Nutrition Articles

February is Heart Month, so you’re probably hearing a great deal about what to do to keep your heart healthy. Eat this and not that, exercise more, get more sleep and reduce your stress level. This amazing organ works hard to keep us alive, so let’s take a brief look at what the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system does for us, and what we can do to keep it running smoothly.

You want to be more physically active, but how do you find the time? And just how much activity do you have to do? In Part 1, we identified ‘time’ as the number one reason most people are not more active. Did you implement any of the tips for getting more activity into your home and work routine? Here are examples of how to boost your fitness when traveling, caring for children, and running errands. On the Road

If you have high blood pressure, your MD has probably discussed with you sodium, potassium, and calcium as part of your treatment plan; however, the role of magnesium is often overlooked. Magnesium is a critical player in maintaining normal blood pressure levels, as well as muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, bone health, and immune system maintenance. How Magnesium Regulates Blood Pressure

Your body, like a bank account, requires regular deposits of healthy, nutritious, disease-fighting foods. Your body can tolerate a few withdrawals here and there. A little junk food now and again never killed anyone. But too many withdrawals will lead to health problems. However, I firmly believe food is to be enjoyed. We just have to pick and choose which foods are worth a withdrawal on our health and which are not. Nothing is truly off limits. But to avoid a major hit to y

How are you treating the temple that your spirit lives within? Each one of us living on earth is a spirit living within a material/physical body. The body is the temple within which the spirit lives during a life on earth. Some of us treat our bodies well while others do not. Food is the fuel that keeps the physical body alive. Eating healthy is important for the health of the physical body. Here are seven suggestions for healthy eating. ONE: Remember to have an attitude of g

Every once in a while you’ll stumble across an expert whose words and passion sink right into your soul and so it was the day I listened to Dr. Joseph Hibbeln of the National Institutes of Health on a radio broadcast as he explained why we have chronic inflammation and what it all means. Dr. ...

Here are a few things you need to know about sugar and why it may be creating weight loss resistance, meaning, no matter how much you do 'right' the weight isn't coming off: 1. Isn't There Such Thing As Healthy Sugar Like Honey And Agave? One common response to being told to eliminate sugar is to say, "Ok, I'll watch my sugar intake by switching to healthy sugars like honey and agave." Health and nutrition expert, JJ Virgin, was asked this question, and she answered in ALL

Today, consumers associate protein powders and supplements as nutrient sources for healthier living. But about 40 years ago the only concentrated form of protein that was manufactured was egg protein. In the 1990’s whey protein became a big hit with body builders who wanted to build muscle mass and reduce recovery periods between training sessions. Advanced science and technology has introduced us to protein isolates. These have become the latest craze because of their high

Flax seed oil is the richest source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a member of the omega -3 essential fatty acid family. Because our body is unable to manufacture essential fatty acids (EFAs), they must be consumed through our diet. Here are just a few of the health benefits of omega -3 essential fatty acids. They: · have the ability to thin the blood and reduce blood clotting. · are helpful for all forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. · promote brain and eye development. · help prevent abnormal heart rhythms. · improve immune function.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death of Americans in the United States. Cholesterol is one of the major factors that impacts the development of heart disease. Understanding more about what cholesterol is and how to manage your cholesterol can help you decrease your risk of facing the number one killer.

“Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food”…Hippocrates According to Canada’s Food Guide To Healthy Eating adults need to eat between 5 and 10 servings of fruits and vegetables daily while kids should be consuming 4 to 8 servings daily.

The body is constantly working to maintain a neutral pH balance; excess acidity is a condition that weakens the body systems. The body has to bring the acidity levels back to normal and in order to do so it leeches minerals from the bones and vital organs. Calcium is leeched from the bones, magnesium from the nerves, potassium from the muscles and sodium from the joints and digestive tube.r

Halloween often means loads of sugary treats, but it doesn't have to. Here are some things you can hand out to the neighborhood children to make this Halloween a healthy one: • Cheese and cracker packages • Naturally flavored and sweetened gun or sugar-free gum • Small bags of pretzels ...

A 2013 study out of University Colorado Boulder suggests that sleeping five hours a night over a workweek and having unlimited access to food caused participants to gain nearly two pounds. Researchers found that although you burn more calories when awake, the amount of calories consumed overrides the calories burned. In short, insufficient sleep can lead people to eat more than needed.

You may often find yourself complaining that “there aren’t enough hours in a day”, a common phrase used by every working person, mother and college student. With all of your daytime chores and obligations taking up all of your time, eating often gets placed on the back burner. But why should you let your deadlines, children’s play dates and hectic class schedules be full-time responsibilities and your health only a part-time one?

There are thousands of types of bacteria representing the simplest and oldest form of life on earth. These ubiquitous creatures dwell within us and around us in astronomical numbers and include both dangerous and helpful bacteria. The average person carries around a quarter pound (100 grams) ...

