Q: My son’s pediatrician just prescribed antibiotics for what she thought was bronchitis. I thought the antibiotic choice was strange since I was prescribed the same one weeks earlier for a stubborn urinary tract infection. I usually take herbs for infections and know that different herbs are used for different bacterias. Isn’t there a way to match antibiotics...

Next time someone tells you to watch your cholesterol, consider this: low-cholesterol diets have actually been shown to cause hormone-imbalances, obesity and diabetes. The emphasis on a low-fat diet reduces the intake of fat and causes an increased consumption of carbohydrates and trans fats. For women, lack of adequate levels of cholesterol in the body can be a real issue...

I’m sure most multi-taskers think multitasking is healthy and efficient because we get work done faster than usual. But is it really the way to go? Barbara Rowley of Natural Solutions says that multitasking “pushes the brain to work in ways that end up making it slower and more error prone than good, old-fashioned focusing.” When I read this, I thought,...

If you already visit a naturopathic physician or Chinese medical provider, you’ve heard of nutraceuticals or phytoceuticals, commonly prescribed to complement your course of treatment and sometimes referred to as dietary or food supplements. These substances are natural but they are still medicines! Here’s my professional guide to supplement shopping. If you’re...

Kids spend so much time on their feet, walking, running and playing. An active child takes an average of 20,000 steps per day! Parents often ask me what shoes are best for their kids. So, here are my tips: Choose footwear that is completely flat and widest at the ends of the toes (not just at the ball) Choose footwear that is flexible and lightweight. Avoid built-in...

When you indulge in a wonderful cheese or splendid wine, think about what’s making it taste so good: it’s rotting. Of course, in the case of the cheese or wine, the rot has taken place in a specific manner, allowing us to control the flavors. We’ve been fermenting foods since we’ve been cooking to prevent and minimize spoilage and extend the life...

Q: Whether or not I get five or eight hours I tend to have trouble falling asleep each night. I guess I’m looking for a way to shut my brain down at night and be free of stress. How can I convince my brain it’s time to go to sleep? It would be great to avoid medications. Chelle S. San Diego, CA A: Acupuncture can be so effective at inducing sleep that one patient left...

Q: I’m pregnant and worried about getting stretch marks! Is there anything I can do to prevent them for these 10 lunar months? Laura G. Portland, Oregon A: Stretch marks, also known as striae, appear as raised, red lines on the skin. These striae are caused by the loss of elasticity in the dermis (collagen and elastin), the underlying skin layer. These non-forgiving...

We love interacting with our readers, whether it’s Twitter, Facebook, comments or our Ask the Experts column. Part of the effort to interact more closely to you guys is for us to share our own experience. What happens when we take our own advice? I tried it so you can see. Oatmeal has been mentioned several times on the site as a healthy ingredient and energy booster....

Gluten sensitivity affects one third of the American population. These are people who have mild to moderate symptoms from eating the proteins found in wheat and other grains. Celiac Disease, the most extreme form of gluten sensitivity, affects 1% of the population. A recent study showed that people who are gluten sensitive and have been properly diagnosed could save...