Health Resources

As the old saying goes, “you are what you eat.” That bit of conventional wisdom is just as true today as it was when your great grandmother used to say it.

Cortisol, sometimes called the “stress hormone,” has been much maligned in the media recently. There is quite a bit more to cortisol than the standard explanations everyone hears.

A 42-year old female patient sought the help of Dr. Payal Bhandari M.D.  because she was having severe chronic gastrointestinal discomfort. Patient “Ada” came to Advanced Health with a desire to learn more about the nutrient-dense foods she could safely in

A healthy, well-balanced diet can help prevent eczema flare-ups.

The concept of food addiction is relatively new in the medical sphere. Food addiction is an extremely harmful, lifelong struggle for a great many Americans.

Hormones can affect your memory as much as your mood. When you experience frequent outbursts of anger or find yourself crying randomly, you may want to look at your hormone levels.

We are exposed to environmental toxins all the time. Even the simplest of daily routines can expose one to several common pollutants found in the water we drink, food we eat, and air we breathe.

Have you found yourself feeling dull, fatigued, and unlike yourself lately? You could be suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

constipation means that something has gone wrong in your digestive system – your large intestine, in particular. The digestive system is impacted by almost everything the body does.

There are any number of reasons why you might want to shift to a plant-based diet. Some people make the switch for ethical reasons, some for health concerns, and still others because they want to save money when preparing meals for a large family.

No matter where you live, it’s imperative that you filter your tap water. Impure water is a serious problem in just about every part of the industrialized world. The risk factors are vast and most are unavoidable, even with a robust municipal water filtrat

Psoriasis is not pleasant. It can cause transient disfigurement, pain, and can degrade a person’s quality of life. Learn about the connection between psoriasis and stress.

Inflammation can have any number of causes. Discover five ways to treat inflammation naturally.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies can include itching, sneezing, congestion and runny nose, headaches, red or watery eyes, and so on. They can vary from mild to severe, acute to chronic.

At Advanced Health, we believe that daily practices of mindfulness can contribute to lifelong wellness.

Lymphedema can be caused by various genetic conditions, by aging, or as a result of another condition or disease. Learn how acupuncture can help.

The practitioners at Advanced Health practice an integrative approach to chronic pain, which considers the body holistically. In doing so, we rely on these treatments, and more, for all sorts of patients, especially those managing chronic pain.

Gluten intolerance is, unfortunately, fairly common: more than ⅓ of the U.S. population has a certain degree of gluten sensitivity. It is highly likely that gluten intolerance is underdiagnosed.

An integrative treatment for gut health would address the various root causes which have contributed to the condition of ill-health.

Many men struggle with societal pressures that make it difficult to admit to health concerns or to ask for help. Here are some solutions.

There are a few simple changes you can make to your lifestyle today that will have a strong and lasting impact on your cognitive health for the rest of your life.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, we wanted to put together a list of some of the best integrative and functional medicinal treatment options for new and expecting mothers.

Here are five unique and often unexpected benefits of massage therapy that help you to achieve better health, both mentally and physically, as a way of supporting lifelong wellness.

Dr. Lonnele Ball, PhD and Dr. Harlan South, M.D. leverage state-of-the-art technologies to focus on disease prevention and health optimization, with a personalized approach to concierge medicine.

It all comes down to this. There is no miracle cure, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to diet.

No matter your lifestyle, or your current state of health, seeing an integrative functional dietician might be the best choice you can make, to take charge of your healing and promote lasting wellness.

You’ve got hundreds or thousands of different species of bacteria living in your digestive tract, and each of them has a particular niche. Learn more about gut bacteria!

Integrative health and functional medicine are two relatively recent developments in the practice of Western medicine. At Advanced Health, we take an integrative approach to healing the body.

A variety of herbs can be extremely beneficial in the maintenance of healthy skin. See the top herbs for skin care...

One of the first things that people should consider is the symptoms of leaky gut. The most common symptom is any type of digestive issue. Learn more!

