Healthy Brain = Healthy Body
What do you think of when you see the words "Healthy Brain"? Most of us think about our parents or grandparents and how they forget things or aren't quite as sharp as they used to be. However, this is only part of the equation for a healthy brain and its...
Is Lack of Sleep Making You Sick?
Poor sleep is a common issue for many. Look at the numbers: Adults who were short sleepers (less than 7 hours per 24-hour period) were more likely to report ten chronic health conditions compared to those who got enough sleep (7 or more hours per 24-hour period)...
e-Sports Supplement Guide
Attention all e-gamers, you need to take a hard look at adding supplements to your daily routine. The demands of e-gaming can negatively impact your health and performance while playing. This blog will cover several areas e-gamers should consider supplementing their...
5 Key Supplements for Heart Health
Cardiovascular disease is the #1 Killer of Americans. About one-third of the deaths worldwide are caused by a heart or stroke-related disease. Several years ago, I wrote my first book, “4 Pillars of Health: Heart Disease,” and covered even more, the statistics about...
It’s Never a Bad Time to Focus on Your Immune System
Challenging times for immune health stimulated the reason for writing this article. While recent events have prompted most of us to take our immune health more seriously, there are others who face immune challenges on a daily and lifetime basis. While understanding...
A Twist on Plant Based Diets
Over the past decade, we have seen a migration to a “new” diet. As if we didn’t have enough “diets” to choose from, i.e., paleo, vegan, vegetarian, Atkins, etc., plant-based can be a bit confusing to most. This blog will take a closer look at what a “plant-based...
Stress and Your Immune System
You may be shocked to learn a connection between mental wellness (health) and your immune system. The scientific term for this connection is psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), the study of the interactions between the brain and the immune system. The central nervous...
Understanding Soluble Fiber: Inulin
Fiber 101 Most of us now understand that fiber should be an essential part of our everyday diet. However, most people don't know that there are two types of fiber: Soluble and Insoluble. They are both critical for health. What’s the difference? Simply put, soluble...
Stress: Its Negative Impact on Digestive Health
How Does Stress Impact the Digestive System? First and foremost, it is essential to understand that the brain and your digestive system (gut) are in constant communication. There are more nerves in your gut than in the entire spinal cord.[i] When your body is...
Revisiting PEA
If you haven't heard of PEA previously, please take note of this blog. PEA is automatically produced by your body when key areas (cells and tissues) are damaged (an injury) or threatened to become damaged by stress. The production of PEA is highest in response to...
Start the New Year Running: Condider Key Supplements to Get off to a Great Start
Are you on the wheel of New Year’s Resolutions? Does this sound like you: you start one in January and never finish the goal, so you start over again the next January? Why wait until the new year to start. As we look forward to the new year, you may be on the long...
Men’s Health
Regarding “Men’s Health,” two areas are at the top of the list: genitourinary (reproductive organs and urinary system) and cardiovascular health. The genitourinary system receives a lot of press with the abundance of commercial advertisements around prostate health...
Technological Advancements to Improve Your Supplements: Bioavailability
Necessity is the mother of invention (innovation), a commonly used proverb when someone comes up with a way to do things better or hasn't been done previously. This proverb is not limited to ultra-technical fields and is now quite the driving force for innovation in...
Total Body Recovery
When we think about body recovery, the first thing that comes to mind can be different for each of us. For me, I think about recovering from a workout. Others may think about recovery from a medical condition. This blog will focus on two areas of body recovery:...
Sage Advice for Menopause
Menopause is the natural decline of female reproductive hormone production and the conclusion of a woman’s menstrual cycle. It usually begins sometime in the 40s or 50s. Common menopause symptoms include hot flashes, brain fog, vaginal dryness, chills, night sweats,...
Foundational Digestive Help (Health)
When builders build a home, they usually start with a solid foundation and then work up from there. The same is true concerning taking care of your body and overall health. For example, since digestion plays a significant role in your overall health, starting with a...
Let Food Be Your Medicine: Botanicals ROCK!
