Naturally Savvy

What really IS hypnosis? And, can anyone fall under this "spell"?You may have seen someone hypnotized on TV, or during a stage show, or perhaps have even been hypnotized yourself. What really IS hypnosis? And, can anyone fall under this "spell"? In simple terms, hypnosis involves actively focusing your attention and allowing your subconscious mind to put "suggestions" into your conscious mind. All hypnosis is really self-hypnosis. Any time that you day-dream, or miss your exit because you're deep in thought about something else, you're in somewhat of a trance state. This trance state is the cornerstone of hypnosis. Performing for 40 years as a magician, Mark David Kroll wanted to expand his talents to include comedy stage hypnosis. He studied for and received a certification as a certified hypnotist and has been offering various hypnosis approaches to help with such things as smoking cessation and weight loss. Kroll describes it as "subconscious reprogramming" in order to help people overcome their bad habits and behaviors.  Listen in as Kroll joins Andrea and Lisa to share more about hypnosis and how it can help individuals overcome self-destructive behaviors.

Why does the immune system kill some cancer cells but misses others?Your body is creating cancer cells all the time, and if you're healthy and your immune system is healthy, it will take care of those cancer cells. Certain foods and behaviors, however, will allow the immune system to kill some cancer cells but miss others. Sugar is a huge culprit, as are constant stress, lack of exercise and lack of sleep.  Immunotherapy is an approach to battle the potential risk of cancer, in which you strengthen your immune system to its full capacity.  Christine Horner, MD, has dedicated many years of her work to researching the benefits and practices of immunotherapy. She joins Andrea and Lisa to share tactics that will significantly lower the risk of cancers for both men and women and/or increase chances of survival after being diagnosed: 1) Spice it Up: The top immune boosting, cancer-fighting spices include: garlic (the organosulfar chemical compound that causes eye-tearing has immune-strengthening and anti-carcinogenic qualities), ginger (slice it and steep it as a hot tea to decrease both nausea and cancer risks), cayenne pepper (contains the antioxidant capsaicin that stifles and kills the growth of prostate cancer cells) and turmeric (that contains curcumin and is known to choke cancer cells to death and may be one of the most potent anti-inflammatories identified to this day). 2) Veg it Up: The top immune boosting, cancer-fighting veggies include: kale (a cruciferous vegetable that contain isothiocyanates, phytochemicals that help break down potential carcinogens and indole-3-carbidol (I3C), which helps prevent estrogen driven cancers), mushrooms (contain compounds that attack cancerous cells and prevent them from multiplying while boosting immune activity and stimulating the body's natural production of interferon; AHCC is a natural substance extracted from certain species of medicinal mushrooms and the leading alternative cancer treatment used in hundreds of clinics throughout Asia; AHCC maintains peak natural killer cell activity as proven in 25 human clinical studies) and sweet potatoes (an important carotenoid, rich in vitamin A, that has shown to lower the risk of breast cancer in women who have higher levels in their bloodstream). 3) Bug it Up: Without the beneficial bacteria found in probiotics, yogurt or kefir, our defenses are greatly weakened, allowing disease to take hold more easily. Fermented foods are another great source of beneficial immune-boosting bacteria, for example fermented tea from Japan called kombucha, made with mushrooms and a "symbiotic 'colony' of bacteria and yeast" can be beneficial in stimulating the immune system. 4) Feel it Up: Science proves the hugs and simple massages can also boost the immune system, so couples should get touchy feely for cancer prevention. Research from Carnegie Mellon University shows that those who receive more hugs are somewhat more protected from infection. 5) Laugh it Up: In the same way that grief and anger can suppress your immune system, research shows that laughter strengthens your immunity. Laughing significantly reduces cortisol levels while increasing antibodies that fight infection and cyotokines that regulate immune function and natural killer cells that seek out and destroy viral and tumor cells.

After the age of 25, collagen production declines and your body literally starts to "dry out."Water and collagen are the two most abundant substances in the human body. All of your body's tissues are made, in some degree, of collagen.  But, after the age of 25, collagen production declines and your body literally starts to "dry out." That drying causes the signs of aging: wrinkled skin, thinning or loss of hair, weakened bones and joints, dry skin, and dry eyes... just to name a few. Oral collagen supplements boost your natural production of collagen and help you rebuild your tissues from the inside.  If you also supplement with hylauronic acid, it will stick to the collagen fibers and will pull hydration into the tissues to help re-hydrate and rebuild your body. Food sources of collagen aren't very absorbable by the body, whereas supplements have about a 90 percent absorption rate.  Many people use products with hylauronic acid externally, but when taken internally, it has greater, longer-lasting benefits.  Listen in as Tim Mount, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Certified Master Herbalist and the National Educator for NeoCell, joins Andrea and Lisa to discuss why collagen and hylauronic acid are so important, as well as which specific products will help you boost your collagen levels.

Nail polishes and other related salon products can be very toxic.Most everyone likes to have nice, clean, pretty nails... even some men. But nail polishes and other related nail salon products can be very toxic. When you're at the salon, you're breathing in all of the chemicals used in the products.  This doesn't mean that you have to stop having your nails done, says Carol Alt, who has come up with solutions to avoid all that toxicity. For instance, there are certain brands that are organic and do not contain the harmful chemicals of mainstream polishes. Mineral Fusion is one option, and they manufacture both polish and nail polish remover (without the harmful acetate). Other brands include Priti NYC and Ella+Mila. Once you invest in these safer options, you can bring your own nail polish with you to the salon. If you're getting a pedicure, don't be afraid to bring your own lotions and moisturizers as well. You might get a few odd looks, but the bottom line is that it's your health and it should be your number-one priority.  Listen in as Carol joins Andrea and Lisa to share more about the dangers of mainstream nail polish, as well as healthier options.

