Yes, I grew up with complex developmental trauma, but I did not know then that this affected my health. I truly believe this was one of the reasons I was a child growing up and living with diabetes. Intrigue? Want to learn more? Listen to this conversation with Dr. John Neustadt and I.

Are you a busy professional mom looking for advice on how to help the little ones at home improve their mental wellness? If you answer yes, I have a special treat for you. Listen to my conversation with Dr. Adedayo about the Gut-Brain Connection.

Why is veganism not the same as a whole-food, plant-based diet? In a whole-food diet, you consume less processed food and closer to its natural state. A vegan diet can include chips and beer, but is that genuinely healthy? Instead, in a whole-food plant-based diet, the amount of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts one consumes is higher. This style of nourishing your body provides higher fiber consumption, vitamins, and minerals. It is also a "low fat" diet since foods are prepared without using oils, butter, or margarine. Healthy sources of fat include nuts, seeds, and avocados. Food is prepared in styles that allow the use of vegetable stock, lemon juice, and other fresh ingredients that limit the need to depend on the process and add fats to our diet. Like in a vegan diet, animal products are not consumed. Protein is still essential in any eating style; legumes, vegetables, nuts, and grains all have the amino acids to keep our bodies working at excellent capacity. Added sugar is reduced, and natural sweeteners, like fruits, are used to prepare dishes. A whole-food plant-based diet is not about restriction or eating food that is not tasty but is about embracing a different way of nourishing our bodies that will improve our health and help us regain energy and capacity to focus throughout the day. Herbs and spices will add flavor and texture to your meals. A whole-food, plant-based diet allows you to celebrate food without being bound to the "diet culture." Finally, some people might think switching to a whole-food plant-based diet is more expensive, and the reality is that this is not true if we buy season fresh products, bulk legumes, and whole grains and limit processed vegan products. What are some benefits of eating more plants? Reduce your risk of some cancers like colon, breast, and prostate, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and reduce complications associated with diabetes. In some cases, you might be able to reduce doses of your medications and even eliminate some of them. Finally, people that embrace this style of nourishing their bodies will benefit from a vitamin B12 supplement. But, always consult with your doctor before choosing your supplement. This transition can be challenging if you do it alone, but there is help! You do not have to walk your health journey alone. I can help you! If this content helps you, share it with other people! Invite them to follow @saludRevisited.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. It is not just a food allergy or a "trend." When a person eats gluten, its immune system attacks itself. It affects primarily your bowels and can lead to problems absorbing other essential nutrients in your diet. One risk factor is having a family member with celiac disease. 1%-3% of the population has this medical condition, which affects more women than men. However, about 80% of the population does not receive a diagnosis since presenting symptoms vary from person to person. Some people develop diarrhea, fatigue, headache, and rashes, while others might develop depression, anxiety, or numbness in the extremities. When a doctor suspects you might have celiac disease, they might advise you to follow a gluten-free diet for some time and journal about your symptoms. Blood tests and special procedures can also be completed to confirm the diagnosis. A gluten-free diet is an essential part of the treatment. When going to the grocery stores, read labels and choose products that do not contain wheat, rye, barley, malt, or brewer's yeast (AKA no beer)—opting for products made with quinoa, teff, millet, amaranth, buckwheat, and rice and eating starchy vegetables as a source of healthy carbohydrates and fiber. Changing to a gluten-free diet can be challenging, but you can speak with your physician. A good nutritionist can also help you make small changes at a time. If you suspect you have celiac disease, you can complete the assessment tool for the Celiac Disease Foundation online for free. (https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/symptoms-assessment-tool). If you need ideas on healthy gluten-free recipes, I recommend The Plant-Based Gluten-Free Cookbook: Over 75 Easy Recipes for Amazing Health and Energy by KC Carr. When eating at a restaurant, always ask your server about specific ingredients, if not evident in the menu, and ask for your meal to be modified and responsive to your health needs. If this content helps you, share it with other people! Invite them to follow @saludRevisited.

"Medicine is only palliative. For behind disease lies the cause, and this cause NO DRUG can reach." DR. SILAS WEIR MITCHELL Many patients ask me, do I need to take this medication for the rest of my life? Everyday? My answer is usually no. One of my passions is to help my patients reach that goal. Not to need medications for life or reduce the number of necessary medicines. Some medical conditions will require you to take medications for life, like hormone imbalances like hypothyroidism. Yet, other medical conditions can be placed in remission. This means the illness is dormant, not necessarily "cured." Working to achieve remission of a disease or reducing the number and amount you take of medications takes consistent and small changes in your day-to-day behavior. You will need support, not only from your doctor but also from family and friends. The community you surround yourself with can either help you develop consistent new health habits or can derail you and unmotivate you. Working towards remission of certain medical conditions, like diabetes, elevated blood pressure, and cholesterol, will require a behavior lifestyle in nourishment, movement, sleep, and stress. These can be challenging since, many times. Our current Western culture does not promote and facilitate health. Yes, some of these behaviors are imposed. The environment in which you live will impact your capacity to choose to bike or walk to get a coffee versus taking a 5-minute drive. However, being mindful of what choices are under your control can help you stay focused on the goal. Also, you should see your doctor often to help you achieve this goal. I always say every 2-4 weeks. I am aware that when you go home, you are the one doing the hard work. The one who is cooking more, moving and sweating, disconnecting from the world's chaos, and turning lights off earlier than many. But together, you and your healthcare team can achieve the goal of curing the cause of many chronic medical conditions: day-to-day behavior. Remember, illness is not your failure. You can heal for real and rewrite your health story. If you believe this is possible, please share this blog with others. Together, we can heal! There is hope.

If you want to learn more listen on YouTube: Maya and Dr.María

Many people believe that Western medicine focuses solely on treating the symptoms of a disease. In contrast, Eastern medicine takes a more holistic approach by treating the person as a whole. Eastern medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda techniques, has been practiced much longer than conventional Western medicine. It aims to restore balance through alternative therapies, making it a valuable addition to treating chronic pain, addiction, stress, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Eastern medicine practitioners diagnose diseases by examining the entire body and focusing on imbalances. In contrast, Western medicine makes diagnoses based on a person's symptoms. Both types of testing and diagnosis can be helpful in different ways, with Western doctors skilled at identifying how a patient's symptoms may be related to a more significant health problem and Eastern doctors noticing other signs or issues that the patient may be unaware of or might not understand its effect on their health. People often turn to Eastern medicine as a complementary treatment because it focuses more on preventing problems from happening than reacting to them when they arise. This contrasts Western medicine, which treats diseases as they occur. Western medicine offers access to technology, skilled surgeons, medications, and other options to treat complicated symptoms. At the same time, Eastern therapy helps people heal from internal ailments to function at their best. People need both types of care at the appropriate time to conserve their health. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies date back at least 2,200 years, making them one of the world's oldest medical systems. Ayurveda which originated in India perhaps as much as 3,000 years ago. Both are examples of older healing modalities to restore balance to the person in gentle yet powerful ways. If you have been searching for an answer to your health or know of someone looking for other alternatives, share this blog with them.