Hippocrates was credited with saying, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." He was an important figure in the history of medicine because he was among the earliest to assert that natural processes caused diseases. The idea of what we eat and drink...
Underlying reasons you may struggle with your weight
One of the more popular questions I receive is, "What can I do to lose weight?". Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who claim to eat right and exercise and still struggle with their weight. As a 58-year-old male, I have noticed the same thing. I eat an...
Back to School or Work Help
Regardless of age, going back to school season is a great time to make sure you have a few of the essential health areas covered. We need to focus on four areas: Immune Health, Stress, Sleep, and Memory/Focus. This blog will dive into what supplements can be...
Technology & Supplements: Advancements and Improvements
Coming from a traditional pharmacy background, I have always been intrigued by the technology that went into creating medications. What has been great to see are the technological advancements in natural medicines too. This blog will cover just a few of the “cool”...
Beets: Are They the Next Superfood?
They have been a superfood for multiple reasons and are becoming popular for the benefits beetroot provides to health. To understand why beetroot should be considered a superfood, we need to take a look at what the definition of a superfood is: according to...
Sexual Dysfunction Revolution: Natural Health to the Rescue
The Herbal Pharmacist® blog recently published a blog on infertility in men, which received copious amounts of praise. Requests were made for an article for men and women regarding more sexual health concerns. This article will cover topics few wish to discuss, yet...
Male Infertility: Who doesn’t want to hear “Happy Father’s Day”?
One thing you don't see very often is blog posts on infertility. This blog will address a common issue and some natural solutions to consider. According to a study published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, “Infertility affects an estimated 15% of couples...
E-Sports Supplements: Beyond Caffeine
Attention all e-gamers, you need to take a hard look at adding supplements to your daily routine. The demands of e-gaming can negatively impact your health and your performance while playing. This blog will cover several areas e-gamers should consider supplementing...
Brain Health: Thinking “Outside the Box”
Recent studies show that we may need to focus on our body's ability to produce BDNF to maintain, improve and repair brain health. While starting with an acronym isn't always the best attention grabber, knowing the acronym has something to do with brain health should...
Ancient Botanicals with Modern Applications
Hippocrates was credited for the saying “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. He was an important figure in the history of medicine because he was among the earliest to assert that diseases were caused by natural processes. Currently, the idea of what...
PEA vs. CBD
I introduced you to PEA and its many proven health benefits in a previous blog. The question often comes up of how PEA compares to CBD. The battle of the three-letter acronyms starts here! PEA stands for Palmitoylethanolamide, and CBD stands for Cannabidiol. We can...
Prostate Health: Not Just an Old Man’s Concern
It is amazing how many men don’t know much about their prostate. It seems the only men who do anything are those who have a problem with it. This article will help explain why this gland is so important, what health issues can arise and how to support prostate health...
Chaga: Ancient mushroom with modern health benefits
History The first mention of the use of Chaga comes from the 16th century, and its use in Russia. Chaga was used in a variety of ways, including general well-being, internal cleansing, and curing and preventing diseases in general.[i] While we can’t say that Chaga...
Where and How Your Herbs are Grown Matters
In a previous blog, I wrote about the advancements in technology and how these innovations contributed to making our supplements better. However, it is good to note where and how your herbs are grown may impact their effectiveness. When we factor in different growing...
Advances in Technology Benefits Your Dietary Supplements and Health
Necessity is the mother of invention (innovation), a commonly used proverb when someone comes up with a way to do things better or hasn't been done previously. This proverb is not limited to ultra-technical fields and is now quite the driving force for innovation in...
e-Gaming Supplements: Improve your Health and Gaming
Attention all e-gamers, you need to take a hard look at adding supplements to your daily routine. The demands of e-gaming can negatively impact your health and your performance while playing. This blog will cover several areas e-gamers should consider supplementing...
Cognitive Health at Work, Play, Sports, e-Gaming and More
What is Cognitive Health/Function? What do you think of when you see the words “cognitive health”? Most of us think about our parents or grandparents and how they forget things or aren’t quite as sharp as they used to be. Let me be the first to tell you that...