Does the honeymoon really have to be over?The notions that passion always peters out, that there’s a “seven-year itch,” and that the honeymoon is over as soon reality sets in have some truth to them. But, Linda Carroll, author of Love Cycles: The Five Essential Stages of Lasting Love, promises that long-term, wholehearted love is still possible. As a long-time author and veteran couples therapist, Carroll explains that love is cyclical and comprised of five distinct stages: the Merge, Doubt and Denial, Disillusionment, Decision, and Wholehearted Loving. She joins Naturally Savvy host, Lisa Davis, to explain these five stages, as well as share her expertise and experience as a couples therapist for the last 30 years.

In our busy, chaotic world, people often overlook everyday opportunities to experience joy.Sonja Lyubomirsky, Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside, recently helped the Reddi-Wip brand commission a research survey on the current state of joy in the U.S. for its #ShareTheJoy campaign. The survey found that in our busy chaotic world, people often overlook everyday opportunities to experience joy. When they do experience joy, too often people keep that joyful moment to themselves and the emotion becomes fleeting because it's not shared. Other insights from the survey revealed the following: 93% of Americans want to find more ways to experience joy every day. Only two out of five Americans think they have enough joy in their lives. On an average day, almost half of Americans don’t experience joy. 96% of Americans agree it’s important to celebrate the little things in life yet nearly seven out of 10 (67%) of adults surveyed agreed they don’t make enough time to celebrate everyday moments with others. 83% would rather experience a small amount of joy every day rather than a large amount once in a while. More than half of Americans (54%) are brought more joy by surprising someone else with something nice than by being surprised themselves, yet only 33% had followed through with a surprise for someone in the last several days. With years of experience as one of the first to study human joy and happiness, Sonja has proven tips and strategies to help people find more joy every day. Relish ordinary experiences. Pick everyday pleasurable experiences and make them last. Spend time with your morning coffee and linger and absorb the aroma and taste. Reminisce with family or friends. A friend or family member can bolster the power of “positive reminiscence.” Researchers have found that mutual reminiscence, that is, sharing memories with other people, is accompanied by joy, accomplishment, amusement, contentment and pride. Nurture your relationships. The strongest boost to happiness appears to come from personal relationships. Spending more quality time with the people in your life is a sure-fire way to increase your own and others’ levels of joy. Pick a relationship in need of strengthening and invest time and energy in healing, cultivating, affirming and enjoying it. Listen in as Sonja joins Naturally Savvy host, Lisa Davis, to share more about the lack of joy in our society today, as well as ways to increase the joy and happiness in your life.

RoundUp is the number-one herbicide being used today, despite being linked to diseases like cancer.RoundUp is the number-one herbicide being used today, and it's remained the herbicide of choice because it's extremely effective at killing weeds in gardens, lawns and even agricultural fields. However, it's been linked to both acute health conditions, as well as serious diseases like cancer.  Monsanto is the creator of RoundUp, and it comes as no surprise that the company has also been behind a number of other toxic elements from our past and current environments (Agent Orange, DDT, PCBs, Bovine Growth Hormone, and even the Atomic Bomb). Glyphosate is the active ingredient in RoundUp, which has been linked specifically to Parkinson's disease and cancer.  Another ingredient, POEA, is toxic to embryos, and can suffocate embryonic and placental cells. What are some natural alternatives to RoundUp? Vinegar mixed with natural dish soap will burn the foliage and lower the pH in the soil so the weeds won't grow back.  Corn meal gluten is also a great option, as are a variety of essential oils.  You can also tailor your landscaping to be conducive to fewer weeds by using native plants. Lisa Beres, Certified Green Building Professional, joins host Lisa Davis to share more about the dangers of RoundUp, as well as some effective natural alternatives.

It seems like every week there’s a new article on the microbiome. But, why is it SO important to your health?It seems like every week there’s a new article on the microbiome. But, why is it SO important to your health? Robynne Chutkan, MD, one of the most recognizable gastroenterologists working in America today, joins Naturally Savvy host, Lisa Davis, to share why your microbiome is so essential to your overall health and longevity, as well as some of the specific diseases that can result from an altered microbiome. Dr. Chutkan also discusses the top five tips for creating a healthy microbiome: Avoid antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. Eat lots of fibrous plants. Skip the hand sanitizer. Get a pet (Dr. Chutkan's family just got a puppy named Hugo and he’s helping to rewild the whole family with lots of dirt and licks!). Plant a garden; get your hands dirty and eat the veggies you grow.

Vitamin D and Omega-3s are individually essential, but new research is suggesting a vital link between them.Omega-3s, specifically EPA and DHA, are becoming more and more recognizable as an essential preventative health factor. Vitamin D is also sharing some of this newly realized importance.  And, new studies are actually showing a very vital link between the two. New research coming out of Children's Hospital Oakland has studied the synergy of Omega-3 and vitamin D on serotonin and its impact on autism, behavior issues, depression, schizophrenia and violence in our culture. Jolie Root, Senior Nutritionist and Educator at Carlson Labs, joins host Lisa Davis to share more about this emerging research, as well as the specific amounts of DHA, EPA and vitamin D that both children and adults need on a daily basis.

A diagnosis of alopecia does not have to be devastating.Emmy-nominated actress, Amy Gibson, has lived with alopecia since she was just 13 years old. In simple terms, alopecia is an immune disorder where your white blood cells think there's disease lurking, so they fight against themselves to kill that faux disease and the result is hair loss. There are several stages of alopecia, ranging from small bald spots to complete loss of hair, including body hair and even nose hair.   Amy joins Naturally Savvy hosts, Andrea and Lisa, to share more about alopecia, her personal journey with the condition, and how she's spreading the word about alopecia with her book, Sex, Wigs, and Whispers.