Naturally Savvy

Kara Landau, “The Prebiotic Dietitian," joins host Lisa Davis to explain why prebiotics are so essential and ways to get more of them into your diet.Physical and mental well-being is impacted by the foods you eat. In the past decade, the medical community has realized the importance of probiotics for optimal gut health -- and optimal overall health. What many people don't understand is that probiotics need prebiotics in order to thrive. Kara Landau, “The Prebiotic Dietitian," joins host Lisa Davis to explain why prebiotics are so essential and ways to get more of them into your diet.

If you're going through perimenopause, you may be feeling helpless. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options.Welcome to our new series, "Throw Back Thursday: Celebrity Edition" (or TBTCE). In the following weeks, we'll be featuring various celebrity interviews from over the years. Hope you enjoy! TBTCE: Suzanne Somers If you're in your 30s or 40s and just aren't feeling yourself, you could be going through perimenopause. Perimenopause occurs in the years prior to menopause when your hormones start to shift and change. This shift used to take place closer to a woman's mid-forties, and typically only lasted a few years before the transition to menopause. But due to all the toxins and stress in our current society, perimenopause has started to affect women at younger and younger ages... even as young as 25 years old. Symptoms may include sleeplessness, itchy skin, bloating, weight gain, dull hair, brittle nails, and moodiness. What's truly happening is that your body is not carrying enough progesterone, and you become what's called estrogen dominant. This imbalance of hormones sets you in a tail-spin of symptoms. And, unfortunately, it could also affect your likelihood of developing certain cancers. This is because progesterone is actually the anti-carcinogenic portion or component of your hormonal system. Suzanne Somers, one of America's most beloved personalities, knows this all too well. In fact she attributes her breast cancer to the changes she went through during perimenopause. So... what can you do if you're experiencing all of these symptoms? First of all, Somers wants you to know that these symptoms do not have to be indicative of you "getting older." In fact, by recognizing what's going on with your body, and doing something about it, you can keep your youthful energy for years to come. The important thing is to find a qualified doctor, who truly understands and is skilled in hormonal therapies. Join Suzanne to learn more about your perimenopause options, as well as where you can find the best doctors and therapies across the nation. Check out Suzanne's book, I'm Too Young for This!

Many people don't have a full understanding of which nutrients they should be taking in -- or how much of those nutrients are needed to optimize health.Nutrition is such an important element of a healthy body, but many people don't have a full understanding of which nutrients they should be taking in -- or how much of those nutrients are needed to optimize health. One nutrient that can profoundly impact one's health for the positive is vitamin D3, which is sometimes difficult to get via "natural" means (e.g. food, sunshine).  Omega-3 fatty acids compose another nutrient group that is essential for health and longevity. Omega-3s are helpful for reducing inflammation, improving brain health, and decreasing risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and pre-mature aging. Listen as Dr. Christine Horner joins host Lisa Davis to discuss the benefits of these nutrients and more. Dr. Horner also discusses the most important nutrients individuals need in their different decades of life (30s, 40s, 50s, etc.).

Actress Jennifer Esposito knows firsthand the "invisible" aspect that makes celiac disease so difficult to deal with.Welcome to our new series, "Throw Back Thursday: Celebrity Edition" (or TBTCE). In the following weeks, we'll be featuring various celebrity interviews from over the years. Hope you enjoy! TBTCE: Jennifer Esposito Actress Jennifer Esposito knows firsthand about the "invisible" aspect that makes celiac disease so difficult to deal with. Almost daily she hears the phrase, "You don't look sick." For those with celiac, it can become a constant struggle to get people to understand the pain that you're suffering silently. Just because they can't see it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. This is especially true if you don't have the "typical" symptoms of celiac. For years, Jennifer suffered from everything from sinus infections to digestive issues and panic attacks. She was labeled a hypochondriac and "dramatic," and doctors put her on medications like Prozac. Even the supposed "experts" don't always listen, and it can kill your soul to go so unheard for so long... to know something is truly wrong but no one recognizes that's the case. Jennifer has seen major resistance with the press in accepting that celiac is a serious disease, so just imagine what the normal, everyday person goes through. What advice does Jennifer have for those suffering from celiac? First, look your disease in the face, accept it and digest it. Accept your disease for what it is and move forward. Be clear and honest with yourself; it's a journey every day. Once you accept this in yourself, you can look to those who support you. Finally, understand those who can't understand; but also seek out those who will always be there for you. Tune in to Jennifer and Lisa as they discuss the invisible nature of celiac, as well as ways to cope with this painful and often debilitating disease.

