Dr. Taz MD’s Guide to Living Healthy, Naturally Newsletter Issue Eleven

*costs are merely monthly estimates and column information is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition

Beauty Buzz
The Power of OMEGA-3

February is American Heart Health Month, and one heart healthy supplement I recommend to most everyone is OMEGA-3 or more commonly known as Fish Oil. Taking OMEGA-3 can decrease blood pressure, increase immunity and help brain function. However, did you know that good levels of OMEGA-3 can help reduce inflammation in acne-prone spots, strengthen nails and give your hair a beautiful shiny look. (more)

(Click to order your Omega-3)

Ask Dr. Taz MD

Q: I drink a lot of bottled water and I am wondering how safe it is to drink out of plastic bottles?

A: Bottled water often does taste better than tap water due to the differences in sterilization or cleaning of the water.  Tap water is from a public works facility and is often cleaned using chlorine, while bottled water is cleaned using ozone, which is tasteless and colorless. Typically, drinking from plastic water bottles is not advised, unless those bottles are made of a particular plastic that is BPA free and free of additional phthalates and parabens. If you are going to drink from a plastic bottle, then check the type of plastic you are using, make sure you clean the cap frequently, and do not allow water to sit in a plastic bottle for more than 3-5 days after opening.

Click here to Ask Dr. Taz MD your questions!

Living Healthy Tip
Beating Stress With Self Massage 

All of us deal with stress on a daily basis. Stress, as defined by the National Institute of Health, is defined as the brain’s response to any demand. Relationships, jobs, finances, image, change and so much more can bring stress into our lives. Next time you find yourself in one of these demanding moments, try taking a stress break and use self massage to help relax.

Step 1: Find a quiet place for 3 -5 minutes.
Step 2: Use your fingertips to slowly massage your temples in a circular motion.
Step 3: Breathe deeply as you massage, in through your nose and out through your mouth. 

Check out 10 more Tips for Beating Stress here.

Exercise Like Dr. Taz MD
What are my favorite ways to exercise?

Well, to challenge my heart and keep in shape, I do three different workouts a week. It’s important to keep mixing up the routine to keep your muscles guessing and the body challenged. For me, it varies between yoga, elliptical, stairs, pilates and swimming. Changing it up makes it more enjoyable and keeps me from getting bored!

(read more click here)

Winter Superfoods

A few favorites:

Sweet potatoes Packed with vitamin A, vitamin C as well as a great source of potassium and manganese. Sweet potatoes also have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes.

An added bonus is you can cook them many ways! One of my favorite ways to eat sweet potatoes in the winter is in soup. A great recipe is Nutty Sweet Potato Soup; you can find it here

Root vegetables Think rainbow carrots, beets, parsnips and turnips. Root vegetables grow in soil making them good sources of essential minerals. Beets are one of the best foods you can put in your body. 

(read more here)

Goal of Dr. Taz MD’s Living Healthy, Naturally

With gratitude, 
Dr. Taz Bhatia MD