When we think of the word balance, images that come to mind may be of a gymnast on a balance beam, a set of weighing scales or someone falling because they “lost their balance”. Balance, to me, is essential to our health and well-being. When we have balance in our lives, we hold the key to health, happiness and prosperity. Throughout history people have strived to find balance. Buddhism uses meditation as an instrument to maintain a healthy balance of body and mind. The Chinese find balance through the ancient study of Feng Shui.

Many people are deficient in vitamins and minerals and don't know it. Sometimes even your doctor doesn't know it when looking at your blood tests. If you take the case of magnesium, then whether the cells and tissues of your body have enough magnesium or not, your blood test will show normal levels of magnesium. The reason is simply that the body needs to regulate blood magnesium levels between very strict limits. If magnesium drops too low, you are likely to have a heart attack!

With summer rapidly approaching it’s the perfect time to purchase and consume fresh local fruits and vegetables. (What better way to supply the body with much needed enzymes). The latest North American food guidelines recommend adults consume between 5 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables daily. Although that may seem like a lot, it is an easy goal to reach and something we need to strive for. Studies are showing that a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables helps to lower the risk of certain cancers, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

For decades, scientists promoted the nutrients and vitamins naturally found in the food we eat. Vitamin D is good for the skin, teeth, and bones. Vitamin A supports eye health. B vitamins boost energy. Iron fights anemia and promotes healthy blood cells. However, more of the food we eat today has little nutritional value. This led to the creation of dietary mineral and vitamin supplements. These supplements help meet the nutrient needs that at times can be difficult to meet t

If cutting onions makes you cry, you’re not alone! Forget myths about breathing with your mouth open, lighting a candle, whistling while you cut, holding bread in your mouth, or holding a wine cork between your teeth! Cutting an onion produces a series of chemical reactions that unleashes propanethial S-oxide (a noxious sulfur compound), an irritant that causes the eyes to fill with tears. If you want to prevent tears, you have to chop in a way that produces fewer irritants

This weekend, I went to a so-called floatation spa and spent ninety minutes in an isolation tank. It was a completely new and meditative experience, floating in salt water in complete darkness and silence, with nothing but the sound of my slowed-down heartbeat. Afterwards, feeling relaxed and actually happy, I chatted a bit with the owner of the place about the concept of sensory deprivation and how the whole idea is deeply rooted in the fact that less is more.

Although many people boast that drinking alcohol does not affect them, alcohol can be dangerous to someone with diabetes. There are several good reasons why you should avoid alcohol if you have diabetes. When the stomach is empty, most of the alcohol a person drink is absorbed directly from the stomach into the bloodstream. Normally, if the blood glucose level drops too low, the liver converts some of its stored glycogen to glucose and releases it into the blood. Alcohol, how

A poor diet can cause feelings of lethargy and fatigue. Foods that have a high glycemic rating deliver an immediate, short-lived boost of energy but then cause you to feel sluggish and tired. This includes fast foods, junk foods, energy drinks, sugary snacks, and highly processed foods. To fight your fatigue you need to choose foods that release energy more slowly and give you a gradual boost of long lasting energy. If you are already feeling fatigued then its important to ch

Vitamin B12 is known as cobalamin as well, because of its cobalt content. Vitamin B12 aids in maintaining healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is an integral element in DNA formation. It functions with the binding of protein in food. During the digestion process, hydrochloric acid in the stomach discharges vitami B12 from protein contents found in food. As soon as it is released, it binds with intrinsic factor (IF). Later intestinal tract absorbs this combination. nnVi

Walking is usually the underrated exercise. People walk every day to get from one place to another without being aware the benefits it carries. According to the study published in the Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology, those participants who walked every day for 30 minutes reduced the risk of dying by 33 percents.

Cold pressing juice is a trend that is becoming more and more popular around the world. But why? Does cold pressing juice actually make the juice more healthy for you than traditional juice? It turns out that yes, cold pressing juice is a good idea. Here is why cold pressing juice is a good idea. Healthier and TastierrnPressing fruits and vegetables instead of blending them has a number of special benefits for the consumer. First, cold pressed juices contain more vitamins, mi

Being a Natural Medicine Practitioner and Health and Wellness Coach is fun, interesting, and sometimes even a little difficult. It’s fun because I get to help a lot of people better their lives, and interesting because there is so much to learn and understand. So what’s the difficult part, ...

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." - Nelson Mandela What Nelson Mandela said about languages can easily be applied in the business world. When you are speaking with business associates, potential partners, and even customers in their language, you are gaining additional respect and an upper hand over the competition.

Silicon is an essential trace mineral. The human body contains approximately 7 grams of silicon, which is present in various tissues and body fluids. The highest concentrations of silicon are found in tissues in the aorta, trachea, tendons, bones and skin. As we age, silicon levels in the body decrease.nnSilicon is required by the body for stronger bones, healthy skin and more flexible joints. Silicon has many uses: 1-4nn• Silicon helps maintain bone density and strengt

Now that the holiday season is over, many people may be noticing their clothes have gotten a little tighter around the waist and perhaps gained a few extra pounds from over-indulging. Some will have made New Year’s resolutions to lose weight and some will have made the resolution to get more exercise. These are both great resolutions and easy to keep, as long as they are included as part of an on-going health routine.

