천암한의원 Acupuncture Center ChunAm

천암한의원 Acupuncture Center ChunAm Dr.Lee is a 3rd generation acupuncture and herbal medicine doctor, helping people to feel and live b

Northbrook Office is at:
3486 Milwaukee Avenue
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 298-8860

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01/21/2026

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Scientists warn that being awake past midnight can shift your brain into a state where emotions, impulses, and judgment become unstable. This happens because the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, is tuned for alertness and decision-making during daylight hours. After midnight, the brain’s chemistry changes, making negative emotions stronger, impulse control weaker, and risky behaviors more tempting. Essentially, your brain is no longer in its daytime “thinking” mode but in a survival state that heightens sensitivity to threats and rewards.

Researchers believe this response may have ancient roots. In early human life, nighttime meant danger from predators or hostile environments, so the brain evolved to stay alert and reactive after dark. Today, that same pattern can work against us, leading to poor choices, mood swings, or feelings of loneliness and anxiety when we stay up too late. These effects are especially strong when combined with fatigue or artificial light exposure.

In short, staying awake past midnight doesn’t just make you tired—it changes how your brain processes emotions and decisions. To keep your mind balanced, experts recommend winding down before midnight, reducing screen time at night, and maintaining regular sleep hours. A well-rested brain simply functions better, especially when it comes to mood and self-control.

Research Paper 📄
DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2021.830338

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01/16/2026

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Stop Eating This! Why Processed Food Destroys Your Gut

✅ Processed Market Foods – Gut
Preservatives and lack of fiber in processed foods destroy good gut bacteria, leading to leaky gut and chronic inflammation.
💡 Better Choice: Eat fresh, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and probiotics.

✅ Fried Foods – Lungs
Consuming too many fried foods increases inflammation in the body, which can worsen asthma and put stress on lung function.
💡 Better Choice: Opt for baked, grilled, or steamed meals.

✅ Too Much Sugar – Brain
Excess sugar causes neuroinflammation, impairing memory and cognitive function, and is linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s.
💡 Better Choice: Satisfy cravings with berries or dark chocolate.

✅ Too Much Sugar – Teeth
Sugar feeds harmful bacteria in the mouth that produce acid, destroying tooth enamel and causing cavities.
💡 Better Choice: Rinse your mouth with water immediately after eating sweets.

✅ Oily Foods – Heart
Trans fats and excessive oil clog arteries, raise bad cholesterol (LDL), and drastically increase the risk of heart attacks.
💡 Better Choice: Use healthy oils like olive oil or avocado oil in moderation.

✅ Dairy (For Some) – Skin
For sensitive individuals, hormones in dairy can trigger oil production and inflammation, leading to cystic acne and breakouts.
💡 Better Choice: Try plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk.

✅ Excess Salt – Kidneys
High sodium forces kidneys to work harder to filter blood, raising blood pressure and causing kidney stones over time.
💡 Better Choice: Use herbs, spices, garlic, and lemon for flavor instead of salt.

✅ Cold Drinks – Pancreas
Sugary, cold sodas cause rapid blood sugar spikes, overworking the pancreas and leading to insulin resistance.
💡 Better Choice: Drink room temperature water, herbal tea, or infused water.

✅ Alcohol – Liver
Alcohol is a toxin that the liver must filter; excess consumption leads to fatty liver, inflammation, and permanent scarring (cirrhosis).
💡 Better Choice: Limit intake significantly or switch to non-alcoholic mocktails.

💬 Final Message:
Your everyday food choices directly impact your organs' survival. 🧠❤️
Eat fresh, natural, and minimally processed foods to protect your body from the inside out.

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01/12/2026

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If you’ve been lying awake at night wondering why sleep won’t come, here are some simple, effective tricks you can try to help yourself drift off more easily. First, set a consistent wake-up time and stick to it every day, even on weekends. That regular rhythm helps your body’s internal clock align so you fall asleep more naturally. Don’t drop the workout entirely, but try to avoid vigorous exercise too close to bedtime; instead opt for gentle movement earlier in the day. Also, make your bedroom a true sleep zone—dark, cool, quiet, and used only for rest or intimacy, so your brain associates it with sleep rather than wakefulness.

Next, be mindful of what and when you eat or drink. Caffeine, ni****ne or heavy meals late in the evening can interfere with sleep onset and quality. Try to finish major meals a few hours before bed, cut off stimulating drinks, and keep your fluid intake moderate so you’re not waking up to use the bathroom. Finally, adopt a calming bedtime routine: dim lights, avoid bright screens for at least an hour before bed, and spend ten minutes doing something relaxing like reading or deep breathing. These cues signal to your body it’s time to wind down, helping you fall asleep faster and sleep deeper.

These methods are not a magic fix for every night, and if poor sleep persists for more than a few weeks or significantly affects your daytime functioning, see a healthcare professional. There may be underlying issues like sleep apnea, restless legs, or mental-health factors that need addressing. But by incorporating these habits consistently, many people find they reduce the number of sleepless nights and improve overall sleep quality.

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01/08/2026

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Understanding the different locations of abdominal pain can provide essential clues about potential underlying health issues.

Abdominal pain often varies not just in intensity but also in its specific location. Each quadrant of the abdomen corresponds to different organs, and the type of pain experienced can be indicative of various conditions.

In the upper left quadrant, pain may indicate issues with the spleen, gas buildup, or even cardiac problems. This area is home to vital organs and any discomfort here should be monitored closely.

The upper right quadrant can signal gallbladder issues, liver problems, or even pneumonia. It's crucial to recognize that pain in this area can stem from conditions that may require immediate attention, especially if accompanied by other symptoms.

