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Have you heard about turmeric? Derived from underground stems of the ginger plant known as Curcuma longa, this bright yellow spice is commonly used in Indian curries. It’s also a popular supplement thanks to a powerfully anti-inflammatory and antioxidant active...

Genetic testing is big business. More than 26 million people have taken an at-home ancestry test, according to a report issued by MIT Technology Review in early 2019. In fact, the industry seems to be accelerating - as many people purchased an ancestry test in 2018 as...

Investing in your health is something every person should do, but many don’t know where to start. Finding the time and money seem impossible, and for some selfish, to devote the resources needed for the level of self-care that provides optimal wellness. Even so, it’s...

I believe in the power of supplements to help you reach your physical and mental peak. I’ve written about some of my favorite supplements for heart health, increasing sex drive, getting the most out of your workouts, anti-aging, brain health... I could go on. That...

It’s no secret that I’m a huge proponent of exercise to improve physical and mental health. Whether you’re working toward a fitter physique or struggling with stress, exercise can help. When training for a goal, though, it’s important to remember not to overdo it....

Your health is your best asset, and your diet can have a huge impact on it. You probably have a general idea of which foods you should be eating—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish—but what about which ones to avoid? Here’s a list of 16 potentially cancer-causing...

As an integrative physician practicing in Los Angeles, I often consult with celebrities. But I never dreamed I’d have the privilege of working with professional athletes—specifically, more than a dozen teams in the National Basketball Association! Every year, the NBA...

Have you heard about the benefits of drinking red wine but dismissed the claims as too good to be true? Believe the hype! While you obviously won’t do yourself any favors if you down a bottle every night, moderate consumption of red wine has consistently been shown to...

I have been more and more convinced about the health benefits of intermittent fasting – limiting your eating to an 8-hour (or so) window within each 24 hour day. But even if that seems too difficult, at least try to limit late-night snacking. Let’s be real—the phrase...

Do you sometimes feel off after eating but can’t pin down the cause? Have you wondered if you have food allergies or intolerances but aren’t sure how to find out what they are? A simple blood test can check to see if your body sees 100+ different foods as foreign,...

In an earlier post, I talked about some of my favorite pre-workout supplements for men. But, as a triathlete and physician who works with a lot of athletes, I’ve learned there’s more to a good workout than vitamins and protein powder. Here are a few tips for getting...

Even if you’re working out at home because of COVID, it’s always good to maximize your efforts. These supplements can help you get that summer body before summer is over. I’m not just a physician who works with a lot of athletes—I also regularly compete as an athlete...

If someone offered you a magic pill that would fix all your problems, would you take it? Of course you would! That’s why the supplement industry is such big business. Lured by the promise of products that will make us younger, stronger, thinner, and smarter, Americans...

In the post below, I explain that certain supplements are good for everybody, though you’ll ideally get individualized recommendations based on your specific health issues and goals. Here are five more supplements that everyone should take. But before I get started, a...

During our current times I felt it appropriate to share an older blog post about the time I pushed myself to try a new challenge. I hope this post can offer an opportunity of reflection when facing hard times, that we are capable of overcoming challenges and can excel...

Having a drink (or two) may be getting to be more of a habit while stuck at home. Given the consequences of overindulgence—not just addiction, but also increased risk of cancer and other serious conditions—and the fact you're going to drink anyway, what are the...

Fix Your Brain Every day I have patients who come to me asking what they should take to help prevent memory loss or to treat depression or “brain fog” – a loss of ability to concentrate fully. Though people often come to me looking for a magic pill, there is one...

Have you heard people talking about intermittent fasting? Fasting involves organizing your eating into a schedule of extended periods without food consumption punctuated by smaller windows where you’re allowed to eat, and proponents claim it can help you lose weight,...

My healthy alcohol options for the holidays blog post was so popular, I decided to share some other healthy-ish options for those of you continuing to celebrate into the new year. Whether you’re doing apres-ski or hosting an Oscar party, entertaining doesn’t mean you...

The holiday season is upon us, and while it can be a happy time shared with family and friends, it can also be incredibly stressful—not to mention hard on your waistline. In a 2016 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the weight of American...

One of the the things I hear over and over again from my patients is how hard it can be to find time for exercise. Let me tell you, I get it! As a physician with a family who also happens to be an Ironman triathlete—an experience I talk about here—I’m painfully aware...

Hair loss can be tough to handle. You have so much power when it comes to optimizing your physical and mental health, but when your hair starts thinning, there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. Or is there? As I explain here, hereditary hair loss (androgenic...

Do you feel like you never see the results you want no matter how hard you hit the gym? Has your fitness level plateaued? As a triathlete who works with a lot of athletes, I get it. The good news is, you may only need to do a bit of tweaking in order to achieve your...

A demanding job, the tumultuous political landscape, physical exhaustion, aging, side effects from medication…There are a lot of reasons why a man may find his libido lagging. While it’s perfectly normal to experience ups and downs when it comes to sexual desire, you...

The rise of social media has taken the marketing of weight loss supplements to a whole new level. So-called “influencers” ranging from movie stars to fitness gurus use their platforms to hawk products to their many followers, claiming they themselves use and benefit...

Women aren’t the only ones who are constantly bombarded with seemingly unattainable body images. You only need to turn on your TV or flip open a men’s magazine to see shirtless guys with bulging biceps and washboard abs. First of all, remind yourself that those guys...

Hormone imbalance is an issue often discussed in women’s health, but it’s a problem for men, too. Remember puberty? Your hormones were going crazy, and it probably affected your quality of life. As you age, your hormone levels can get similarly out of whack, causing...

More and more people are stopping to consider where their food comes from, as well as the effect their dietary choices may be having on their health. Perhaps you’re considering modifying the way you eat but aren’t sure about the best way to educate yourself. With all...

Whether your favorite team makes it to the big game or not (as an Angeleno who used to live in New Orleans, I am still reeling from their playoff game), the Super Bowl is an excellent excuse to throw a party. This year, why not skip boring old beer and go for...

The do-it-yourself (DIY) movement has thoroughly permeated our culture. People are doing everything from brewing their own beer to butchering their own meat, often in the interest of saving money while learning something new. But what happens when you apply the DIY...

Protein. We all know it’s important for our health, but beyond that, things can get a little murky. How much protein do I really need? What kind? What are good food sources of protein? What about protein powders? As an athlete and a physician who works with athletes,...