Mental Wellness – Balancing Stress, Sleep and Cognitive Health
We often hear about mental illness, but not mental wellness. Is the concept of mental wellness new to you? Consider this; mental wellness is about how all aspects of your life, i.e., social, emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual, and how they collectively...
Finish the Year Strong
Normally I do a long post on specific health challenges and my natural approaches, but today I want to encourage you to finish this year strong and carry it over into the new year. Check out my blog post on Goals and how to set/achieve them. Why wait until the...
COVID-19 vs. Common Flu Herbal Pharmacist Perspective
Since the "outbreak" of COVID-19, I have been dumbfounded by how much fear is being pushed down our throats by the media and governments. If you take a look at the “REAL NUMBERS” of both worldwide Flu and COVID-19, you can see that the Flu is much worse...
Black Cumin Seed: An Ancient Seed with Powerful Immune Support
Black cumin seed oil, a.k.a black seed oil (N. sativa or NS) and thymoquinone have been thoroughly studied for decades. With the heightened interest in ingredients that support immune health, taking a look at the extensive research done with regards to...
Foundational Supplement Program with Whole Food AstaPure® Arava
One of the most pressing questions consumers have is, “What supplements do I need to take daily?” The answer should be simple, start with a strong foundation. Just as if you were building a home, you would first pour a strong foundation in which to build...
Sarcopenia: The New Osteoporosis
Your Muscle Will Tell You More About Your Health Than Just Strength Before you blow by this article keep this in mind, muscle health or should I say lack of muscle health is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, the overall health of your...
Simple Steps to Achieving Your Goals
My concepts are Foundational and Fundamental ideas on achieving your Goals. Whether or not your goal is directly related to your health or not doesn’t really matter. The information I share will help you with whatever your goals may be. To reach your goal, you must...
Holiday eating: Let your food be your medicine.
Thanksgiving launches us into a feeding frenzy each year. During the weeks following Thanksgiving and all the way through New Years we will eat just about anything put in front of us. We will treat our plates just as a painter does their canvas: Fill it all in with...
Total Body Makeover-Cleansing
Want to look good? Sometimes you need to start your work from the inside. Cleansing and detoxification systems are the best way to start your total body makeover. As long as the focus of our year is building a strong health foundation, the topic of cleansing is...
Antibiotic Use and Probiotics
Even with public awareness campaigns by the WHO (World Health Organization) and other authorities, the over-prescribing of antibiotics continues. We can’t blame patients for this necessarily because we are at the mercy of our health care providers to determine the...
Probiotics Linked to Improved Skin Health
Are you showing more skin these days? Don’t take that the wrong way-with Spring here and summer on the way, it is an important time of the year to focus on your skin. It seems like now more than ever our appearance matters most. Since the skin is the largest organ...
Eye Health
In the next several months, different organizations will be honoring specific eye health months such as Glaucoma Awareness Month and AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month. This prompted me to write a general article on eye health. Now it is time to help those (like me) who...
Digestive Woes? Foundational Digestive Help 101
Too often we overlook the importance of taking care of this part of our body until something goes wrong with it. Conditions such as Heart Burn, Acid Reflux, GURD, Diarrhea, Constipation, IBS, IBD, Crohn’s, Leaky Gut Syndrome are getting out of control yet most of us...
Probiotic 101
True or False: All bacteria are bad for you. False! Simply put, there are two types of bacteria found in/on the human body-pathogens (disease causing) and probiotics (life promoting/friendly). In the large and small intestine, probiotics (also known as Flora or...
Are you bathing suit ready?
The winter is over, spring has sprung and depending on what part of the country you live in, it may be bathing suit season already. The fall and winter months are unkind to most of us because colder temperatures lead to less physical activity. Those same months are...
Using tonics for sustained health
For over a year now, I have made the shift back to using mostly herbs as part of my supplement program. My foundational supplements now include what are better known as tonics. In short, tonics are herbal in nature and provide nutritional support to a particular area...