Is it time for you to get a massage? Well, ask yourself if any of these apply to you…

Even if you think that you are healthy, you can still make some changes to improve your heart health. Taking care of your heart today is the key to living a long, happy. and healthy life.

Menopause can also be associated with a number of symptoms. Learn about the benefits of bioidentical hormones for treating symptoms.

An autoimmune disease is a disease that changes the way the human body views a specific part or feature of the body. Learn more about these diseases and integrative health.

The benefits of acupuncture are proven by numerous scientific research results that now name it as one of the most viable and effective alternative methods to use for well-being and healing.

Integrative medicine focuses on discovering the common causes of sleep problems in order to understand each individual's unique needs for a solution.

The most important thing to look for when choosing a San Francisco family physician is the ability to treat a whole family. Learn more about what other qualities to look for.

Unlike conventional health care, integrative medicine primarily focuses on prevention

Heart disease is preventable! Dr. Payal Bhandari, M.D. explains why integrative medicine is the best treatment for cardiovascular conditions.

Do you know the difference between good cholesterol and bad cholesterol? Primary care physician Dr. Payal Bhandari explains high cholesterol myths and facts.

Dr. Payal Bhandari, M.D. spoke in a Seed the Commons event in San Francisco and explained why milk is not the best option for our kids’ nutrition and how we can replace this food for another protein which the body can absorb.

Have you checked in with your primary care physician about how to stay healthy this holiday season?

When it comes to successful weight management strategies, integrative medicine emphasizes the need for a nutrient-dense diet with an overall, holistic sense of health.

These statistics are tragic. Over 600,000 Americans die each year from preventable cardiovascular disease such as a stroke.

When prostate problems arise, most men experience immediate concern about cancer. Learn about the difference between prostate cancer and other conditions.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that attacks the lining of the digestive tract, which, if not recognized and treated in time, is very likely to cause moderate to severe physical problems.

GERD, which is often referred to as dyspepsia, is a common chronic digestive disease, stemming from the problems that stomach acid or stomach content cause to the esophagus.

Recognizing asthma attack symptoms can save lives, which is why education about asthma and its physical signs is important. Learn more...

Having a local physician in San Francisco who is familiar with your medical history, including family background, former illnesses, and records of exams and test results is an invaluable resource.

Taking a more serious approach to your health can help you make the changes that you need without those excuses getting in your way.

As we age, we learn that irregular menstrual cycles can be quite common. Learn how integrative health can get your abnormal periods under control.

Integrative health for men primarily focuses on preventative care, aiming to convey the importance of men developing a more health-conscious attitude. Learn more!

One way to combat chronic stress is to use mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques. Here are five integrative techniques for practicing mindfulness and reducing your stress levels.

When people with anxiety manage their symptoms with integrative health care, they can prevent their condition from worsening while living productive, happy lives.

An integrative health approach to common sexual problems will help with finding lasting emotional balance.

Currently, there are no known cures to heal celiac disease. Integrative health looks at why more than a gluten-free diet is needed.

Chronic diseases are incredibly common, affecting a staggering 50% of the adult population in the United States. Explore integrative treatments for chronic diseases.

Did you know that endometriosis is one of the most frequent disorder of the feminine reproductive years, estimated to impact about 10% of American women?

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US. Do you know why? Learn about the different types of skin cancer and integrative cancer treatment.

Integrative doctor Payal Bhandari, MD shows you how to treat the most common types of summer allergies in San Francisco naturally and effectively.

Feeling abnormally stressed & tired? Something could be wrong! Dr. Payal Bhandari, MD explains her techniques for treating adrenal insufficiency naturally.

Our skin may seem strong, healthy and impervious to both skin cancer and sun damage, but that damage builds up over time. Even sunscreen isn't always enough protection!

Don’t wait around for your skin to figure itself out! Dr. Payal Bhandari offers expertise on using integrative medicine to treat chronic skin conditions.

