Catherine Stack, ND, CNM

In over 25 years of testing, xylitol use has been shown to reduce tooth decay in even high risk (malnourished) populations. Xylitol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate. It is found in fibrous vegetables and fruits and also occurs naturally in our bodies. Xylitol, when extracted, is very sweet and is commonly used as a sugar replacement. I am not in favor of any sugar substitute to pacify your sweet tooth, but the benefits to your dental health are quite impressive. Tooth decay happens when bacteria in your mouth consumes the sugar we eat. If you have a diet abundant in breads and sugars, the bacteria in your mouth multiply and produce acids that eat away at the enamel on your teeth. Xylitol does not break down like other sugar and can help provide the mouth with a neutral pH level. Xylitol also prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth. Most people are not aware of this benefit because such a claim makes xylitol into a drug, crossing a boundary not allowed by the ...

Many people misunderstand cholesterol. I'm going to try and clear up some of the confusion and share some advice on how to achieve healthy cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a natural by product of the liver and is actually produced as a protective mechanism against inflammation in the body. Normal cholesterol is essential for cellular repair and plays a very important role in memory and learning. Cholesterol helps convert fats in the liver and is a very potent antioxidant that protects us from free radical damage. Free radical damage accelerates the aging process. We would be better at keeping people healthy by focusing on the cause of inflammation (mostly diet) rather than sabotaging our bodies own defenses that try to protect us. Research suggests that HDL, the high-density "good" cholesterol, helps to protect the cardiovascular system. LDL or low-density "bad" cholesterol appears to be the bad guy that builds up on your arteries and other inflamed pa...

Bisphenol-A is a toxic chemical that is contaminating our food supply and even though Canada banned this toxic substance in 2010, the FDA is allowing our exposure in the U.S. to continue. BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical that has been linked to early puberty, disrupted reproductive cycles, decreased sperm count and quality, cancer, obesity and heart disease and more. The glands of your endocrine system and the hormones they release are directly related to mood, growth and development, as well as metabolism. Some studies suggest that infants and children may be the most vulnerable to the effects of BPA. BPA is one of the world’s highest production chemicals and is extremely common in many forms of packaging and other places you would not expect. BPA is found in canned foods and soda cans, all plastics not labeled “BPA-free”, certain tooth sealants, receipts and even currency.  Even though you are not likely to avoid handling currency, you can minimize your exposure by keeping mo...