When Arizona voters approved the use of medical marijuana in 2010, Steve Cottrell saw a way to combine his laboratory background and his interest in the plant he’d been studying since his 11-year-old son died of cancer more than a decade before.

The Public Works Department will host a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event for Phoenix customers from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 21, Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23, at Desert West Park, 6602 W. Encanto Blvd.

A new study about the prevalence of mercury in fish should give consumers food for thought. According to the Biodiversity Research Institute report, “Fish samples from around the world regularly demonstrate mercury concentrations exceeding human health advisory guidelines.” Because both mercury pollution and fish supplies are global — 75 percent of the fish consumed in the U.S. is imported — no one country can solve this widespread problem.

We are all familiar with the fact that chemicals, particularly pesticides and herbicides, have negative side effects. The United States and international government agencies have acknowledged that different pesticides have been linked to a variety of health problems including hormonal disruption, skin, eye and lung irritation, birth defects, weight gain, nervous system toxicity and cancer. Many times, the negative effects of pesticides can take a long time to show, and by the time symptoms are clear, a lot of damage may have already been done.

There are stores full of exquisite bedding. But fancy sheets, duvets and mattresses can sometimes fall short of our wish lists, in style, price, comfort or all three.

With flu season upon us, many people question whether or not they should get a flu shot. Instead of putting your health at great risk by getting a flu shot, a healthier option is to boost your immune system naturally and limit immune suppressors.

Insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and obesity (diabesity) are global epidemics that continue to rise and come with major health consequences. Type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with poor diet and inactivity. However, there is now evidence of autoimmunity in Type 2 diabetes.

Did you know that every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer? Do you think breast cancer affects women only? Think again. Men are not exempt from breast cancer. Many breast cancers are fueled by estrogen, a hormone produced in fat tissue. Although there are numerous reasons why women predominantly experience estrogen dominance (use of birth control, menopause and pregnancy), both men and women are increasingly affected by estrogen dominance.

The Food and Drug Administration may consider new standards for the levels of arsenic in rice as consumer groups are calling for federal guidance on how much of the carcinogen can be present in food.

A recently released study on human energy expenditure (“Hunter-Gatherer Energetics and Human Obesity,” Herman Pontzer et al.) has garnered some attention in the media. The reason for all the attention? The study debunks a commonly held belief that our obesity epidemic is in large part due to our decreased physical activity.

Patient after patient asked: Is eating organic food, which costs more, really better for me?

In 2006, I went to Beijing, China, for an internship. It was an amazing experience training at the prestigious Guan An Men Hospital. Surprisingly, the majority of cases that we saw there were for weight loss and obesity. I had always wanted to try an acupuncture treatment in China. So I asked to be treated. Both the needling technique and actual needles are very different there. I was treated for weight loss. I was very pleased with my treatment and had no initial complaints. The next morning I woke up feeling sick to my stomach. I spent the whole day detoxing and not wanting a bite of food. This was unlike anything I experienced with acupuncture in the States. I had to force myself to eat a protein bar and that was all the food I could initially eat. My body responded to the treatment in a way I did not expect. That night for our celebration dinner I was able to muster down some Peking duck.

In 2006, I went to Beijing, China, for an internship. It was an amazing experience training at the prestigious Guan An Men Hospital. Surprisingly, the majority of cases that we saw there were for weight loss and obesity. I had always wanted to try an acupuncture treatment in China. So I asked to be treated. Both the needling technique and actual needles are very different there. I was treated for weight loss. I was very pleased with my treatment and had no initial complaints. The next morning I woke up feeling sick to my stomach. I spent the whole day detoxing and not wanting a bite of food. This was unlike anything I experienced with acupuncture in the States. I had to force myself to eat a protein bar and that was all the food I could initially eat. My body responded to the treatment in a way I did not expect. That night for our celebration dinner I was able to muster down some Peking duck.

When asked what piqued their interest about Pomegranate Cafe’s monthly movie nights, Patty Immekus was quick to tell an anecdote about her friend Karen DeDonato, sitting next to her at a small table painted magenta.

If it’s your rose bush rather than your dog that you’re calling “spot,” then it’s time for action.

Summers are great for getting new seasonal produce. I get really excited about all the new fruits that come into season and go on sale. Recently, my husband and I went to Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek to pick peaches. We ended up with about 5 pounds for $2 a pound. I planned on freezing some for summer smoothies and a healthy cobbler. We ended up eating all of the fruit instead.

Summers are great for getting new seasonal produce. I get really excited about all the new fruits that come into season and go on sale. Recently, my husband and I went to Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek to pick peaches. We ended up with about 5 pounds for $2 a pound. I planned on freezing some for summer smoothies and a healthy cobbler. We ended up eating all of the fruit instead.

Sweet potato vines decorating window boxes? Blueberry plants prized more for their foliage than their fruit?

Are you tempted to skip breakfast? Are you like many Americans grabbing a bagel and coffee as you run out the door? Skipping breakfast is a guaranteed recipe to weight gain, insulin resistance and self-induced diabetes.

Are you tempted to skip breakfast? Are you like many Americans grabbing a bagel and coffee as you run out the door? Skipping breakfast is a guaranteed recipe to weight gain, insulin resistance and self-induced diabetes.

Insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and obesity (diabesity) are global epidemics with major health consequences. Type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with poor diet and inactivity. However, there is now evidence of autoimmunity in Type 2 diabetes.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but maybe less so if you spray. That’s why organic fruit management is becoming more common in commercial and home orchards, industry analysts say.

Mesa residents can get rid of household hazardous waste April 14, when the city will collect a wide range of substances.

Those fighting for a “no build” option for the Loop 202 are doing so for very personal reasons.