Avoid Winter Dry Skin Issues
Now that we are into colder weather, dry skin becomes more of a problem. When we turn on the heat in our homes, the dry winter air plays havoc on our skin. In more severe cases the skin will crack and bleed. I hope after reading this tip you can all avoid problems...
Foundational Supplement Program
One of the top questions I get asked is “What supplements should I really take? There are so many supplements available and the thought of where to start can definitely be overwhelming. Keeping with my philosophy of “foundational and fundamental health” I will explain...
Knowing this number could save your life
What number you ask? Your Omega-3 Index number or perhaps better stated; your omega-3 levels. Why is this number so important? Omega-3s play a critical role in in just about all aspects of health because they are a key component of each and every cell membrane in your...
Trouble Sleeping? Easy and drug free solutions
For many of us falling asleep at night is like work. For others, we may fall asleep fine but wake up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back to sleep. Whatever your sleep dilemma, I am here to help. You may not be aware of the potentially severe health effects...
Children’s supplements
As a parent of two children I understand the everyday challenges and concerns of keeping our children healthy. Let’s face it, getting our kids to eat healthy at home is a challenge, but at school and other outside events it is nearly impossible. I believe it is even...
Memory and Cognitive Issues
While working in my pharmacy I had a regular customer who came in monthly to purchase her memory pills (lecithin). She would walk in and say “Dave, I need my memory pills” and reach down and pick up a bottle and walk to the register. One day several months later, she...
Understanding High Blood Pressure
This blog post is an excerpt from my book on Heart Disease. This does not have any of the solutions to high blood pressure but is designed to explain what it is and why it can be so devastating if not treated properly. I firmly believe that in order to treat or...
Cholesterol 101
Everything I read speaks of cholesterol and lipids, but those phrases don’t work for me. The reason I called this article abnormal blood fats is that depending on which component we are speaking of-LDL, HDL or Triglycerides-the ideal value is relative to each...
Clean Slate i.e. Cleansing
Want to look and feel good? Sometimes you need to start your work from the inside. Cleansing and detoxification systems are the best way to start your total body makeover. Since your year should be focused around building a strong health foundation (core health), the...
Hemorrhoids- Silent suffering
Many people have hemorrhoid problems at some time. They can happen at any age, but the incidence increases after age 30. About half of the people over 50 have had hemorrhoid problems at some time in their life. Hemorrhoids are often linked to both diarrhea and...
Urinary Tract Infections-Natural Solutions
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common. It is estimated that just over 10 percent of women have this type of infection each year. It is also estimated that over half of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime. What is even more serious are about 10...
Kitchen spices for a healthy flu season
As the cook in my family, I have learned to incorporate many herbs and spices into my daily cooking that will improve my family’s overall health. Below you will find some of the more popular and tasty spices to reach for this year’s cold and flu season: Turmeric: This...
Obesity Epidemic
Obesity is now killing three times as many people as malnutrition according to a landmark study published in the British medical journal, The Lancet. Researchers who authored the study conclude that obesity has taken the place of hunger as the No. 1 health crisis...
Prepping for Cold and Flu Season
Cold and Flu: The 4-Pillars of Health Approach It is that time of the year again. Cold and Flu season is upon us. In order to understand how to prevent or even treat the cold and flu, I though it might be better to explain how the immune system works and who the...
The War on Fat: A contributing factor to how we got fat.
I am writing my next book and decided to make it on the topic of weight. Why, well you will have to read the book when it comes out. For now though I felt compelled to blog on something I discovered in my research and post something about it now: There seems to be a...
Antioxidants and Diabetes
Building a strong foundation is critical for your health—and antioxidants are a critical element in the structure of your health regimen. When selecting antioxidants, it is important to focus on those that are targeted to a specific health issue that you are either...
Sugar Industry Deception
If you haven’t seen or heard of this recently; the sugar industry paid scientists in the 1960s to play down the link between sugar and heart disease and promote saturated fat as the culprit instead. How the Sugar Industry Shifted Blame to Fat 50 Years Ago, Sugar...
Allergy relief
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America website (www.aafa.org), “an estimated 50 million Americans suffer from all types of allergies (1 in 6 Americans) including indoor/outdoor, food & drug, latex, insect, skin and eye allergies. (Allergy...
