The fall season provides us with plenty of ways you can add powerful healing foods into your diet, all the while adding delicious additions to your meals. Here are a few of my favorites…

 

Apples

Fall is made for apple picking, apple cider, apple pie and more. And with more than 7,500 types of apples available you can pick your favorites and add them to juices, salads, snacks or just enjoy them “straight up”. Not only are apples delicious and low calorie, but they are also packed with antioxidants including flavonoids. What does this mean for you? Well for starters, it could lead to an apple a day really keeping the doctor away! These antioxidants may help prevent chronic illnesses and slow down aging. Also, food scientists at Washington State University recently published a study that showed compounds in apples – particularly Granny Smith apples – may help prevent disorders associated with obesity. No matter how you slice, dice or juice it – apples are a seasonal fruit that should be on everyone’s must-buy list!

Dr. V’s Recommendation: Try eating apples the next time you get a sweet craving – they will satisfy you without the guilt. Want another easy way to get your apple a day? Try a scrumptious apple, carrot and ginger juice. It’s the perfect way to start your day and the ginger gives the juice a great zing to get your blood pumping!

 

 

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables are taking up major real estate in farmer’s markets and grocery stores during this time of year and you’ll want to be sure you’re taking advantage of them because your body will thank you. When I say root vegetables I’m talking about: beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, rutabagas and turnips. These easy to prepare veggies are filled with vitamins, beta-carotene, potassium, flavonoids and anti-oxidants. I want to take a moment to highlight beets.   Though they’re available all year round their “peak time” is fall. And when you add them to your dinner plate you’re bumping up the nutrients in your meal – nutrients that may help prevent heart and liver disease, and increase blood flow to the brain and potentially reduce the risk of dementia.

Dr. V’s Recommendation: Fall is the perfect time to make roasted root vegetables. They’re not only easy to prepare they are also delicious to eat. Simply clean and slice your root vegetables, mix them up with extra virgin olive oil and roast.

 

 

Brussel Sprouts

Before you groan about this green vegetable that you probably tried to avoid as a child; do a little bit of online research and you’ll see there are an abundance of amazing recipes that include this powerful cruciferous vegetable! Beyond the wide availability of yummy recipes you can include them in, brussel sprouts also contain powerful cancer-fighting glucosinolates compounds along with antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals.

Dr. V Recommendation: I like my brussel sprouts all sorts of ways: raw, roasted, shredded, sautéed, and whole, the opportunities are endless. Try this easy and delicious brussel sprout slaw by shredding and sautéing them with sliced shallots and olive oil, then mixing in cooked and chopped lean turkey bacon. If you want to avoid meat and include protein, top your prepared slaw with a fried egg. Lip smacking and healthy!

 

Wishing you good health

Dr. V

 

Over the past two weeks the Ice Bucket Challenge has become one of the hottest – or should I say coldest – viral video campaign in our country. Celebrities and “regular folk” from coast-to-coast have been pouring cold buckets of ice water (and hopefully donating as well) all in the name of ALS awareness and research. Though many of us have watched a few of these videos and some have even participated in them, not everyone actually knows what the cause they’re promoting is in the first place. Let me break it down for you so we can add some education to all of this awareness!

 What is ALS?

ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” a name that may ring a bell for you. The disease is progressive, and affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, impacting the motor neurons that go from the brain to the spinal cord to the muscles in the body that control voluntary movement. When I say voluntary movement I mean walking, using your hands, talking, etc. It does not impact muscles that control involuntary movement, which means it doesn’t impact breathing, your heart and so forth. As these motor neurons deteriorate and die, the brain becomes less and less able to control voluntary muscle movement, which eventually leads to muscle atrophy (this means they become smaller and thinner) and then total paralysis, organ failure and for some, death. Most ALS patients die within three to five years of diagnosis.

Is there a cure?

There is currently no known cure for ALS, but the good news is there is a wealth of understanding about the disease and there is also one FDA-approved drug that has been shown slow its progression as well as several promising clinical trials for drugs that will do the same. There are also treatments that can help make it more manageable and prolong survival.

No matter what your opinion on the Ice Bucket Challenge is, the numbers don’t lie. Donations have been staggering since its inception and are reaching high into the millions. These monies will then be used to help aid even more research, trials and hopefully will help us get to therapies that can reverse it and cure it forever!

 

Wishing you good health.

XO

Dr. V

 

 

It’s hot and you need to cool down, so you reach for a…nice warm drink?  Huh?? Yes, you read that right, instead of reaching for an ice cold glass of something to refresh yourself you may just want to grab a warm mug of tea or coffee instead.  Sound crazy?  Here’s why it works:

When you opt for a warm drink instead of an ice-cold glass of anything, your body temperature rises, and then something else happens, you begin to sweat.  Sweating is your body’s way of cooling down. Now in order for your body temperature to actually cool off after having a warm beverage you need to ensure that this newly produced sweat can evaporate off your skin. So you can’t be bundled up in clothing or dripping in sweat so much that the sweat can’t evaporate from your skin into the environment – let’s say because it’s really humid outside. But if given a chance for that sweat to evaporate your body will cool off!

Now this cool down isn’t due to your core body temperature rising.  Scientists believe that it’s due to special receptors, called thermosensors, found in nerves in the mouth, tongue, and throat that respond to heat. When the tongue and mouth sense heat these receptors tell your brain that you’re hot and then you begin to sweat, which leads to the cooling off process. Why not try this cooling off experiment the next time you feel like you need to beat the heat and tweet me your results!

