By Lynn Bednar, MS, CNS, LDN Preparing for pregnancy with good nutrition is essential to having a healthy baby. Since the first 3 months of pregnancy are crucial to brain and organ development, you should begin working on your nutrition 6 months prior to pregnancy if possible. This way, if you have a difficult first trimester that limits your food intake, you can rest assured that your baby is getting what they need. Men and women can use nutrition to improve fertility and ensure a healthy pregnancy. Here are the best ways to ensure proper nutritional status during this critical period1: For ..read more

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 150 different cannabinoids. Cannabinoids affect the endocannabinoid system in the body, which has wide-ranging effects on body systems. Cannabinoids can be found in marijuana, hemp, and many other plants. CBD is a cannabinoid that does not have any psychoactive effects. It opposes the effect of THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana. Though marijuana does contain CBD, products that are available outside of dispensaries are from hemp. Hemp can legally be grown and consumed under current law in the U.S. The requirement is that hemp products must contai ..read more

By Lynn Bednar, MS, CNS, LDN Strengthening immunity in the current environment is important whether you are vaccinated or not. If you are vaccinated, you still have a risk of contracting Covid-19. The vaccines appear to be key to the reduction of hospitalization and the severity of disease. But they do not prevent infection altogether. Hence we need to return to the real reason that we as a nation were so vulnerable to Covid-19—less than-robust health. A new study from medRxiv has determined that natural immunity to Covid-19 is more protective than vaccine-induced immunity. So, if you have ha ..read more

By Lynn Bednar, MS, CNS, LDN College is a time that is full of new experiences—the challenge of being away from home, the stress of managing heavier workloads, and learning to take care of one’s own health. And of course, the fun of being an independent human being!  Especially with current conditions, we want to make sure our children stay happy and healthy while they are away. Here are some suggestions to bolster their health. A Good Multivitamin Never underestimate the power of a good multivitamin! You can get additional immune support in the form of Vitamins A, C, & D, zinc, and ..read more

By Lynn Bednar, MS, CNS, LDN Kidney stones and urinary tract infections are common at this time of year. So we have a few tips for avoiding these unwanted problems. If you are aware of the Chinese medicine cycle, you know that late spring and early summer is the time when the kidney and bladder are at the low point of their function. This is why we see such a rash of these issues now. Conventional treatment for kidney stones involves potassium citrate for smaller stones. For larger ones, there are more invasive and potentially damaging treatments. So it is best to be proactive. The treatment ..read more

By Lynn Bednar, MS, CNS, LDN Over 55 million Americans experience joint pain each year according to the CDC. That number is growing by 1 million people each year. There are over 600,000 knee and hip replacements each year in the U.S.. Almost 50% of these are for people under the age of 65! Whether it’s a burning pain, cracking or crunching in the joint, or just stiffness, joint pain can keep us from activities we enjoy. We need better tools to address this growing problem. Arthritis is a catch-all term for several different conditions that result in joint pain. The most common of these is ost ..read more

By Lynn Bednar, MS, CNC Oral Care is an often overlooked, but essential, part of your health. The mouth isn’t just a home for your teeth: disease often enters through the mouth and nasal passages. So keeping these areas free of bacteria and other pathogens can boost not just dental, but overall health. Natural products have a lot to offer for this purpose. A healthy tooth is a living structure nourished by blood vessels and supplied by nerves. Shock-absorbing periodontal tissue covers the root of each tooth. The base of the crown of the tooth is held in place by gums that are pale pink and do ..read more

By Lynn Bednar, MS, CNC Allergy season is upon us and there are many ways to naturally manage allergies. Although the outdoors are wonderful, for many of us it begins a season of discomfort. An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system misinterprets a harmless substance as a threat and releases histamines to fight the perceived threat. You may get shortness of breath, runny nose, itching of the eyes, nose or throat, sneezing, fatigue, respiratory and nasal congestion, headache, hives or other skin rashes. Where are allergens found? Allergens are found in either the environment or in foo ..read more

By Lynn Bednar, MS, CNC Your heart is one of your most important organs. It requires good fuel to pump blood throughout the body and deliver oxygenation to all tissues. Historically, treatment of cardiovascular issues focused on reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. This treatment often takes the form of pharmaceutical drugs and/or a reduction of dietary cholesterol intake. This is despite the fact that the most recently issued Dietary Guidelines for Americans removed cholesterol as a nutrient of concern. It said, “evidence shows no appreciable relationship between dietary and serum chole ..read more

By Lynn Bednar, MS, CNC Sleep is a precious commodity right now. It eludes so many of us due to increased screen time, work stress, children’s schooling issues, world events, and overall uncertainty. Sleeping pills are a quick fix but have long term effects like: Addiction or dependency (particularly to benzodiazepines) Problems with attention or memory Daytime drowsiness Stomach pain Balance issues Headaches Luckily there are ways to sleep better without the side effects. Natural nutrients and herbs can be used to induce and enhance sleep. Stress and Sleep Prolonged stress can greatly affe ..read more