Studies show that the food we eat affects the chemical composition of our brain and alters our mood. Our diet affects our cognitive capabilities, including alertness and the release of neurotransmitters. We can change our mood by changing our diets.
Our gut bacteria, which is unique to us, keeps us healthy, aids digestion, helps regulate body rhythms, and even improves our mood. Here is what we can do to optimize our gut health, and thus overall health.
Chronic skin diseases are extremely common. The skin acts as an indication of our health, letting us know there is a problem that needs closer attention. We cover the basics of skin issues and useful tips for treating chronic skin conditions.
The evidence from the research suggests that poor sleep increases hunger and negatively affects metabolism, immune system, and hormone balance. Learn more here!
Yes, the common cold and annual flu have not gone away either. This week Dr. Bhandari discusses lifestyle habits and diet changes that can boost your immune system and overall health.
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is diagnosed as a chronic bladder pain condition. IC responds well to dietary changes to support more alkaline blood and urine to help manage symptoms. Learn more here!
To understand the damage of emotions, we only need to understand the damage of inflammation.
Consider why Echo Neurotherapy might be an invaluable tool for patients with long-term pandemic symptoms.
Always tired? San Francisco integrative medicine physician, Dr. Payal Bhandari explains her techniques for treating chronic fatigue syndrome.
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.
Did you know that patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 are markedly low in gut bacteria known to have immunomodulatory potential? Enhancing our microbiome appears to be the new frontier in fighting this pandemic.
When younger people experience joint pain, they hardly ever consider the possibility that it could be a symptom of arthritis. Learn more about the surprising early warning signs!
Did you know that approximately 90% of infants today in America are missing key bacterial species inside their gut critical for their digestive and immune systems to work properly?
The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency usually begin gradually and can be easy to miss because they are so common. Learn more here!
Widespread, decade use of antibiotics in both livestock husbandry and human healthcare has led to trace amounts of these drugs and their byproducts ending up in everyone's food.
If you really want to avoid chemicals, check out some natural ways to prevent skin cancer that are good alternatives to sunscreen.
Here is our guide to the most common types of summer allergies in San Francisco and how to treat them naturally.
What the Evidence Says Thus Far ...
Poor digestive function correlates with symptoms described by Traditional Chinese Medicine a thousand years ago. Learn more here!
The stress response has long been emphasized as a short-lived response. However, modern science is proving anything but. Learn how traumatic experiences can be passed on to future generations.
Learn why I recommend everyone give their body a period of rest from digesting food here!
As a woman, it can be all too easy to put off caring for yourself. But when it comes to your health, it’s important to place yourself first. Do you have any of the following symptoms?
Read this week's blog to learn 9 simple things you can do to make the biggest impact for our planet.
Cynical hostility increases one’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Hence, how you think and act can very well impact your heart. Read more here.
Can you guess what it is? You might be surprised! Read more here.
Lymphedema can be caused by various genetic conditions, the aging process, various environmental toxin exposure, or as a result of an underlying disease. Acupuncture is instrumental in treating lymphedema.
All we need to do is look at history for our answers: we've known all along that what you eat plays an enormous role in preventing heart disease. Read more about this fascinating history here!
Did you know low storage levels of vitamin D contribute to higher COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates?
Unlike conventional health care, integrative medicine primarily focuses on prevention. Learn why now is the time for integrative care.
To remedy infertility, we need to shift the hormonal balance. Read more about integrative approaches for decreasing estrogen dominance here!
One of the biggest misconceptions about the keto diet is that you have to consume animal products to see any results. That’s not true! Learn more about how to do that here.
When our emotions are given the attention they deserve, they can hold a great deal of wisdom and insight to what exactly is going on inside of our body and subconscious mind.
This week, I want to go over what YOU and your family can do to decrease exposure to BPA and its many forms. And it's easier than you think!
According to a new study, high levels of BPA in the body are associated with a 49% increased risk of death within 10 years. And you may be exposed more so than ever during this pandemic...
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!
Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and bad lifestyle habits early in life can bite us later on. Learn how I nourish my skin.
The ketogenic diet has been incredibly successful in improving biomarkers of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes in overweight individuals, with improvements in blood glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, and triglyceride levels
One of the most frequent questions cardiologist Nicole Harkin M.D. is asked is "What is the best diet for heart health?"
