Dr. Ben Kim's blog

Zinc is mineral that your body needs in trace amounts for a variety of different mechanisms.

What Does Zinc Do in Your Body? Read more

Vitamin P, also called the bioflavonoids, is a group of water-soluble nutrients that work together with other components of vitamin C to: Read more

Over the past several months, many people have visited our clinic or written letters asking what they can do about various aches, pains, and cramps in their legs.

Here's an example of such a note that came in this past week:

I'm 83 and have a problem that has slowly developed over the past year. More and more I am experiencing cramps in my legs and inner thighs. They interrupt sleep and this morning it was extremely hurtful in my left leg. I have searched medical books that I have, but (haven't been able to find out) what is wrong.

I'm sure there is something natural that my system is lacking, but I don't know what. Is there anything you can recommend that I can try? Read more

Many plant-based eaters are under the impression that they can obtain all the vitamin A that they need from plant foods that contain carotenoids, particularly beta carotene found in foods like spinach, sweet potatoes, and carrots.

It's true that some carotenoids like beta carotene can be converted to vitamin A in your body once they make it into your blood. What you may not know is that carotenoids are not always absorbed efficiently into your blood. Read more

When I was a kid, it seemed like I always had a stuffy nose. Sometimes, my nasal congestion was so bad that I had to keep my mouth wide open in order to breathe. There were even times when I couldn’t fall asleep because I felt like I couldn’t breathe at all.

Do you know someone who suffers with chronic nasal congestion? I’m not referring to nasal congestion that comes with typically short-term conditions like the common cold, the flu, a sinus infection, or hay fever. I’m referring to people who feel healthy overall, but can’t figure out why they usually feel stuffed up. Read more

Ingredients:

1 cup of cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 cloves of garlic, pressed or finely minced
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon of ground toasted cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
Sea salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste Read more

While ultrasound scanning doesn't pose the same dangers to human and fetal health as ionizing radiation, it is a mistake to think that ultrasound is entirely safe for a baby growing in your womb.

Ultrasound scanning works by sending sound waves into your tissues. As these sound waves bounce off of your tissues, a picture is created.

These sound waves are capable of producing the following physiological effects: Read more

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
1/3 small zucchini, finely chopped
1/4 small onion, finely chopped
1/3 small red bell pepper, chopped
1-2 organic eggs
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions: Read more

Ingredients:

1 bunch fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon of raw, organic tahini
2 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
Sea salt, to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until desired consistency is reached.

This simple and delightfully aromatic sauce is widely used in Indian, Mexican, and Chinese dishes. Try spreading this sauce over a slice of whole grain toast or over a bowl of brown rice or whole grain pasta. Read more

A kind nun from Ireland recently consulted with me about an ear problem. Here's what she wrote:

"It seems to be a problem with wax because when I lie down at night they block and when I get up they un-block, but sometimes I can't hear anything in my right ear for about 3 days. I have been putting in warm olive oil at night for about 4 days now. Do you have any suggestions for me?" Read more