Chemotherapy: Understanding the Risks, Limits, and Tradeoffs Many people facing a cancer diagnosis believe chemotherapy is their only option. In moments of fear and urgency, aggressive treatment can feel like the safest—or even the only—path forward. Yet chemotherapy is not a benign intervention, and its risks, limitations, and long-term consequences deserve careful, honest discussion. Chemotherapy Is Inherently Toxic Chemotherapy drugs are designed to kill rapidly dividing cells. While this can damage cancer cells, it also harms healthy tissues—particularly: Immune cells Bone marrow Digestive lining Hair follicles Nervous tissue This is not an unintended side effect; it is the mechanism of action. As a result, chemotherapy often: Suppresses immune function Causes fatigue, nausea, neuropathy, and cognitive impairment Reduces quality of life during and after treatment For some cancers and stages, chemotherapy can provide benefit. For others, surviv…

Building Healthy Immunity Preparing the Body Before You Need It A healthy immune system isn’t something you switch on when you get sick. It’s something you build every day, long before you’re exposed to a virus or other challenge. True immune resilience depends on two foundations: Daily nutrient sufficiency Keeping chronic inflammation under control Without these, immune cells become sluggish, uncoordinated, and less effective—especially as we age. Chronic Inflammation: The Silent Immune Drain Chronic, low-grade inflammation places a constant metabolic burden on the immune system. Over time, this weakens immune responsiveness and reduces the body’s ability to mount a rapid, effective defense. Inflammation tends to increase with age, but it is not inevitable. Diet, targeted supplementation, movement, sleep, and stress management all play decisive roles in keeping inflammation in check. When inflammation is controlled, immune cells are better nourishe…

Cancer: Understanding the Process So We Can Interrupt It Cancer is one of the most feared diagnoses in modern society, and its incidence has increased dramatically over the past century. While cancer was once relatively rare, it is now common enough that nearly every family is touched by it in some way. Despite decades of research and enormous financial investment, the prevailing medical model remains focused almost entirely on detecting and destroying tumors, rather than understanding and correcting the conditions that allow cancer to arise and progress in the first place. If we want better outcomes, we must shift the conversation from treatment alone to prevention, control, and biological resilience. Cancer Is a Process, Not a Single Event Cancer does not appear overnight. It develops through a series of steps, each of which requires specific conditions to be met. These steps are commonly described as: Initiation Promotion Metastasis Understanding these stages reveals someth…

Healthy Doesn’t Have to Be Boring Simple, Satisfying Recipes That Nourish and Delight Healthy food should be enjoyable, flavorful, and satisfying—not bland or restrictive. With the right ingredients and preparation, nutrient-dense meals can be something you genuinely look forward to. The following recipes come from Beyond Healthy Recipes by Michelle King Davis, available through Beyond Health. They’re designed to be simple, flexible, and full of real food flavor. All-Raw Sandwich Filling Makes approximately 4 wraps Ingredients 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted ¼ cup onion, finely chopped Spices of choice (cumin, cayenne, chili powder, oregano, basil, or a combination) Selina Celtic Sea Salt, to taste 4–5 collard greens or large romaine lettuce leaves Vegetable Options (choose a variety) Carrots, shredded Zucchini or yellow squash, shredded Tomatoes, chopped Broccoli, finely ch…

A Simple Daily Routine to Keep the Doctor Away Hunched shoulders. A stiff neck. Aching wrists. Glazed eyes staring at a screen. These are not isolated complaints—they are the predictable consequences of spending long hours at a desk without movement. Over time, this pattern places cumulative stress on the spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system, often leading to chronic pain and reduced energy. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to reverse this trend. Research consistently shows that even short, daily bouts of movement can relieve common office-related problems—particularly neck, shoulder, wrist, and lower back discomfort—while improving overall energy, posture, and productivity. Why Movement Matters More Than You Think Prolonged sitting: Shortens and tightens muscles Restricts circulation Impairs posture and spinal alignment Increases fatigue and mental fog Daily movement restores circulation, reactivates postural muscles, and relieves the…

Acetyl-L-Carnitine: One of the Most Powerful Nutrients for Brain Energy and Longevity There is no nutrient that supports brain vitality and long-term cognitive performance quite like acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC). ALC is a specialized form of carnitine that readily crosses the blood–brain barrier, allowing it to work directly inside neurons. Once in the brain, it plays a central role in cellular energy production, protection against damage, and preservation of mental function as we age. As Robert Crayhon, author of The Carnitine Miracle, has pointed out, the most protective substance we can give the brain is energy. Energy is life-giving.And neurons are among the most energy-dependent cells in the body. Why Brain Energy Matters When brain cells are well-energized, people commonly experience: Improved mental clarity and focus Faster information processing Enhanced learning ability and memory Better verbal fluency and attention More stable mood and emotional resilience Many…

