While people may suffer from seasonal mold allergies when levels are high, mold-related illness may be something you’ve heard is “all in your head. And indeed, that’s an accurate statement, but not in the way you think! The problem with mold exposure and subsequent neurological illness is that often we assume just because we can’t readily see something that it doesn’t exist. Yet in the face of more chronic neurotoxic factors that are impacting our environment from multiple sources, we must talk about how to recognize the symptoms of this harmful exposure so we can be better prepared to treat it accordingly.

Always looking for ways to enhance our immune system responses, we were extremely interested in a recent study that noted promising results using both vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and quercetin as a potential antiviral protocol in combination with other prescribed medications. If you aren’t familiar with quercetin, this is simply a plant-based flavonoid, found naturally in some vegetables, seeds or grains and widely available as a nutraceutical supplement as well.

Perhaps at no other time in our recent history has there been a better reason to stop and look at the path our health may have taken. Certainly, the COVID 19 events over the last few months have indeed forced us to regroup and rethink some of the most basic things – from washing our hands and avoiding too-crowded settings, to donning a face covering and, oh, yes, washing our hands!! We know that these things may be necessary now and some are just common sense measures that we may already have been doing. But, we also have to ask – why aren’t we hearing nearly as much, if at all, about things that may increase the risk of COVID 19, not to mention the risk of numerous other health conditions?

You’ve undoubtedly heard of the Mediterranean diet, long-touted for its healthy eating principles that include a plant-based focus with lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish and especially, the healthy benefit of olive oil! The tenets of this diet have been found to not only reduce the risk of heart disease, but there is increasing evidence it also can positively contribute to healthier aging and cognitive function.1

We talk about the benefits of “food as medicine” and recent study findings point to the validity of following the “Prudent diet,” a long-established protocol founded upon consuming fresh vegetables and fruits, legumes, whole grains, fish and lean poultry. In a paper published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal (July 2020) the study found that diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who followed this type of dietary plan evidenced a 46% lower risk of relapse for multiple sclerosis.

Odds are you or someone you know suffers from migraine…according to information from the Migraine Research Foundation affects nearly ONE IN FOUR households. That means in one of every four homes, someone is likely to be afflicted with this often-disabling disorder. Those are really stunning statistics, especially in light of some new research that has come to light.