Castor-oil packs are one of the most important tools I have as a naturopathic doctor for gently, effectively and inexpensively supporting health on several fronts simultaneously. Although the internet is filled with directions for doing castor-oil packs, every...
Organophosphate pesticides kill agricultural pests by poisoning their brains. New research suggests those chemicals may harm young human brains, too, increasing risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) even at low doses. Researchers looked for evidence...
If you’re a label reader, you may have taken comfort in the word “natural” that sometimes appears next to “flavoring.” It's time to think twice. Some of what falls into that category is hydrolized vegetable protein, which also sounds innocuous but from some...
You know that sugary sodas aren’t healthy, but are they really that bad? A 2010 study reported in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, put out by the American Association for Cancer Research, found a huge health impact in a small number of...
You know the smell that's left on clothes, furniture and hair after being around cigarettes? Turns out the chemicals causing that smell, dubbed "third-hand smoke," offer a whole new kind of cancer risk. When cigarette smoke mixes with nitrous acid — a common household...
Bisphenol A (BPA), a common chemical used in polycarbonate plastics and often found in the lining of food cans, is frequently in the news because it also disrupts human hormones. Researchers have known for a while that the chemical can impair female fertility. But new...
Cell phones are now indispensable to many people around the world, but are they endangering your health? Not all the research is clear, but some studies find strong connections to cancers of the brain and saliva-producing parotid glands with extensive use over time....
Radon, common in Portland basements and homes, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Here are resources to learn more about radon — and protect yourself from its harmful effects.
The media has propelled estrogen-mimicking chemical bisphenol A (BPA) to the forefront of health news. It’s ubiquitous, and it’s likely in your body. The chemical, developed as an estrogen replacement, is commonly used to harden plastics such, most commonly...