February 19, 2025

How to Live to 100: Check Your Blood

“I am going to live forever!” you exclaim as you dip into your expensive anti-aging cream, sip your green tea and unroll your yoga mat. You’re on the right track, but research has more good news for you. A new study published in GeroScience that followed a Swedish population-based cohort up to 35 years has linked specific blood biomarkers to longer lifespans. In fact, some of these individuals are even hitting the triple digits! This research identified 10 different biomarkers that indicated exceptional longevity, zoning in on biomarkers that indicate metabolism and nutritional status, as well as kidney and liver function. While those […]
February 18, 2025

Try 10 of the Best Heart-Healthy Nutrients

You may already know that cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death in men and women in the United States today.  As such, you may be trying to improve, or maintain, your heart health. It’s really not that difficult if you understand that your heart, like the rest of your body, stays its healthiest with the food you put in it. With that in mind, I’d like to tell you about 10 of the best heart-healthy nutrients you can include in your diet to help make your heart its strongest. The Best Nutrients to Feed Your Heart First, it’s […]
February 17, 2025

Infused with Tea: Brewing a Steamy Love Story

Enjoying a hot cup of tea is a cherished daily ritual in many cultures, offering both comfort and incredible health benefits. In the UK, for instance, the 4 p.m. cuppa is practically sacred—and for good reason! Black tea is packed with powerful antioxidants like catechins, flavonoids, theaflavins, and magnesium, which support heart health by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. These compounds also help protect against certain cancers, promote dental health, and enhance weight loss by boosting metabolism. Additionally, black tea improves circulation, strengthens blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and keeps arteries healthy while […]
February 17, 2025

How DO You Mend a Broken Heart? Read On

Life has changed in ways many of us never expected. For some, it meant losing a familiar way of life. We missed our friends and families. We missed going to work or school. We missed graduations, parties, and milestone celebrations. And we lost people we loved. It’s safe to say that most of us have experienced heartbreak in recent years. Florence Williams knows a thing or two about that. She has literally written the book on it. Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey (W.W. Norton & Company), is her scientific exploration of the subject we all have felt in one […]
February 17, 2025

How Do Antioxidants Work in the Body?

Your mother was right when she insisted you eat all your vegetables at dinnertime before moving on to dessert. Virtually every fruit and vegetable contains antioxidants. Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans are so good for our bodies because they contain a host of antioxidants that can be broken down into multiple categories. I thought it would be helpful to highlight a few of those subcategories here. Antioxidants play a crucial role in the body by neutralizing harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, contributing to aging and increasing the risk of chronic […]
January 27, 2025

Heart Disease: The Silent Threat to Women’s Health

At a recent Heart Health Fair at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Dr. Thomas Amidon delivered a startling truth: heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women, surpassing all forms of cancer combined. Despite advancements in medical research and treatment, the misconception that heart disease is a “man’s disease” persists, often leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment for women. A Critical Gender Gap in Awareness and Treatment Dr. Amidon, who has a personal interest in women’s health—being surrounded by his wife, three daughters, three mares, and two female dogs—emphasized that the medical community has historically focused on men when […]
January 24, 2025

The Top 50 Foods To Help Fight Diabetes

Need help fighting diabetes? The good news is that diet plays a major role in positively affecting health outcomes with this disease. Think beyond the blood sugars when assessing dietary management of diabetes — fat, fiber, and nutrients play a role in diabetes, cardiovascular and kidney health. While November is American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) hopes Americans will rally all year long behind the fight to end diabetes. According to the ADA, there are currently over 38 million Americans with diabetes. Nearly 98 million people in the U.S. have prediabetes. In the last 20 years, the number […]
January 15, 2025

Women’s Health at Every Age: Nutrition in your 60’s and Beyond

The years after the age of 60 for women can bring about a renewed sense of self and the opportunity to focus more deeply on health and longevity. The post-menopausal years can be a time of vibrant health if women continue to prioritize their nutritional and fitness goals, staying informed about the evolving needs of their bodies. Physical activity, with a focus on strength, flexibility, and balance in addition to meeting changing nutrient needs are critical areas to consider. If you haven’t caught up yet on our women’s health series, be sure to read our Foodtrients® pieces about women in […]
January 12, 2025

Echinacea: A Natural Ally Against Colds, Flu, and Beyond

You’re coming down with that tickle in your throat and a bit of fatigue – possibly getting a cold. As viruses like the flu rage on this winter, do you reach for the herb echinacea to help boost the immune system at the first sign of trouble? If so, you’re not alone. A perennial flowering plant related to sunflowers, daisies and ragweed, echinacea is native to the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. It was originally discovered and used by Native Americans who passed it along to early settlers and its medicinal uses were then taken back to Europe. It is […]