the symptoms alone does not fix the problem. The body's chemistry can become easily imbalanced, and your allergies can worsen, or you can develop allergies to things you were never allergic to before. There are some different ways to restore balance and help to alleviate allergy symptoms non-evasively as well as effectively. What Are Env...

Many people enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. Did you know about the organic coffee option? There are many artificially flavored coffee options that may not necessarily provide you with any nutritional benefits. The organic coffee connoisseur has some good news for you; there are many benefits to drinking organic coffee. The first item that may surprise you to know, organic coffee can fit into your budget. Your wallet will appreciate the organic coffee choice, and you will appreciate the many benefits that organic coffee provides. Reasons and Benefits Buying and drinking organic coffee will provide you with many benefits. Some of the numerous reasons to switch over to organic coffee include: No chemicals used in the washing of the coffee beans. Conventional coffee beans are washed in a pool of chemicals. Organic coffee beans will not use any chemicals to treat them. The possibility of lowering your risk of chronic diseases Major savings on your overall health Benefits to t...

Food is essential for our bodies, but certain foods can trigger what is known as a food allergy. A food allergy occurs when your immune system mistakes a food as harmful and attacks it. It can occur at any time and is generally followed by various symptoms including rash, itchy skin and hives. In more serious cases it can even be fatal. Because food allergies affect people differently, it can go unnoticed or simply mistaken as food intolerance. Food Allergy Vs. Food Intolerance Food allergies differ from food intolerance in that your body actually digests the food, then views it as harmful, as opposed to simply having the inability to digest it. Food allergy symptoms also differ from food intolerance symptoms, which include heartburn, gas, bloating, cramping, headache and irritability and nervousness. Some common food allergy symptoms include: Itchy ear canal or mouth Runny nose Sneezing Red skin around the eyes Nausea or vomiting Itchy, dry skin or rash (eczema) Diarrhea...

If you've ever wondered what the secret to a flat stomach is, sometimes it's as simple as maintaining your gut health. Occasionally, what is known as bad bacteria can accumulate in your gut and cause all kinds of negative effects such as inflammation, bloating, causing you to crave bad foods, and even triggering certain allergens. Therefore, maintaining your gut health is not just a key component in eliminating belly fat, but it's also important for preserving your overall health. What is Gut Health and What Does It Refer To? Gut health is becoming a popular term to define the overall state of your gut. The gut contains a gut barrier and gut flora, or intestinal microbiota, which are responsible for maintaining the proper balance in the gut. Within the gut are more than a trillion active microorganisms that regulate the mucosal immune system and metabolism, as well as protect the body from infections and help ensure the GI barrier stays intact. An intact GI barrier sust...