Dr. Ben Kim's blog

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

Back in 1999, a chiropractor friend sent me an article that described the healing properties of a cat’s purr. Although it perked my interest, I wasn’t compelled to do any further research at the time, probably because I didn’t have any friends or family members who had cats, and my life circumstances were such that it was impractical to have one myself. 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

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of miso
1/3 cup of fresh, raw walnuts
1/4 cup of sesame oil
1 tablespoon of unpasteurized or raw honey
2 1/2 tablespoons of brown rice vinegar

Directions:

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor until smooth. If you like a thinner consistency, add a little water. Serve immediately or after chilling for an hour in the refrigerator. Read more

Have you ever wondered which fruits and vegetables are the least and most contaminated with pesticides? A study released by the Environmental Working Group in 2003 revealed the following:

12 LEAST Contaminated Fruits and Vegetables

• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Corn (sweet)
• Kiwi
• Mangos
• Onions
• Papaya
• Pineapples
• Peas (sweet)