I was referred to your web site by a friend and have been greatly impressed with all of the information. Our first little baby is 7 weeks-old, and the medical profession is strongly insisting on immunizing her. The thought of this is making me nervous as I would like to make an informed decision.

Because of concerns that immunizations have played a role in the increased incidence of autism, many parents are understandably anxious and confused about the risks and benefits of having their children immunized. However, the scientific evidence to date hasn’t revealed a clear association between immunization and autism. Although there has been a great deal of controversy over the chemical compound thimerosal (previously used as a preservative in vaccines), vaccine makers in the U.S. haven’t used thimerosal in vaccines since 1999. Against the questionable link between immunizations and autism, parents must weigh the known risks of their children being infected and developing a preventable illness.

I come from a large family. We keep in touch, but we are not particularly close. We center our family reunions on the holidays, and tensions always run high—stress builds as typical family patterns rear their ugly heads. I love my family, but I dread these concentrated “get-togethers.” Since I can’t opt out, is there anything I can do to help make this a better experience?

It’s important that you begin by recognizing that you can opt out. If you realize that you are making a choice to be there, you will be in a more empowered state of mind to stay centered, rather than defaulting to your long-standing childhood patterns.

My boyfriend tends to express himself in a passive aggressive way. I find myself afraid to dig deeper and at the same time resentful that I have to be the one to initiate open and direct communication. How can I handle this?

The first thing you can do to improve communication with your boyfriend is to look at the language you are using to describe him and your relationship. If your internal conversation is that he tends to express himself in a passive aggressive manner and rarely wants to engage, chances are high that you will reinforce your interpretation of him and perpetuate your resentful feelings.

Is candida a real illness? I'm 45 and have been taking a lot of antibiotics for ear, upper respiratory, and bacterial infections since I was 14. I've also been addicted to sugar, but have gotten better. I've had a poor diet most of my life. My symptoms say I have candida, but the medical tests all come back normal. I always have a yeast infection and the different doctors I’ve seen don’t know what else to offer as I've become resistant to all of the yeast meds they've tried. Candida diets supposedly have a 95 percent relapse rate if you ever cheat on the diet. That sounds strange to me and I'm very confused. Please help.

Answer: Candida albicans is a common yeast present in our environment that usually does not cause any major health challenge. People whose immune systems are severely suppressed may have difficulty maintaining healthy defenses against candida, which can cause serious infections.

Most people who carry the diagnosis of candida are better served by thinking in terms of accumulated toxicity rather than infection. Due to a weak digestive fire, known in ayurvedic medicine as agni, the body accumulates toxins or ama that inhibits one’s natural vitality and immunity.

I have been a diabetic for over 25 years. Despite my many efforts, including some of the best medication, I have never been able to get my diabetes under control. Could you please advise?

There are two major forms of diabetes: Type I is primarily due to insufficient production of insulin due to a loss of cells in the pancreas, while Type II is characterized by insulin intolerance. People with Type II diabetes are often overweight, and their treatment becomes much more effective when weight is reduced. I would encourage you to start by making the following three lifestyle changes:

I am suffering from insomnia. I’m being treated by a psychiatrist but I still cannot sleep. I also have less of an appetite and am feeling unhealthy and weak and have less sexual desire. I have a habit of using chewing tobacco and am 51 years old. I’d kindly appreciate guidance. Thank you.

According to ayurveda, sleep is the nursemaid to humanity. Unfortunately, with the turbulence in people’s personal lives and in the world at large, many of us suffer from a lack of adequate rest, which influences every aspect of our health and outlook on life. Although sleep medication can provide a temporary altered state that resembles sleep, it doesn’t offer the level of rejuvenation that comes with normal sleep. Restful sleep is an essential component of a total balanced lifestyle that includes diet, exercise, and optimal daily routine. Here are the major steps for creating a restful sleep routine:

I am 40 and currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. What are some ways I can tap into my body’s healing power to fight this disease and withstand the effects of the chemotherapy?

In addition to targeting cancer with radiation and chemotherapy, many patients seek to integrate natural healing approaches into their treatment program. Our experience at the Chopra Center convinces us that combining holistic approaches with effective medical care leads to the best outcome with reduced side effects. Serious illness challenges people at physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual levels; therefore, support in each of these dimensions of life can be valuable. These are my top five suggestions for people undergoing cancer treatment:

I try very hard to eliminate toxins from my diet — skipping alcohol and caffeine and eating organic food whenever possible — but I still have signs of toxic overload. I know that there are toxins in my environment that I just can’t avoid. What can I do to help mitigate the effects of toxins I can’t control?

From an ayurvedic perspective, the environment is our extended body. The relationship between our personal body and our extended body means that our personal choices have a collective influence, and our collective choices affect each of us individually. The cars we drive, the food we eat, and the clothing we wear influences the air, water, and soil in our ecological system. Choose to reduce your contribution to the collective toxicity of this planet.

On a personal level, see if you are holding onto toxic emotions or participating in a toxic relationship that can be transformed. Look at your home and work environments, assessing if there are choices you can make to improve the quality of your experience.

I’m too busy to cook and I end up eating a lot of fast food, although I try to order healthier options like salads. I feel sluggish and my digestion isn’t the best. I want to eat better, but the reality is that I don’t have a lot of time to cook. Help!

Although eating in restaurants is not a barrier to healthful eating, an ongoing diet of fast food is. It’s a general principle that we make time for those endeavors that we believe are important. You have a body that is made primarily of food. If you wish your body to be healthy and generate the chemistry of vitality, consider how you can invest a little more time in nourishing it. I encourage you to demonstrate self-love by deciding that it’s okay to take the time to seek out healthy nutrition.

I am on the verge of menopause and would like to explore alternatives to hormone replacement therapy. What do you suggest as a healthy/holistic approach to menopause?

According to ayurveda, three biological principles or doshas govern our mind and body. Vata is the wind principle of change; Pitta is the fire principle of metabolism; and Kapha is the earth principle of protection. Excessive accumulation of any principle leads to symptoms that disturb optimal health.

During their reproductive years, women generally have fewer problems with Pitta, because they release accumulated heat with their monthly menstrual flow. With the onset of menopause, women lose the opportunity to release excess Pitta, resulting first in hot flashes, and then in tissue dryness and bone loss.