Omega-3 fatty acids help keep your brain sharp, maintain a healthy weight, and support a robust immune system. 

Approximately 40 percent of all cancer cases can be attributed to modifiable risk factors. These are risk factors based on habits that are within our control.

Whether it’s to exercise more, eat better, or learn a skill, many of us have made resolutions for 2023. As a physician, I’d offer an additional resolution that may not sound exciting but could be the key to a longer, healthier life. 

One of the myriad labs tests we run at the Amen Clinics and in my private practice is the Omega fatty acid index to test for Omega 3, 6, and 9 ratios. 

We’ve heard this a million times – eat less sugar. But, I think it’s really important to understand the WHY behind the importance of eating a low-glycemic diet and what that really means. The long-term consequences of unbalanced blood sugar include binge eating, weight gain, disrupted sleep,…

Over the past several weeks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been investigating a rise in invasive group A strep infections among children following reports of increases in pediatric infections in Colorado, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and other states. Group A strep infe…

A lot of folks are trying a dry January – a month of no alcohol - and I think it’s a good idea to take a break now, if not for longer – especially after the festive holiday season.

As we close out the year, this is a good time to reflect on this past year and what you’d like for the New Year. A lot of folks make resolutions to lose weight, get their budget in line, or quit smoking/drinking. I’d like to offer a new vision. Instead of making resolutions that usually don’…

Fairfax County introduced a map-based health inspection report database this fall.

In the cold winter months, I love cuddling up with a mug of delicious ingredients that serve a purpose – a healing medicinal elixir. This functional beverage contains herbs, spices, and anti-inflammatory ingredients that promote healing. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and is a ver…

The first cohort of the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program graduated at John Lewis High School on Dec. 17.

Quality sleep is one of the most important variables to improve your brain function, longevity, and performance in all aspects of life. Sleep disturbance accounts for numerous doctors’ visits and health problems. Just one night of interrupted sleep can increase the hunger hormone, ghrelin an…

Did you know….In Fairfax County, more than 81,000 people are experiencing food insecurity? Eating a healthy diet is difficult without access to nutritious food. You can help.

One of my favorite holiday cookies is the Thumbprint cookie which has a little dollop of homemade jam in the center. Some years I have even been known to freeze a bit of my homemade jellied cranberry sauce and use that as the jam in the center. These cookies are gluten and dairy-free and bec…

According to the Capital Area Food Bank’s 2022 Hunger Report, 41 percent of Fairfax County households with children experience food insecurity. Across the U.S. in 2019, 10 percent of households were, at times, unable to acquire adequate food for one or more household members because they had…

The holidays are notorious for increasing stress levels. We have numerous responsibilities, higher costs of gifts and food, parties, and the challenge to adhere to some resemblance of our healthy diets. 

I plan on having a few indulgences over the holidays and you should too. Most of us are trying to eat healthier, maybe trying to lose weight or overcome a specific health issue these days. But, it’s ok to have a slice of pie or a cookie or two. So go ahead and enjoy them, but try not to stra…

Approximately 0.7 percent of women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer at some point during their lifetime, based on 2017–2019 SEER data. Hispanic women have the highest rates of developing cervical cancer, and Black women have the highest mortality rates from cervical cancer. However, th…

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) is sharing a new public-facing dashboard that informs residents of trends in opioid overdoses and overdose deaths in the Fairfax Health District.

With Thanksgiving and the holidays approaching, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite side dishes to complete your holiday meal. Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of fiber, Vitamins K, C, and folate. Sweet potatoes are also high in fiber and beta-carotene. This dish is my favorite…

Intestinal hyperpermeability or “leaky gut” is a condition in which the gut barrier is compromised. This can lead to a heightened immune response, endotoxin absorption, increased inflammation, and adverse GI symptoms. 

We know the realities of pancreatic cancer.

