Introduction Addiction is a worldwide problem resulting in great economic, health, and social burdens. It is estimated that 4.7% of the global population ages 15–64, or 184 million people, consume illicit drugs annually. 1 Addiction to legal substances is also a problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20.8% of all adults smoke cigarettes, totaling 45.3…
Published in: ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES • OCTOBER 2008 by: Chris D. Meletis, N.D., and Nieske Zabriskie, N.D. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurologic condition in children and comprises a range of behavioral problems, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. In most children with ADHD, the cause is unknown, but is thought to…
Chris D. Meletis, N.D., and Nieske Zabriskie, N.D. Adequate sleep is essential for healthy functioning of the 75 trillion cells that comprise the human body. Sleep disorders are a common complaint and can make a great impact on quality of life. Common sleep disorders include primary insomnia, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and sleep-disordered breathing. Other factors…
Chris D. Meletis, N.D., and Nieske Zabriskie, N.D Digestive disorders are increasingly common and affect millions of Americans. There were 41.3 million office visits to physicians and 15.1 visits to the emergency rooms for digestivesystem symptoms in 2004, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) most recent data. 1 Conditions include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); inflammatory bowel…
Carol A. Cooper, Ph.D., Karen K. Brown, Ph.D., Chris D. Meletis, N.D., and Nieske Zabriskie, N.D. Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been known for more than 70 years, but the focus has been on its physical properties— as a replacement for the vitreous humor of the eye, as a lubricant in the joints, or as a humectant in high-end…
A Potent Toxin Chris D. Meletis, ND (with permission from cpmedical.net, access pin: 587556) Fluoride is a chemical compound of the element fluorine found naturally in food, water and air. Humans are also exposed to fluoride from municipal water supplies (when it’s added), dental treatments, coal burning, pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, bricks, tiles and ceramics, and…
Flawless Skin in Summer and Beyond Chris D. Meletis, ND (with permission from cpmedical.net, access pin: 587556) Summertime can pose a number of challenges to achieving healthy skin. Although getting outdoors and enjoying the sunshine does increase vitamin D production, at the same time that we’re being exposed to this health-promoting vitamin, we’re also exposed…
Preserving Factors Integral to an Active Lifestyle Chris D. Meletis, ND (with permission from cpmedical.net, access pin: 587556) A majority of the American population seems to equate old age with being inactive and unhealthy. The assumption is generally made that once we surpass a certain age we will not be as active as we once…
An Under-Recognized Enemy to Cardiovascular Health Chris D. Meletis, ND (with permission from cpmedical.net, access pin: 587556) We all know that smoking, high cholesterol levels and obesity are bad for our hearts. However, although many people have never heard of fibrinogen, a high level of the protein fibrinogen in the blood is rapidly coming to…
A Pre-Conception Nutritional Approach Chris D. Meletis, ND (with permission from cpmedical.net, access pin: 587556) [Editor’s Note: Chris D. Meletis, ND is co-author of the book Enhancing Fertility: A Couple’s Guide to Natural Approaches.] The inability to conceive a child is one of the most heartbreaking situations a couple can endure. Unfortunately, due to reduced…