Amino acids are one of the most common supplements that I prescribe in my office for my rheumatology patients. What are amino acids? They are the tiny building blocks that make up proteins. Around this time of year before Thanksgiving, there is a lot of talk about L-tryptophan in turkey making you feel sleepy. In reality, the tryptophan in turkey is probably not what makes you feel tired. It is most likely the parasympathetic, “rest and digest” state that you enter after

The work of Amy Yasko has been quite eye-opening for many parents with autistic children. I have enjoyed adapting her work for my patients with autoimmune disease, specifically regarding the role of heavy metals and detox. At this point, there is convincing research about the role of low-grade infections in those with autoimmune disease. In addition, methylation mutations are associated with autoimmune diseases. (See just one of many studies, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pu

Summer is our favorite time of the year for fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables and lots of outdoor activities. It seems like summer should be the healthiest season of the year. The beautiful weather also means that family and friends will be gathering for outside BBQs, and this is where summer health can go very, very wrong. Here are ten tips to stay healthy and keep your inflammation low this summer. 1) Eat healthy 6 days a week. When trying to maintain a balanced life

Autoimmune patients with chronic inflammation and pain often lack a sense of well-being. They commonly explain this feeling like a cloud or fog that stops them from thinking clearly and/or feeling well. Oftentimes, the rheumatologist explains that pain or depression will cause these feelings. While this is very true for some, many patients separate this feeling from their pain and insist that they are not depressed. Many patients know that it is more than this. There is an

When a relative from Italy came to visit America, he asked “Why is everyone in America giving away gluten?” This was his interpretation of GLUTEN FREE listed in every store window. It is no doubt that gluten free has become a major health fad throughout the country within the last few years. Pizzerias, bakeries, and major food chains are now incorporating the change into their menus. Many people are now wondering how eliminating gluten could possibly help them. Here is a br

This post is something new. I want to provide a list of MY favorite superfoods for people with arthritis. For these patients, pain is a major difficulty. Many of the pharmaceutical drugs that are used to treat pain are simultaneously anti-inflammatories and analgesics. The analgesics are the drugs that will work quickly to relieve your pain. The anti-inflammatories take longer to work because they change the prostaglandin environment, which takes time. There are natural

This post is something new. I want to provide a list of MY favorite superfoods for people with arthritis. For these patients, pain is a major difficulty. Many of the pharmaceutical drugs that are used to treat pain are simultaneously anti-inflammatories and analgesics. The analgesics are the drugs that will work quickly to relieve your pain. The anti-inflammatories take longer to work because they change the prostaglandin environment, which takes time. There are natural

If you are anything like me, the last couple of weeks have been inspiring in its beauty. Warm sunshine, budding trees, flowers popping up from the ground, and the beautiful echos of my sneezes ringing through the halls. Yes, indeed, it is allergy season again. While the spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year, it is also a time of agony for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. According to the CDC, over 16 million adults have suffered from allergies, or