Dr. Zynthia Ruiz Batra, ND

If you live in the Bay Area, please make sure you are taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself from the air pollution caused by the tragic wildfires. Stay aware of local news coverage for health warnings related to smoke. Avoid physical exertion outside and don't let your children play outdoors. If temperature allows keep windows and doors closed. If its too hot to close all windows and doors seek alternative shelter. Place air conditioners at home or car on recirculate setting to prevent bringing smoke inside. If you respiratory or cardiovascular conditions follow your doctor's directions regarding medications and treatment plans. For more information please read the following article by KQED News. Stay safe!

With all of the tragedy happening in this world, from the violence in Las Vegas, to the natural disasters in the Caribbean and Mexico, is essential for all us to be compassionate with all the emotions arising. It is actually essential for overall health. In the words of Pema Chodron, from her book When Things Fall Apart: "The healing comes from letting there be room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy." Here is a 10-minute meditation to guide us through difficult emotions. Take good care!

What a great summary of natural approaches to improve fertility and preparing for the journey of pregnancy. It focuses on the importance of supporting basic aspects of health like nutrition, sleep and stress management to more specific treatments like targeted supplementation. So please share since these should not be kept secret...

Some studies are showing how children who grow up with pets are at less risk of developing autoimmune conditions like asthma and allergies. Some of the germs brought in to the home by our pets can help the healthy development of the immune system. Another great reason to have a furry one join the family!

For those seeking to get pregnant, I recommend a lower intensity exercise. Extreme exercises like marathon running can lead to low body weight and energy depletion which can contribute to difficulty in achieving pregnancy.

For many of us Mother's Day can be a very difficult time either due to infertility, death, or estrangement. If this is true for you, please remember you are not alone. Take the time to honor what your feeling about this day and take good care of yourself.

An interesting read on the advantages of "wasting time". From a health perspective, "doing nothing" is necessary to restore our nervous system which then provides our bodies with an environment for healing.

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week. The process of IVF can be stressful and costly. It is time for all states to mandate insurance coverage for infertility. RESOLVE is a non-profit organization that advocates for those struggling with infertility. I encourage to like their page to learn more.

23andme provides genetic testing and reporting on an individual’s risk for 10 diseases. Before you pay the $199 fee and send in your saliva sample here are some facts to be aware of...

Did you know that salon keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, a chemical that causes noticeable reactions like hair loss and skin rashes? Furthermore, "several state and federal agencies, including the FDA, have concluded that formaldehyde in hair smoothing chemical mixtures is hazardous to public health. But no agency has actually stopped sales of the stuff to unwary people."

When we think of infertility we usually think of it as a women's issue. But it is also a men's issue and sperm is not spared from the environmental toxin exposure we face today. Here is an article where you can learn more about this and ways to protect sperm...

Did you know that the FDA has little power over the ingredients used in our cosmetics. Everything from soaps, shampoos, and sunscreens. The Environmental Working Group is a great resource to safeguard ourselves from possible harmful chemicals in our body products.