Good day to you! I had a very nice letter from a reader who said, "I actually read your reports and find them most interesting and helpful. Here's the one difficulty I'm running into: How do I go from my current lifestyle and eating habits to one where I am actually living healthily? I don't know where to start! What is the most important thing to do first so that I can gradually convert over to what I should be doing? You recommend what seem like a lot of good ideas, but how do I go from my existing scene to an ideal scene?"

Great question. See the right hand article for my thoughts on how to get this going. Have a great week. - D.I. Minkoff, M.D.

How do I get from where I am to where I want to go?
Let's tackle one problem at a time.

While it may not be true of everyone, for me, abrupt change is easier than gradual change. Abstinence is easier than temperance, as they say.

The most important changes to make for improving your health are dietary. The first is the hardest: -- D.I. Minkoff, M.D.                                                                     read more ... »

Meridian Health Analysis
Our organs generate an internal energy throughout our body, specifically forming energy paths called meridians near the surface of the skin. The whole body network of energy paths is called the Meridian System.

Meridians differ from acupuncture points, which are points on the skin, although acupuncture points are usually located along meridian points.

The Meridian energy flow carries with it information about internal organs. This information can be used in diagnoses to assist us in recommending remedies that are homeopathic in nature. This is the basis of the Meridian Health Analysis. -- D.I. Minkoff, M.D. read more ... »

Beware of Grasshoppers - they're full of mercury
Paxil is one of the largest selling drugs in the world. The ads promise you contentment in a pill. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Suicide, increased cancer risk, and impotency are just of few of the reported side effects. Read on for the rest of the story... - D.I. Minkoff, M.D.                                                                                            read more ...»

Athletic Performance and Total Body Toxic Load
Athletes put high demands on their bodies to go faster, jump higher, and lift more. Two very important factors must be considered so that their genetic endowment can be maximized:

1. Nutrition is the most important factor. Adequate nutrients must be available to build tissues and organs as well as to provide fuel for energy.

2. Toxic influences in the environment must also be constantly removed so the body's tissues are not contaminated by heavy metals and chemicals. These factors actually block enzymes needed for the body to make energy and protein. When the body is under toxic stress, it will not perform or recover properly. Fatigue, lack of energy, inability to recovery, or injury result. -- D.I. Minkoff, MD                                                          read the rest ...»

Are you smelling the flowers?
The illusion of time seems to take us out of the present moment and put us in some distant past or future. Life on the racetrack, driven by caffeine, deadlines, sugar, and fast food take their toll on our ability to enjoy the present. But really, all we have is our moment-to-moment experience of now. If you're not here, recognizing and enjoying your daily activities, your life might go by without noticing it. Take a moment to be in present time. What is your experience? What do you see? What do you hear? How do you feel?

This week a good friend sent my wife this little story. It was a nice perspective on this whole scene. I thought you'd like it too. -- D.I. Minkoff, MD                                   learn more ...»

Recipe of the Week - Zucchini Onion Quesadilla
The Optimum Health Reports is trying to help guide you to live a healthier life through diet, exercise, and knowledge. We are posting a recipe each week from the cookbook, "Having It All Without Wheat, Dairy Or Sugar," by Gwynn Palmer.   

Please see the newsletter for the recipe.