Magnesium is one of seven macro minerals that are essential for life. It has many functions in the body and is involved in more than 600 enzymatic reactions. Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function, helps make protein, bone and DNA, supports energy production, helps transport other esse…

Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus, a virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages. It usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This rare form of cancer occurs when the germ-fighting cells of the immune system (T-cells) begin to attack a person’s skin.

Unfortunately, the low-fat and fat-free mantra of the 80s and 90s still lingers with some folks. I have had an increasingly large number of clients (who are mostly over 50 years of age) still purchasing low-fat and fat-free foods. They suffer from low hormones, memory problems and low grade …

Who is at greatest risk of dying by suicide? The answer may surprise you. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, of the approximately 130 people who die by suicide every day in the United States, about 70 percent are white men. Men in general are nearly four times as li…

One thing on my mind today is my numerous friends and family who live in Florida that are dealing with significant water damage or even just small leaks. This water damage can go on to become major sources of mold and mycotoxins if left unremediated. These historical water events can result …

Stress is one of the major contributors to illness, disease, inflammation, and doctor visits today. When we can’t manage our stress response, the body becomes inflamed with too much cortisol and our sleep suffers, our blood sugar suffers and we can become generally unpleasant to be around.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient — it helps our bodies absorb calcium and keeps our bones strong. But finding the balance between getting too little and too much isn’t always easy.

More and more today we are consuming excessive amounts of simple carbohydrates and sugary foods that are causing an epidemic of inflammation and disease. Bread, cereal, pasta, cookies, crackers, bagels, muffins, croissants, donuts, pizza, rice, and highly processed packaged foods all break d…

When most people think of public health, they may conjure images of doctors and nurses or vials of vaccines.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among kids and teens. “According to the most recent data, about 5,000 children and adolescents die by suicide – and those numbers are before the pandemic, which with the pandemic is exacerbating mental health concerns,” said Ravinderpal Singh, MD,…

As fall approaches, coffee shops abound with pumpkin-spiced everything. There are pumpkin-flavored muffins, bread, pies, and the OG pumpkin spice latte (PSL).  But, have you ever looked on the website of a coffee shop and viewed the ingredients, let alone the sugar grams in one of those beve…

When Anailys Allones returned home from her two-week vacation to visit family, she did not expect to arrive home to a nightmare. It was the culmination of a months-long struggle to get the attention of the management at Residences at Government Center. The nightmare was mold, covering her co…

This fall, we recognize National Cholesterol Education Month - a time to reflect upon the importance of heart health and highlight the impact of high cholesterol on cardiovascular disease (CVD). As a cardiologist and physician researcher who feels passionately about diseases of the heart, mo…

Local fathers share experiences on generational health

Are you bloated after meals? Gassy, tooty, burping? These are all signs of digestive dysfunction. The most common problem is a LACK of hydrochloric acid or HCl. As we age, the amount of stomach acid we produce goes way down. Stress, a higher carbohydrate diet, sodas containing phosphoric aci…

A new survey from Inova found that stigma prevents many from seeking help when suffering from addiction. 

Life is messy and full of distractions. How many of us planned to go to bed early only to stay up streaming our favorite shows? What about scheduling time to work out, then getting caught up in work and running out of energy? Even when you’re highly motivated, it’s easy to get sidetracked. T…

Candida is one of those trendy new things that gets blamed for a lot of health issues today. But, to be honest, yeast overgrowth can have profound impacts on our health if not diagnosed and treated properly. 

Many people are fearful of developing Alzheimer’s disease, especially those with a family history of the condition. Researchers are investigating innovative treatments for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, but no cure exists right now.

Screening more patients and saving more lives

The kiddos are heading back to school or perhaps even you may need some fresh new ideas for building a better lunch. Make sure you and your child get enough protein for those powerful amino acids, fiber from vegetables to feed your gut flora and keep you fuller longer to a healthy fat that k…

Do you live in Fairfax County and have a well, spring, or cistern? Learn about your water quality through the statewide Virginia Household Water Quality Program. The Fairfax County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), within Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood & Commun…