This week I answer the question: “If I use a supplement containing melatonin, will I become addicted? Will I build tolerance and be unable to sleep without it?”
Did you also know that intermittent fasting appears to increase one’s lifespan? Let’s discuss!
Pregnancy is a spectacular and challenging journey for a woman and the entire family because of the new life. Acupuncture ensures a healthy pregnancy!
Cooking for anxiety and depression in the time of a pandemic can be deeply healing. Read this week's blog post by our nutritionist Nicole Bianchi.
Curious to know about my Top 15 Sleeping Tips for the immune system? Read more here!
By focusing on the philosophy of "do no harm" read on to see how we developed a personalized treatment plan to restore our patient's health & wellbeing.
We now know how COVID-19 wreaks havoc on the body’s tissues. Now I want to focus specifically on melatonin’s anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and immunomodulatory role in health and wellbeing.
Read on to learn why sleep may be one of the best remedies to fight COVID-19.
Most of the advanced diagnostic tests we run are early detection tests regarding organ dysfunction … that is, we are looking to catch minor and major problems before they balloon out-of-control and hinder a person’s quality and duration of their life.
Click here to learn more and why you might need microbiome testing!
Personal stories from a Buddhist Monk, a long-distance hiker, and other seclusion-seekers about how to be alone without feeling lonely.
Health disparities faced by people of color are highlighted by the pandemic. Here I offer my advice for strategies to overcome COVID-19.
Learn why overt diseases can contribute to the development of cancer growth.
When antibiotics and eight different medications aren't enough, you have to dig deeper for the root causes. Read this week's post about my patient's journey.
When the body is properly aligned and functioning optimally, we feel better. Learn the powerful impact that both osteopathy and nutrition have on your health!
Thermography can demonstrate soft tissue inflammation along with significant vascular inflammation throughout the body. Learn more!
When a tourist went into a museum's thermal imaging camera room, she noticed her left breast was a different color. It changed her life forever. Read more!
The U.S. has a pivotal window of opportunity to beat back the virus that has rocked the nation.
The frequency and intensity of heatwaves and its cumulative impact on health has risen through the decades. This is having unimaginable consequences.
Researchers found those who vaped were 5 to 7 times more likely to be infected with COVID-19 and experience severe symptoms. Learn more!
Fall weather increases the risk of mosquito and tick bites. Here are some tips on how to prevent bug bites as your first line of defense!
Methanol is extremely toxic. It damages the brain and spinal cord similar to alcohol. Exposure directly to the skin can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision/ blindness, seizures, permanent damage to the body’s neurons, coma, or even death.
Get out of your head. Name your stress. Acknowledge the challenges you are facing. Choose your words with caution. Create private space and quality time. Get help when you need it.
Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint here!
In this month's case study, we found that our patient's stress was overriding her body’s ability to heal--it was preventing repair of long-standing damage to her leaky gut. Read more to find out what we did after she followed up with a Thermography scan.
Let's quickly discuss the latest findings in a new study that you NEED to know about if you are taking aspiring for "prevention".
The unprecedented rise in life-threatening infections, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is due to the fact that we are addicted to excess animal protein consumption and are running out of reliable and effective antibiotics to treat these infections.
Climate change is one of the most urgent environmental and humanitarian challenges we face in the 21st century.
Please be advised, some of the images are disturbing.
The “it's only one drink per day” mentality is dangerous to human health, especially in the era of COVID-19. It has quickly led to a weaker immune system for Americans of all ages and high probability of getting infected with COVID-19.
If you’re like most Americans, then you're probably itching to get out again and eat at your favorite restaurants. Cooking all your meals at home can be a lot of work! Can we eat healthy when we return?
Let's get back to the basics and start moving and eating for health. Simple tweaks can save your life. Do not underestimate the power of walking and consuming a varied, nutrient-rich plant-based diet. They are the gold standard for immune health.
Our rapid shift to meals at home, as opposed to meals at school, workplaces/institutions, and restaurants, brought a dramatic change in what we eat. This is where I have reservations about food at home.
We are now offering COVID-19 antibody testing to detect for immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Our goal is to keep everyone safe while continuing to give the best care possible and keep us all healthy! Read more here.
This past week, New York City health authorities warned of additional signs and symptoms of the virus. Specifically, children ages 2 to 15, may experience persistent fever and elevated inflammatory markers, similar to a syndrome known as Kawasaki disease.