Goodbye Guilty Eating By Suzanne Monroe, HHC – Food Coachnwww.intelligenthealthgroup.com Have you ever said to yourself “Today is the day I am going to start eating healthier!”? I think we have all said this to ourselves at one time or another. But why don’t we stick ...

The link between calcium and blood pressure was noticed years ago when researchers realized people drinking hard water had less high blood pressure than those drinking soft water. Hard water contains more minerals, including calcium. Individuals receiving more than 800 mg of calcium daily have a 23 percent decreased risk of hypertension versus those consuming less than 400 mg of calcium per day.

It is no secret that the French are considered one of the healthiest societies in the world. Given to eating copious amounts of cheese, butter and cream, they nevertheless boast a population of slim, healthy people. According to the Institut National de la Santé et la Recherche ...

Want more energy? People who maximize their EQ (energy quotient) using these 10 energy enhancers* will have more energy than they know what to do with. 1. RAW FOODS. Eat a diet high in raw foods, especially vegetables, sprouts, green leafy vegetables and superfoods high in minerals (such as ...

Nutrient rich foods have long been associated with cancer treatment, with mounting evidence about the effect these foods have on disease prevention and reversal. Food Matters, an online nutritional information website, has this month launched its Cancer Learning Program.nnThe learning program brings together for the first time, several world leading authorities on nutrition who claim that the right kind of foods, supplements and detoxification can be used to treat chronic ill

Food is fuel. What we eat either builds the body up or tears it down. Junk food does not meet all of the criteria mentioned for “real foods.” It would not be conducive to life, and would actually lead the body to a state of dis-ease. Junk food is found primarily in the inner sections of the grocery store rather than the perimeter, where living foods of fruits, veggies, lean meats, and whole grains are found. Junk foods are missing some of the ingredients (not the whole pack

The fingernails say much about a persons overall health. Many conditions and diseases can be detected by changes in the nail. The most common health conditions that nails can reveal are nutritional deficiencies.n nNutritional deficiencies can often result in fingernail changes or abnormalities as well as injuries, illness or external mistreatment. Nails are composed of keratin (hardened protein) and sulfur and they require optimum nourishment from a well balanced diet. nnIron

Are you like most of the people I talk to about nutrition? - Do you think:nn - You will get all the nutrition your body needs simply by eating a well balanced diet?n - Supplements are all the same so you should look for discounts?n - The more nutrients they cram into a pill the better?n - If ...

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture single out whole-grain foods, recommending that half of one’s daily food grain servings should be whole grain. What is a whole-grain? A whole grain is just that, the whole kernel of the wheat, rye, oat, barley, ...

The One Nutrient You Absolutely Must Supplementr By Suzanne W. Dixon, MPH, MS, RD What is the Something You’re Supplementing? I don’t push or promote a lot of dietary supplements. I’m certainly not against supplements. But in my mind, supplements should be exactly what the name suggests: they are to supplement something, not replace it. The “something” is a healthy, varied, plant-based diet. Without the baseline of the right diet, supplements are a wasted effort. The Vita

What is the Mediterranean Diet all about? This diet combines the traditional cooking styles of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The fundamental parts of the diet include the basics of healthy eating, a little wine drinking, incorporating olive oil, and limiting “bad” fats. With heart health in mind, The Mediterranean Diet discusses proportional eating habits, helps prevent certain diseases, and offers variety to those looking to properly manage weight and lengthen

Not a day goes by when I’m not bombarded with quick weight loss advertisements from radio broadcasts and billboards as I travel across the country. Americans spend $33 billion annually on weight loss food, products and services, according to the American Dietetic Association and, ...

The month is about love and there is no better way to say I love you than to share heart healthy insight with friends, family and loved ones. For so many years when the topic was heart health most of the info was based on what the medical profession knew about men and their heart health. Fortunately health professionals have revised their outlook and there is now research and data available on women. We've learned that it is important for women to know the risk factors.

Raw foods enthusiasts report benefits like more energy, clearer skin, less brain fog and looser jeans.Excited about the benefits, more and more people are turning to raw foods to revitalize their bodies. But here's the question - do raw foods make you healthier?rn rnWhile there has yet to be research demonstrating the long term health benefits of adhering to a strict raw food diet, this growing enthusiasm for fresh fruits and vegetables is well-founded. More Raw Foods Is Good

To build, strengthen and tone your body and specifically your muscle, you want to eat to feed the muscle. We all understand the need for small meals frequently throughout the day, yet many clients I speak with still find it difficult or confusing as to what constitutes a good snack for strength and stamina. Simply put, to have the “stick-to-itiveness” necessary to sustain a long day, long workout or stay on point and disciplined in your new dietary habits, I counsel clients t

Many people are becoming more concerned with their body image and more importantly, their health. With this, many are choosing to take a number of supplements in order to maximize their health benefits. Everyone knows that it is essential to be concerned about your health but many people may not be aware of how they can fully benefit themselves. Along with exercise and healthy eating, there are a number of other methods we can use to maximize the benefits. Super enzymes are j