 

Wishing you good health!

 

Dr. V

 

This weekend Debbie Gibson bravely shared her latest health news with the world: she has Lyme disease.  The admission was brought on by a flurry of posts in the Instagram and Twitter world making negative comments about her super-slim frame; a result we now know is due to her condition.  I’m proud of Debbie for coming forward and putting her famous face on a condition that is more common than you may realize.

In the hopes of shedding some light on this timely topic as well as teaching you some essential information about risks, symptoms and treatments I’ve created the essential guide to Lyme disease you didn’t even know you needed, but will be happy you read!

 

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria found most commonly in deer ticks. When a deer tick bites you it transmits the bacteria via your bloodstream. In most cases, it takes 36-48 hours for a tick to transmit the bacteria causing disease so simply finding a tick on you after a day in the woods is NOT a sure sign that you’ll be infected.

That said those who are infected deal with health issues that if left untreated can lead to chronic joint inflammation, memory problems, heart rhythm irregularities and neurological issues like facial palsy.

 

Where Can One Catch Lyme Disease & What are the Risk Factors

Ticks that carry Lyme Disease are most common in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States. They love to hang out in grassy or wooded areas.  If you’re outdoorsy or spend time in these areas in the warmer months you will want to be extra careful when out enjoying the great outdoors.  One way to help prevent tick bites is by keeping your skin covered.  Ticks attach easily to bare skin so stick to long sleeves and pants when in tick-friendly areas.  When you’re back in from outdoor time, do a tick check (or turn it into a romantic activity with a partner).  The key to Lyme Disease prevention post-tick bite is early removal so make this a priority when you get home!

 

Signs & Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Just like any health issue I’ve talked about with you in the past, Lyme Disease signs and symptoms are different depending on the person and your body, but early signs and symptoms are as follows:

 

• A small red bump at the site of the bite that begins to expand into a bulls-eye pattern over the course of a few days.  You may find one or several of these rashes on your body.

• Flu-Like Symptoms – Including chills, fever, body aches or a headache

• Joint Pain – Which can also be accompanied by bone swelling.

• Neurological Issues – These issues occur because of inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain and can happen years after your initial infection.  They can include numbness or weakness in your limbs, and impaired muscle movement.

 

When to see a doctor

NOT every deer tick bite leads to Lyme Disease! But, if you’ve been in a tick friendly area recently, and been bitten and believe you’re experiencing symptoms contact a physician immediately.  Even if you think your symptoms are improving or disappeared, still check with a doctor.  A doctor can draw bloodwork and perform tests to confirm or exclude Lyme disease.

If you test positive for Lyme Disease, don’t worry! Since it is a bacteria born illness it is responsive to antibiotics. So, if you feel ill GO TO the doctor. This is yet another reason why seeing your doctor when health issues arise is a good thing.  Remember that early detection and early treatment truly does lead to improvement in your health and life!

 

Wishing you good health.

XO

 

Dr. V

Oh yes ladies and gents it’s that time again … the WEEKEND!! And this weekend (and Monday) is extra special because not only is March 17^th my Daddy’s birthday, Happy Birthday DAD, but it’s also St. Patrick’s Day! And I have a feeling you may be out partying into the wee hours of Tuesday Morning. If you do plan a pub crawl this weekend or Monday night here’s a few hangover tips to help you Drink Right At Night so you can actually make it into the office on Tuesday morning. My Dad was an Army man and always says “prior planning prevents poor performance.” So let’s have a plan about how we are going to ensure that you have a safe, satisfying St. Patty’s Day!

BEFORE:

• Hydrate & eat something – begin your night of partying on a full stomach!
• Know how you’re getting home before you leave the house – have a plan that is safe and secure that you won’t have to think about while out celebrating.
• Prepare for your arrival home & the morning after: eye cream and bottled water in the fridge, alarm clock set for Tuesday bright and early!
• Avoid any green body glitter, hair color or anything else that will impress at a parade but not in the office!

DURING:

• Match each pint of beer or mysterious green cocktail with a tall glass of water.  Or switch to soda water & lime once you start to feel “buzzed.” There’s nothing wrong with partying sober! No one has to know it’s not a cocktail.
• Have a buddy! Who will keep you in check and make sure you have a safe trip home.

AFTER:

• When you arrive home REHYDRATE with water or coconut water – get potassium & other electrolytes back into your body!
• Prep your face for The Morning After- wash, hydrate, & use your fab face creams!
• Sleep with an elevated pillow to relieve eye puffiness!

The Monday After: 

• Keep the hydration going: include water & natural fruit juices like cranberry or apple juice to put natural sugars back into your body.
• Don’t skip breakfast:
  • Try wholegrain bread – a great source of detoxifying B vitamins!
  • Eggs –they are packed with cysteine which can help clean up leftover toxins from alcohol in your body.
  • HOLD the COFFEE – that Cup o’Joe you normally have in the AM will dehydrate you more. Wait a while before having coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages.
  • Toss a banana in your bag for a natural potassium boost! Enjoy it as a snack especially if you still don’t feel fab after breakfast.

Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day and don’t kiss every blarney guy (stone) you meet at the bar.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend & St. Patty’s Day!

Smooches,

Dr. V