Mid-abdominal pain typically points to more general conditions such as indigestion, gastritis, or intestinal issues. While this type of pain can arise from benign causes, persistent discomfort warrants further investigation to rule out more serious problems.

Moving to the lower left quadrant, pain could be a sign of diverticulitis, ovarian issues, or a bowel obstruction. This area often presents unique challenges, especially for women, as gynecological concerns can complicate the diagnosis.

Lastly, pain in the lower right quadrant is commonly associated with appendicitis, ovarian issues, or kidney stones. This location is particularly known for its link to appendicitis, which typically requires surgical intervention if diagnosed.

Understanding these pain locations can empower individuals to recognize when medical attention is necessary. While not all abdominal pain is severe, being aware of the potential causes can lead to timely and effective treatment strategies.

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01/08/2026

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Love isn't just about happiness. It's about protection.
Science shows a supportive partner lowers chronic stress, stabilizes blood pressure, and reduces strain on your heart. Feeling emotionally safe calms your nervous system. Partners also influence daily habits like eating, sleeping, and seeking medical care. Over decades, these small advantages add up. A supportive relationship doesn't just make life better. It makes it longer.
Shared for informational purposes only.
Source: PLOS Medicine / Holt-Lunstad et al. (2010)

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01/06/2026

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It turns out that how you walk may matter as much as how often you walk. Studies show that walking at a brisk pace, roughly three to four miles per hour or more than one hundred steps a minute, is strongly linked with better overall health and longer life. In a large study of middle-aged adults, those who walked quickly were found to be biologically younger—sometimes by as much as sixteen years—compared to slow walkers of the same age.

Walking at a faster pace seems to improve the way your body functions on many levels. It strengthens circulation, lowers blood pressure, boosts lung and heart performance, and helps regulate metabolism. Fast walkers also tend to have better endurance and sharper brain function thanks to improved blood flow and oxygen delivery. Even short bursts of brisk walking throughout the day can add up to meaningful benefits.

The good news is you don’t need to walk huge distances or count every step. What really matters is consistency and effort. Walking regularly, adding a little speed when you can, and keeping it part of your routine can make a noticeable difference for your health and longevity.

Research Paper 📄
PMID: 37495893

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01/02/2026

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Ever wondered how much effort it actually takes to burn off everyday foods we consume without thinking twice? 🍕🥤🍚🍫

The truth is often surprising — and it puts nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle choices into real perspective.

Based on scientifically accepted estimates, this comparison shows how long a 70 kg (155 lb) adult would need to walk at a moderate pace (around 5 km/h) to burn the calories from some very common foods.

Let’s break it down 👇

A single slice of pizza contains roughly 285 calories. To burn that off, you’d need about 53 minutes of walking, covering around 4.4 kilometers. That’s nearly an hour for just one slice.

A 330 ml can of soda, often consumed in minutes, packs about 140 calories. Burning it requires approximately 27 minutes of walking. Liquid calories add up fast — and don’t even make you feel full.

One cup of cooked white rice provides about 205 calories. That translates to around 45 minutes of walking. Rice is a staple food worldwide, but portion control matters more than most people realize.

A standard milk chocolate bar (around 40 g) contains roughly 225 calories, which takes about 42 minutes of walking to burn. Sweet cravings come with a real energy cost.

👉 These numbers aren’t meant to scare you — they’re meant to educate and empower. Weight loss, fat burning, and healthy living aren’t about avoiding foods completely, but about balance, awareness, and consistency.

12/30/2025

Have a HEALTHY and Happy New Year!!!

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12/30/2025

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Drinking sugary soft drinks might be linked to depression through gut changes, study finds.

Researchers have found a noteworthy connection between frequent consumption of sugary soft drinks and higher rates of major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly in women. In a study comparing adults with clinically diagnosed depression to healthy controls, women who consumed more soft drinks showed about a 17 percent higher likelihood of depression and more severe symptoms than those who drank less. Meanwhile, men did not show the same pattern. The link was found even after accounting for factors like body mass index, education, and overall calorie intake.

What’s especially interesting is how the gut microbiome appears to play a role in this connection. Women with higher soft drink intake also had increased levels of a bacteria called Eggerthella in their intestines, which has been associated with depression in prior research. The idea is that sugary drinks and additives disrupt the balance of gut microbes, promoting inflammation and reducing the production of beneficial compounds, changes that may affect brain function and mood regulation. While the effect size was modest (Gut microbe changes explained only 3 to 5 percent of the link), the widespread popularity of soft drinks means the impact could add up at the population level.

Research Paper 📄
DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.2579

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12/20/2025

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🥬🦠 Eating kimchi every day may do more than help your gut — it could make your immune system smarter.

A new study found that people who ate kimchi daily for 12 weeks didn’t just improve digestion. Their immune systems became better regulated and more precise.

Instead of simply boosting immune activity, kimchi appeared to help immune cells:
• Recognize viruses more effectively
• Avoid overreacting in ways that cause inflammation or allergies
• Maintain a healthier balance between defense and calm

This matters because an immune system that’s too weak can’t protect you — and one that’s too aggressive can actually damage the body.

Researchers believe the effect comes from kimchi’s natural probiotics, antioxidants, and fermented compounds, which reshape gut bacteria. Since about 70% of the immune system is linked to the gut, those changes ripple throughout the body.

In the study, key immune cells (like T cells) became better regulated and less inflammatory — a sign of immune intelligence, not just immune stimulation.

It’s another reminder that fermented foods don’t just support digestion — they may help train the immune system to respond wisely, not wildly.

12/18/2025

Address

3486 Milwaukee Avenue
Northbrook, IL
60090

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 2pm

Telephone

+18472988860

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