Aspartame: Why the Chemistry Raises Serious Questions Many Americans have a strong preference for sweet tastes. In an effort to reduce sugar intake, millions turn to artificial sweeteners—most commonly aspartame, often marketed under familiar brand names such as NutraSweet or Equal. Aspartame has long been a controversial ingredient. Over the years, a wide range of studies, reviews, and opinions have been published—some declaring it safe, others raising significant concerns. For consumers trying to make educated health decisions, this conflicting information can be confusing. When confronted with controversial health topics, my approach has always been simple:examine the data, then examine the chemistry. Having done both, I personally avoid aspartame and recommend that others do the same. Widespread Use, Limited Awareness Since its approval in the early 1980s, Americans have consumed hundreds of millions of pounds of aspartame. It is now found in thousands of products, inc…

Why Most Olive Oil Fails to Deliver the Health Benefits You Expect Most people believe olive oil is one of the healthiest foods they can use—and the science supports that belief. High-quality olive oil has been shown to support cardiovascular health, protect against oxidative damage, and contribute to long-term brain and metabolic health. What almost no one realizes is this: Most olive oil sold today is not real olive oil in any meaningful health sense. The Olive Oil Problem No One Talks About While genuine, properly produced olive oil is one of the healthiest fats available, most products labeled “olive oil” or even “extra virgin olive oil” fail to deliver those benefits. Why? Because much of what’s on store shelves is: Highly processed, destroying fragile antioxidants Adulterated with cheaper refined oils such as sunflower or hazelnut oil Oxidized before it ever reaches the consumer In these forms, olive oil loses the very compounds that m…

Hypothyroidism Is Not a Random Failure of the Body Like most chronic conditions, hypothyroidism does not arise without cause. At its foundation, it reflects two primary physiological imbalances: Deficiency – the body lacks the raw materials needed to produce and activate thyroid hormone Toxicity – substances interfere with hormone production, conversion, or signaling Understanding these root causes is essential. Treating numbers on a lab report without addressing them often leaves symptoms unresolved. How Thyroid Hormone Is Built Thyroid hormone is a precisely constructed molecule, dependent on specific nutrients. Tyrosine, an amino acid, forms the structural backbone Iodine is attached to tyrosine to create thyroid hormone Selenium is required to activate thyroid hormone There are two primary thyroid hormones: T4 (thyroxine) – tyrosine plus four iodine atoms T3 (triiodothyronine) – tyrosine plus three iodine atoms Although the thyroid gland…

It’s Not “All in Your Head”: The Science of the Gut–Brain Axis For decades, emotional health was treated as something that lived solely in the brain. Mood, stress, focus—these were thought to be purely neurological events, disconnected from the rest of the body. Science now tells a very different story. You don’t just have one brain.You have two—one in your skull, and one in your gut. Your Second Brain Lives in Your Digestive Tract The gastrointestinal system contains its own complex network of neurons known as the enteric nervous system. This “gut brain” communicates constantly with the central nervous system through neural, hormonal, and immune pathways. Most people are already familiar with this connection—just not consciously. Stress before a presentation?“Butterflies” in your stomach.Anxiety during conflict?Digestive discomfort. Traditionally, researchers believed this signaling flowed in one direction: from…

Vitamin B12 & Folate: Two of the Most Overlooked Deficiencies Driving Modern Disease Deficiencies in vitamin B12 and its metabolic partner, folate, are not rare—and they are not benign. They are among the most common, most overlooked nutritional deficiencies in modern society, and they can quietly contribute to a wide spectrum of neurological, cognitive, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune problems. Far too often, people struggle for years with symptoms that are treated with medications—without ever addressing a fundamental issue: insufficient B12 and folate availability at the cellular level. B12 Deficiency Is Not Just an “Elderly Problem” For many years, it was assumed that vitamin B12 deficiency occurred primarily in older adults. That belief was shattered by a government-sponsored study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers examined adults aged 26–83 and found: 40% were B12 deficient, regardless of age 17% had…

Q: What Supplements Does Beyond Health Recommend for Children With ADD? A: Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is not caused by a lack of pharmaceutical drugs. From a Beyond Health perspective, ADD reflects underlying nutritional deficiencies, metabolic inefficiencies, mitochondrial stress, and detoxification burden that affect brain function, focus, and emotional regulation. Because children vary by age, size, and health status, dosages must always be adjusted appropriately. What follows is a foundational framework that can be tailored as needed. Step 1: Establish Nutritional Sufficiency Every child with attention and focus challenges should begin by correcting basic nutrient deficiencies. ✔ The Basic Wellness Kit (Foundation) This includes: High-bioavailability multi-vitamin Vitamin C Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) Together, these support: Neurotransmitter production Stress resilience Immune balance Brain development and signaling For many children, restoring foundation…