Immunity to coronaviruses that cause the common cold lasts between one and three years. Whether that’s true of COVID-19 or not is still up in the air. Read more about the possibility of catching COVID-19 again, and supplements you shouldn't take when sick.
The goal of any therapy is to stop reproduction of the virus. Read more here!
Please know that the team at SF Advanced Health is available to provide Telemedicine services along with in-office consultations to continue providing you excellent care.
Right now the air is cleaner than it has been in several decades.
Here are 10 essential ways you can do to optimize your health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses herbs and ancient ways of treating illnesses. Because of this pandemic, we are seeing the use of TCM as a main way to cope with the infectious COVID-19 spread.
“BPA-free” is not synonymous with bisphenol-free. Other bisphenols are often substituted for BPA, which may or may not act in a similar way and may or may not be less harmful. Our advice? Limit most plastics if you can.
Pharmaceutical drugs cause too many problems and do not cure the root cause of sleep problems. They are toxic to the brain and spinal cord, are extremely addictive, and interfere with most other medications. Find out why yoga may be the solution you need.
In 2020, the vast majority of adults in America will be overweight or obese and more than 50% will suffer from early to late stage diabetes. Beat the statistics and read this week's blog here.
What I love about manual osteopathy is that it is a noninvasive, drug-free treatment option (aka., no risk of addition, surgical complications, or side effects). Read more here!
Read this month's case study to see how we uncovered a hidden disease for one of our patients.
Read more here about how this math works!
Why you may want to consider getting a thermography scan.
This week I address the key micronutrients diabetic patients need.
Read this month's case study about a patient who experienced a complete remission of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The biggest reason why her thyroid disease had persisted for years was no other physician had addressed the biggest source of her disease: stress.
Read more here!
Could intermittent fasting be part of the solution?
Read this week's blog post to discover how to go through menopause pain-free.
We can detect vascular and lymphatic blood flow under Thermography.
Happiness is a state of mind.
Did you know that healthy breathing is absolutely critical for deep and restorative sleep? This all comes back to proper blood circulation. Consider circulation therapy via BEMER if you need to better support your sleep.
Adherence to an anti-inflammatory diet is associated with a significant reduction of all-cause and cause-specific mortality. But did you also know that it can impact your mood?
When Jared was diagnosed with Crohn’s, he felt he had to identify with a chronic illness which made him feel vulnerable, helpless, and broken. We were able to turn his story around. Read more here.
Other dietary factors must be considered!
Cold Laser therapy offers a non-invasive option to surgery or drugs, and can be used in combination with massage and acupuncture.
Read on to find out how we were able to detect early breast cancer in one of our patients.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Yet, why does nutrition's association with cancer remain a controversial topic to this day?
Read on to learn about what happens when we lose our beneficial bacterial friends, the "Good Guys", in the gut.
Click to read our latest case study!
Read to learn more about which drugs have been recalled and if you or your loved ones might be affected.
We at Advanced Health are here to help.
Let me be frank. There’s not a day in my practice when I don’t see a patient with multiple health diagnoses.
A recent review has discovered an association between low-dose Aspirin and an increased risk of intracranial bleeding, in individuals with no symptomatic cardiovascular disease.
Many of us can relate to the idea of not having enough hours in the day. Our task lists and inboxes continue to grow, and many of us are used to feeling as though we’ve been spread too thinly to meet the needs of the day.
Case study #1: Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Case Study #3: Reversing Formation of Blood Clot
There are plenty of reasons why meat alternatives are being developed. Many consumers pursue vegetarian or vegan lifestyles, and for them a faux meat burger is an alluring option.
A San Francisco civic ordinance, file #190312, signed by Mayor London Breed effectively bans the sale of e-cigarettes in the city. Unanimously passed by the board of supervisors, this landmark legislation is the first of its kind in the United States.
Historically, plants were the cornerstone for producing medicine. In Western culture, we consider medicine as a product of the pharmaceutical industrial complex.
Happiness stems from perception: a positive outlook reframes any circumstance, no matter what life throws your way. However, changing your outlook is easier said than done.
There are a ton of DNA tests out there that impart information about ancestry, health and wellness, and genetic traits. You’ve likely heard of 23andMe, from either a relative or coworker, at some point.
Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, both associated with pain and fatigue, are chronic conditions requiring ongoing treatment and management. Although these treatments differ, the benefits are effective in managing both conditions.
