Even as summer vacations draw to a close in much of the nation, the perils of sunscreen to the environment remain in the news. Of local interest to those of us here in Tampa are recent media reports about a potential ban on certain types of sunscreen — namely those that might provide the best protection against the sun but are toxic to coral reefs. Turns out that even tiny amounts of sunscreen that wash off a swimmer’s skin in the ocean is enough to cause corals to bleach, lose their algae food source, and make them susceptible to viral infections. In addition, the chemical oxybenzone — an active ingredient in many sunscreens — inhibits the ability of baby corals (polyps) to attach themselves to the reef. The chemicals in commercial sunscreens may also affect the health of oyster domes and other filter-feeding organisms. Environmental concerns have risen to the point where some […]
Health Advice
Do you feel more tired than usual? After lunch, are you reaching for coffee or something sweet as a pick-me-up to push you through the rest of your workday? To top it all off, no matter what you do, you can’t lose weight–especially in the belly area. These are common symptoms that occur when your insulin levels rise, putting you in “fat-storing mode.” This is also why nothing that used to work in the past to shed those extra pounds is working for you anymore. You probably feel frustrated and exhausted both emotionally and physically. Let me try to simplify this complex process for you. Every cell in your body requires glucose for energy production. However, sugar cannot go into your cells without its partner in crime, insulin. Insulin is one of the body’s most important hormones that can be described as the “key,” which attaches to, unlocks the cell,
Approximately 30.8 million Americans, representing 9.5 percent of the adult population, suffer from chronic sinusitis — inflammation of the nasal passages that lasts for at least three months despite treatment. And in Tampa, where chronic nasal issues are rampant, residents are similarly at risk. Symptoms include the following: Nasal congestion Thick, discolored discharge from the nose or throat Post-nasal drip Pain, tenderness, and swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead Impaired or lost sense of smell Persistent cough Symptoms may also include these: Earache Aching teeth or upper jaw Sore throat Bad breath Fatigue Many people who suffer from chronic sinusitis try to
After a close inspection of our professional development calendar and a peek at next year’s desk calendar — still wrapped in cellophane — we’ve finalized our holiday schedule and office hours here at BioDesign Wellness Center. Here’s what you need to know: We will be closed beginning Saturday, Dec. 22, for some advanced training and a well-deserved holiday break for all of our doctors, nutritionists, health coaches and back-office staff. We will reopen at 9 a.m. sharp on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. If you have a need to call our Tampa Functional Medicine practice with any important or urgent health issues over the holidays, our answering service will be taking messages and we will return calls on Dec. 27 & 28. If you have a medical emergency, please do not call BioDesign Wellness. Instead, call 911 or go directly to the emergency room. We are so grateful for our patients
In September of 2016, a tap water database published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) revealed that 20 regions in Florida had drinking water with levels of chromium-6 higher than those deemed safe by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). These regions include Sarasota (county and city), Tampa, and Tallahassee, where water from one source tested 75 times the “safe” level! While chromium-6 may not ring a bell, you’re probably familiar with the name of the legal clerk who brought international attention to this dangerous chemical — Erin Brockovich. While working as a clerk at a Los Angeles law firm, she uncovered documents that led to 600+ residents of Hinkley, California, filing a lawsuit against the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Company. That lawsuit accused the company of contaminating the community’s drinking water with chromium-6, and it ultimately resulted in a $333 million settlement. Chromium-6 is a known carcinogen
Over the Fourth of July weekend, it is estimated that Americans will consume 150 million hot dogs, 700 million pounds of chicken, and 190 million pounds of beef. They’ll spend over $1 billion on beer and another $568 million on wine. That doesn’t account for the number of soft drinks, chips, crackers, and tasty desserts that will be consumed over the long holiday weekend. Celebrating the holidays with family and friends and sharing snacks, meals, desserts, and beverages of all kinds are great ways to relax, release tension, and rejuvenate our minds. But depending on what we eat and drink, and how much, and what we do before and after, a long party weekend can take its toll on the body. To make the holidays healthier, we recommend a few ways to prepare your body for any overindulgences, moderate your consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages, recover any ground lost