MORE BLOG POSTS
Got Stress ?
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
…If not, you are definitely in the minority! In fact, over half of all Americans report experiencing chronic daily stress. This is a 16-point increase over the past two decades and the highest level recorded to date! This is a major problem because chronic stress poses significant health risks. The human body was never designed to withstand chronic stress. Have you ever watched an episode of National Geographic and seen an animal frantically running away from its predator? Once the chase is on, it can only end in two ways. Either the animal succumbs to its predator, or it successfully escapes to live another day....
Pharmaceutical-Grade vs. Regular Nutritional Supplements: Key Differences
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Did you know that over 85% of Americans spend over $30 billion annually on nutritional supplements?! If you are one of the 85%, then you’ll want to make sure that you’re spending your hard earned money wisely! When choosing nutritional supplements, you may come across terms like pharmaceutical-grade, medical-grade, or regular supplements (also called over-the- counter or commercial supplements). Understanding these distinctions is extremely important if you want to purchase safe, quality, supplements that actually work. Overview of Pharmaceutical-Grade vs. Regular Supplements Pharmaceutical-Grade Supplements Pharmaceutical-grade supplements must meet higher purity, potency, and bioavailability standards than regular supplements. They are often...
Cancer Prevention Part II
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Did you know that over 2 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer last year alone? Many people mistakenly believe that cancers are hereditary…but in fact, only 5-10% of cancers are attributable to genetic factors. A whopping 90-95% of cancers are actually caused by lifestyle and environmental factors. Here are some of the main causes of cancer-related deaths: 25–30% are due to tobacco use 30–35% are linked to diet 15–20% are due to infections 20-25% are due to other factors like radiation, stress, physical inactivity, and environmental pollutants. In Part 1 of this two-part series, I discussed the top five most commonly diagnosed cancers in...
Cancer Prevention Part I
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
We all shudder when we hear the “C” word, and rightfully so. Over two million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. That’s almost 5,500 new cancer diagnoses each day. The good news is that over 50% of cancers are preventable. According to the American Cancer Society: • The rate of cancer diagnoses has risen and reached an all time high in 2024 • Of all cancer deaths in people under the age of 50, colorectal cancer is now #1 in men and #2 in women. • The incidence of four screenable cancers is rising (colorectal, breast, prostate,and cervical). In...
Thyroid Hormone Testing Explained
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Confused about thyroid hormone testing? …You’re not alone. In fact, most patients AND health care practitioners have difficulty understanding hormones in general and thyroid hormone in particular. One reason for this confusion is that many things can affect the way thyroid hormones work in the body. This can result in a patient having numerous symptoms of thyroid hormone imbalances despite having ‘normal’ blood work. Adding to the challenge of diagnosis is that some thyroid hormone levels can’t be tested in the blood. BUT…one major reason thyroid hormone imbalances go undiagnosed or aren’t properly treated is that thorough testing is often not ordered by...