Biotin

All of you have heard that The B vitamin called Biotin is good for nails,hair and skin.

Naturally,what foods are high in Biotin?

These are, Soybeans,Mushroom,pumpkin seeds,sunflower seeds,peanuts,tomatoes.

Biotin is necessary to build healthy fats in the skin.

It was determined by several studies that adding high biotin foods in a lactating mother reduced signs and symptoms of cradle cap in nursing babies.

Other sources of biotin include eggs,milk,meat,onion,carrots,Romaine lettuce,cauliflower,sweet potatoes,oats,bananas,raspberries,strawberries,watermelon,yogurt,grapefruit,cucumber.

However,a caution!

Do not eat raw eggs,as raw eggs can can interfere with biotin absorption,because raw eggs have avidin.

Seizure medications can cause biotin deficiency,hair loss,brittle nails,seborrhea can dermatitis.

A combination of biotin and zinc can help in seborrhea or dandruff.

One can give a trial of this supplement for 2 to 3 months.

Lemongrass

I wanted to share how I use this herb on a daily basis.

I have Two plants potted in my yard in ground and two of lemongrass plants potted in nice pots and currently they are in the house because of cold weather season.

Lemongrass is used in Thai foods.

Several years ago while we were traveling to Australia,we were served lemongrass tea.

This was just lemongrass leaves ( which look like blades of grass) and thick stems on the bottom 

Chopped well and warmed up at slow heat for 30 minutes or so.

One can strain it to drink.

Be careful as the leaf surface is sharp of the lemongrass.

In my herbal tea that we drink every morning I let fresh grated ginger,cardamom,mint leaves and lemongrass leaves cut into small pieces added to boiling water with tea leaveson slow heat.I add milk to this and boil again.

It is ready to start my day!

To one cup of water,1/3 to 1/2 a cup of low fat milk is usually plenty.

Herbs and memory

Did you know that herbs like Thyme,Rosemary,chamomile can improve memory,attention and focus?

Did you know all cultures across the world use different spices in foods and drinks.

When we are talking about thyme,I am reminded-indeed about the middle Eastern ZAATAR.

The main ingredients are thyme,sumac,coriander.Fennel,sesame,oregano,crushed red pepper is added to several varieties of Zataar.

I will show you a real easy way to use ZAATAR.

Take a pita bread,whole wheat or White wheat .Brush it with olive oil.

Add black olives cut into tiny pieces on to bread strike down all over.

Take some fresh mint and finely chop it and sprinkle again over the bread.

This is ready to be warmed up and served as appetizer or you can roll the pita bread and cut into small circles and eaten as a finger food.

Warm the bread in oven at350 degree for 10 minutes.

Super supplements

There are so many supplements around when you are in a health food store and you do not know when to start.

I will outline 6 of supplements that matter to our health.

Turmeric( Curcumin)

Resveratrol

VitaminD

Good quality multivitamin with no fillers or flavors

Probiotics

Alpha lipoic acid

Fish oil good quality with good amount of DHA

The secret world inside you

Did you know that the American museum of Natural history has this exhibit in New York?

The " micro biome" is the buzzword in medicine .

There is another exhibition in Amsterdam " the micropia" showing us the world of microbes that lives on us ,inside us.

Www.micropia.com

Acid indigestion and PPI( proton pump inhibitor class of drugs)

I get requests for refill of generic omeprazole,or Nexiumor devil ant or Prevacid all the time.

I have discussed the side effects of long term use of these medicines with my patients and they always state it is very difficult to change dietary habits but they have to have the  "Nexium"

Now to pen down the long term side effects of this class of drugs,

They have been proven to increase risk of heart attack.

They are known to cause osteopenia,osteoporosis,B12 deficiency,hip fractures,community acquired pneumonia,increased risk of C Difficille infections,increased risk of IgE mediated allergic reactions.

Now it's time to change diets and reduce our dependence on these pills.

Cholesterol

It is so interesting that my cardiology friends are pushing drugs after drugs,in maximum possible doses of statins to reduce cholesterol.

When I learnt my pharmacology and physiology or I read more recent articles,I find a contrary information.I am being taught that cholesterol is necessary for health and longevity.

All of us know that Cholesterol is the precursor to steroid hormones,like testosterone,estrogens.

It is important for structural integrity and fluidity of cell membrane.

Cholesterol is a neuronal anti oxidant.

It is essential for synaptic neurotransmission.

Now,you can judge yourself as to why you would want to lower your cholesterol to such low numbers that your function of other important organs are affected.

The research has shown increased incidence of dementia,Alzeimers in patients with medication lowered cholesterol.

I have had many patients with low testosterone and hormone imbalance if they have been on very high doses of statins.

There is a beautiful video of "War on cholesterol by my teacher,Dr.Perlmutter which you can watch for more info on YouTube.