Menopause doesn’t need to be a negative phase in women’s lives. Dr. Payal Bhandari explains her natural treatments for menopause symptoms.

It’s something we’ve all heard about, but what is IBS? Dr. Payal Bhandari discusses the symptoms and explains how common irritable bowel syndrome is.

Always tired? San Francisco integrative medicine physician, Dr. Payal Bhandari explains her techniques for treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

Many of us assume arthritis develops with age and cannot be helped. Dr. Bhandari, M.D. explains how arthritis symptoms can be improved with lifestyle changes.

Practicing mindfulness meditation daily can help change our brains and can be used as an integrative health treatment for many chronic conditions.

Diabetes affects millions of people. Dr. Payal Bhandari, M.D. empowers patients with integrative techniques to live well and manage diabetes effectively.

1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes and 90% are unaware of it. Dr. Payal Bhandari, M.D. is a San Francisco-based integrative physician that specializes in chronic illness and how to turn them around.

Could you be experiencing allergy symptoms without knowing? Dr. Payal Bhandari is San Francisco integrative medicine physician with all the answers you need.

Inflammation is a process that is meant to heal the body, but Dr. Payal Bhandari explains how chronic inflammation can lead to serious long-term health issues.

Gluten can cause severe discomfort and lifelong illness. Dr. Payal Bhandari, a San Francisco integrative doctor, discusses common celiac disease symptoms.

Anxiety can dramatically affect and disrupt daily life. Dr. Payal Bhandari is a San Francisco integrative doctor that has some tips to share with you.

The effects of gluten and wheat on our bodies has become a hot-topic for many. Dr. Payal Bhandari explains why you should be mindful of wheat consumption.

Nut butters are an easy way to invigorate your diet and help boost your overall health. Dr. Payal Bhandari breaks down the health benefits of the most common types of nut butters.

How much meat should you eat and where should your protein come from? San Francisco Physician Dr. Payal Bhandari debunks the most common health myths about protein.

Where does the popular health myth “Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever” come from? San Francisco Physician, Dr. Payal Bhandari debunks the most common health myths.

Where do our popular health myths come from and what should we believe? San Francisco Physician, Dr. Payal Bhandari debunks the most common health myths.

It takes time to develop the habit of drinking more water, but it’s easier to do than you think. Our tips will help you build this healthy habit in no time.

Read Advanced Health's list of practical and achievable New Year's resolutions you can adopt to make a big difference in your overall health and wellbeing.

Volunteering is very gratifying, and we often get out more than what we give. It’s an activity the whole family can bond over, and as a bonus, volunteering is good for our health, too.

During the holidays we often experience higher than normal stress levels. Read our list of surprising holiday activities that can reduce stress effectively.

Every year kids end up in the emergency room due to toy-related accidents. Watch out for these toys and gifts that are bad for your toddler's health.

San Francisco has a wealth of green spaces, breathtaking views, and great climate all year round, making it the perfect place for urban hiking.

Manage stress and anxiety when doing your holiday shopping so you can have a fun-filled and relaxing festive season with your family and friends.

Satisfy your taste buds and have fun with this year's Thanksgiving dinner with our health tips, without feeling like a stuffed turkey afterward.

You will be surprised at how good you will feel when cutting out unhealthy foods from your diet. Read more to learn which foods to avoid or limit.

Many illnesses are caused or aggravated by the food we eat. Learn which foods make up a healthy and well-balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients.

Without a proper functioning liver, toxins will build up in the body, which can be detrimental to our health. Avoid liver diseases by following our tips.

We all know that smoking is bad for our lungs. But what else can we do to keep our lungs strong and healthy? Read Advanced Health's tips for healthy lungs.

Depression may take years to treat, but there are steps you can take for yourself. Our tips will help you take charge of your mental wellness.

Cancer is one of the scariest diseases, but with certain lifestyle choices, risk factors can be reduced. Here's a list of cancers that affect women most.