A Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. It alerts doctors to the presence of suspicious cells on your cervix. Women who have an abnormal Pap smear such as ASCUS are often told to wait and repeat the Pap in 6 to 12 months’ time. But what if you can do more than just “wait”? WhatContinue reading “Abnormal Pap smear. HPV infection. Now what?”
Category Archives: Women’s Health
Optimal pregnancy: steps to a healthy, full-term baby
Ever wonder why some women sail smoothly through pregnancy? Want to carry a healthy baby to full term and reduce the risk for pregnancy-related complications? It turns out that what you do during pregnancy has a huge impact on your pregnancy journey and your baby’s health. Nutrition and other lifestyle factors during the early periods in theContinue reading “Optimal pregnancy: steps to a healthy, full-term baby”
Recurrent miscarriage, other ailments may be linked to MTHFR gene mutation
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR for short) is an enzyme that is responsible for the process of methylation in every cell in your body. Methylation is a core process that occurs in all cells. People with a genetic defect in the MTHFR gene may be at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, several types of cancer, chemicalContinue reading “Recurrent miscarriage, other ailments may be linked to MTHFR gene mutation”
Autism, depression, brain health- linked to gut bacteria
There is now strong evidence that links conditions such as autism and depression to the the gut microbiome, i.e. the microorganisms that live in the gut. Recently, neuroscientists presented evidence for this link in a symposium at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Washington DC called “Gut Microbes and the Brain: Paradigm Shift in Neuroscience”. Earlier this year, Dr.Continue reading “Autism, depression, brain health- linked to gut bacteria”
Women on birth control pills have lower measures of ovarian reserve than non-users
A recent study from the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark shows that oral contraceptives (“the Pill”) have a suppressive effect on two markers of ovarian reserve, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC). The AMH test helps to estimate ovarian reserve by measuring the number of follicles developing in the ovary at a particular time. The AFC isContinue reading “Women on birth control pills have lower measures of ovarian reserve than non-users”
Five worst ingredients in food
Buying processed food may be more convenient than making wholesome meals from scratch, but are you aware of the hidden ingredients lurking in foods that may wreak havoc on your health? There are literally thousands of food additives out there, and a lot of them are at the root of many health problems. Here areContinue reading “Five worst ingredients in food”
Autism (and other health conditions) linked to the gut?
New research published in December 2013’s Cell has revealed a possible link between the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the gut. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition often marked by decreased social interaction or impaired social skills. Researchers have found that changes in gut bacteria affected autism-like behaviour in mice. Many of the behavioural abnormalities, including anxiety-likeContinue reading “Autism (and other health conditions) linked to the gut?”
Bad breath? Bloated? Gassy? Time to heal your gut.
Many people take breath mints regularly in hopes to cover foul breath. Others experience bloating and discomfort after meals, but never wonder why their body is sending them this message. Loose or unformed stool (diarrhea) alternating with periods of constipation is rather common for busy people living in Hong Kong and other metropolitan cities. IfContinue reading “Bad breath? Bloated? Gassy? Time to heal your gut.”
Happy new year? Understanding depression and what you can do about it
The promise of a new year brings optimism and hope to many, but throws others into abject misery. Whether or not you’re aware, someone you know is suffering from depression. Depression is a common but serious illness. People with depression (also known as clinical depression, major depression or major depressive disorder) find that their state interferes with daily life. DepressedContinue reading “Happy new year? Understanding depression and what you can do about it”
Hair loss: possible causes and what you can do about it
Your hair doesn’t just affect your looks- it’s also often an indicator of your health. The average person loses 50 to 100 hairs a day as part of the normal hair growth cycle, and with around 100,000 hairs on your head, this amount of hair loss should not be noticeable. Noticeable hair loss or thinningContinue reading “Hair loss: possible causes and what you can do about it”
Dr. Ardyce Yik ND 