Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO, Author at FoodTrients

October 29, 2019

Reishi Mushroom: A Cancer-Fighting Hero

Mushrooms are a major FoodTrient food! Both edible and medicinal mushrooms contain FoodTrient properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune boosting, and disease prevention effects. Two mushrooms backed by research that contain potent health benefits include Reishi and Turkey Tail mushrooms. Reishi mushrooms aren’t something you will find in your local grocery store. Though all mushrooms have health promoting properties including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and immune-boosting compounds like beta-glucans, some mushrooms are more edible than others. Reishi mushrooms are made of non-digestible fiber and have a woody texture. More potent health benefits are said to come from young reishi mushrooms rather […]

September 10, 2019

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Chaste Tree Berry: It’s Good for Migraines

Weight management, acne, fertility, menopause – there are so many reasons to make sure hormones are balanced properly. When they’re not, the body can communicate in strong (and undesirable) ways. Herbal supplements can help and chaste tree berry – also called vitex and vitex agnus-castus – is one that shouldn’t be ignored. A shrub native to Mediterranean regions, it has a long history of medicinal use, especially for hormone abnormalities and gynecological issues in women. Vitex is used for: Menstrual disorders (painful menses, lack of menses, heavy menses) PMS and menopausal symptoms Infertility in women Increasing lactation Acne Migraine and […]

June 11, 2019

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Can Feverfew Help Migraine Sufferers?

By Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO If you are starting to see wild flowers bloom that look in some ways like a daisy or chamomile and in some ways

April 15, 2019

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Catnip Helps People Sleep, Fight Colds

Catnip is an herb that’s not just for cats any longer. In fact, it has a long history of use in folk medicine and some interesting health properties for humans. Native to Europe, Asia and Africa, catnip was brought to the U.S. by early settlers. In traditional medicine, it is used for its sedative and calming properties. It is also widely studied for use as an insect repellant or insecticide. It is often found in tea or as a tincture. Though it drives cats crazy, there are some interesting potential uses as well as warnings and considerations for its use […]

March 5, 2019

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Hydrogen Water: Quenching Our Thirst for Health

You know that regular water is important for hydration and for the body’s systems to run smoothly. But have you heard of the potential health benefits of hydrogen water? Touted around the world as an incredible cure for many ailments and powerful anti-aging compound, there is some fascinating research to support these claims. However, much of what’s available currently has been done in animal studies and it’s difficult to know if hydrogen water is the answer to your health worries or if it’s just a very expensive way to meet your water needs. Medicinally, hydrogen water is used: As an […]

February 5, 2019

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Alpha Lipoic Acid – An Anti-Aging Wonder

You may not have heard of Alpha-Lipoic Acid – often shortened to ALA – but you’ve actually consumed it! Foods like spinach, broccoli, potatoes, carrots, beets, yeast and red meat all contain small amounts of this powerful antioxidant. The body also produces it internally because it is such an important scavenger of free radicals which can damage normal cells. It’s so powerful in fact that many people take it as a supplement to get access to more concentrated sources of this compound. With anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antioxidant effects in addition to lowering oxidative stress in the cardiovascular system and supporting […]

February 5, 2019

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Ginseng: It Helps the Brain and Body Adapt to Stress

The subject of ginseng is a broad one. There are three main types: Panax (sometimes called Asian or Chinese

January 8, 2019

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Berberine: Good for Your Heart, Obesity and More

Commonly known as a natural compound that may help treat diabetes, (see Foodtrients® article“Does Berberine Fight Diabetes” ) that’s not all berberine is known for. A bitter alkaloid compound found in several plants including barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape, it can also be important for enhancing the immune system during cold and flu season. Berberine also contains anti-bacterial properties and is often prescribed as a treatment for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). It has a long history of medicinal use in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Medicidally, berberine is used for: Heart failure High cholesterol levels High blood pressure Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) […]

December 11, 2018

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Got Milk Thistle? It Does the Body (and Liver) Good

Milk thistle, a liver cleansing herb, was so important to early American settlers that colonists brought it over from Europe as part of their traditional medicine supply. Milk thistle grows throughout the world – in Africa, Australia, Asia, the U.S. and South America. The mature plant boasts identifiable bright purple flowers. Milk thistle is also commonly called silymarin because of the health-promoting antioxidants, particularly silybin. It really is a tonic for the liver and is used to treat toxic liver damage caused by alcohol, chemicals and even chemotherapy. It has been used in ancient medicine and among herbalists to treat […]