Why Even “Safe” Over-the-Counter Drugs Can Be Dangerous Most people assume that if a drug is sold over the counter, it must be safe. That assumption is wrong. In reality, all drugs carry risk—including common OTC medications that are taken daily by millions of Americans with little thought. One of the clearest examples is acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol and hundreds of other prescription and over-the-counter products. The Acetaminophen–Liver Damage Connection A landmark study published in Journal of the American Medical Association examined what happens when healthy adults take the maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen. Here’s what researchers found: Participants took 4 grams per day (the FDA-approved maximum dose) Duration: 2 weeks 31–44% developed liver enzyme elevations greater than three times the upper limit of normal That level of elevation is considered a marker of significant liver injury. The enzyme measured was…

Diabetes: A Lifestyle Disease Treated as a Drug Deficiency Most experts agree on a basic truth: diet and lifestyle are the primary drivers of type 2 diabetes—and therefore the keys to preventing and reversing it. Yet despite this consensus, diabetes has become one of the most aggressively medicated conditions of our time. With over 10% of the U.S. population diagnosed with diabetes and an additional one-third considered pre-diabetic, the market is simply too large for pharmaceutical companies to ignore. Instead of addressing root causes, the public is repeatedly told that blood sugar dysregulation is a problem best managed with pills. It isn’t. And in many cases, those pills create new—and sometimes more dangerous—problems. A Case in Point: Invokana Introduced in 2013, Invokana (generic name: canagliflozin) was the first drug in a new class of diabetes medications known as SGLT2 inhibitors (sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors) approved by the U.S. Food a…

Why Doesn’t the Beyond Health Multi-Vitamin Contain Iron? Question:I noticed that the Beyond Health Multi-Vitamin does not contain iron. Why is this?— H.B., New York, NY The Real Reason Iron Is Excluded There’s a very deliberate reason iron is not included in our multi-vitamin formulas: Iron is a pro-oxidant. That matters—because pro-oxidants destroy antioxidants, both in the supplement itself and in the body. A high-quality multi-vitamin is designed to deliver antioxidants such as: Vitamin C Vitamin E Vitamin D Selenium Zinc Including iron in the same formula actively degrades these nutrients, reducing their effectiveness. In other words, iron doesn’t just fail to help—it can undermine the very purpose of a multi-vitamin. For that reason alone, iron should always be taken separately, not bundled into a broad-spectrum antioxidant formula. What It Means When a Multi Contains Iron When you see iron included in a multi-vitamin, it usually…

How Many Fruits and Vegetables Do You Really Need to Live Longer? Most people already know that fruits and vegetables are foundational to good health. Diets rich in fresh produce are consistently associated with better digestion, healthier weight, improved vision, lower blood pressure, improved mood, and a lower risk of chronic disease. But one question still causes confusion: How much is enough to make a meaningful difference? The Official Recommendations — And the Reality Current U.S. dietary guidelines recommend 2½ to 6½ cups of fruits and vegetables per day—roughly 5–13 servings, depending on calorie needs. Yet the average American consumes only about three servings per day, falling far short of even the minimum recommendation. What the Research Actually Shows A large population study from University College London provides a much clearer answer. Researchers analyzed dietary and health data from 65,226 adults aged 35 and older using the Health Surv…

Organic Food: More Nutrition, Fewer Toxins An international team of researchers—including the renowned Charles Benbrook of Washington State University—reviewed 343 peer-reviewed studies comparing organically grown foods with conventionally grown produce. Their conclusions were clear and compelling. 1. Organic Food Is More Nutritious Organic crops contained significantly higher levels of antioxidant polyphenols, compounds strongly linked to reduced risk of chronic disease, including: Cardiovascular disease Neurodegenerative disorders Certain cancers Polyphenols play a critical role in reducing oxidative stress and chronic inflammation—two foundational drivers of modern disease. 2. Organic Produce Is Safer The analysis also found that conventionally grown crops were: 4 times more likely to contain pesticide residues Significantly higher in cadmium, a toxic heavy metal When interviewed, Benbrook noted that the quality and rigor of organic–conventional…

Why Steaming Vegetables Can Be Better Than Eating Them Raw Although we recommend eating most of the diet raw, research shows that steaming is the best cooking method for preserving nutrients—and in some cases, it can actually increase the availability of powerful protective compounds compared to eating vegetables raw. Cruciferous Vegetables, Cancer Protection, and a Key Enzyme Cruciferous vegetables—such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts—contain compounds called glucosinolates, which are strongly protective against cancer. Scientists suggest that 3–5 servings per week of cruciferous vegetables provide substantial cancer-protective benefits. For glucosinolates to become biologically active, they must interact with a plant enzyme called myrosinase. This interaction occurs when you chew raw vegetables, breaking down the cellulose walls that keep glucosinolates and myrosinase separated. The problem?Heat can destroy myrosinase—and most people don&r…