Acne-Free Skin
Here is my expanded protocol for handling your acne/boil issues. Part 1 Cleansing Cleansing is actually divided up into two types when it comes to your acne needs. The first type is to use a more dramatic/deep cleanse. These “total” body type of cleanses (ex....
Diverticulitis Solutions
I have been putting off writing about this topic for years. I think it is not that “sexy” of a topic nor do I think that most people want to discuss it (or read about it). BUT, out of the abundance of questions from friends and acquaintances I decided that now is the...
Does your body need a tune-up?
Time for a Tune Up Recently while waiting for the oil in our car to be changed, I came to the conclusion that I needed to write an article on scheduling regular Body Tune Ups. If you follow your automobile’s owner’s manual, you will see scheduled times or miles to...
Arthritis: It isn’t just an “old-person” disease
Take a minute before you read my blog to watch this movie clip with Ben Stiller where he is told he has arthritis by a doctor and sort of freaks out (because he doesn't think he's old enough). [video width="1280" height="720"...
Infant Help: Colic relief
Recently I have been receiving several questions about the use of supplements in infants. Colic is one of those issues that leave a person feeling helpless. If you have ever been around a child with colic it is almost as unpleasant for you as it is the screaming...
Resistant Starch: Adding more to your diet could save your life.
If you have been following my blog, television and radio segments you would know that I am not a big fan of starchy foods. Especially rice, pasta, bread, potato and processed/boxed foods. These foods have contributed to our increases in obesity, diabetes, cancer,...
Sunburns-Treat them inside and out
I think by now we all know about how to avoid sunburn. Regretfully, it still happens. Last week I was at the Airport in New York and saw a couple that looked like they belonged at a Lobster Boil. I have even been burned (so to speak) recently by failing to pack...
Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome
Due to a constant increase in people with diabetes, pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome, I felt it would be a good idea for a quick refresher course on what supplements can be used to help with blood sugar and insulin resistance issues. Be cognizant that supplements...
Hydration Tips: Not just because you’re thirsty
Water- Perhaps the most critical nutrient! It is estimated that 60 percent of your body weight is water. Staying hydrated is the key to so many aspects of health. Most people take water for granted. We don’t usually think about staying hydrated until those warmer...
Top 5 Killing Diseases in America
According to the CDC website, over the past 75 years the top 3 killing diseases have not changed. Heart disease, cancer and stroke lead the way and according to a recent information found on their site, the top 5 diseases that are killing Americans are: Heart Disease...
Antioxidants-Free radicals eliminators
So no doubt you have probably heard of antioxidants by now, but why do we take them? The answer is simple; we are constantly being bombarded by “Free Radicals”. We only ever hear about taking antioxidants because they are good for you and never hear or understand what...
Which Diet is best for you?
When it comes to weight loss, there's no shortage of diet plans. Check any magazine rack, and you're bound to see the latest and greatest diet plans. The question is this though, how do you know if a diet plan fits your needs and lifestyle? Before you begin, ask...
Want a healthy child: Use more fats
The role of fats and children’s health is nothing less than critical. Too often when we hear the word fat or fats our brain tells us to run screaming the other direction. In the case of our discussion on building a strong foundational supplement program for your...
Carbs 101
Popular low-carb diets like Zone, Atkins, South Beach, and Paleo limit the intake of carbs yet I don’t believe that many people understand what they are or if they are really good/bad for you. As I watched a recent television infomercial (yes I was up late one night)...
The Power of Vitamin D
In the past several years I have spent numerous hours researching Vitamin D and the truth behind the correct amounts to take and more. Why? There seems to be a ton of confusion revolving around Vitamin D. What form do I take? How much should I take? Can’t I get enough...
Glycemic Index and its impact on your health
For years I have written on weight loss, blood sugar, heart disease, cancer and just about every condition under the sun. One thing I haven’t ever covered is the Glycemic Index (GI) and its impact on your health. The glycemic index, or GI, measures how a...
