Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, collards, cauliflower, and kale contain several plant compounds important for health and immune system support. One of the best compounds within these cruciferous vegetables is called sulforaphane, which is an organic sulfur. Sulforaphane supports many aspects of cellular function including reproduction (cell division) and apoptosis (programmed cell death). Several types of cancer exhibit abnormal apoptosis where cells don't self-destruct and become immortalized in their diseased state. Studies demonstrate that just three servings of broccoli per week can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by more than 60%. But it is also effective against colon, liver, breast, and lung cancer (induced by tobacco). Sulforaphane is a very powerful chemoprotective compound. In addition to sulforaphane, there are other potent phytochemicals inherent in cruciferous vegetables that not only reduce cancer risk but can break antibiotic resistance and bacterial biofilms.

Among all the countries in the world, Taiwan has the highest percentage of people on dialysis treatment. Taiwan is followed closely by Japan and the United States. Learning how to create and maintain healthy kidney function is critical for Americans. Each of your two kidneys is made up of a million little filtration units called nephrons. Each nephron includes a filter, called the glomerulus, and a tubule. The nephrons work through a two-step process: the glomerulus filters your blood, and the tubule returns needed substances back to your blood and removes waste. The waste is processed into urine and excreted from the body. Uric acid, creatinine, excess minerals, pesticides, food additives, unabsorbed medicine, alcohol, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals are removed in a vital but demanding and complex process.

The British Journal of Sports Medicine published a new study linking the ability to complete a 10-second, one-legged stance with something called all-cause mortality (death from any cause) in middle-aged and older adults. This means that middle-aged people (and older) who cannot stand on one leg for more than 10 seconds have almost doubled their risk of death within the next decade of their life. The study consisted of 1,702 volunteers (68% male) aged 51 to 75 years old from 2008 to 2020. A total of 20.4% were unable to complete the one-legged stance for 10 seconds. The older the volunteers, the higher the probability of failing the test. After taking gender, age, and underlying conditions into account, the study pointed out that people unable to stand on one leg for 10 seconds had an 84% increased risk of death from any cause in the next decade. This is equivalent to nearly double the risk of people who passed the test. The length of time a person can stand on one leg is related to his or her sense of balance and muscle strength. I immediately had to try this test and fortunately, after a few wobbles, was able to successfully complete it on both legs (one at a time, not both together!).  

Studies published over the years suggest it is wise to avoid milk completely or to consume it sparingly. In his landmark book, The China Study, Dr. Colin Campbell showed that the protein casein in milk was the number one consumed carcinogen on the planet. Regular consumption of this animal protein turned cancer on like a rheostat. The lower the level of casein consumption, the lower the risk of cancer. Additional studies have tied milk to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, gluten sensitivities, and a host of other problems. Eliminating milk from your diet can seem like an impossible task. But there is hope and science which can help you minimize adverse effects if you just feel your body craving "Got Milk?" If you do opt for a little milk, make sure you get raw milk from local farms that raise their cows 100% grass-fed (no GMO feed!). Pasteurization creates dead milk devoid of anything living and nutritious. And one last note—make sure the milk is A2, not A1. What's the difference? Glad you asked.