When people think of “hormones” they tend to associate them with times of change, like puberty or pregnancy. It’s true hormones are responsible for those extreme changes, but they also affect multiple body functions at all times.
Osteopathy is a naturopathic healing art that operates under the philosophy that the body is fundamentally capable of healing itself from illness or injury without the addition of medicines or the removal or destruction of bodily tissues
There is an old proverb that says the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. In practical terms, this means that cooking for someone is a way to show love and care.
Inflammation is a painful, damaging condition with a number of different causes. Inflammation indicates that the body is in the process of repairing injury or attacking an invader.
33 years old female Priya enjoys yoga, walking, and jogging. She is a nonsmoker and has no sleep issues, but her demanding work schedule resulted in late nights.
We’ve all heard the old adage “you are what you eat.” This refers, of course, to the practice of eating high quality food to achieve high quality nutrition. Another newer saying “you are what you eat, ate” is more accurate.
Advanced Health is now offering a wider range of diagnostic tests through a partnership with local provider Genova Diagnostics.
Advanced Health has been innovating for years to discover ways to help our patients overcome various ailments and improve their lives. Recently, we have added Thermal Digital Imaging, or Thermography, to our suite of health services.
The liver may not be the CEO of the body, but it is still sitting in one of the corner offices.
Millions of people struggle with their weight, their digestive system, and their overall health. It is incredibly frustrating to eat a meal only to have discomfort and painful symptoms afterward.
A person's lungs are one of the most critical organs in the human body, but they aren't often cared for the way they should be. There are plenty of ways to keep lungs healthy and improve respiratory health.
A breast cancer diagnosis can be enough to uproot your entire life, requiring you to change your regular routine to combat the condition. If you are interested in lowering your chance of developing the condition, follow some of these tips.
If you have had inflammation in your body for some time now, you’ll no doubt be experiencing some discomfort and are likely feeling very annoyed at the whole thing.
The body’s immune system is made up of cells, tissues, and organs that have the job of protecting the body. The immune system acts as internal armor against infectious invaders.
Sam’s primary concern was his chronic acid reflux (heartburn) for over a decade and asked Dr. Bhandari M.D. at Advanced Health to put together a plan to effectively treat his chronic pain.
There are any number of ways that your relationship with food may have become imbalanced, but with a few simple lifestyle changes and healthy habits, you can set yourself on the path to wellness.
The Bredesen Protocol is a compelling approach to Alzheimer's treatment that shows a great deal of promise in clinical trials and has already helped hundreds of patients.
Holistic nutrition is a philosophy that recognizes health is multidimensional, comprising the physical, chemical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies.
Learn how to organize your kitchen to shift to healthy eating habits. Make cooking pleasant and convenient so you enjoy the process and the results.
As the new year gets under way, many people are trying to make good on resolutions that included "getting healthy," but what does that mean, exactly? Getting healthy means different things for different people; however, most people will be making it a poin
Dr. Payal Bhandari, M.D., was visited by a 54 year old male patient (hereafter called Jack to ensure confidentiality) who had just been diagnosed with a large deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his entire left leg.
Dr. Bhandari and the SF Advanced Health team leverage state-of-the-art technologies to focus on disease prevention and health optimization, with a personalized approach to medicine.
Memory loss is a common occurrence among women as they approach menopause. Here are some tips to naturally fight it.
Cancer, like many other diseases, is something that you want to catch early so that you have the best chance possible of beating it; the earlier it's caught, the less likely it is to advance. But that still leaves questions as to how you can improve your c
While food sensitivities and food allergies have a lot in common, and even share many of the same symptoms, the underlying mechanisms for each are distinct, and only one of them is potentially life-threatening.
B vitamins, as a group, comprise a class of water-soluble nutrients that help with cellular metabolism.
The Northern California Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history. Now is a perfect time to talk about how to prevent lung damage and keep your exposure to air pollutants low.
Dr. Payal Bhandari, M.D. received a visit from a 56-year-old male patient (whom we will call “John” to preserve his confidentiality) with chronic hip pain that severely impacted his right hip for over a decade.
Some body types will naturally carry more fat than others, and that isn’t necessarily an indicator of ill-health. Muscle weighs more than fat, by volume, and many people will get healthier by putting on a few extra pounds of muscle rather than shedding fro
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.
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.
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.
