February 21, 2017

High-altitude Living Cuts Diabetes Risk

A major risk factor for development of heart diseases, strokes and diabetes is lower in people who live at higher altitudes, says a new study that suggests that something as simple as the geographic area in which you live contribute to your risk of developing these diseases. “We found that those people living between 1500 to 7536 feet, had a lower risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome than those living at sea level (zero to 396 feet),” said Amaya Lopez-Pascual, who conducted this research as part of her PhD thesis at University of Navarra, Spain. Metabolic syndrome is the medical term for the […]
February 13, 2017

Some Condiments Can Make You Sick

High-protein foods like meat or seafood don’t contain much histamine when they are fresh, but the longer they are cured or stored, the more histamine they contain. When you think of histamine, you think of allergies and sneezing right? But histamine is actually a neurotransmitter and release is activated by any outside ‘invader’ such as pollen. We make histamine in our cells, then dump it out after exposure to a trigger. But we might also be eating histamine on a daily basis. By eating certain foods you unintentionally raise an ‘allergy’ chemical. Maybe you don’t mean to, but that’s what […]
February 7, 2017

10 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

Cold air, snow, icy roads, grey skies…don’t they all just make you want to drive to the gym or go for a run outside? Probably not! During the winter months, it can be more difficult to get yourself up and going when you’re snug underneath a blanket warding off the elements. This, combined with the onslaught of scrumptious holiday temptations, can be a recipe for weight gain and lethargy for some. Not to fear, though. Here are 10 tips that can help keep you from falling into a metabolic rut this winter. How to Rev Your Metabolism During Winter 1. […]
January 31, 2017

Lose Weight, Feel Great, With Slow Carbs

Spring is just around the corner and many of my patients are frantic to lose weight so they can get into all those lighter, more revealing clothes they promised themselves they would fit into with their New Year’s resolutions. There’s so much confusion out there about which is the best, fastest, safest way to lose weight! Low carb Atkins-style diets have proven successful for some but too hard to stick to for others. Low-fat, low calorie diets can work but also may take a very long time to show results. Allow me to share a better, more effective way to […]
January 24, 2017

Shake Off the Shackles of Fat Phobia

When it comes to dietary fat, what matters most is the type of fat you eat. Contrary to past advice to eat a low-fat diet – which contributed to over-consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates – newer research suggests that certain types of fat are beneficial and necessary for health. But although we’ve theoretically left the low-fat era behind, it appears many Americans have yet to fully shake off the shackles of fat phobia. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that, rather than adopting a low-fat diet, we should focus on eating foods rich in healthful unsaturated fats while limiting […]
January 24, 2017

Why Organic Matters: Let’s Count the Ways

By Marissa Hermanson Standing in the produce section of your local grocery store, you have a choice. It seems like a small one: Which carton of strawberries to purchase, the conventional or the organic? But, in that moment, you’re making a choice that can have a big impact. As research increasingly supports the benefits of choosing organic, surveys reveal people are purchasing organic products more than ever. According to a Gallup Poll, 45 percent of shoppers actively try to include organic foods in their diet. And organics don’t just appeal to one type of shopper. The Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) […]