Grief recovery specialist Kristi Hugstad has dedicated her life to helping abolish the stigma of mental illness and suicide.Ever since her husband completed suicide in 2012, after years of struggling with clinical depression, grief recovery specialist Kristi Hugstad has dedicated her life to helping abolish the stigma of mental illness and suicide. Hugstad says that suicide prevention must start with our teens. Teen suicide isn’t a new phenomenon, but unfortunately, it has become a tragic, disturbing epidemic in the United States. Her book, Beneath the Surface: A Teen's Guide to Reaching Out When You or Your Friend Is in Crisis, provides the information, encouragement, and tactical guidance you need to help yourself or others experiencing: Depression Academic or parental pressures Eating disorders Bullying Self-harm PTSD Peer pressure Anxiety Substance abuse Technology addiction Suicidal thoughts or actions Listen as Hugstad joins host Lisa Davis to share insight about this troubling trend in today's youth population.

Even Academy Award Winners worry about being healthy.Welcome to our first episode in our new series, "Throw Back Thursday: Celebrity Edition" (or TBTCE). In the following weeks, we'll be featuring various celebrity interviews from over the years. Hope you enjoy! TBTCE: Alan Arkin Have you ever wondered if your favorite celebrities worry about their health? They do. In fact, just like you they often need to make lifestyle changes in order to be the healthiest they can be. Academy award winning actor, Alan Arkin, is one such celebrity who has made lifestyle changes to live a healthier life both on and off the set.

Whether it's complimenting the cashier at the grocery store on her earrings or saying thank you to your restaurant server, verbalizing your recognition of someone else can be very powerful.What does it mean to "love out loud"? It's much more than simply saying "I love you." Robyn Spizman describes loving out loud as harnessing the power of a kind word. Whether it's complimenting the cashier at the grocery store on her earrings or saying thank you to your restaurant server, verbalizing your recognition of someone else can be very powerful -- for both the recipient and you.  Her book, Loving Out Loud: The Power of a Kind Word, explains why you have the power to make a positive impact on someone’s day, every day -- and that it isn’t nearly as hard as you may think. It also helps improve your own negative self-talk.  Listen as Robyn joins host Lisa Davis to share insights from the book, tips for loving out loud, and how you can be an active participant in a movement toward a kinder, more engaged community.

Colette Courtion, CEO of Joylux, is working to empower women to live life confidently by improving all aspects of their intimate health.Sexual health is vital to overall health, but too often women are made to feel like their intimate struggles are "taboo." Colette Courtion, CEO of Joylux, has been "tackling the taboo" with her company's mission of influencing change in the area of women's health and intimate wellness. -- and to empower women to live life confidently by improving all aspects of their intimate health. Colette joins host Lisa Davis to share information on the types of issues women face and the solutions available.

Empaths tend to struggle with self-care. They often give too much at the expense of their own well-being -- and end up absorbing the stress of others.Empaths are individuals who are very sensitive, deep, and loving towards others. It's a beautiful characteristic to have, but oftentimes empaths struggle with self-care. They often give too much at the expense of their own well-being -- and end up absorbing the stress of others. In her book, Thriving as an Empath, Judith Orloff, MD, writes, “To stay healthy and happy, you must be ready with daily self-care practices that work.” A few practices she advises include: Setting strong boundaries Protecting your energy Inoculating yourself against stress and overwhelm Self-soothing techniques Knowing that it is not your job to take on the world’s stress Breaking the momentum of sensory overload Tapping the vitality of all four seasons and the elements Deepening your connection with the cycles of nature Moving out of clock-based time into “sacred time” Listen as Dr. Orloff joins Lisa Davis to share insights from the book and how you can grow and flourish without internalizing the emotions and pain of others.

