AAHH: updates and questions answered

      That pain in your back? It’s not coming from your back.   It’s coming from your brain. Why is this important?   Because understanding the source of pain informs how we respond to it and treat it.   Advances in pain science have shown conclusively that all pain is generated in the brain as a protective warning signal trying to keep us safe from potential danger.   Pain is made by the brain, not measured by it.   And there is no such thing as “pain, out there in the body” that exists independently of the brain’s role in generating those warning signals.   And that’s a good thing for us, because we need those warning signals to help us survive moments of physical danger to our bodies: a burn, a fracture, an ulcer, a tumor, a bowel obstruction all require our immediate attention and response, and pain is how we are alerted. Thank you, brain, for sounding the alarm! But what if it’s a false alarm?   While most acute (short ter...

Are you one of the many people who is bothered by chronic or intermittent abdominal pain with changes in your bowel habits?   Do certain foods get revenge on your GI system after being chewed and swallowed?   Does stress or anxiety show up first in your tummy?   If yes to any of those, you may be part of a very large club that no one wants to join.   Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects an estimated one out of every 10 to 20 people in the US, so if it’s not you, you know someone who suffers from this condition.    Why does this happen?   It’s common in kids, and common in adults, and though there are differences between kids and adults, some common reasons exist.   IBS is thought to be a disorder of gut-brain interaction. Through nerve pathways and chemicals in the blood, the brain and gut are “talking” to each other constantly, in both directions. Things like anxiety, poor sleep and depression make IBS more likely, and changes in gut barrier...

Spring is here, but respiratory season isn't over. Between seasonal colds, lingering winter viruses, and day-to-day life, your immune system is working hard. Today I want to talk about one of the most studied and time-honored herbs in natural medicine: Echinacea purpurea — the purple coneflower.   What Is Echinacea Purpurea? You've probably seen it growing in gardens or spotted it on the shelves of your local health food store. Echinacea purpurea is a striking flowering plant native to the eastern United States that has been used as medicine for centuries — first by Native American peoples, and later widely adopted in both European and American botanical medicine. Of the three common types of this flower, (E. purpurea, E. angustifolia, and E. pallida), Echinacea purpurea — particularly the above-ground parts of the plant harvested at flowering time —   is the species recognized by Germany's Commission E, one of the world's most respected herbal medicine regulatory b...

  The Walnut Way: Small Nut, Big Impact February 25, 2026    Today, we are cracking open the science behind one of nature’s most potent superfoods: the walnut. Already well-known by the American Heart Association as a heart healthy food, walnuts are more than just a crunchy addition to your morning oatmeal. Recent landmark studies suggest they are a powerhouse for longevity and disease prevention. A Shield for Your Heart The most robust evidence for walnuts lies in cardiovascular health. The Walnuts and Healthy Aging (WAHA) study—the largest and longest trial of its kind—tracked healthy elders for two years. Researchers found that adding just a half-cup of walnuts to a daily diet significantly improved lipoprotein (cholesterol) profiles. Specifically, participants saw: A 4.3% reduction in total LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) particles. A 16.9% decrease in Intermediate Density Lipoprotein (IDL), a subclass closely linked to heart disease risk. Fu...