Are You Getting Enough K2? I doubt it
VITAMIN K As parents, we realize in the delivery room how important Vitamin K is right out of the gate. One of the first shots your child will ever get is a shot of Vitamin K. Why? Babies are born with a Vitamin K deficiency. This deficiency makes newborns more...
Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome
Due to a constant increase in people with diabetes, pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome, I felt it would be a good idea for a quick refresher course on what supplements can be used to help with blood sugar and insulin resistance issues. Be cognizant that supplements...
Are supplements regulated by the Government
Is the natural product industry regulated? This is a very common question and misunderstood area of natural medicine. For me as a pharmacist and health expert, it is imperative the products (supplements, foods, etc.) that I suggest effective, but that they also are...
Simple steps to Guarantee Succeeding with your Resolutions
My concepts are Foundational and Fundamental ideas on achieving your Goals. Whether or not your goal is directly related to your health or not doesn’t really matter. The information I share will help you in whatever your goals may be. To reach your goal, you must...
New Years Resolution- Weight Loss?
Admit it, it is much easier to pop a pill than to eat less and get more activity. (This is the secret to weight loss-consume fewer calories than you burn—unless you have a metabolic disorder) In order to lose one pound, you need to burn 3500 calories. Simply put, if...
Mental Clarity: Are your thoughts cloudy?
Mental clarity issues are becoming a very hot topic these days. Parents now come to me looking for something to help their children as well as themselves. There are a multitude of reasons we can suffer from decreased “mental” power. Issues like not enough sleep,...
Managing Chronic Pain Naturally
When I ask people what is the most prevalent chronic illness, chronic pain isn’t even mentioned. Conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke are usually mentioned long before someone says anything remotely related to pain. Shockingly though, chronic...
Giving: A great way to heal
In a day and age when most of us are thinking about ourselves, along comes a bright and shining star-Vitamin Angels. Vitamin Angel’s is a non-profit organization that connects children under five with essential nutrients, giving them the chance for a brighter future....
Hidden Weight Loss Solutions
Over the past several months I have created a firestorm of backlash on posts about how to lose weight or even recently asking the question “If a child is significantly overweight, should it be considered child abuse?” First, let me say that I am more than both...
Healthy Digestion 101
Too often we overlook the importance of taking care of this part of our body until something goes wrong with it. Conditions such as Heart Burn, Acid Reflux, GURD, Diarrhea, Constipation, IBS, IBD, Crohn’s, Leaky Gut Syndrome are getting out of control yet most of us...
Sorting out the B.S. about Cholesterol
Abnormal Blood Fats I toiled with the title of this section for a few minutes. Everything I read spoke of cholesterol and lipids, but those phrases didn’t work for me. The reason I called this section abnormal blood fats is that depending on which component we are...
How to build a strong supplement foundation
My simple approach is to start building your supplement program from the bottom up. Even the Bible says that a strong foundation is built on rock or deep in the ground. The same thing holds true with our health. In order to build a stronger and healthier you, we need...
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Solutions
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common. It is estimated that just over 10 percent of women have this type of infection each year. It is also estimated that over half of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime. What is even more serious are about 10...
Why use supplements?
I am often challenged by dieticians who claim that we can get all the nutrients we need from our everyday diet. Perhaps 100 years or so ago that was possible. In our modern days of genetically modified, pesticide and fertilizer covered, hormone injected, antibiotic...
How to build your own supplement program
Regardless of your current state of health - "healthy as a horse" or "one foot in the grave" - my four part program will have a significant impact on how you feel. Most of you who have been a loyal reader of this newsletter, attendee of my seminars, or listener of my...
Is Beauty only Skin Deep?
Start Inside-out! Wow is that a painful question! With the rise in sexy magazine covers and the desire to look like the cover girl or guy, Americans are constantly looking for the way to look and feel better. Is beauty only skin deep? My experience is that you need to...
Using Tonics to improve your health
For over a year now, I have made the shift back to using mostly herbs as part of my supplement program. My foundational supplements now include what are better known as tonics. In short, tonics are herbal in nature and provide nutritional support to a particular area...