It's just as important to know what you're putting on your body as it is to know what you're putting in it."Going organic" encompasses more than just the food and beverages you consume. It's just as important to know what you're putting on your body as it is to know what you're putting in it. The organic beauty industry has grown over the past few years, but as Steve Shriver, President of Eco Lips Inc., puts it, his company was promoting green, organic products before it was "cool." Shriver shares with host Lisa Davis the history of the company, what standards they hold themselves to (e.g. USDA Organic, Fair Trade Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified), and the various ways their contributing to the organic beauty industry.

Experts say that handwashing is a key strategy to prevent contracting or spreading illness to others, but many people do handwashing "wrong."It's cold and flu season, and germs are everywhere.  Experts say that handwashing is a key strategy to prevent contracting or spreading illness to others, but many people do handwashing "wrong." In a study from Michigan State University, researchers watched more than 3,700 people after using the bathroom and reported that 95 percent did not wash their hands long enough to kill germs. The average amount of time people spent washing was only six seconds. Even more disturbing was that seven percent of women and 15 percent of men didn’t wash their hands at all. So, what is the correct way to wash your hands -- and amount of time needed to prove effective? Listen as hosts Andrea and Lisa discuss everything you need to know about washing your hands and how to best protect you and your kids from colds and flu this season.

You're not a bad parent if you sometimes yell. It happens. The key is not getting carried away or falling into a pattern of shouting at your kids.When your kid is having a meltdown in the middle of the grocery store, or has disobeyed you for the fifth time that day, it can take everything in your will to keep yourself from having your own meltdown. You're not a bad parent if you sometimes yell. It happens. The key is not getting carried away or falling into a pattern of shouting at your kids. Carla Naumburg, PhD, author of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids: A Guide to Becoming a Calmer, Happier Parent, found her own way to calm after realizing there had to be a better way. In his episode, she joins host Lisa Davis to discuss the book, as well as offer these tips: Know your triggers by understanding what sets you off. Make buttons as push-proof as possible by getting enough sleep, single-tasking, accepting support, and not beating yourself up. Do literally anything else when on the brink of explosion. It could be the classic three deep breaths, but it could also be playing a little air guitar -- anything that redirects.

You recognize something is wrong, but you’re not sure what exactly... only that you feel trapped and alone.When your life looks perfect, but you’re silently falling apart... If you were raised to believe that painful emotions are a sign of weakness, or if being vulnerable has always made you feel unsafe, then you may have survived by creating a perfect-looking life -- a life where you appear to be successful, engaged, and always there for others. The problem? You’re filled with self-criticism and shame, and you can’t allow yourself to express fear, anger, loss, or grief. You recognize something is wrong, but you’re not sure what exactly... only that you feel trapped and alone. If this sounds like you, you may have perfectly hidden depression (PHD). Margaret Robinson Rutherford, PhD, has a new book out about PHD, entitled Perfectly Hidden Depression: How to Break Free from the Perfectionism that Masks Your Depression.  In the book, you’ll begin the process of understanding your perfectionism, identifying destructive beliefs, and connecting with emotions suppressed for far too long. You’ll also find tangible tips for quieting that critical inner voice, and powerful strategies for coping with difficult feelings. Most importantly, you’ll learn that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.  Dr. Rutherford joins host Lisa Davis to share more insights from the book and how you can learn to stop hiding and start healing.

Are you ready for heart attack season?Cardiac mortalities are higher around Christmas and New Year’s than any other time of year, giving this time of year a label of "heart attack season." According to the American Heart Association (AHA), lapses in healthy eating and exercise, increased alcohol consumption, and strained finances are a handful of reasons why cardiac events spike at this time.  Aside from prescription medication, Dr. Cass Ingram says a great supplement for supporting cardiac health comes in the form of black seed oil. This oil has been used since the ancient times of Pharaohs.  It also supports other organs and bodily systems, including kidney, lung, and digestive health. Listen as Dr. Ingram joins host Lisa Davis to describe the healing properties and health benefits of black seed oil.

Since there is no "cure" for the common cold or the flu, turning to natural remedies is really the way to go.Cold and flu season is here, but it doesn't have to get you down for the count if you choose the right remedies.  Since there is no "cure" for the common cold or the flu, turning to natural remedies is really the way to go -- according to "The Wilderness Doctor," Cass Ingram, DO.  Dr. Ingram has been studying natural remedies for decades and has identified the ones that work best for the illness at hand.  Listen as Dr. Ingram joins host Lisa Davis to discuss ways to beat the cold and flu this winter.