Dr. Tracy's Blog

A high level of hormones called Androgens (DHEA, Androstendione and Testosterone) is the most common hormonal reason for infertility in women. Elevated levels of these hormones can occur in women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), by taking birth control pills, or by eating a low fiber diet. Women can also develop high androgens with exposure to these hormones from nutritional supplements or contact with a loved one who is using prescription topical testosterone. Take the quiz and find out if you have high androgens… Do you have acne? Do you have facial hair or excess hair on your arms? Do you have greasy hair or oily skin? Hair loss or hair thinning on your head? Skin tags on your neck or upper torso? Are you easily irritated, easily over react to stress or quick to anger? Are your periods more than 35 days apart? Do you have pain mid-cycle or around ovulation? Depression or anxiety? Low blood sugar? Do you need to eat something every 2-3 hours to feel ...

Forgive the snowman mug, it's been a cold Spring and still having a pile of snow in front of my house, I thought the mug was appropriate! But now that the snow has finally melted and the flowers have bloomed, allergy season is in full swing. This year is predicted to be one of the worst and latest (hitting MA the worst in June) so I've already started preparing by: Increasing my vitamin C intake Adding Nettles to my tea or making Allergy Relief tea Taking 1-2 capsules of Natural D-Hist daily* How to make a pot of Allergy Relief Tea: Place 2 Tablespoons dried Nettle Leaf into a tea pot, strainer or french press Add 1 Tablespoon green tea, I used citrus green tea Add 1 Tablespoon dried Chamomile flowers Heat 4 cups of water (but not to a full boil) and pour over herbs Infuse for 15 minutes Before drinking you can add local honey if you want to sweeten it and I like a citrus garnish, I used a grapefruit slice *Natural D-Hist is available at Adv...

It's finally Spring! As the flowers bloom and the trees bud, it's a perfect time to cleanse your body and flush out winter's sluggishness. This is my version of the detox salad popular at the WholeFoods Market salad bar. I call it Chop-Chop Detox Salad because with a few pulses of a food processor (chop-chop) you have a huge bowl of salad that'll last a week! Full of liver supportive (cabbage, carrot, cauliflower) and kidney supportive (parsley and lemon) plants, it's a perfect meal for any detox program. Chop Chop Detox Salad ½ head cauliflower ½  half head purple cabbage 4 carrots, peeled one bunch regular or flat leaf parsley ½ cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds zest of one lemon juice of one lemon sea salt and black pepper optional toppings: avocado, roasted beets, citrus flavored olive oil, flax oil, tahini dressing In a food processor, shred the peeled carrots then place the carrots in a large bowl. Chop the cauliflowe...

Did you know there are 4 different types of PMS and knowing which type affects you most can help determine what foods and supplements will be most helpful to you? Premenstrual Syndrome describes the symptoms that can occur during the menstrual cycle between ovulation and the beginning of your period. PMS symptoms can be mild or severe, lasting between 2 and 14 days. Over 30 different symptoms can be attributed to PMS although the common symptoms are fatigue, food cravings, headaches, bloating, constipation and night sweats. By paying attention to which symptoms are the most prevalent for you, you can find an effective natural treatment to help ease these symptoms. PMS Type A PMS-A symptoms are centered in the nervous system. Women with PMS-A experience more irritability, mood swings, anxiety and nervous tension along with muscle tension. The best foods for PMS-A are those high in calcium and magnesium such as nuts, seeds, beans, and hummus. Many women also finds taking...

As many of you may know a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to escape our cold, long winter and visit my sister and mom in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Besides taking long walks on the beach, hanging out by the pool, practicing yoga or reading a great book, vacation is a great time to explore new restaurants. As a vegan, it can be difficult to travel but I find many restaurants are able to modify their existing dishes to suit my needs and was happy to find several restaurants in the Fort Lauderdale area that already had vegan options (as well as the completely vegan restaurant Sublime ). My favorite discovery on the trip was The Alchemist coffee shop and café . They serve siphon coffee and opened face sandwiches called slicers. Part of the fun was their enchanting atmosphere with a coffee roasting station in their courtyard, spirulina farm, outdoor seating among the trees, coy pond and wind-chimes. My sister and I liked it so much we went there twice during the five days of my ...

Most health conscious people these days are watching their intake of carbohydrates and choosing high protein snacks. In my practice I am often asked about what versions of high carbohydrate products are “good for you” and in general I give the same answer whether we’re talking about breakfast cereal, pasta, bread or crackers: 1.       Pay attention to serving size 2.       Look for the version with the highest grams of fiber per serving 3.       If the product has fat, avoid trans-fats 4.       Choose the version with the highest amount of protein per serving 5.       Choose the product with the least amount of sugar per serving While I am an enthusiastic advocate of diets of fruits, vegetables, high fiber, high protein, and healthy fats…sometimes you just need a snack with some crunch! So for these times, here are the brands of crack...

2015 has found most of us snowed in at least for a day or two per week and while at first it an be enchanting and the snow is pretty, after a while the weather starts to put a damper on things and mess up our schedules. Multiple snowstorms have disrupted our routines - lengthened commute times, cancelled school days and rescheduled appointments, less time or energy to run errands or food shop because we're spending too much time shoveling, etc. So I came up with this recipe that takes advantage of using whatever you have on hand when you're snowed in. This is a satisfying soup that'll warm you from the inside-out. The most important things is to pay attention to the quantities of each ingredient grouping and use what you have in the freezer or fridge to come up with that quantity. Also, here are some tips when you're cooking on a regular basis to stock up for the future: When dicing onions for a recipe, freeze extra diced onions for later use Minced garlic...