Dr Cory Couillard

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Doctors are reporting that a child born with HIV that was put on an unusually aggressive treatment regimen has been functionally cured of the infection. Using the most sensitive HIV testing available, they were able to find only trace amounts of HIV "particles" but no virus capable of replicating, the research team reported. "If there is a trial that shows this can happen again, then this will be very important," said Dr. Karin Nielsen, a pediatrician who specializes in infectious diseases at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. "You'll be able to treat people very intensively and reverse the disease." The news provides no answers for adults living with HIV but it can be a landmark victory in the health of future generations. Every year, 300,000 to 400,000 babies are born infected with HIV according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases.   The

It’s well known that unnecessary salt intake is associated with high blood pressure in the adult population.  However, there is now evidence that supports excessive salt consumption will influence blood pressure, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, stomach cancer and obesity in children as well. Although the older population and certain ethnic groups are at immediate risk, the youth are at the greatest risk of health-related problems due to salt intake.  Salt intake is similar to other cumulative risk factors such as obesity, tobacco and alcohol use – the longer you abuse it, the greater the risk. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide totaling 17.3 million deaths per year according to the World Health Organization (WHO).  Salt intake is directly linked to the main cause of strokes, heart attacks and heart failures.  It’s also known to produce kidney disease, kidney stones, obesity and exacerbating the symptoms of asthma, Meniere’s dise

Serious questions and concerns constantly arise in the medical community about dietary recommendations.  Some doctors say, “don’t take sugar” while others say, “when you lack sugar in the body, you end up developing cancer.”  Which one is it? Every person regardless of health status should be encouraged to improve and modify their diet in order to help control the growing threats of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The trouble starts when many people seek advice from a doctor, a dietician, a friend or even unqualified individuals.   The recommendations often vary greatly.    Hippocrates is known as the founder of modern medicine and is regarded as the greatest physician of his time. One of his most famous but often forgot about quotes is, "Let food be your medicine and medicine your food." Your body needs carbohydrates The truth is that sugar broken down from carbohydrates is one of the body's most important fuel sources. It's readily accessib

Researchers have found a connection between breastfeeding and the development of a child’s brain. Researchers concluded in a study of more than 17,000 infants from newborn to 6 ½ years that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding improved brain development. A similar study of nearly 4,000 children showed that babies who were breastfed had significantly higher scores on vocabulary testing at 5 years of age in comparison with children who were not breastfed. Higher levels were directly correlated with a longer duration of breastfeeding. Preterm infants with low birth weight that received breast milk improved their brain development scores at 18 months when compared with preterm infants who weren't given breast milk.  Follow up research indicated that the scored held true even at 30 months.  Other findings confirmed that babies are less likely to be hospitalized, suffer adverse side effects to vaccines and significantly reduced the risk of dying as well. Children w