Osteoarthritis and Strontium

“I have spinal osteoarthritis and suffer from miserable back pain. What can I do to ease the pain?” According to Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, author of Pain Free 1-2-3!, 1200mg of calcium and 400 mg of magnesium are very important. Studies have shown that getting calcium and magnesium from a combination of foods and supplements is the best way to keep your bones strong. However, Teitelbaum also recommends the mineral strontium.

Osteoarthritis in the spine occurs when the cartilage surrounding the spine’s joints begins to deteriorate, causing pain when the bones rub over the roughened cartilage. A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that 640 mg of daily strontium significantly reduced back pain by building bone density (and even prevented arthritic progression).

For additional pain relief, 400mg of willow bark is recommended. For more information on these supplements, contact Village Green Apothecary at 800-869-9159.

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Support Your Immune System: Astragalus

Choosing the right foods and supplements to support your immune system is a good strategy for winning the battle against colds, flu, infections and other immune challenges. Over the next week I will be writing about some foods and supplements that will help keep you and your family healthy during cold and flu season.

Astragalus: This traditional Chinese medicine has hundreds of published clinical studies to support its positive effects on the immune system. It is beneficial for infections (especially respiratory), stress-related immune dysfunction, and recovery after illness or surgery; some studies have used it as cancer treatment. It can also help you resist cold and flu.

In contrast to the immune-boosting properties of some herbs, astragalus can be taken for long periods of time (several months) without showing a decrease in the response of the immune system. However, it should be avoided if you have a fever.

Astragalus is most readily available in capsules and tinctures. Tinctures are my preferred way of administration. Both Gaia Herbs and Herb Pharm make excellent quality astragalus tinctures.  For more information about dosage, please contact us.

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Sleep and Weight Gain

Next in my series of videos, I discuss the important topic of sleep and weight gain. If you are having trouble sleeping and can’t figure out why you can’t lose weight, take a look at this video for some insights on possible reasons.

Read this for a better night’s sleep.

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New Warning About Heartburn Medications

Heartburn is one of the most common GI problems in America. It is a condition where stomach acid is regurgitated up into the esophagus giving rise to symptoms such as chest discomfort, wheezing, asthma, hiccups, and hoarseness. Acid reflux can cause damage to the lining of the esophagus and should be taken seriously.

Heartburn medications are widely available, both by prescription and over-the-counter. They work by blocking stomach acid from being produced. As a result, they disrupt the body’s ability to absorb calcium, along with other important minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. High doses of these medications or duration of use longer than 1 year have been associated with an increased risk of fractures to the hip, wrist and spine. This concern has led to a recent FDA announcement that popular heartburn medications such as Prevacid, Prilosec, and Nexium will now come with a warning linking them to an increased risk for fractures. The FDA has also advised that the over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors (Prevacid, Prilosec, and Zegerid) should only be taken for a maximum of 14 days. Continue reading “New Warning About Heartburn Medications”

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Is Canola Oil Good or Bad?

The answer according to Natural News is that it is bad with a capital B. After years of thinking that canola oil was a healthy oil to use, recent evidence is showing otherwise. Learn how unhealthy canola is here. Think you are getting essential fatty acids by using canola oil? Think again. It ranks lowest of all oils in terms of health benefits, so stick to unprocessed oil like olive oil and grapeseed oil. Let us know what you think.

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Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
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  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
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  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
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  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
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  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
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  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
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  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
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  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
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May 2025
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