As the weather gets wet and dreary, our gathering places become incubators for the spread of viruses, like colds and flus. Is sickness inevitable in winter? Not necessarily, if you have a strong immune system, you can make it through the season. Stay bright and robust in your good health with these 12 steps.

Each year, almost 1 million Americans die of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, CVD account for 42% of all deaths in the US. Heart disease has been quietly on the rise in recent years because of significant changes in the American lifestyle, but there are several ways to combat the disease. Make the commitment to a long life with a healthy heart with these 9 steps to strengthen your heart and improve your overall health.

How often did we hear that growing up? And how many mothers have been passing the same wisdom down, generation after generation? Well, it turns out that broccoli is very good for you. Just how good, we may never have suspected, especially where breast cancer is concerned. Plus, a simple, delicious recipe for cooking broccoli and other brassicas.

Five great reasons to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Which should you pick? How do you serve and prepare them?

In order to understand how to avoid headaches we need to understand what causes them and what triggers them. Once we understand what triggers a migraine, our job is to make the necessary lifestyle changes that will help us avoid our triggers.

The model we use to reach Optimal Wellness is called Naturopathic Medicine. Naturopathic medicine is not a pill, it is a thought process that requires practitioners to assemble the pieces of each patient's health puzzle.

Fall and winter bring holidays, hot cider, fires and skiing. They also bring darkness that, for some, can be unbearable. Feelings of low energy, fatigue and loss of motivation are common to many people. But for others, it can progress into a near debilitating condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

For years now I've been coaching my patients (and myself) on how to make it through the holiday eating season. It’s that time of year again: the holidays, the shopping, the snow, the food…oh, the food! What do we do to stay healthy and lean?

Oxidation is a part of life, that can be very useful, but also damaging to the system as a whole. We would all benefit from adding more colorful foods to our plates at breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition, we will find the use of supplemental resveratrol, curcumin and other antioxidant vitamins helpful in balancing out our diets and keeping us looking younger while reducing the inflammatory and “radical” breakdown of our bodies.

As a naturopathic family practitioner, Dr. Monawar Fahoum's interests and specialties include homeopathy, diet and nutrition, botanical medicine and physical medicine (bodywork, adjustments, etc). She views healing as a dynamic process, unique to each person, with different treatments appropriate for different patients.