Hong Kong endured nearly 8 months of social unrest before COVID-19 hit the city in January 2020. Citizens were already facing a major mental health burden, with the medical journal The Lancet reporting that almost 2 million people in Hong Kong- about 1 in 3 adults in the city- experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Continue reading “COVID-19: practical ways to cope with stress and anxiety”
Category Archives: Weight Management
How to delay memory loss and cognitive aging
Everyone ages, but have you noticed that no two people age in the same way? Some people experience dramatic memory loss as they grow older, while others remain cognitively fit. Some experts say that diet is key, while others emphasise exercise and keeping active. Both factors have an impact on how your brain will age,Continue reading “How to delay memory loss and cognitive aging”
Staying home during COVID-19 pandemic: how to avoid overeating
Are you among the millions staying at home during this pandemic? You may have seen the “COVID-19” memes about gaining 19 pounds during self-isolation at home. It’s easy for some people to overeat on a normal day, not to mention now, as we face unprecedented and unpredictable times. Have you been craving high-calorie and high-sugarContinue reading “Staying home during COVID-19 pandemic: how to avoid overeating”
Coronavirus COVID-19: virus can survive on surfaces for up to 17 days and ‘digestive symptoms are common’
The coronavirus survived for up to 17 days aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, living much longer on surfaces than previous research has shown, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. Traces of the coronavirus were found on surfaces in cruise-ship cabins for as many as 17 days after passengersContinue reading “Coronavirus COVID-19: virus can survive on surfaces for up to 17 days and ‘digestive symptoms are common’”
Stressed? Anxious? Spend time in nature.
More and more research is showing a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety and depression. Not only that, but individuals who are more connected to nature tend to be happier in general. Interacting with nature offers a variety of therapeutic benefits. For instance, calming nature sounds and even outdoor silence canContinue reading “Stressed? Anxious? Spend time in nature.”
Does gut bacteria affect your happiness?
The gut microbiome (i.e. the bacteria in our gut) has been getting lots of attention recently. Scientists are becoming increasingly aware of the key role these trillions of microbes play in health and disease. Not only do these gut microbes within us help us digest food and metabolize drugs but over the past decade, researchContinue reading “Does gut bacteria affect your happiness?”
Processed foods are bad for our health. But, what exactly is a processed food?
Many studies confirm that eating processed foods can lead to cancer, heart disease, obesity and well, early death. But, what exactly is a processed food? Using a four-tiered system called NOVA, nutrition experts and scientists classify everything we eat into one of four categories: unprocessed or minimally processed, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods and ultra-processedContinue reading “Processed foods are bad for our health. But, what exactly is a processed food?”
Thyroid illness: can we decrease thyroid antibodies naturally?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease are autoimmune conditions where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, which produces hormones that regulate metabolism, energy and mood. In these autoimmune conditions, the immune system creates anti-thyroid autoantibodies (aka thyroid antibodies) that damage the thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (click here if youContinue reading “Thyroid illness: can we decrease thyroid antibodies naturally?”
What you should know about alcohol bloating and weight gain
You drink a few glasses of wine and there it is- your stomach or abdomen expands to a point where it’s uncomfortable, noticeable and embarrassing. Why does this happen? It turns out that drinking alcohol may lead to irritation and inflammation in the stomach (i.e. gastritis) which leads to bloating. Alcohol can also cause weightContinue reading “What you should know about alcohol bloating and weight gain”
10 signs your thyroid isn’t functioning properly
Researchers say that 10% of the general population have thyroid disorders. If you’re a woman over the age of 35, take heed- Experts estimate that 1 in 3 women over 35 develop thyroid illness at one point in their lifetime. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, produces thyroid hormones which regulate your body’sContinue reading “10 signs your thyroid isn’t functioning properly”
Dr. Ardyce Yik ND 