Posts in Diet
What Are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are molecules that can help your body fight off harmful free radicals, which have been linked to health conditions like diabetes and cancer. They’re found in many plant-based foods. Vitamin E and C are examples. You may have heard a lot of talk about antioxidants. However, few people know what they are or how they work. In this article we discuss antioxidants: what they are, how they work, and ways to work them into your diet.

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7 Mediterranean Diet Breakfasts To Help Reduce Inflammation

There are many reasons the Mediterranean diet consistently ranks among the top diets to follow. Research has shown that following the diet can lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure, and it might even prolong your life. Because it’s more of a way of living as opposed to a strict set of calorie and carb requirements, it’s much easier to follow when compared to limited diets and meal plans. Instead of saying no to things like gluten or dairy, you’re saying yes to more fish, fruits, veggies, beans, eggs, lentils, olive oils and whole-grains. In this article we discuss all the many benefits of the Mediterranean diet breakfast together with some recommended recipes to start your day out right.

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Nutrition and Wellness: A Natural Medicine Perspective

In a world dominated by pharmaceutical interventions and modern medical practices, the role of nutrition in promoting health and wellness often takes a back seat. However, from a natural medicine perspective, the importance of a balanced and nutrient-rich diet cannot be overstated. The connection between nutrition and overall well-being is deeply rooted in ancient healing traditions and is gaining renewed attention in contemporary holistic healthcare. This article delves into the significance of nutrition in natural medicine, examining how a thoughtful approach to diet can contribute to both physical and mental health, as well as the body's innate ability to heal.

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The Risks of Red Dye #3 in Food: Unveiling the Controversy

The vivid and enticing colors in our food can be a feast for the eyes, but behind the scenes, they often rely on a range of artificial additives, including food dyes. Red Dye #3, also known as Erythrosine, is one such synthetic food dye, which has been a subject of controversy and concern for years. In this article, we will delve into the world of Red Dye #3 and explore the potential risks associated with its consumption.

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The Nutritional Science Is Clear: Fiber Is Your Friend

Fiber might just be the key to healthy weight management – and nature packages it in perfectly balanced ratios with carbs when you eat them as whole foods. Think unprocessed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Research suggests that carbohydrates are meant to come packaged in nature-balanced ratios of total carbohydrates to fiber. In fact, certain types of fiber affect how completely your body absorbs carbohydrates and tells your cells how to process them once they are absorbed.

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The Benefits of a Nutrition Consultation: A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving Optimal Health

In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy lifestyle has become increasingly important. Nutrition plays a vital role in our overall well-being, affecting everything from our energy levels and mood to our long-term health outcomes. While many people strive to make healthy food choices, it can be challenging to navigate the vast amount of conflicting information available. This is where a nutrition consultation can be immensely beneficial. In this article, we will explore the advantages of seeking professional guidance through a nutrition consultation.

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Vitamin D & Dementia

Results of a large prospective cohort study were recently published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, describing the association between vitamin D supplementation and dementia incidence within the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) cohort. As the authors point out, there is considerable interest in vitamin D as a potential modifier of risk, as dementia affects 50 million people around the world and prevalence is predicted to triple by 2050, with a lack of effective medications for either treatment or prevention.

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Magnesium & Brain Volume

More evidence of the likely neuroprotective effect of magnesium was recently published in the European Journal of Nutrition. This study comes on the heels of an analysis of NHANES data published last year in Alzheimer’s & Dementia which found that a higher total intake (diet and supplemental) of magnesium was associated with better cognitive function among participants aged 60 and older.

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Watermelon & Hepatic Gene Expression

A recent study has found that the consumption of watermelon may positively impact hepatic gene expression and upregulate lipid metabolism in obese mice. The current Western diet, often characterized by intake of high levels of saturated fats, cholesterol, and refined carbohydrate, has been shown to contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), both associated with excessive fat accumulation in the liver.

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Spring is Coming - It's Liver Detox Time

We have all heard about using hormones or herbs to address our hormonal imbalances. But there is not much talk about the liver. Let’s understand the organ that does more than just detoxing. The liver is the second largest organ of the body. Your liver performs about 200 vital functions, most of which are vital for good health. Blood filtration, protein synthesis, excretion of bilirubin, hormones, cholesterol, drugs, and production of bile are just some of the important functions that the liver performs.

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The Blood Type Diet - Foods to Eat and Avoid Based on Your Blood Type

Your blood type matters in ways that might surprise you: It's tied to your risk of heart disease, how much you get bit by mosquitoes and more. There's even a diet based on blood type, which proposes that people with type O blood should focus on eating different foods than, say, those with type A or B. For example, people with blood type A are advised to avoid eating red meat, and those with type O are advised to do the opposite. The general thrust of the diet is that there are optimal foods for people with various blood types O, A, B and AB. Part of the claim hinges on the idea that blood types serve as maps of our ancestral history and genetics, and that the foods commonly eaten by our ancestors are better suited for our bodies, even in the modern day.

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Health, Wellness, DietCarola Cuenca
5 Hormone-Balancing Foods for Women

Hormone balance is an essential part of wellbeing, especially for women. Our hormones fluctuate a great deal throughout the month, and throughout our lives — your hormones are quite different in your thirties and forties than they were in your twenties. To help get your hormones back in check, hormone balancing foods can help.

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Diet, Health, WellnessCarola Cuenca
Twelve Foods That Help Fight Depression

When you feel depressed, there are many things you can do to fight it. For instance, the food you eat directly impacts your psychological well-being. Thus, one of the most helpful steps you can take is to amend your diet to get adequate amounts of all nutrients that prevent poor mental health. If you feel the tell-tale signs of depression rearing their ugly heads, make sure you eat these twelve foods often.

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9 Ways to Strengthen Children’s Immune Systems

The immune system is not one single entity - it's a complex interconnected system that evolves as we age. Apart from fighting viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, the immune system also plays an important role in tissue repair - wound healing, elimination of dead cells, and formation of gut microbiota. In babies, the immune system is fragile and still developing for the first 3 months of life. Fortunately, nature designed us so that antibodies flood a baby’s system straight after birth to provide protection from infection.

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Health, Immunity, DietCarola Cuenca
The Gout & Insulin Connection

Word is starting to spread that even in people whose blood glucose is within a healthy range, chronically elevated insulin can be a major factor in cardiometabolic disease. Metabolic syndrome and PCOS are the most obvious manifestations of hyperinsulinemia, but a growing number and a widening range of diverse conditions can be added to the list of issues that are caused or exacerbated by this hormonal situation. This article explores the connection between chronic hyperinsulinemia and gout.

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Hormone Health, DietCarola Cuenca
10 Health Benefits of Moringa

No matter what you call Moringa oleifera — also known as “drumstick tree,” “tree of life,” and “miracle tree” — it's one of the most nutritious plants in the world. It has a wide range of nutritional and bioactive compounds, including essential amino acids, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, making this plant a powerful one.

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What is the Mediterranean Diet?

The way we think about the word “diet” today is as something borne of restriction that helps you lose weight. The Mediterranean diet couldn’t be further from that. Rather, it’s a heart-healthy eating pattern that includes the food staples of people who live in the countries around the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Croatia, and Italy. These meals emphasize a plant-based eating approach loaded with vegetables and healthy fats, including olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids from fish. It’s a diet known for being heart-healthy, rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seafood, nuts and legumes, and olive oil. On this plan, one limits or avoids red meat, sugary foods, and excessive dairy.

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Diet, Health, NutritionCarola Cuenca